Kai Curry Bar by Umai Kitchen @ Jalan Phuah Hin Leong, Penang

I got to know about this place through a friend's post in Instagram last month and I thought, hey this is new. We have plenty of Japanese restaurants in Penang but not a curry bar! Before visiting the BBW2015 at Times Square, we decide to have lunch first and off to Kai Curry Bar we go. 

From Jalan Burmah (coming from Penang Plaza / Larut Road direction), Jalan Phuah Hin Leong is on your right just after the Ears-Nose-Throat (ENT) clinic on your right. If you missed the turning to this, you can also reach this place through Jalan Tavoy, Jalan Chow Thye and Jalan Servis. Jalan Phuah Hin Leong is a two-way street, so be careful of oncoming cars when turning in. Then, don't drive too fast otherwise you will miss this curry bar on the left. You may park in front of other people's businesses/houses just few doors down from the curry bar (if lucky). 

 A simple introduction

 It is closed on Sundays to Mondays. Do take note! 

Not sure if they take reservations because they have only limited tables for parties of more than 5. 

 Their mascots are dinosaurs drawn by Kai Oliver Furukawa, the little boy of the owners. 

You get to see his drawings first hand at the cashier's counter. 

If not, all over the place. All too adorable. 

Complimentary side dishes - potato salad and pickled lotus root vegetables and complimentary refillable drink - Roasted Barley Tea (Mugi Cha) to go with your rice and curry. 

 One of their signature curries. 

 The front part of the curry bar. 

 More of Kai's drawings on the ceiling

Their menu, neatly written and nicely decorated and plenty of variety to choose from.
Seafood, poultry, fish or meat. 

Cutlery and napkins will be placed in here depending on how many pax. 

Complimentary side dish - potato salad with wakame and black sesame seeds

Complimentary pickled vegetables

My sister ordered the Pork Hamburg. The meatballs are infused with Italian herbs and goes really well with the pork based curry. 

Whereas I had Pork Katsu (Breadcrumbs) Curry with vegetarian based curry. I liked the vegetarian based curry as it contains chick peas and green peas to compliment the curry sauce and the dish as a whole. 

Overall, we love the place. A nice family run curry bar and we were serenaded with J-Pop while enjoying our meal. We will definitely go back again and this time with the rest of my family. 

Kai Curry Bar by Umai Kitchen

No. 15, Jalan Phuah Hin Leong,
10050 Penang
Tel: 04-226 0322
Opening hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays (11am-3pm & 6-11pm only)
Umai Kitchen's Facebook page