()
Indian curry fans from the military and local communities know that Taj Okinawa in Chatan has the spicy flavors they crave.
A five-minute drive from Kadena Air Base, Taj Okinawa serves more than 15 different curries and Indian dishes in an authentic Indian atmosphere. Dishes served at the restaurant are based off recipes from the northern part of India and are cooked by professional Indian chefs who learned their craft working in five-star hotels in New Delhi, India.
Taj’s most popular dish is butter chicken curry (1,150 yen - $9.53), which is mild and creamy, yet you can taste the various Indian spices, according the restaurant staff. And if you are a lover of homemade naan, Taj will satisfy your desire with its huge, soft pieces of this Indian staple.
For lunch, the restaurant offers a reasonable lunch set, which includes a choice of chicken curry, keema mutter curry, vegetable curry, seafood curry or mutton curry, along with tandoori chicken, chicken tikka, nan, soup, salad and dessert for 1,200 yen ($10). A lunch set is available for children under 12 years for 600 yen.
If you have a hearty appetite and are looking to enjoy a feast of Indian dishes, the staff recommends the Taj Special Thali Set, which includes minestrone soup, tandoori chicken, sheek kebab, four different curries, saffron rice, salad, fruit, nan and Indian milk tea for 2,500 yen ($21).
If you want to try something different, Taj serves up some tasty side dishes. Samosa, a fried turnover filled with minced meat and vegetables, or Shah Jahani Biryani, spicy Indian rice with meat and vegetables flavored with saffron, are recommended by the restaurant.
For those of you looking for some extra hot spice, the restaurant will make your food as spicy as you’d like, just pick a level.
On a sunny day, Taj’s terrace seats make for a perfect dining experience. The entire staff is Indian and also speak English. An English menu is available and you can pay in yen, dollars or by credit card.
Get a taste of India at this popular Okinawa restaurant.
How to get there
From Kadena’s Gate 1, turn left and take a left at the second light. You will a sign for Taj Okinawa on your left shortly after the turn.
Tel: 098-989-8625Address: 458-1 Ihei, ChatanOpen: 7 days a week/11 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Lunch: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.)Website: www.okinawakuukan.com/shop/taj/index.html
Photo courtesy of Taj Okinawa
