Viral SMU Curry Rice Eatery Kuro Kare Moves To Chinatown: Is It Still Good?

Kuro Kare reopens in Clarke Quay with famous Japanese curry

Every SMU student probably knows Kuro Kare, a beloved Japanese curry stall that used to operate on the campus. Since opening in 2023, the brand has amassed a cult following, earning itself a spot among the best Japanese curry rice in Singapore.

Recently, they reopened at Havelock II in Clarke Quay, and as a self-declared Japanese food connoisseur, I naturally had to check whether it still lives up to the hype.

10 Best Japanese Curry Rice In Singapore, Including Award-Winning Options

Food at Kuro Kare

For those unfamiliar with the brand, Kuro Kare, meaning “black curry” in Japanese, was founded by Aidan Wee and Ho Bing Rru, former chefs of Michelin-starred Meta and the now-defunct Fleurette. They aim to bring a fine-dining experience to the masses at wallet-friendly prices, claiming to use only premium ingredients in every dish. 

This attention to detail extends to their service, too: the staff were exceptionally attentive, constantly checking in on every table. 

We visited during lunch hour and ordered from their lunch menu. A nice touch was that they absorb GST and service charge during lunch, so you can expect nett prices. 

The menu was pretty straightforward, with only six mains available. Though we didn’t order it, you can also upgrade to their Value Set for an additional $5.90, which comes with three slices of Aged Salmon Sashimi, White Miso Negi Soup, and free-flow genmaicha.

To start, we had to try the dish that put them on the radar: the Kuro Fried Chicken Curry ($12.90). It featured a 24-hour brined chicken katsu drenched in smoky tare sauce, served alongside Japanese rice garnished with furikake and Japanese pickles. The star of this dish was their signature 36-hour slow-cooked black curry, stewed with more than 25 ingredients including caramelised onions, tomatoes, apples, and dark chocolate.

Their curry was definitely the standout, and one of the best I’ve tasted. The consistency of the curry was perfect: thick yet smooth without being gloopy, with a deep, rich flavour and the right balance of sweetness, savouriness, and spice. It was flavourful enough that I could enjoy it with just rice.  The rice was also cooked perfectly, while the furikake added just the right hit of umami.

Here’s my hot take: chicken katsu is the superior protein pairing for Japanese curry, and this one was proof. It was coated in shatteringly crisp breading while remaining tender and juicy inside. Though flavourful enough on its own, the smoky tare added a nice amount of sweetness and savouriness.

We also ordered the Iberico Pork Katsu Curry ($16.90), a fan favourite comprising a 250g fillet of acorn-fed Iberico pork, finished with a sprinkle of flaky salt and a dollop of yellow mustard, served with the aforementioned curry and rice.

My usual complaint with pork katsu is that it tends to be dry and tough, but this one was anything but. The meat was tender and moist inside, yet crispy on the outside. The yellow mustard added a nice spicy kick that helped cut through some of the richness.

Personally, between the two curry dishes, I still prefer the Kuro Fried Chicken Curry, though the Iberico Pork Tonkatsu Curry was a close second.

Image credit: Kuro Kare

If you’re not a fan of either, try their Charcoal Grilled Steak Curry ($21.90), which features the same curry and rice with a grilled steak fillet.

We, however, went for their Charcoal Grilled Steak Don ($18.90) instead. You get a full 200g steak, grilled medium, sitting on a bed of savoury garlic oil rice, topped with a runny onsen egg, a sauced-up lettuce salad, and Japanese pickles, garnished with crispy garlic chips and spring onions.

Overall, the bowl was cohesive: the silky onsen egg coated the rice well, perfectly complementing the smoky, grilled flavour of the steak, while the garlic chips added some much-needed crunch and earthiness. The result was a dish that felt indulgent but not too jelak. My only gripe, however, was that the steak was a little tough and slightly hard to chew, though it may be due to the chaos of the lunch crowd. You also couldn’t choose the temperature of the steak—personally I would’ve liked mine on the rarer side.

Image credit: @foodievstheworld

If you’re visiting for dinner, look out for some of their side dishes, such as the “Siamtiu” Wings (2pc) ($11.80++), featuring crispy boneless wings drizzled with the same smoky tare and served on a Thai chilli and coriander emulsion.

Image credit: @indulgentism

Alternatively, their “Kaya Toast” ($12.90++) is a clever lookalike of the classic Singaporean dish, featuring minced tuna belly and avocado cream sandwiched between two slices of crispy buttered toast, served with an onsen tamago.

Ambience at Kuro Kare

The space is quite small, with only 18 seats available. When we arrived 15 minutes before opening, there was already a substantial queue, so expect a wait if you’re looking to dine in. Do note that lunch is walk-in only, meant for quick dining and fast turnarounds, while online reservations are highly recommended for dinner, which is more slow-paced.

The restaurant was dimly lit with overhead lighting, giving it a Japanese yatai, AKA shop stand, atmosphere. The space was also open and well-ventilated, preventing food odours from lingering.

Kuro Kare sits in the basement of Havelock II, a two-minute walk from Clarke Quay MRT Station and a four-minute walk from Chinatown MRT Station.

Kuro Kare—Eatbook Review

In my opinion, Kuro Kare remains one of the best spots for Japanese curry rice. The vibe is definitely different from its previous outlet—the experience feels more high-end, with more attention to detail. However, as someone who’s slightly claustrophobic, the space was too squeezy for my liking, as compared to their prior outlet. That said, come early to avoid a queue, as seating is limited.

Nonetheless, most dishes were well-executed and priced under $20, which is rare for an eatery in town. The menu was definitely more limited in variety compared to the SMU store, with some of my favourites removed, such as the short ribs of the Melty Beef curry rice, Prawn Toast, and the house-made green chilli padi sauce.

If you’re looking for more Japanese curry rice recommendations, one of my personal favourites is Maji Curry, an award-winning chain from Japan. Otherwise, for those on a budget, our guide to affordable Chinatown cafes has you covered.

Address: 2 Havelock Road, B1-32 Havelock II, Singapore 059763
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 2:30pm, 6pm to 8:30pm
Website
Kuro Kare is not halal-certified.

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Photos taken by Chan Zi Xuan.
This was an independent review by Eatbook.