Radha Vilas is nestled into a sleepy little town of Ushita, but the owner’s spices and healthy cooking style has become widely known across Japan through online sales.
For a real treat, come into Radha's original shop and enjoy balanced and tasty set lunches, great curries, masala dosa, wrap dishes and other unique southern Indian delights you won’t find anywhere else in Japan.
For years, the owner made the curries exclusively for the packaged curry market in Japan, but then decided to expand on the popularity of these curries and open up this restaurant in 2009.
The philosophy of the cooking here is to focus on health and natural ingredients. The curries and dishes do not rely on chemicals and additives to add flavor. According to the owner, Radha Vilas uses only the most natural ingredients, spices and vegetables that offer health benefits as well as flavor. You can see (and buy) a full range of spices and all of their popular packaged curries at the restaurant (near the front). There is seating for 34 at tables on two levels. The back, raised level is perfect for a larger group to enjoy a meals together.
As a customer, I find the curries here milder, but more flavor-full than other Indian curry houses, it is also easier to eat more and not feel at all bloated or too full at the end of a big meal here. I am also a big fan masala dosa. Masala is the spice and the dosa is a type of crepe made from fermented lentil beans, it has a wonderful and unique flavor.
At lunch, the vegan set lunch is a wonderful, healthy meal that includes whole wheat (dry pan fried) chapati bread instead of nan bread. The "simple lunch" of a salad, curry, nan bread and rice is under 900 yen. You can get larger portions of rice or curry for a little bit more. The kati-roll lunch is like an indian wrap sandwich, it is quite delicious (800 yen). A kids lunch is available for under 700 yen that includes a curry, nan bread and salad. The same dishes are available in the evening for around the same prices. Be warned that dinner is only available on Fri, Sat, Sun and Holidays- other days only by advance reservation for groups. Tandoori chicken, samosa and other side dishes including a lovely lemon rice dish with cashews are available all day. There is also a good range of beers, wine, lassi drinks and other soft drinks. There are some desserts available made of soya milk or other healthy ingredients.
This is a good restaurant for vegans, vegetarians, people with allergies, or anyone who enjoys Indian dishes and healthy eating. Also, anyone (like me) who is a fan of southern Indian dishes, really should seek this restaurant out to enjoy a dosa or two. When we spent a few months traveling in India, I fell in love with these spicy crepes- and in all the restaurants I have patronized over the years across Japan, I have only ever seen them on the menu here!
Reservations are accepted, but walk-ins are welcome too.
