Delicious Curry Soup

Hello, my fellow Ibarakians!
I love seeing people in the food industry achieve their dreams. It's always exciting to watch a small food truck grow into a permanent restaurant, and I couldn't be happier when it happens.
Today, I'll be talking about a place that specializes in curry, but not just any curry. They serve delicious, flavorful soup curry. As I mentioned earlier, the owners started off as a food truck and have now opened up their own café. Today, I'll be introducing my town's newest café, Café San Jose.

Cafe San Jose

Café San Jose is located in the heart of Tsuchiura City, near Kijo Park. If you're coming from Tsuchiura Station, it's only about a 15-minute walk. If you're driving, unfortunately, I don't believe the café has its own parking lot. However, there are several paid parking lots nearby, all within easy walking distance.
Last week, I decided to walk over to Café San Jose for a late lunch. Since the café has only been open for a few months, I couldn't wait to check it out. As I mentioned before, Café San Jose started as a food truck and could often be found at events around Tsuchiura. I've had their soup curry before, and I really enjoyed it. Now that they have their own restaurant, I was excited to see what their new place was like, so I headed inside.

Inside

When I stepped into the café, I was warmly greeted by the lovely Japanese couple who own Café San Jose. They welcomed me in and told me to sit wherever I liked, so I chose the small table near the entrance.
Café San Jose is quite small, and I estimate it can comfortably seat around six customers. Even though it's a cozy space, that's part of its charm. The atmosphere is relaxing and intimate, making it a wonderful place to unwind over lunch. The simple interior, combined with the vintage furniture and warm lighting, creates a cozy ambiance that makes you want to sit back, relax, and enjoy your meal.

The Menu

I looked over the menu and was happy to see that most of the curry dishes were labeled in English and included photos, making them easy to understand. The only menu item that wasn't translated into English was the Cuban-Style Spare Ribs. Unfortunately, they were sold out that day, so I wasn't able to try them. Hopefully they'll be available the next time I visit.
The drink menu, however, is entirely in Japanese. At the top of the menu is the Premium Matcha Latte, followed by the Strawberry Milk Drink, which is packed with fresh strawberries. Next is the Café San Jose Blend coffee, followed by the French Roast Iced Coffee, and finally the Dark Roast Café au Lait.
After looking over the menu, I decided to order the Café San Jose Curry along with the Strawberry Milk Drink.

Green Tea and Starters

Before my curry and drink arrived, the owners brought me a glass of iced green tea. They told me they make the tea themselves, and it was a wonderful way to begin the meal.
A few moments later, they served two small appetizers. One was a grapefruit and chicken dish, while the other was a soft, creamy dish that, unfortunately, I can't remember the name of. What I do remember, however, is that everything was delicious.
The green tea was refreshing and full of flavor. The creamy dish reminded me a little of Chinese-style annin tofu, with a smooth texture and a subtle sweetness that I really enjoyed. As for the grapefruit and chicken, I have to admit I'm usually not a fan of grapefruit. I don't particularly like its lingering aftertaste, but that wasn't an issue with this dish. It was served cold, which surprised me at first, but the tangy grapefruit paired wonderfully with the tender chicken. The flavors were well balanced, and it ended up being a dish I enjoyed much more than I expected.
After such a great start to the meal, I couldn't wait to try my soup curry.

San Jose Curry

After enjoying the appetizers, my curry soup finally arrived, and it looked absolutely amazing. Before mixing it with the rice, I decided to try one of the pieces of beef on its own. I picked up a piece that had been soaking in the curry broth and took a bite. It was incredibly tender and packed with flavor. The beef had absorbed all of the wonderful spices from the curry while still retaining its rich, meaty taste.
Next, I scooped up some rice and dipped it into the curry soup. From that moment on, everything came together perfectly. The curry had a pleasant, mild spicy kick that added just the right amount of heat. Every spoonful was filled with layers of spices that blended beautifully, creating a rich and satisfying flavor that kept me coming back for more.
If I had one small suggestion, it would be to change the plate used for this dish. Because it was quite flat, it was a little difficult to scoop up the last few grains of rice with my spoon. It's only a minor detail, though, and it certainly didn't take away from the meal. Overall, it was a fantastic lunch, and it's one I would happily come back to enjoy again.

Strawberry Milk

After finishing my Café San Jose Curry, I decided to treat myself to a Strawberry Milk. It seems to be the café's signature drink, so I just had to give it a try.
When the drink arrived at my table, the owner told me to stir it well so that the real pieces of strawberry would swirl throughout the milk. As I stirred, the drink transformed from white to a beautiful shade of pinkish-red. I took my first sip, and it was outstanding. The best part was the chunks of fresh strawberry that traveled up the straw with every sip. They were incredibly sweet, juicy, and tasted wonderfully fresh.
The very first thing that came to mind was, "Mrs. Ibaraki Eats would absolutely love this." Unfortunately, she wasn't able to join me for lunch that day because she was working, but she may get the chance to try one during the Tsuchiura Kirara Festival happening this weekend. The owners told me they'll be staying open later than usual for the festival, even though they're normally only open during lunchtime. I have a feeling Mrs. Ibaraki Eats will want to stop by for one of Café San Jose's delicious Strawberry Milks.

After finishing my dessert drink, I spent a little time chatting with the owners, who, as I mentioned before, are lovely people. Then I made my way back toward the station. My experience at Café San Jose was excellent. I enjoyed a fantastic lunch, topped off with a delicious drink, and left looking forward to my next visit. Hopefully, I'll be able to stop by again during the festival to try the Café San Jose Blend while Mrs. Ibaraki Eats enjoys her Strawberry Milk.

So, if you're looking for a delicious lunch near Kijo Park in Tsuchiura City, why not give Café San Jose a try? Who knows? You might even see us there this weekend, enjoying the festival with a couple of tasty drinks in hand.
Enjoy!

For more information on Café San Jose, check out their Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/cafesanjose__/?hl=en

For the older blog posts, check out the WIX Ibaraki Eats.

https://regaladom24.wixsite.com/website