Tip was not an option on their screen and that makes me want to come more. Tonight was my first time visiting Kare in Irvine. I've been to their Rodeo 39 location before and loved it, so having one at the UTC is perfect for me because of how close it is. The Irvine location is very nice with a clean dining room and good music. The employees at both locations have always been helpful and courteous. I've now tried the Chicken Katsu (on Monday) and the Pork Belly (tonight), and honestly, I still can't decide which one I like more. The chicken was incredibly juicy with the perfect crunch, and the pork belly... omg. So good. The curry was another highlight--super flavorful and tasted just like the curry I enjoyed during my time in Japan. And here's a tip: the best value is to make every plate a combo (+ miso & drink). You get more variety for the price, and it's absolutely worth it. Next time, I'm going for the beef belly plate, and I think this place will be on my rotation. read more

I was not expecting much from Kare because it's in the bad juju spot in UTC (ifykyk) but I have to say that it is actually solid curry! I only stopped in because my husband wanted to try it while I refused to and got my regular cha for tea order. Coco Ichibanya is still my top favorite in terms of flavor but Kare is a top second! Their curry is more "spice-y" not heat-wise, but curry spices and not overly sweet like some of the other curry spots around. The portion of chicken cutlet is generous but I wish they had more options for sides or toppings! Just a quick not that this is not your sit down kind of restaurant but more like a boba, quick serve kitchen where you put in your order at a computer up front and your name gets called when your food is ready to be picked up. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Chicken cutlet curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

This place is really good. Overall the food, service and cleanliness of this place was outstanding. I'm very impressed and I will be going back again. I would definitely recommend trying this place out. I am always looking for a good katsu place and this is one of them. read more

The curry here surprised me in the best way. I ordered just the curry side ($5) and rice ($3) because I mainly wanted to taste their curry, which was delicious! It was spicy and full of flavor, which I really enjoyed. Mind you, it is much spicier than typical Japanese curry. I didn't try any of the toppings like the Chicken Katsu, Shrimp Tempura, or Gyoza, so I can't speak to those. Still, I do recommend coming here if you are craving tasty Japanese curry. This spot is located inside the University Town Center. While there is no direct access from the parking lot, it's easy to find right next to the Miniso store. They use a self-ordering kiosk that's simple to navigate, and the staff who packed and brought out my order was friendly. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Inside seating. 9/4/2025 - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

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The curry was good. There is a lot of food. Good value and fast. The chicken katsu was little overcooked and dry. The spam was really salty. read more

Ordered the chicken katsu curry. Kare's curry is the Japanese curry that has moderate earthy spice, which to me is my favorite style of Japanese curry, not sweet, and the curry itself is thicker which is also my preference. The chicken is alright crispy but pretty thin nothing extraordinary. I think if they had bigger portions with thicker cuts of chicken, this has potential to be a great curry spot. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Chicken katsu curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

Came to UTC while helping out with UCI Move-in and hadn't eaten all day. Debated good ol Chick-fil-A or In n Out and those lines were wayyyy too long so I walked the plaza to see what's around. Came across Karē and it did not disappoint. I ordered the Chicken Katsu and my girlfriend wanted a bowl so we left to order from Gogi and by the time we came back my order was already ready. Sub 10 minutes, friendly service as well. Girl with the red hair made recommendations and gave me the run down on popular items and what not. Chicken Katsu Plate: 4/5 the chicken fried very good, nice and crispy not too greasy either. The curry had a little kick to it but what I would say is that it's missing potatoes and carrots. They give a solid portion of curry as well, served separately in a cup so nothing gets soggy read more

