Kuro Kare Review: 36-Hour Japanese Curry And More By Ex-Fine Dining Chefs

In case you’re unaware, “kuro kare” means “black curry”, which perfectly describes what they have to offer━their 36-hour Japanese curry. Though they have only recently opened in June 2023, Kuro Kare is one to keep an eye on.

If you’re an SMU student or staff, you’d be delighted to know that everything here is very affordable, with quotations starting from just $4.90++━great for all the broke university students around. Their menu quotations remain affordable at an additional $2++ an item, so the lowest-priced dish starts from just $6.90++. Ima-Sushi Review: $1 Salmon Sushi And Affordable Chirashi Bowls In SMU Food at Kuro Kare We kicked off with their Melty Beef ($14.90++/$16.90++) ━the most dear item on the menu.

Before I go on about the short ribs, which were perfectly well cooked, special mention has to go to Kuro Kare’s black curry, which is the pride and joy of their little eatery. Their curry is meticulously cooked in a process that spans 36 hours with over 25 ingredients, including onions that have been caramelised for six hours, tomato, honey, apple, and dark chocolate.

Lastly, the most key step of all is allowing the curry to rest in the fridge for 24 hours, a step which allows the flavours to come together. Intensify, forming the hearty curry base that you are served. You’re advised to dig in rightaway, since the curry’s flavours and texture change—within 15 minutes of being served, the team tells us.

We had the opportunity to try their original curry base, and much preferred the version with short ribs, because of how the beef jus from the meat had added even more depth and savouriness to the already-robust gravy. Personally, I found the curry in this dish to be slightly more tangy and sweet, which overpowered the flavour of the meat, especially since it was all shredded. If you’re looking to zhng up your curry with other toppings, Kuro Kare offers add-ons from $2.90++.

We highly recommend their Chicken Thigh Katsu ($2.90++) , which you could as well get as part of K.F.C.: Kuro Fried Chicken ($9.90++/$11.90++) . If you’re result the curry gravy too jelak or heavy, drizzle some of their house-made green and red chilli padi sauce on your dishes!

Load up on your greens for the day with their hearty Eno-kiki, do you love me? ($5.90++/$7.90++) don. Top up an additional $3.90++ for a set meal, which gets you a drink and a bowl of house-made chicken bone broth, unlike your typical Japanese meal that comes with miso soup. Crafted through a 12-hour simmering process, after which it’s reduced for three to four hours, you get a broth that’s brimming with concentrated savour.

The menu at Kuro Kare also features a number of side dishes, of which we couldn’t wait to try the Prawn Toast ($7.90++/$9.90++) , especially when the fragrance of their house-made burnt scallion and chilli oils greeted us as the dish was served. While we didn’t try their other side dishes, some of the chef’s recommended items are: Seaweed Chicken ($7.90++/$9.90++) and Umami Tuna Belly ($13.90++/$15.90++) , where the negitoro is made only with premium otoro and chutoro.

Or, get the most bang for your buck and order Keeping up with the Kroquette’s , or curry with two croquettes, which is priced at only $4.90++ for SMU students, and $6.90++ for non-SMU students. Ohayo Mama San Has Award-Winning Japanese Curry Rice At 313 Somerset For A Limited Time Only Ambience at Kuro Kare Kuro Kare sits in the basement of SMU’s School of Computing and Information Systems, a short three- to six-minute walk from Bras Basah and Bencoolen MRT Stations .