Curry Up and Wait
"Follow the line." That's the advice a well-traveled friend always gives me when wondering where to eat in Japan. He insists that Japanese people always know where the good food is, and if there's a line, the smart move is to head right for it. This sage advice returned to me as we rolled up around ten minutes prior to Curry Hyuga's opening and saw a line of people waiting to be let in.
The line shouldn't have been a surprise, as Curry Hyuga's reputation precedes them, as they just recently made #55 on Yelp's Top-100 Places to Eat in the US 2023. This is no small feat for a restaurant that was unfortunately born during the heart of the pandemic.
The Good:
*Love the little buttons at each table to call the waiter to order, pay, or just a general visit.
*Service was very fast and friendly
*Décor was almost non-existent, but the wooden inlay and shape of the restaurant gives diners a feeling of dining in a small restaurant somewhere in Japan.
*Love that their menu is very small and simple.
*Prices are very reasonable; expect to pay ±$50 for two people if you get drinks and an app--which is a steal these days in The Bay©.
*Curry was a bit on the sweet side for our liking, but the consistency and depth of flavor made up for that in spades.
*Chicken Katsu was breaded and fried impeccably, so the meat was still juicy.
*Surprisingly the Corn Potage soup was maybe the highlight of our meal as we both slurped it up quickly, having wished we'd ordered one for each of us.
The Meh:
*I wish they had a spice level to select on the curry,as they all come lightly spiced. The pepper selection at the table is a nice touch, but not the same thing.
*Tonkotsu (pork) cutlet was a bit dried out, albeit also perfectly fried and crisp.
*They really need to season their 'tater salad a little better. I enjoyed the texture, but it was starving for some salt.
*They only seat about ten tables, so be prepared to wait at peak times.
The Ugly:
*Parking in Downtown Burlingame can be a hassle at times, but if you come on a Sun (or holiday), the parking is free.
TLDR: Not my favorite Japanese Curry, but it was damn tasty, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere, pricing, and service--after all, the line never lies. read more