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Pretty good! Not the best Japanese curry and chicken katsu I've ever had, but there were some good things here that I would say round my review up to a 5 star review. The curry itself was better than average. It was tasty, slightly sweet, and had a good viscosity to it. Adding spice was definitely the move! It needed a bit more flavor. The chicken katsu had a nice crust, but was not necessarily juicy (nor was it dry) and wasn't super flavorful. It was just good! I was pleasantly surprised by the other meats, namely the pork belly and the beef belly. THE PORK BELLY WAS COOKED TO PERFECTION. Perfectly browned everywhere and the fat was rendered nicely and evenly. My husband and I really enjoyed it! Overall, pretty good! read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Pork Belly - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

Whenever I try some place new, I'm always hopeful that whatever I get will end up being really good, but I have to admit I generally expect less from certain types of eateries. Fair or not, fast casual types of spots, while interesting and convenient, usually don't deliver like how a more traditional restaurant usually can. Certainly not an overarching rule, but I'll typically adjust my expectations accordingly. However, with Kare? Pleasantly surprised by how legitimately good the food is, fast casual setup or not! Based purely on its appearance, Kare really doesn't look all that impressive. With just a couple of ordering kiosks (a worker is also on hand to help out) and a fair amount of table and counter seating, this place is definitely set-up for a quick bite and/or for you to grab your food on the go. Similarly, the menu is pretty simple, with a half dozen or so proteins to go with your curry, as well as an assortment of sides for you to choose from. However, as basic and straightforward as the menu may be, the taste of the food here certainly is not! -- CHICKEN KATSU CURRY RICE - Fried Chicken Katsu, White Rice, Curry, Pickled Radish, and Green Onions This was terrific! The chicken katsu was suer crispy on the outside and moist on the inside while the rice was cooked perfectly. As for the curry, I loved how it packed a nice punch of flavor with a smooth consistency. Also, the miso soup was delicious! -- BEEF BELLY CURRY RICE - Beef Belly with Onions, White Rice, Curry, Pickled Radish, and Green Onions So much better than other beef curries I've had! Beyond the fact that it's beef belly, I love how the meat is sliced super thin instead of being left in chunks. Not only did it taste it that much more tender, but it meant capturing that much more curry, too! As delicious as the food is on its own, the other thing that I love is Kare's lunch deal - whichever curry rice dish, plus miso soup and a drink, for $17.99 (+$1 for pork belly or beef belly). I don't know if I'm just too used to paying Bay Area prices, but talk about a fantastic value for something that tastes so good! If the food wasn't enough of a reason for me to come back again and again and again (it is), this definitely gives me even more of a reason now! Kare - see you again the next time I'm in town! read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Beef Belly Curry Rice Lunch Combo - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

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Located in UTC so easy parking. Place is clean with a modern interior. You order from a kiosk and can self-serve yourself water while waiting on the side. 8/10 Pork Belly ($16): I'm used to the outer layer of my protein being crispy when I eat curry, so I was surprised that my pork belly wasn't crispy. That's my bad for not checking the menu more closely, so I would order chicken katsu next time. The Japanese pickles were a nice touch and the curry was fine, not heavy at all. I ordered takeout, so the curry was on the side. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

Kare is another restaurant where you place your order at a kiosk. When I recently went for lunch, David was the one person who interacted with the customers. He has a great personality! He was helpful and added a welcoming human touch that was definitely missing. The food was good, the curry sauce was tasty. We were full after all of the rice and the breaded katsu. It's nice that it's located in UTC, where you can grab a dessert in the center afterwards. (are donuts considered a dessert? Yes they are and they hit the sweet spot!) read more

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My husband and I have been here a few times now when we come up to visit our daughter at UCI, the food here is solid. The curry is sweet and savory, katsu is nice and crispy on the outside, moist chicken on the inside. I like the pork belly as well with an added egg on top. All dishes comes with rice, green onions and pickled ginger served in a compostable container, there are lids available in the front if you have leftovers. You can self order at the kiosk or from the helpful employee at the counter. Seating is available both indoors or outside around the shopping center. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

