In an age when a single peppercorn was worth its weight in gold, spices were more than mere seasonings. They were coveted treasures that drove people across the seas, connected the world, and at the same time, divided it.
At the far end of this long legacy of spices stands a small shop in Kagurazaka: Spicier.
Built around the idea of “more with spice,” Spicier serves curry bread and chai made with carefully selected spices. But the shop’s real goal goes beyond these familiar favorites. By using approachable staples like curry bread and chai as a gateway, Spicier invites people to weave spices more naturally into their everyday lives.
Where Indian Curry Meets Japanese Food Culture
What sets Spicier’s curry bread apart is its filling: authentic Indian curry prepared by an Indian chef. Traditionally, Indian curry has a light, fluid consistency, which makes it unsuitable as a bread filling in its original form. Through repeated trial and error in adjusting the moisture level, the team eventually arrived at the balance they use today.
Mochi-Mochi Keema (¥420) and the Seasonal Special (from ¥490 — Butter Chicken Masala at the time of visit)
During this visit, the editorial team tried two selections: the signature Mochi-Mochi Keema and the seasonal Butter Chicken Masala. From the first bite, the curry flavor spreads through the mouth. Unlike conventional curry bread made with deep-fried dough, Spicier’s bread is chewy and mochi-like, with a subtle sweetness that softens the heat of the spice-forward curry while allowing both flavors to shine.
This distinctive texture was developed to eliminate air pockets and pack the filling firmly inside. The key lies in the use of tapioca flour. Though the bread appears compact, the amount of flour used is comparable to that of a standard curry bread, leaving a surprisingly satisfying finish.
“We sometimes hear that it seems expensive for its size,” says owner Yuki Sugawara in a calm voice. “But what matters most to us is offering something we truly believe tastes great. It might seem pricey for curry bread, but rather than pricing to match the market, we set a price we feel is fair for the product itself.”
Her words convey a quiet confidence and sincere pride in every carefully made piece of curry bread.
Owner: Yuki Sugawara
Why curry bread instead of an Indian curry restaurant? For Yuki, the answer was simple. In searching for the most approachable way for people to experience spices, she arrived at curry bread, a food deeply familiar to Japanese diners and loved across generations.
From there, Spicier took shape as a space that brings authentic spices into Japan’s own culinary culture.
Chai, Brewed Fresh Every Morning and Crafted with Care
Alongside curry bread, the other star of the menu is chai, brewed fresh every morning by simmering spices in the shop.
“It takes a bit of extra work, but the difference in flavor is unmistakable compared to chai made from a pre-prepared base mixed with milk. In India, chai is simmered together with the milk from the start, and that step is essential if we want to get as close as possible to the authentic taste,” Yuki explained.
Simmering the spices
One of the shop’s most popular choices is the Chai Tasting Set, featuring the house Spicier Blend alongside two rotating chai selections that change regularly. When we visited, the set included a Turmeric Latte and a Cardamom-Fennel Chai.
Chai Tasting Set (¥1,150), From left: Spicier Blend, Turmeric Latte, Cardamom–Fennel Chai
It was a cold day when we visited, yet a single sip brought a gentle warmth from within. The sweetness is subtle, allowing the spices to take center stage. Turmeric is said to be especially effective when enjoyed with milk, and because the drink is caffeine-free, it’s an ideal choice before bed.
The shop’s seasonal offerings are shaped by Yuki’s own experiences. Discoveries made while living abroad and traveling naturally feed into each new creation, keeping the ideas flowing. This turmeric latte, for instance, was inspired by his encounter with high-quality fresh turmeric during a visit to Yakushima.
Each ingredient is carefully chosen only after being seen and tasted firsthand.
Spices for a Delicious, Everyday Kind of Wellness
The shop features four counter seats, where customers can watch curry bread being baked and chai simmering right before their eyes. The preparation process is intentionally left open, inviting guests to experience the bold aromas of the spices up close.
This focus on a physical storefront goes beyond simply serving food. At its core is the idea of offering something that can’t be replicated online. It is about the conversations and connections that emerge through spices, and the experience of carrying those moments home.
The shelves built into the counter are modeled after the drawers found in traditional herbal medicine shops. Inside, jars of spices and cooking tools are carefully stored, and the act of opening the small doors to retrieve spices brings to mind a herbalist selecting medicinal ingredients.
Herbal medicine is often associated with being good for the body but bitter in taste. Yet, as with turmeric mentioned earlier, history shows that the same plant has at times been used as a medicinal herb for digestion, and at other times as a fragrant spice.
Perhaps the reason curry and chai are so closely linked with deliciousness lies in the ingenuity of those who found ways to root them in everyday life as food.
“With the growing focus on health in recent years, more people are becoming interested in spices,” says Yuki. “If this place can be a starting point for discovering spices, and if people leave feeling excited by how fascinating they are, that would mean a lot to me.”
The world of spices, shaped over centuries and still unfolding today, is closer than it may seem. If even a small curiosity has been sparked, a visit to this shop might be the perfect place to begin.
Spicier
Address: Rosy, Geisha Shinmichi, 3-2-33 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0825
Hours:
Fri–Sun: 11:30–18:30 (last order for dine-in 30 minutes before closing)
Wed–Thu: 11:30–17:30 (takeout only)
Website: https://spicier.jp/
Instagram：@spicier.tokyo
