Typical of restaurants in Japan, a display near the entrance to Masala illustrates items on the menu. (Jeremy Stillwagner/Stars and Stripes)
If you live on or near Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, you’ve noticed the many restaurants serving Indian food in the area. I’ve sampled nearly all of them and Masala is one of the best.
Located on the fifth floor of the Seiyu shopping center, kitty-corner from the Fussa JR Station, Masala offers a quiet place to grab some food above the busy back-and-forth on the street below. The restaurant can comfortably seat 36 people, so it’s a great place to go with friends and family.
The menu offers a wide range of curries, naan, sides and drinks to choose from. Typically, it’s cheaper to order one of the sets, but not every curry is part of a set and extra side items are not included, either.
Masala, an Indian restaurant in Fussa, a western Tokyo suburb, serves a tasty mutton curry and cheese naan. (Jeremy Stillwagner/Stars and Stripes)
The standard price of a set ranges from 780 to 1,050 yen or $5.68 to $7.95. The sets are defined by their curries, and you should expect to pay a little more if you want to substitute another type of naan for the variety that comes with the set.
The curry can be ordered in one of four spice levels that go from mild to very spicy. If a spice level isn’t specified, the default is mild.
The staff work quickly, and most days you’ll be seated immediately upon entering the restaurant, even at the busiest times. After ordering, the food arrives at the table within 10 minutes.
The quality of the food has been consistent throughout my multiple visits to the establishment. I highly recommend giving Masala a try if you’re in the area.
Masala
Location: 5-1 Higashicho, Fussa, Tokyo 197-0021, inside Seiyu on the 5th floor
Directions: From the Yokota main gate continue west, turn right at the fork, turn right again at the 7/11 and the Seiyu will be just ahead past the intersection on the left. Paid parking is available near the main entrance of the Seiyu or in the attached parking structure.
Hours: Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Prices: 780 to 1,050 yen, or $5.68 to $7.95
Dress: Casual