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I didn't expect much from Kare Japanese Curry and was pleasantly surprised by my visit! You order from touchscreens at the counter, though there is someone behind the counter to answer any questions you may have. I ordered the chicken katsu ($14), which was served in a compostable tray (much better than the black plastic they previously used) with white rice and some green onions and pickled ginger. The curry came in a container on the side. It was a generous portion of katsu, cooked perfectly, not too greasy. The curry is fairly mild and you can add some spice to it if you prefer more heat. My husband got the vegetable gyoza, which were ok. I think the katsu is a much better choice! Those UCI students are lucky to have a solid curry place right across the street! Plenty of parking in the lot. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

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I'm always looking for new curry places to try and Kare had been on my list for a while. I got the chicken katsu curry combo for 17.99 which I think is a great deal because it comes with your choice of a curry plate, a drink, and miso soup. The portion size is pretty decent for the price and cheaper compared to other places where you only get the curry plate by itself for around the same price. However, I wish my enthusiasm for the combo value extended to the food itself as well. I found the flavor of the curry to be lacking. The curry was on the sweeter side which is fine, but I wish there would've also been a balance of savory and spice as well. The chicken katsu was crispy, but it tasted plain. The miso soup tasted fine though, you can't really go wrong with that. The dishes here are pretty simple, it would've been cool to have options on the menu to add more vegetables. But if you're looking for a casual bite with quick service that's affordable with decent portions, then I would recommend Kare. There are not many tables indoors but it is located in UTC and everything is packaged in disposable containers anyways, so you could always take your order and dine at one of the tables outside. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Chicken Katsu Curry Combo - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

We were looking for lunch at UTC. So many options here! I think the parking is limited to only 1 hour here so set a timer and watch out for that! Two of us chose Kare for Japanese curry and others chose In n Out. You order on the touchscreen. There was an employee nearby that can help with questions. She was getting the trays of food and calling out names/numbers. I was just worried about the timing of it - the restaurant was crowded and there were lots of people that had ordered before us. She said it will be out in 5 to 10 minutes. She was right - our order came out very quickly. We grabbed a table outside because there was no seating in the inside. Every single day table was taken! It's modern and clean inside, but not fancy-this is fast casual style. Everything was delicious! It was served hot and exactly as we ordered them. I can't tell if the curry is made from curry blocks or from scratch but it was delicious! Chicken katsu was good, shrimp tempura was great. We ate outside Highly recommend! read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Chicken katsu and shrimp tempura - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

After a long day balancing school and work, I was craving something cozy and comforting--so I decided to check out Karē Japanese Curry, a spot not too far from home. As a curry connoisseur, I felt the need to try it out, and it didn't disappoint! I went on a slow Wednesday night, which gave me the perfect calm atmosphere to unwind. The music was chill, and the vibe inside was peaceful. What really stood out to me, though, was the amazing service. The front server, Casey, was so sweet and welcoming--truly a warm soul. She made the experience feel that much more comfortable. Honestly, give the woman a raise!! =D As for the food: flavorful, filling, and just what I needed. The curry had the perfect balance of savory spice, and the katsu stayed crispy even till the last bite. While the price point leans higher than your average fast food curry--around $16-$22 per meal--it's a solid, satisfying meal that's worth it every once in a while. All in all, a great little gem to stumble upon. I'll definitely be coming back--and thanks again to Casey for the stellar service! read more

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Stopped by for lunch yesterday - we both ordered chicken katsu with white rice and had a side order of shrimp tempura. The chicken was perfect and the tempura was even better. Very fair prices and generous portions. You are given a small package of spices if you want to amp up your experience. Ambiance is stark. Service was prompt and efficient - you order inside via an app and an employee calls you up to retrieve your order. Highly recommended and a better, quieter experience compared to their location in Rodeo 39! read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Outside - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

If you are in the area and craving some chicken catsu i highly recommend KARE japanese curry. Food is super delicious and not to mention super friendly welcoming staff from the kitchen staff welcoming you and saying hello to the person up front calling out orders. Service is 100 percent. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Chicken curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

