
Murugi, Shibuya: The Tokyo Curry Legend to Love.
In the bustling district of Shibuya, Tokyo, where trends and gourmet food intertwine, there is a small shop hidden in the Dogenzaka Hyakken-ten shopping street called ‘Murugi.’ Despite its unassuming appearance, this is an old-established curry restaurant that opened in 1951, boasting a history of over 70 years, making it a living legend in Shibuya, and even in Tokyo’s curry scene. If you come to Tokyo, why not visit Murugi to experience its unique curry charm? There is no elaborate menu here, just simple yet unforgettable curry, paired with the iconic ‘mountain of rice,’ guaranteed to make you never forget it.
Stepping into Murugi, you will immediately be attracted to its retro atmosphere. The exterior of the shop features an old-fashioned design made of red brick, with a yellow sign that reads ‘Indian cuisine Established in 1951,’ exuding a strong Showa era atmosphere. The interior is dominated by dark wood tones, with soft lighting, resembling a Kissa-ten (traditional Japanese café) from an old movie. This sense of nostalgia makes you want to order a cup of coffee and savor it slowly, but don’t forget that this is a curry specialty shop! There are about 32 seats, including four-person tables and two-person tables. The space is not large, but it is always full, especially during lunchtime, when you often have to line up to get in. It is recommended to arrive before the 11:30 am opening, otherwise you will have to wait patiently for a while.
Murugi’s most famous dish is undoubtedly its signature ‘Tamago-iri Murugi Curry’ (Egg-in Murugi Curry). The characteristic of this curry is, first of all, the towering mountain of rice, like Mount Fuji, said to be inspired by the Himalayas, with a shape so exaggerated that you can’t help but want to take a picture. Below the rice is a rich, dark brown curry sauce, topped with a half-boiled egg, making for a perfect visual. The moment you take a bite, the strong aroma of sautéed onions fills your senses, along with the sauce carefully blended with 13 kinds of spices, spicy with a hint of fruity sweetness and a faint bitterness, the layers of flavor are so rich that you can’t help but be amazed. This flavor is neither as intense as traditional Indian curry nor as mild as Japanese European-style curry, but rather a unique ‘Murugi style’ that makes you unable to stop eating once you start.
The origin of this curry is also a fascinating story. The founder went to Burma (now Myanmar) before the war and learned the local curry recipe there. After returning to Japan, he modified this exotic flavor to suit Japanese tastes and opened the restaurant in Shibuya in 1951. At that time, curry was not as popular in Japan as it is now, so being able to eat such unique and exquisite curry was definitely a novelty. It is said that even the gourmet Shotaro Ikenami praised the flavor here and mentioned Murugi in his essays, showing how great its charm is. Today, this traditional flavor, which has been maintained for more than 70 years, is still inherited by the family, using domestic ingredients (except for spices), and each pot of sauce is handmade, full of heart-warming dedication.
In addition to ‘Tamago-iri Murugi Curry,’ the restaurant also offers ‘Murugi Curry’ (without egg) and ‘Hayashi Curry’ (sweet curry), priced between 1000 and 1400 yen, making it a relatively cost-effective dining option in the Shibuya area. For those who want to add variety, you can try extra toppings such as cheese or spice adjustments, and even a generous ‘Ohmori’ (large portion, +350 yen). However, be aware that the rice portion is already substantial, and although the shape is cute, the quantity is not to be underestimated. If you can’t finish it, you can ask the staff to adjust the portion, providing thoughtful and friendly service. Pickled radish (Fukujinzuke) and red pickled ginger (Beni shoga) are standard side dishes, especially the Fukujinzuke with a strong ginger flavor, which perfectly complements the rich taste of the curry, making it the finishing touch.
However, it should be noted that Murugi has special business hours, only open from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm, completely closed during dinner hours, making it a ‘lunch-only’ phantom restaurant. In addition, it is closed on Fridays and national holidays, so you need to seize the opportunity if you want to eat here. You might as well come here during lunchtime to try the flavors and experience this completely different gourmet style. The restaurant is less than a 10-minute walk from Shibuya Station, with convenient transportation, yet hidden in an alley, offering a bit of exploratory fun.
Whether you are a curry lover or simply want to experience the charm of an old Tokyo restaurant, this place is definitely worth a visit. Come with an empty stomach and curiosity, and let this ‘mountain of rice’ lead you to conquer the peak of taste!
翻譯日文語音菜單於後方
Japanese voice menu translation provided at the back
뒤쪽에 일본어 음성 메뉴 번역이 제공됩니다
后面提供日文语音菜单翻译
Murugi Information
- Budget: ¥1,000–¥1,999
- Type: Curry, Indian Curry
- Phone: 03-3461-8809
- Reservations: Not available
- Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: 11:30 AM–3:00 PM; Tuesday, Friday, National holidays: Closed; May close during special periods such as New Year’s holidays
- Address: 2-19-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Access:
- 4-minute walk from Keio Inokashira Line ‘Shibuya Station’ West Exit
- 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line & Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line ‘Shibuya Station’
- 7-minute walk from JR Yamanote Line & Saikyo Line ‘Shibuya Station’ Hachiko Exit
- 8-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Line ‘Shibuya Station’
- 9-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line & Tokyu Toyoko Line ‘Shibuya Station’
- Children: Welcome (But please be mindful of other customers due to the restaurant’s long history)
- Payment:
- Credit cards: Not accepted
- Electronic payment: Not accepted
- QR code payment: Available (PayPay)
- Smoking: No smoking
- Official website: https://murugi.co.jp/
店舗とのコラボレーションで、無料の音声メニューを作成いたします。ご興味のある方はぜひご連絡ください!goodxssss@gmail.com
實用日語語音
Practical Japanese Audio
실용 일본어 음성
实用日语语音
不好意思
Excuse me
죄송합니다
不好意思
請給我菜單!
Menu, please!
메뉴 주세요!
请给我菜单!
麻煩點餐
Order, please
주문 부탁드립니다
麻烦点餐
這個,麻煩了
This one, please
이거, 부탁합니다
这个,麻烦了
多謝款待
Thank you for the meal
잘 먹었습니다
多谢款待
請給我水
Water, please
물 주세요
请给我水
怎麼吃?
How do I eat this?
어떻게 먹어요?
怎么吃?
請給我一個小碟子
A small plate, please
작은 접시 부탁드립니다
请给我一个小碟子
可以拍照嗎?
May I take a photo?
사진 찍어도 되나요?
可以拍照吗?
麻煩請更換網子。
Excuse me, please change the grill net.
죄송합니다, 그릴망을 교체해 주세요.
麻烦请更换网子。
麻煩結帳
Check, please
계산 부탁드립니다
麻烦结账
請問在哪裡結帳?
Where do I pay?
계산은 어디서 하나요?
请问在哪里结账?
多少錢?
How much is it?
얼마예요?
多少钱?
可以使用信用卡嗎?
Can I use a credit card?
신용카드 사용 가능합니까?
可以使用信用卡吗?
用現金支付
I will pay in cash
현금으로 지불하겠습니다
用现金支付
請給我收據。
May I have the receipt, please?
영수증 부탁드립니다.
请给我收据。
人數
Number of People
인원수
人数
Menu
語音菜單 輕鬆點餐
Voice Menu, Easy Ordering
음성 메뉴, 간편 주문
语音菜单,轻松点餐
圖片皆源自店家官網,價格以現場為主。
All images are from the store's official website. Prices are based on on-site rates.
이미지는 모두 매장 공식 웹사이트에서 제공되었으며, 가격은 현장 기준입니다.
图片皆源自店家官网,价格以现场为准。

