Curry House CoCo Ichibanya (Oahu, July ‘05)
Oahu Food Adventures, July 2005 (part 1of 5)
This is part one of a 5-part post from my recent visit to Oahu. I’ll try to disperse the following places along with Big Island places over the next few weeks: Angelo Pietro, Kaka`ako Kitchen, Elena’s, Yotteko-ya (thanks for the recommendation reid!), and Popeye’s.
Visiting Oahu makes me feel like a child in a candy store, except now, I feel like a guy with so many great food choices, I don’t know what to do! I’m originally from Oahu, and every time I go back, so many fond memories come back to me.
Curry House is a successful franchise originating from Japan and I just *have to* eat here every time I go to Oahu. I hear they have hundreds of them in Japan! Oahu is lucky to have 5 locations: Waikiki, University Ave, Ala Moana, Pearl Kai Shopping Center, and McCully Shopping Center. Most of the time, they are consistent in quality and taste.
We went to the Pearl Kai Shopping Center one this time. The people are really nice here and the food is always good at this location.
It was really crowded! We had to wait a few minutes before getting a seat. While waiting, there were a lot of take-out orders being picked up.
We then ended up sitting at the bar, which is a good thing since we get a free entertainment show. Watching them pour the curry over fresh hot rice and meats is so exciting!
There are so many different kinds of items to choose to go with your curry! They use the same curry sauce (spicy or mild) for all the dishes, but the variations are endless when you mix it with the different items on the menu. You can choose how much rice you want and if you want spicy or mild curry.
I ordered the beef curry (my fav), a side of cream corn croquette (a new item), and we also shared a side salad. Click on the menu above to see a sample of the different kinds of curries!
The beef curry was so good. Curry House’s curry is a Japanese style curry. It’s very smooth, rich, thick, spicy, and a little sweet. The beef pieces are so tender, too. Also, I love the beef curry because they stew the beef with the curry, and the beef flavor permeates all of the curry, making it so rich and flavorful.
The cream corn croquette tasted like cream corn made into a hash, then breaded and deep fried. It was a bit sweet and went very well with the spicy beef curry. Very yummy!
The salad was really good too. What makes this salad is their great tasting shoyu-based dressing and the corn.
Bev ordered Chicken Cutlet with Spinach Curry!
This was quite tasty as well. The chicken was nice and crispy and the spinach tasting really fresh and not overcooked. I’m so proud of Bev since she graduated to spicy curry, which tastes so much better than the mild! 
All set to eat? Don’t forget the pickled vegetables called Fukujinzuke, I think. It’s great sprinkled over the curry.
I’d love to know what other people like to order at Curry House. And If you haven’t eaten here yet, you must!
Curry House Coco Ichibanya
98-199 Kamehameha Hwy in the Pearl Kai Shopping Center
Aiea, Hawaii 96701
August 3rd, 2005 at 1:19 am
Hi James,
I have to tell you that I don’t visit the McCully location anymore even though I live close by. You’re right about the location at Pearl Kai. The staff there is so pleasant that it makes the drive worth it. In fact, I’m here at least once a week! Lately, instead of the curry rice, I’ve been eating the udon. It’s so yummy!
August 3rd, 2005 at 8:11 am
Hey Reid! Thanks for visiting again. Yeah, the people at Pearl Kai are really friendly. They always say Irashaimase!!!! no matter how busy they are. I always find that amusing.
MMmm.. the curry udon is so good too! I only eat it sometimes even though it’s good. I guess I need rice with curry.
August 4th, 2005 at 7:45 am
whoa James das ono looking pics!! the mccully branch is where i took the curry challenge back in the late 90’s. i finished my plate in about 15 minutes. boy was i full!! lol
my friends were cheering me on and LOL. all i was thinking while stuffing my face was…”im not going to pay for this!” I love japanese curry especially when i make it at home with the curry roux bars they sell made by S&B that can be found at the oriental section at Safeway or other market chains. as for the pearl kai bramch been there a few times with coworkers but the curry challenge was already discontinued. 
hehehe 
great service ono curry!! hmmm i gotta try curry udon too…
August 4th, 2005 at 7:59 am
Ahh..Reggie… 15 minutes and pau? Wow! Congratulations!
I was so sad when they discontinued the curry challenge. I always wanted to try.
I dunno if I could’ve made it, though. Yeah.. the s&b one is not bad too.. but still not the same. I really wonder how curry house makes theirs. One of those burning questions throughout the rest of my life, probably. Thanks for visiting. 
August 4th, 2005 at 8:06 am
a few episodes of Soko Ga Shiritai had some revealing curry restaurant secrets i recall. and they did theirs all from scratch and slow cooking. plenty love and patience in the process guaranz!
15 mins and was hot steamy and spicy! i requested lots of cheese to cool the spicyness down a bit. it really worked!
August 4th, 2005 at 8:08 am
Thanks for the tips! You and Reid are so lucky to be on Oahu. *grumbles*
August 16th, 2005 at 4:02 pm
James, I have a HUGE favor to ask. Since you have a few of the CoCo’s in your area, I was wondering if you could find out the nutritional value on their most popular menu items. I live here in Japan and there is a language barrier that cannot be overcome unless one is just “ordering from a menu”. I ask for the nutritional value because since being here in Okinawa, I’ve eaten a few too many times at our CoCo’s…it’s addictive! Anyway, my friends and I are watching our diets via Weight Watcher’s online (since they dont’ have WW here). We need information as to Fat, Calories and Fiber per serving.
If you can help us out, or point us in the right direction…I would GREATLY appreciate it!
Thanks!
Lisa in Okinawa
August 17th, 2005 at 9:08 am
Lisa, there are no Curry House’s on the Island that I’m on.
I only get to go when I visit Oahu. I will see if there is nutritional info available on my next visit, but what might help right now might be their website. It’s Japanese, but I put the webpage into babelfish and it’s somewhat useful 
Click here to see!
August 18th, 2005 at 3:59 pm
This is one of my favorite places to eat when I visit Oahu. Absolutely, wonderful curry. I happened to find your site because I was looking for new places to try on the Big Island when I visit in October. I can’t wait to try some of your recommendations.
September 1st, 2005 at 1:59 pm
[...] This is part one of a 5-part post from my recent visit to Oahu in July featuring the following places: Curry House, Angelo Pietro, Kaka`ako Kitchen, Elena’s, Yotteko-ya, and Popeye’s. [...]
February 20th, 2006 at 9:57 pm
Hi there, I love coco’s i have gotten pretty good at making my own curry, i find shake and bake chicken is pretty good, reg rice, i put mushrooms and cheese in mine, but what the hell is the spice they use to make it hotter????????? I am used to level 7 i got it at least 3 times a week at kadena ab japan. please tell me what they use i think it is a paste of some kind but i need a kick., pls help
April 27th, 2006 at 8:00 am
Love curry and never thought that I would ever find a food establishment where I can eat Katsu Curry, and I must say that it is the best!
June 15th, 2006 at 2:36 am
Holy crap! I never knew that there was a Coco Ichibanya in the states! My hubby and I have been living in Japan for over a year and there is a CocoIchi right across the street from us. It is both a blessing and a curse–in fact right now I have a major hankering for some sausage curry and I know they are open until midnight….now I just have to find some yen. I have to admit that I am a wuss–I started at a level 2 and now always get the mild. The hubster tried the challenge here a few years ago before it was discontinued, and sadly he did not beat it. But he sure got some really deep bows from the Japanese for trying!
Long live CocoIchi!!!!!!!!!!!
August 23rd, 2006 at 8:55 am
I was stationed at Kadena AB in Okinawa three years ago and loved to eat at CoCo. I am still desperately craving coco curry! I live in NY now and was wondering if anyone knows if you can order the sauce or if there is a similar recipe out there? I checked the website but I don’t think they ship overseas. Maybe someday I’ll get to Hawaii!! But for now if anyone can help me it would be awesome and i would be in your debt!