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Fast casual place where you can get curry in a hurry. It is not very crowded and they have an easy ordering system up front. First impression is that it felt quite empty... The cashier seemed unwelcoming and like she didn't care that much to be there. I just asked what people typically order and there was no enthusiasm at all... Just didn't feel vibey. I ordered the chicken katsu which was pretty good but there was way too much rice. The curry itself was good and I liked that you could add more spice to it, but I do feel like spice level cooked in is different from when you add powder. I also wish there was more sides or a bigger portion of the pickled veggies. Next time I want curry I would rather go to coco ichibanya tbh. Food was good but I don't know if I would come back. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

Kare opened their second location at UTC which is right next to UCI. I've been to their Stanton location at Rodeo 39 and liked their curry so was happy to find out that they opened a location closer to me. The menu at the new Irvine location is basically the same, with the exception that they also have a combo deal of a curry plate, miso soup, and drink for $17.99. For the food itself, I ordered two combos - one chicken katsu plate and one chicken gyōza plate. Both were good, although my preference was the chicken katsu plate. Overall definitely a good spot for curry! read more

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This location appears to be relatively new. I believe the portions are a decent size for what you're paying. The only thing I want to add is that the curry doesn't seem to come with spice levels compared to coco ichibanya, so if that's something that is important to you maybe try once and reconsider. Also, the curry is sweeter than that of the other curry place in Irvine. It is still very delicious. The chicken katsu is incredibly crisp and wellcooked. I enjoyed it a lot. Also you order at a kiosk at the front desk and pay through it as well. I have no idea if cash is accepted since this is a kiosk. It does accept apple pay and credit cards. No restrooms because there are public restrooms in the plaza. Strangely, I couldn't find any trashcans in here. read more

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New Katsu Curry shop just opened up in UTC. Shops come and go in that plaza, but I was pleasantly surprised by the nice, minimalistic interior and reasonable prices for fast to-go curry. Service is entirely self order through a big screen, which only takes card payments. Chicken Katsu Curry Plate (3.5/5): Curry is on the sweeter side and is more liquidy than thick. Some things I noted about the curry was that the side of the plate it was in was pretty shallow, so there wasn't actually as much curry as I thought there would be. Towards the end I actually started to run out, so the ratio was a bit off. Oil was very much present on top of the curry too. I think the curry itself could've used more seasoning or flavor, it was lacking a sort of depth that I've tasted in better curries. Another thing was that while the chicken was moist, the breading itself actually wasn't very flavorful. These are my only critiques. Rice texture was good and meal was enjoyable. If it was seasoned better it would be even more enjoyable. Chicken had a good crunch and I liked the breading texture they used. Place is fairly new so I expect that they are still adjusting in their second location. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Chicken Katsu Curry Plate - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

This is located right across UCI at the university center. It's a nice little curry shop with some inside seating and option for take out. You pick your base and add your proteins and add ons and within 10-15 mins your food is ready. Everything comes basically in to go boxes which I am not the biggest fan of if I'm siting inside but I understand the added cost of having someone wash dishes and serve. The food itself was good. The curry had a nice thickness to it and I had ordered the Spam Curry with an egg added to it. It came with some miso soup and spices you can add on in a little plastic ramekin. Overall good food and definitely a decent place for Japanese curry lovers. Service is non existent as you place an order at a kiosk and the rest is just handed at the counter. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Curry with Spam and Egg - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

Solid spot for Japanese curry near UCI! Their description on fast-casual curry holds true- they're quick with their orders and it's exactly what you expect and want when you get a sudden craving for curry. Can't go wrong with any of their options like chicken katsu or beef belly, but I would pass on the gyoza next time and just stick to what they're known for. This was one of the few open spots at UTC later at night, so points for that too. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - chicken katsu curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

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It's been cold lately, and today it finally started drizzling -- the perfect weather for comfort food. I decided to try a new spot in the UCI Center on Campus Drive called Karē Japanese Curry, and wow... I'm officially obsessed. This place just opened (it replaced Slapfish -- if you know, you know), and the inside is really cute. It's small, simple, and cozy, which honestly fits the vibe for a curry shop. I ordered the Beef Belly Curry, and let me tell you: this was amazing. I'm so glad I chose it for my first visit. The beef belly was sliced super thin and literally melted in my mouth. And the curry sauce? Now that is curry. A lot of places claim to serve Japanese curry, but the flavor ends up mild or watered down. Not here. This is the rich, warm, savory curry flavor I've been craving. The sauce comes on the side so you pour it over yourself. I was a little worried it wouldn't be enough, but it ended up being the perfect amount. I couldn't finish everything, so I took the rest home -- and honestly, the leftovers were even better the next day. Overall, 10/10 would recommend. Now that rainy season is here, I will definitely be coming back. Karē, buckle up -- you've got a new regular. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Beef Belly $15.50 beef belly with onions, white rice, curry, pickled radish, green onions - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

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A new curry place in UTC. The space is clean and modern. The set up is simple- a kiosk at the counter for ordering, and then pick up the food at the counter when ready. I think their targeted clientele are busy students and people who works in the surrounding areas. It's a place to grab a quick bite or food to go conveniently. We got the beef belly curry and chicken katsu curry with fried eggs. We also got the furikake fries. Food portion is pretty fair for the price. Curry is decent and has a little bit of kick to it. Service is very friendly. Right now the menu is pretty simple, but maybe they will expand in the future. read more

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This location is inside of University Town Center by UCI. There's plenty of parking available and it's pretty easy to find. The inside of the restaurant is on the smaller side and there were only a handful of tables available. You order off of a screen/tablet but there is someone behind the counter in case you have any questions. All dishes come in plastic containers even if you are dining in. I would imagine that most people in the area are students and it's more convenient if they're on the go, but it makes the in person dining experience a little less exciting. It felt a little bit wasteful to have to throw the empty containers and utensils away at the end of the meal. The presentation of the dishes is nice and they are very generous with the amount of protein that they give and the meat is cooked very well. The chicken was juicy and fried perfectly while the beef came in a heaping portion. I didn't see an option to change the spice level of the curry on the menu and there is a very mild amount of spice in there. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Beef Belly - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

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Had a delicious to go order! Can't remember what I ordered but it was great. Overall positive.

Ventured over to Irvine to check out this Japanese curry spot. Im not a Irvine local so navigating this parking lot was a bit stressful. I finally found some parking near the theater and then it was some 30 min and some 2 hours? I guess having lunch and seeing a movie and staying under 2 hours is a skill. (Irvine rant over) LOL Im a huge curry fan, this place was fair. Great lunch deal options and combos. Everything came with Miso soup too. Im glad to see more Japanese curry spots on the radar so they get a 5 star. but ... I do have a favorite spot and they didnt come close to my favorite. Oddly with noone there the guy just watches you order on the screen. I prefer actual service but its fair. No spice option when you order but they give a spice to add for a kick. I prefer to tell the chef when I order and modify future orders as needed. Having me do it makes me more nervous. LOL (At CoCo I order 6 and get my 6 every time). I would like to see some more options, some side salad options maybe, a black or green tea hot and cold option. My favorite spot does a thin egg layer (omelet) over the rice that is amazing, read more

I've gone a total of 2 times by now and both times were lovely! You order on a Kiosk and there are 2 but I never faced a line with the Kiosk! The food comes out pretty fast too and I didn't wait that long, probably 5-10 minutes. I got the chicken katsu both times, once to go and once for there. I think the curry to everything else ratio was pretty good, I wish there was a little more curry because I am definitely a drown everything in curry type of person. The chicken katsu was crunchy outside and tender inside. The type of container they use is a little sticky fot the rice but it's like not a big deal. I love the pickled radish sooo much! The extra thing they give with the curry is chili flakes but I did not use it. They use the same container for eating there and for to go. They also give you a fork and spoon as well as 2 napkins so that was very neat! read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Chicken Katsu with Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

