Mr. Bun: 25 Years Dedicated to Perfecting His Curry

We spoke with Mr. Bun, a veteran chef who showcases his culinary skills.

As of December 2023, there are seven Nepalese staff members working at Hoheikyo Onsen. Some are here on work visas, while others have obtained permanent residency.

"I came here in 2009. Before that, I worked making curry in India for 11 years. While in India, I was thinking about going somewhere else, and a Nepalese acquaintance working at Hoheikyo Onsen told me, 'There's a great place,' and invited me here. I've been here ever since."

Mr. Bun shared his story in very fluent Japanese. With 25 years dedicated to making curry, he now has permanent residency in Japan along with his wife and is raising two children.

This is a waterless curry made from a large amount of onions, without using any water or flour.

"Right now, we're simmering a lot of onions for a long time. After that, we'll cool it down and blend it in a mixer tomorrow morning to make the roux. The roux we made this morning is in the pot next to it."

The curry made by Mr. Bun and the other Nepalese staff is truly authentic.

Naan can be ordered separately, and there are several variations available, such as cheese naan.

The naan bread served with the curry is baked in a custom-made ceramic tandoor oven, of which only two exist in Japan. This gives it an exquisite texture—crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside! The naan is so delicious you'll want to order more even on its own.

Truly Authentic Curry! And Top-Quality Hot Springs!

The "Chicken Masala," a blend of onion and tomato bases, is a popular choice.

The curry served at Hoheikyo Onsen is a flavor that once competed in the bustling restaurant district of Susukino, with authentic roots in Nepal and Northern India. That's why, despite being a day-trip onsen in the mountains, customers flock here for the curry every day of the week.

In winter, the open-air bath with a view of the snow is simply the best!

It's understandable why some people come just for the curry without using the onsen. However, the hot spring itself is also highly recommended, with 100% free-flowing water directly from the source that leaves your skin feeling incredibly soft and moisturized. So, enjoy the curry with the onsen! Or rather, enjoy the onsen with the curry!

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