Hello. I'm Tanaka, the director and coder of the Coding Factory.
In today's Yoyogi Walking Map, we would like to introduce the Indian curry restaurant "Gandhi."
But actually, this was my first time visiting this restaurant. It's located on the first basement floor of the Washington Hotel in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, so it's a bit far from Monosas...
However, because it is located in an office district, it is so popular that there is a line of people waiting to get in during lunchtime.
Gandhi's curry is so delicious that Tatsuta from the marketing department said, "This is the best Indian curry I've ever eaten!" The restaurant has many fans within Monosus, with some staff members visiting at least once a week.
What is it about "Gandhi" that makes it so popular? We decided to take a closer look to discover the secret behind its popularity.
The friendly personalities of the staff are appealing
From Monosus, cross the crosswalk in front of Bunka Fashion College and head to Washington Hotel.
On this day, the editor-in-chief, Nakaniwa, and Katori from the sales department accompanied us. It turns out that the sister of Katori's husband, Lucky , also works at the store.
Furthermore, it was at this sister store that Katori and her husband met.
I heard that many Monosus employees have been fans of Gandhi for a long time.
As this was my first visit to a store with such close ties to Monosus, I was excited.
I experienced a bit of a culture shock when I saw the piles of nan flowers in front of the shop.
I hurried down to the basement and found many restaurants lined up, including soba shops and ramen restaurants.
I was in a meeting until late afternoon that day, so I was starving. I resisted the urge to go straight into the first restaurant in sight, and headed for the Indian curry restaurant "Gandhi" in the back.
And then we arrived in front of the store.
All the dishes lined up in a row come with a large naan bread set. It looks very satisfying!
However, this is a restaurant sign. Maybe the so-called "magic of ideals and reality" works here too. Let's tread carefully for now.
"welcome!"
As soon as I stepped inside the store, I heard a cheerful voice.
Staff member Sarbil welcomed us with a smile.
Just like Katori's husband Lucky, Sabir happily strikes a pose when the camera is pointed at him. Of course, he also checks himself after receiving the camera.
As I was taking photos of the interior of the store like this, the staff began to gather around from the kitchen and the break room, perhaps attracted by the sound of camera shutters.
Hmm, you really love being in photos...!
The situation is so funny that I can't help but smile.
An authentic curry lunch menu that will satisfy the stomachs of working people
I immediately opened the menu and examined it.
However, this is my first visit to this restaurant. I think I should start with the standard "Daily Lunch"!
When I asked if I could take a photo of the waiter bringing my food, he readily agreed. In fact, he even suggested a pose for me.
The daily lunch is 900 yen. It was a Wednesday and the menu was seafood curry.
A huge naan sticking out of the tray (or plate?)! The sign is not a lie, sorry for doubting you.
The daily lunch set includes a curry of the day, naan and rice. On this day, it was seafood curry.
When you think of Indian curry, you may imagine it to be spicy, but this seafood curry has a mellow taste with a strong shrimp flavor.
The spicy pickled onions add a nice accent to the dish, and you won't be able to stop tearing the naan into pieces.
Tear a large, soft naan into large pieces and top it with plenty of curry.
Katori, who says he "always wants it a little spicy," ordered the "Soft Egg Keema Curry Set," abbreviated to "OK"!
The usual spicy curry, combined with a soft-boiled egg and plenty of cheese, will shake your appetite center.
The price is 980 yen! It's almost the same price as the daily lunch, so you can enjoy a luxurious feeling. It's a good reward lunch after delivery...
The cheese melts over time, and you pop a soft-boiled egg in at the right time... it's pure bliss.
This is the "Vegetarian Set" selected by the courtyard for 1,000 yen. It includes spinach, bean and vegetable curry, naan, rice and salad.
With just a little splurge, you can make something so luxurious! It's also packed with vegetables, so even though it's curry, it's also healthy. It's perfect for a celebratory extra lunch the day after drinking too much at a project launch party.
A hearty "vegetarian set" for just 1,000 yen! It's also packed with nutrition.
Founded 35 years ago, this store is loved by people who work in the business district of Shinjuku
Maryam (left), who answered our interview questions, is a woman who loves makeup and fashion. She is the younger sister of Katori's husband, Lucky. Sabir (right) has been working at Gandhi for 11 years. She is looking forward to meeting her two children who she left behind in India, and is serving customers with a smile today.
Gandhi has been in business for about 35 years (apparently that's a bit vague), and has been loved by workers in Shinjuku.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and offers a wide variety of dishes other than curry. The sofa seats are very comfortable, and I envied the gentleman who came to interview us and sipped his wine at lunch.
If you talk to the staff they will respond with a smile and they will come back to refill your glass several times (laughs).
"Most of the people working here are acquaintances or relatives. They come through introductions from other staff members, so it's an easy place to work."
I have experience in the restaurant industry, and I once heard a story like this during a training session.
"Stores with high employee satisfaction also have high customer satisfaction."
In a store where staff can work with a smile and in a good mood, the service will naturally improve and customers will naturally be satisfied. And most importantly, that kind of atmosphere in the store will lead to repeat customers.
The friendly relationship between everyone at Gandhi and the warm, welcoming atmosphere make it a very comfortable place.
You can enjoy authentic Indian curry at a reasonable price here, so even if it's a little far away, you'll want to go back again.
It's no wonder that there's a line at lunchtime...
"Oh, the Monosas people come here often! They came yesterday too.
But some of them haven't come recently. Are those two girls who usually come together busy?"
Wow, you remember the faces of your customers too.
Don't worry. When I told them what Sabir said, they smiled and said, "Let's go again!"
I will come again. Next time, I would like to enjoy a lunch beer on a good night's sleep!
Gandhi
3-17-21 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 3rd Building 2F
Tel: 03-3352-8055
11:30～22:00(LO21:30)
Open for lunch and Sundays (open every day)
Tabelog
TANAKA Natsumi