"Specie" - Nishi-Eifuku -
This is the third installment of APPLEBUM's project introducing fascinating people and towns.
This time, we'd like to introduce "Specie," a restaurant located a minute's walk from Nishi-Eifuku Station on the Keio Inokashira Line.
It's a charming restaurant known for its original curries, made with plenty of spices sourced directly from Sri Lanka.
[What was the inspiration behind opening the restaurant?]
I played baseball throughout my student years, and even then, I vaguely thought, "Someday, I'd like to open some kind of shop."
Around that time, through an acquaintance of my parents, I gained access to directly source Sri Lankan spices.
I like alcohol, and I like curry.
So, I thought, why not try doing something I enjoy?
If it doesn't work out, then that's just how it is.
That's how this restaurant got its start.
Thankfully, before I knew it, this year marks our 15th anniversary.
[About the background music in the restaurant]
The music played in the restaurant is mainly Latin and Reggae.
I just feel it pairs well with curry.
I once lived in Hokkaido, and I vividly remember eating hot soup curry while listening to reggae amidst heavy snow in winter.
That combination left a strong impression on me, even now.
With those memories, this selection of music naturally came to be.
[What cultural influences did you experience?]
First and foremost, baseball. During my student days, my life revolved around baseball.
However, there was a place that greatly influenced me during my university years: a club called "blue" in Aoyama.
From the mid-1990s to around 2000, I went there almost every week.
After baseball practice, I'd bring about two change of T-shirts and play until I was drenched in sweat.
There were many stylish adults in the club who looked "like people from the industry," and I honestly thought, "This is Tokyo!" (laughs).
Back then, baseball was my main focus, and Aoyama "blue" was my break.
Both were precious times during my university days.
The music I encountered at "blue" also had a great influence on me.
Back then, it wasn't an era with search tools like today, and there were many music genres I heard for the first time there.
Music I didn't know well but instinctively found "cool."
Such encounters were incredibly refreshing.
I would listen to radio shows featuring DJs who played at "blue" and jot down song information in a notebook.
Then, I'd go to record stores searching for them.
However, the songs I was looking for were often hard to find.
Instead, I'd buy albums from the same label as the songs I was searching for, gradually building up my knowledge.
I also listened to HIP HOP due to the influence of "Sanpin Camp," but I think Aoyama "blue" was really what got me deeply into music.
[About Specie's Curry]
A big influence was my mother making curry at home using Sri Lankan spices she sourced from an acquaintance.
Since I was a child, I always thought, "Our curry is somehow different."
Specie's curry feels like it's somewhere in between a spice curry and a European-style curry.
It's an original curry with a homely taste, while still using Sri Lankan spices.
That's what I most want to achieve.
Perhaps what makes me happiest is when people tell me the keema curry is delicious.
In fact, part of why I started was because I wanted to make keema curry.
I also believe there's still room for improvement.
It's like I'm constantly chasing an ideal.
Tastes vary, but I definitely want people to try the keema curry with vegetables and cheese as well.
Running a restaurant, it's also enjoyable to meet people from different industries who love curry and music.
Going out to play or drink with them, seeing those connections form, truly makes me happy.
[What are the popular dishes?]
Our most popular dish is the two-curry plate with keema and shrimp.
I wanted to offer a spicy and hot curry.
However, I'm conscious of creating a flavor that's not just spicy, but also has umami and richness within that heat.
At Specie, we have spices available on the table.
A customer taught me this way of eating: "Sprinkle an appropriate amount of garam masala on your rice, then pour the curry over it."
This way, the spices are trapped between the rice and the curry.
The first bite has a distinct curry flavor.
As you chew, the aroma of the "extra spices" from within spreads out.
For spice lovers, this is a method I highly recommend trying.
[What's the atmosphere of Nishi-Eifuku like?]
Nishi-Eifuku is a peaceful and calm town.
There are many families, making it a pleasant place to live.
I feel it's a family-friendly town.
There are large parks and rivers nearby, and yet it also has good access to the city center.
Recently, I've noticed an increase in younger residents.
Not just Nishi-Eifuku, but also the neighboring Eifukucho and Hamadayama, seem to have seen a rise in independent shops.
The interior of the restaurant is adorned with numerous works by collage artist killiman jah low works.
In fact, the owner, Mr. Goto, and killiman jah low works are alumni of the same school.
"killiman jah low works" Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/killiman_jah_low_works/
It's a fond memory that the design for the 2024 "APPLEBUM × Pierre Taki" capsule collection " Kita punk" was born through Mr. Goto's introduction.
In 2022, we also received cooperation for a playlist project, and they have supported us in various ways.
The restaurant is filled with the delightful aroma of spices.
With original curries and snacks that can only be found here, drinks naturally flow.
After the meal, there's sweet chai with spices.
The contrast with the food is so effective, it almost feels like a dessert.
You arrive hungry and leave feeling energized from the inside out.
This is a place I highly recommend to anyone who loves spicy food.
If you're ever in Nishi-Eifuku, please stop by.
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Specie
Address: 3-55-3 Eifuku, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Access: 1-minute walk from Nishi-Eifuku Station on the Keio Inokashira Line
Closed: Tuesday evenings, Wednesdays
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/specie_curry/
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