Tokyo has lots and lots of Indian restaurants-and even a few good ones.
Pondichery in Minami Aoyama is one of the good ones. What makes it good is its “just right” combination of a variety of reasonably-priced and delicious Indian dishes, its friendly and attentive service and its vibrant atmosphere.
The restaurant, is named for one of the most popular tourist destinations in south India. The city of Pondichery features French colonial architecture and sandy white beaches that seem to go on forever. Pondichery the restaurant serves representative south Indian cuisine including Masala Dosa, a fermented crepe made from rice batter and black lentils and stuffed with vegetables, Sambar Curry, a kind of vegetable stew made with tamarind, peas, lentils and coconut and Idli, a round, fluffy bread made from steamed rice and popular throughout India.
All items on the dinner menu come in at under 1500Yen*. This makes it easy to order a variety of dishes and get the taste of south Indian cooking.
The lunch menu has curry sets of two and three curries with condiments at the usual lunchtime prices ( 850Yen-1,380Yen)*
Atmosphere? Right. Pondichery is decorated in the vibrant colors that you would expect from a restaurant named for a tropical resort. And it has lots of antique posters and nick-knacks to boot. But that’s not what makes it FUN. What makes it fun is its Bollywood Nights. Several evenings a month Pondichery puts on a Bollywood dance night complete with Indian music and dancers in traditional costumes. Dancers perform and then get the audience members up to dance with them. Fun for all, and of course no cover charge. You can see pictures on the restaurant’s Face Book page listed below.
Pondichery is a place to go with a group of friends and have a good time, or to go by yourself for a quiet meal. Either way the staff will make you feel comfortable and glad you came, never pressured and always a welcome guest. Oh, and one last thing- when you go to Pondichery, mention Japan Tourist Website and get a 10% discount. Now what’s not to like about all that? (*Prices as of Autumn 2013)
Pondichery: Minami-Aoyama 1-10-5
Minato-Ku Tokyo
東京都港区南青山1-10-5
Directions: An 8-minute walk from Aoyama-Itchome station on the Ginza and Hanzomon subway lines, and a 12-minute walk from Nogizaka station on the Chiyoda subway line
Dinner: 17:00-22:00
Lunch: 11:00-17:00 (Sat. 15:00)
Open daily
Tel: 03-5772-8166