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This is a new curry place that just opened up at UTC. The place is small with limited seating. On busy hours, it can be hard to find a seat, I would recommend having a to-go plan going in. Hence maybe taking the 30 minute parking spots might make sense. Easy to find parking and easy to find this curry restaurant. We still mourn the loss of Curry House but after my first Katsu Curry here, this is the next best thing. For about $20, I can get chicken cutlet Katsu curry, soda, and miso. The spicy level is at about a medium. The serving size is pretty good for the price. Service was very friendly. Food definitely comforting! read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Chicken Katsu curry with miso soup - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

I ordered the beef belly and my husband ordered the chicken. The beef belly was super tender and full of delicious flavor! I tried my husbands chicken and it was perfectly crunchy and juicy. Both dishes were so delicious. The cherry on top is that they give you some extra seasoning on the side so that you can choose how spicy you want your curry to be. Loved eating here and look forward to trying the rest of the menu. read more

In a world where every food place asks for a minimum 20% tip, this place didn't even have an option to tip. I told the worker it was my first time and he recommended the pork belly curry. I got it. Ate it. Very good. read more

Pretty decent options for curry which doesn't just taste like it's from a Roux. It's pretty well-priced and they give a good portion, would recommend for a quick lunch. read more

Wish they had this spot back when I went to UCI! Such a beautiful spot - had them before at Rodeo 39 serving up delicious Japanese Curry and they've carried it over to UTC with a lunch special as well! I personally have always loved the Chicken Katsu with my curry but can't go wrong with their other proteins! Add an egg on top for even more deliciousness. Definitely a quick and easy meal for many that pass by, as they've already got it in perfect packaging to go. Irvine has got a gem here! read more

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Finally got to try this Japanese curry place near UCI campus! Everything was very quick and convenient. The portion size was decent and the food was delicious. I tried the beef belly and it wasn't too fatty. It went well with the curry and I would definitely try one of their other protein options read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Beef Belly Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

Amazing KATSU ! And radish pickle and curry on side Curry was soooo good too! 5star! read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Chicken KATSU! Absolutely amazing ! With extra pickle radish Ofcourse! - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California

I love fast casual restaurants. That balance between wanting to sit down but not a full on sit down experience. This place is minimal in design but still neat inside because of the sleek choices in design. Food is hot and plentiful. If you're hungry you can eat on own but in my opinion it's sharable. You order on the kiosks and they call out your number (small place) so you won't miss it. Curry has a sweet taste but a tad spicy for me. Will definitely come again when feeling a quick and tasty meal. read more

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I never had Japanese curry and chicken katsu better than this!!! The moment I finished my plate, I was already craving more! I can't stop thinking about how BOMB this was! If I had to choose one dish to eat for the rest of my life, it would be this from Karē! I'll definitely be coming back many, many times read more

This is a quick service/to go restaurant. You input your orders on touchscreens inside the restaurant. There is a server near the touchscreens to answer your questions and call your orders when ready. It was not that busy on a Sat lunch hour. The indoor dining room sits maybe 20 people max. I ordered the pork belly plate and added shrimp tempura and chicken gyoza. For a quick service restaurant, this is some of the best pork belly I have ever had. It was so balanced with slight crisp and moist and tenderness. The shrimp tempura and chicken Gyoza seemed standard fare, but they are still delicious. I also added on some beef belly and two eggs for my sister who is eating high protein. These sunny side eggs looked cooked to perfection and my sister said they were amazing as was the beef belly. She too enjoyed this place. I don't live near this place, but if I am ever in the area, I would keep this place in mind. read more

Karē Japanese Curry - Pork belly plate with extra add on shrimp tempura and extra add on chicken gyoza - Japanese Curry Near Me - Irvine, California