RAJ MAHAL

* Cuisine: Indian

* Where: Roppongi

* Tel: 03 5411 2525

* Website: click the pic

* English Menu: Yes

* Cost: 6,000 per head (inc beer)

* Ohishi: Non-Vegetarian Thali, Nan, Paratha

* Ordered: Chicken Masala, Chef's Chicken Curry, Prawn, Sag, Pilau.

* Rating: ---

Raj Mahal in Roppongi has been a favourite with Tokyo’s foreign community for many years and considering that the UK has more Indian restaurants than English ones, it was no surprise to hear so many British accents amongst our fellow diners. The menu here is wider and more varied than many Tokyo curry houses - I’d never seen many of the dishes on the menu before. The meaty, generous Thali (pictured) was spicy and dry and covered every base. The nans were soft but substantial and the paratha crisp outside and soft within. The norm in Japan for curries seems to be tiny pieces of meat/fish in an ocean of sweet, mild sauce; here, even if the former is true the sauce was well-spiced and balanced. It’s not the cheapest nor the best Indian but Raj Mahal Roppongi is a decent choice for when you have good foreign company as the big menu makes ordering interesting and the seating, if you get there early or reserve in the banquette area, is comfortable and spacious. Branches in Shibuya, Shinjuku, etc.

* Alternatives: The Taj (Akasaka), Kenbokke (Nishi Azabu)