姆魯吉咖哩加蛋
Murgh Curry with Egg
무르기 카레 계란 추가
姆鲁吉咖喱加蛋

姆魯吉咖哩
Murgh Curry
무르기 카레
姆鲁吉咖喱

加多加多沙拉
Gado-gado Salad
가도가도 샐러드
加多加多沙拉
Salad with spicy peanut sauce and original sauce.
配料
Topping
토핑
配料
起司
Cheese
치즈
奶酪
加蛋
Extra Egg
계란 추가
加蛋
甜味
Sweet
단맛
甜味
自家製酸辣醬
Homemade Chutney
수제 처트니
自家製酸辣酱
辛口
Dry/Spicy
매운맛
辛口
非常辣
Very Spicy
매운맛
非常辣
加咖哩醬
Curry Sauce Refill
카레 소스 추가
加咖喱酱
大份
Large Portion
대
大份
Drink
軟性飲料
Soft Drink
소프트 드링크
软性饮料
優格飲料
Yogurt Drink
요구르트 음료
优格饮料
熱茶
Hot Tea
핫 티
热茶
冰咖啡
Iced Coffee
아이스 커피
冰咖啡
冰茶
Iced Tea
아이스 티
冰茶
可口可樂
Coca-Cola
코카콜라
可口可乐
薑汁汽水
Ginger Ale
진저에일
姜汁汽水
印度奶茶
Chai
차이
印度奶茶
熱的
Hot
핫
热的
冰
Ice
아이스
冰
啤酒
Beer
맥주
啤酒
惠比壽啤酒
Yebisu Beer
에비스
惠比寿啤酒
嘉士伯啤酒
Carlsberg Beer
칼스버그 맥주
嘉士伯啤酒
零酒精啤酒
All-Free (Non-alcoholic Beer)
올 프리
零酒精啤酒