Fast Food & Grill · Practical guide

San Marco

KYK Tonkatsu European Curry, Depachika Counters & 4-Condiment Bar

Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.

Quick Facts

Feature Details
Japanese nameサンマルコ (San Marco)
CategoryDining / Authentic European-Style Curry (Ohfu Curry) & Crispy Pork Cutlet Specialty (San Marco Official Website)
Store CountApproximately 25–30 locations centered in Kansai department store food halls (Depachika in Osaka Umeda, Namba, Kobe, Kyoto), Kansai International Airport (KIX), and select Tokyo stations, operated by Mameda Planning Co., Ltd. (Tonkatsu KYK Group) (Store Locator)
Ordering StyleElegant European counter service: take an open stool along the curved mahogany counter bar; order verbally with professional staff from picture menus; curry ladled hot over rice; help yourself to 4 free tabletop condiment carousels; pay at register upon departure
Membership Required?No reservation, membership, or ID required
Approximate Price RangeRegular curry bowls ~¥850–¥1,100; signature Loin Katsu Curry ~¥1,080–¥1,280; seafood/shrimp curry ~¥1,150–¥1,380; strictly zero cover charge (¥0 Otoshi); all tax-included (subject to revision)
Payment MethodsCash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), Japanese transit IC cards (ICOCA, Suica, PASMO), electronic money (iD, QUICPay), and smartphone QR code payments (PayPay, 楽天ペイ) conforming to department store terminal standards
Multilingual SupportLaminated pictorial menus with clear English descriptions, photo illustrations, and spice level ratings; Kansai Airport location has extensive international experience

What it is

Curry House San Marco (カレーハウス サンマルコ), operated by Osaka's legendary deep-fried cutlet titan Tonkatsu KYK (Mameda Planning), is universally celebrated as Kansai's premier European curry institution. Inspired by the grand spice trading traditions of Venice's Piazza San Marco, the restaurant simmers its luxurious European-style curry (Ofu Curry) using rich beef bone bouillon, red wine, caramelized onions, apples, and over 20 proprietary roasted spices. Because it is directly operated by Tonkatsu KYK, San Marco's signature Rosu Katsu Curry (Pork Loin Cutlet Curry) features freshly fried, panko-crusted cutlets of succulent pork that stay remarkably crisp beneath the velvety, mildly sweet and aromatic curry roux. Set around polished curved counters with its famous 4-condiment revolving brass carousel (roasted peanuts, sweet raisins, cucumber pickles, and red fukujinzuke), it offers a refined culinary sanctuary.

How to order

Dining at San Marco is graceful, rapid, and comforting:

  1. Take a seat at the curved counter: Step into the department store basement (Depachika) or airport concourse. Staff dressed in European chef uniforms will guide you to a stool along the gleaming U-shaped counter.
  2. NO Otoshi cover charge: Enjoy honest dining—San Marco charges strictly zero table fee and zero cover charge (¥0 Otoshi)!
  3. Choose your curry dish:
    • Loin Katsu Curry (ロースカツカレー - Rosu Katsu): The #1 Best Order! KYK's signature golden-fried pork cutlet over steaming rice, bathed in rich European curry sauce.
    • Beef Curry (ビーフカレー): Classical European beef curry slow-simmered with tender beef chunks.
    • Shrimp Curry (海老フライカレー): Plump panko-crusted fried prawns with tartar sauce and curry.
    • Nasu (Eggplant) Curry (ナスカレー): Sautéed tender Japanese eggplant and minced beef; beloved by local women.
    • Seasonal Vegetable / Kashiwa Chicken Curry: Rotating specialty curries.
  4. Choose your rice portion: Specify Regular (Nami) or Large (Oomori +¥150).
  5. The 4-Condiment Tabletop Carousel (Signature Feature!):
    • While waiting just 2 to 3 minutes for your meal, examine the rotating 4-compartment brass carousel in front of you.
    • Crushed Roasted Peanuts (落花生): Sprinkling crushed peanuts over your curry adds an unforgettable nutty crunch!
    • Plump Sweet Raisins (干しぶどう): Sweeter than chutney; balances the warm curry spices.
    • Kyuri-zuke (Pickled Green Cucumbers): Refreshing, crunchy pickled cucumbers.
    • Fukujinzuke (Sweet Red Radish Pickles): Traditional sweet Japanese radish condiment.
    • All 4 condiments are 100% FREE and UNLIMITED!
  6. Savor the KYK Katsu Crunch: Pick up your spoon—the pork katsu is fried in pure vegetable oil, providing a clean, airy crunch that never feels greasy, seamlessly melding with the velvety, aromatic European sauce!
  7. Settle your bill: Bring your table slip to the register at the end of the counter. Pay via cash, credit card, ICOCA/Suica, or smartphone QR codes.

What to order first

Dishes below reflect core brand staples officially featured on the San Marco Official Website:

Payment & practical info

Prices and details checked: October 2026.

Good to know / Common mistakes

FAQ

Q1: What is "European-Style Curry" (Ofu Curry)? Unlike Indian curry (which uses fresh spices and water/yogurt) or British navy curry (which uses flour roux), Japanese Ofu Curry (欧風カレー) was created by Japanese chefs trained in classical French cuisine, using rich brown beef bouillon (fond de veau), butter, caramelized onions, red wine, and cream to create an exceptionally smooth, deeply savory sauce.

Q2: Is San Marco curry very spicy? San Marco curry is mildly spicy with a rich, sweet, and comforting savory warmth suitable for all palates. If you want extra heat, ask staff for hot spice powder.

Q3: Can I dine alone comfortably? Yes, exceptionally so! San Marco is designed primarily around solo counter seating, making it one of the most welcoming and relaxing places for solo travelers in Japanese train stations.

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