It’s been almost 10 years since a friend living in Higashikawa introduced me to Susanta Kitchen in Asahikawa. I was so surprised by the delicious Sri Lankan curry I had back then that I’ve made it a point to stop by whenever I visit Higashikawa a few times a year. Pretty soon, Susanta-san remembered me and my kids, and I became a complete fan, not just of his personality but also the cozy space with a wood-burning stove and cats, where I could just relax.
The Sri Lankan curry is incredibly delicious, so all I was thinking about this winter was how happy I was to go eat it again. But then, as I was heading to Higashikawa on Christmas Day, it suddenly hit me: they do Christmas chicken! I really wanted to try it. It usually requires a reservation, but when I asked on the day, they said they could just barely prepare enough for three people, so I got to try it for the first time. It was a super flavorful, spicy chicken with a generous portion, unlike anything I’d had before, and really tasty. I think they mentioned making close to 100 sets this year, which sounds like a lot of work!
There used to be another cat, a white one with long, fluffy fur, but sadly, now there’s just this one. Still, it’s nice to see it spending relaxed time with the customers in the shop.
At Susanta Kitchen, you can order curry in a few ways: choose one from list 1 and one from list 2 for a two-dish platter, or go for a three-dish platter. Vegetarians can even choose two options from list 2. The vegetable curries are mild and sweet, while the meat and shrimp curries are a bit spicier.
- Pork, Chicken, Keema, Shrimp
- Daikon Radish, Pumpkin, Mixed Vegetables
Everything is truly delicious, but what really surprised me were the “Daikon Radish” and “Pumpkin” curries. Especially the pumpkin this time of year – it’s incredibly rich, sweet, and sticky, just amazingly good. According to Susanta-san, they use pumpkins with white skins that have been aged for about two months after harvesting. Even though I know it’s delicious when I go there, eating it again after a while always surprises me with its incredible taste… Writing about it now makes me want to eat it again!
The famous Asahiyama Zoo is also nearby, so I highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area!
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