DELHI (デリー)

Located in Ueno, Tokyo, Delhi (デリー) is a long-established Indian and Pakistani restaurant that has been serving the area for 70 years.

Delhi was founded by Toshio Tanaka, who grew up in a family involved in the food business in Toyama Prefecture, dealing in products such as miso and soy sauce. At the age of 35, he established a company that manufactured and sold tsukudani, a traditional Japanese food made by simmering seafood, meat, or seaweed in soy sauce and mirin. However, as Japan's food culture changed, the industry went into decline, and Tanaka eventually had to close his business.

Before founding Delhi, Tanaka spent many years working overseas as a trading company employee, stationed in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. His work included importing copra — the oil-rich material obtained from coconuts and used to make products such as cooking oil and soap — into Japan.

After his business closed, Tanaka recalled the delicious curries he had enjoyed at the homes of friends and household staff while living in India. Determined to introduce those flavors to Japan, he teamed up with a chef who had previously prepared tsukudani. Using spices imported from India, they experimented with recipes in an effort to recreate the curries Tanaka remembered.

In February 1956, he opened a small restaurant in Ueno. Originally called "Curry House Delhi," it was established to serve Indian-style curry without using commercial curry powder — a distinctive approach at the time.

Ordered: Special Curry Set (スペシャルカレーセット)

Salad (サラダ) and Rasam (ラサム)

Mango Lassi (マンゴラッシー)

Korma Curry (コルマカレー)

Delhi is known for Kashmir Curry (カシミールカレー), which the restaurant created and is distinctive for its dark color.

Normal operating hours: 11:50 AM – 9:30 PM (last order at 9:30 PM)

Acceptable payment methods: Cash only