Bombay Bazar, Daikanyama: Not Just Organic Curry

Like many Tokyo areas, the hip and trendy Daikanyama neighborhood—located between Ebisu and Shibuya—is a hotspot not only for shopping, but also for eclectic cafes and unique eateries. Bombay Bazar is one of them.

Nestled directly beneath the famous Okura store, the interior and menu of Bombay Bazar are just as eclectic and unconventional as the spelling of its name. Descend the stairs and you will encounter warm light and a laid-back atmosphere. Picking your table and favorite seat may be harder than expected; hardly two chairs there are alike and even the tables are all a mismatch. The whole interior design consists of a mishmash of antique furniture pieces, mosaic tiles and flea market objects with mud walls and a counter that is forged from a sizeable piece of natural wood. The combination of elements of American folk art and Asian tradition gives the space an offbeat feel, but the unique pieces all work surprisingly well together. Even the washroom is worth a visit as it is also decorated with loving care and a light-hearted joy, with hand-sewn, reusable chambray hand towels as a nod to the cafe’s ecological awareness.

The menu (also available in English) is equally diverse. You will find a spin-the-globe offer of pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches and curries that gave name to the cafe. All dishes are made with organic ingredients, and even vegetarians are catered to with a variety of meat-free options. Prices are very reasonable, ranging from ¥950 to ¥1,200 for a lunch set. The cafe’s specialty, however, is the original “Okura yaki,” a Japanese stuffed pancake-style pastry filled with red bean paste or blueberry jam and bearing the Okura logo. Other sweets on offer include shaved ice with red beans, another Japanese specialty.

Bombay Bazar is a great place with a focus on organic and fresh foods, where you can relax and have a cup of coffee after you have shopped the alleys of Daikanyama. The one potential drawback is its basement location. A second story or a terrace would just make it perfect!

The Deets

Address: 20-11 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Tel: 03-3461-8512

Open: Mon–Sat, 11:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; Sun, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.