Thanks
August 27th, 2006 at 12:56 am
Jennifer,
Loved CoCo’s Ichibanya while stationed in Okinawa, although many of my local co-workers said that it’s “fast-food” and not comparable to home cooking…but I digress.
The closest you can get to making CoCo’s at home is by using S&B curry (comes in blocks that look like chocolate). I melt one whole block in 2.5 to 3 cups of water, add cooked (to a crisp) bacon, a touch of brown sugar, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add more water as desired, because the curry tends to thicken. If you’re adventurous enough, add a dash of Sriracha Thai chili sauce for that added kick. My kids awear by it! E-mail me at simpork@gmail.com for a detailed recipe!
October 12th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
I am wondering if there is anyway to order the curry from the locations in Hawaii? I make my own version of coco’s curry but its just not the same as the stuff we got on the Rock.
October 15th, 2006 at 6:28 am
I am a big fan of cocos and I haven’t had the taste in over two years now. I would like to know who to get in contact with to start a chain in the states. I currently live in Florida and i know alot of people who would love to have some. Please contact me or get me the information. I wuold really appriciate it.
November 22nd, 2006 at 11:28 pm
Hi, I’m a big fan of Ichibanya Coco Curry. Does anyone know the contact information for Coco Curry to start a chain in Indonesia? I checked out their website but everything is in Japanese.
Pls help! Thank you much.
July 17th, 2007 at 4:56 am
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July 20th, 2007 at 8:22 am
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September 19th, 2007 at 4:29 am
I am just like the rest of you searching for a curry recipe that will tame my craving. Does anyone have an idea on how to make this stuff?
October 1st, 2007 at 3:27 pm
I was stationed in Okinawa Japan for 6 yrs. And I tell you I miss CoCo’s so much. I wish there was a way to order their gift boxes that I use to see for sale. But their website is written in Japanese.
November 30th, 2007 at 2:21 am
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December 4th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
I was at Okinawa too…and how different the food is in Oahu then in Japan. Yea the chicken cutlet is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe one day they will open one here in Sacramento HAA that’ll be the day someone would make alot of money!
December 13th, 2007 at 11:28 am
I was stationed on Oki for 9 years (Kadena). I think I must have spent a fourth of my paycheck every month at CoCos!! LOL That was the best! Yep Chicken cutlet, 300grams of rice, level 2!! WOOHOO!! I really miss it. I have friends that send me the gift packs on occasion. But since I run out of it too quickly, I looked for a substitue. I can honestly say that the S&B Golden Curry (medium-hot) is the closest to CoCos as you are going to find. It tastes similar and takes care of the CoCos craving! You can find it in most grocery stores in the oriental food section. Hope this helps everyone! Enjoy!
January 10th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Fried Chicken curry, Spicy 8, 9, and 10. I NEED IT and I am no longer in Oki. bummer.
January 16th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I saw there are couple people asking about how to start a chain of Coco Curry. I’m also interested in making one but Mitzy was right, the website is all in Japanese. If anyone know the answer, please contact and inform me. Thanks!!!
March 24th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I am always thinking about coco’s ever since I left Oki. The one in Ishikawa was the best. I almost want to start one here in Portland OR, Everyone here talking about it doesnt help me any. I need my fix
June 4th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Miss CoCo’s soooo much, used to eat it at least 3 times a week! Was checking where to find it with no luck, then I saw a person had it for sale on E-Bay!! the real thing.. CoCo’s curry mix
June 28th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Could I get franchise informaton of Curry House in details.
Please just give me an idea for the location, initial investment to be required, a sort of procedure, an so forth.
Tks/ Best Regards
John
July 7th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Jennifer, there is Coco Curry sauce for sale on eBay. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Bobby
July 9th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
How do I get to a website to buy coco’s curry