I got lunch at my favorite Chinese place (with “Japanese” food).

They had a sign out for “curry chicken” as a lunch special. Scribbled, barely legible. Just leaning on a chair. “curry chicken special $7.95”

Now, this is not a menu item. And the non-menu items are the best. If you’re lucky you’ll get a free scallion pancake, even if you’re by yourself. (I got one today.) At one time they gave out free hot and sour soup with your lunch. At one time they gave out free miso soup.

My love of curries is comparable to Shinya’s love of hamburgers.

I had no idea what to expect when I ordered. Would it be a yellow Chinese curry with lots of onions and chicken? Would it be like a Japanese curry (more like a gravy-stew). Would it be like an Indian curry? Thai curry? Vietnamese curry?!

The owner brought me the plate herself. A towering “Japanese gravy curry boat” and an overturned rice bowl. (Anyone who’s had curry at a nicer Japanese restaurant knows this mini gravy boat… Except mine was twice the size.)

It was a Japanese style curry with obvious Chinese influence. Lots of onions. Slices of potato. Slices of garlic. Slices of chicken.

My only complaint is that I didn’t have a spoon.