So I'm out on my regular Tuesday night foraging in Shibuya, and I spot this banner...
It's up on the 3rd floor and I have no idea what to expect, but at least it's open.
So I head upstairs, push open the door and this is what it looks like inside...
I was expecting an Indian joint, but it's run by a Japanese couple. And instead of the usual Bollywood soundtrack music you get at the Indian emporia around town, here they're playing some sitar-infused electronica. Very chill.
It's a cafe, not a restaurant. That means you don't have to eat, you can just mellow out with a beer, a cocktail or just a cup of chai. But I was hungry. So first up, a serving of samosas, home made and quickly deep-fried. There are two kinds: one stuffed with chopped vegetables; the other with molten (and rather hot) cheese. The side-serving of salad is fresh and dressed with care, but that's ketchup on the side (not sambal).
There's a choice of 5 curries, all home-made. I'm in Southern Indian mode, so I order the ebi (prawn) curry. The coconut sauce is creamy but not too heavy; it has only the mildest of heat tingles. But the roux has the deep flavor of a seafood bisque. It's clear the young chef has made it himself, with plenty of skill and attention. And the prawns themselves are fresh and tender — to prove it he puts the heads in as well, as decoration.
The nan is OK — it's home-made but prepared in a regular oven and it doesn't really puff up. But the rice is unpolished genmai, with plenty of flavour and texture to chew on. Very satisfying.
So, the food is far from being "authentic" Indian; and if you live for your capsaicin hit, this is not the place for you. But I like Agoora because: a) the food is obviously prepared with care; b) it's wholesome and the flavours are natural, rather than being jacked up with MSG; and c) I just like the vibe.
I'm guessing the master of the house has spent a few winters out in Goa. Especially since he mixes the Indo-exotic look with knick-knacks like this:
The web site makes it look more Ali Baba than it really is....
Here's a map link...
And for fellow menu fetishists, here are a few pages to study:
