San Marco

Pickled cabbage, cucumber pickles, raisins and crushed peanuts are among the condiments set out at the counter for adding to your cutlet curry. At San Marco, diners can change the flavour of the dish as they go. One visitor also tried the unexpectedly available peaches in syrup and liked the sweetness they brought to the curry. It may be worth tasting the curry first, then adding the condiments a little at a time.

The menu centres on a mildly rounded, hot beef curry made with lean beef, fresh vegetables and 20 spices. One diner who ordered the beef curry found its heat just right and enjoyed it with spinach. A soft-boiled egg adds a mellower note, while a cutlet makes for a more substantial plate. The menu also lists cutlet curry and a combination of spinach and soft-boiled egg.

For a fried topping, choose from cutlet curry, fried shrimp curry or fried oyster curry. A diner who tried the fried oysters praised their tender texture and flavour. The oyster dishes are listed as part of a fair, so the offering may vary by season.

There are options beyond curry, too, including hayashi rice and omelette rice. One pair ordered omelette rice and cutlet curry, making the menu a practical choice when one person wants curry and another would prefer something different.

Located on the basement 1 floor of Takashimaya Kyoto, the shop offers both dine-in and takeaway. It is presented as a comfortable place to eat alone, whether stopping at the counter during a shopping trip or taking a meal away.