Hiden Curry, Finsbury Park
"Should I also go to The Plimsoll for their Dexter Burger as well?" I mumbled, distracting myself with Google Maps while exploring the surroundings of Finsbury Park—when my original intent was to check the distance between my home and Hiden Curry.
(If you must know, I did not go to The Plimsoll—I didn’t want to ruin my appetite.)
A true gourmet gem, Hiden Curry is an experimental food lab specializing in Japanese curry. They first started as a 'hole in the wall' in Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, primarily offering takeaway with a small eat-in space. They served only three types of curry: beef, mild chicken, and red lentil, along with occasional limited-edition items such as curry buns and takoyaki.
Recently, they opened their second location on Stroud Green Road in Finsbury Park—a diner-style restaurant with a larger menu. They’ve also introduced a café menu featuring homemade Japanese-style pastries and croissant sandwiches, lovingly named Croissando.
Bringing along my two friends, Poppy and Anna, we met up at Hiden for a much-needed catch-up and some comfort food to warm us on a cold night.
"It’s very yellow!" will always be your first thought upon entering the space, especially compared to its plain black exterior. The interior is warm and cosy, filled with artwork, shelves stacked with knick-knacks (most of which were purchasable), old vinyl records, cookbooks, and displays of those plastic yet incredibly realistic-looking dishes—designed to entice the curious crowd.
It felt like stepping into a mom-and-pop shop in Japan.
The menu was extensive—ranging from curries to donburi, a great selection of starters and side dishes, and, of course, their signature-filled Croissandos. With the intoxicating aroma of spices lingering in the air, I knew I was in the right place.
As we sipped on Ramune, we were greeted by Yuichi, the owner, who took the time to explain the dishes we’d be trying and even offered us a sake tasting! However, it was a school night, so we opted for soft drinks—because we’re sensible like that.
Dishes started arriving at the table, and oh my goodness, we were in for a treat!
I don't often eat Japanese curry, but this mild chicken curry topped with breaded chicken katsu was delicious. It was rich and warmly spiced with their secret spice blend. The rice was perfectly cooked—firm to the bite! No mushy bits here!
(There was also an additional topping section where you could add a boiled egg, fried chicken, cheese, corn, etc.)
This was my favourite dish of them all. The chicken katsu curry ramen was a dream in a bowl. Using the same base but with more liquid, it was rich, soothing, yet complex, and filled with umami flavours. The ramen was cooked al dente, and the bean sprouts, sweetcorn, and seaweed added a great crispy texture. It was heavenly and perfect for any cold night.
But let's get to the Croissando. We had the Hiden Signature—breaded chicken katsu, homemade tartare sauce, and Japanese brown sauce, sandwiched between a surprisingly large, buttery croissant with a small side salad.
It tasted exactly as you would imagine, but the surprising thing was that, despite all the breaded chicken we'd had, it kept its crunch even when it turned cold.
I would have this for lunch every week if I worked nearby.
If you know me, I despise tofu—to the point that I refuse to go to Tofu Vegan. (Mainly because of the name and the fact that they serve a sh*t-ton of tofu!)
I did try a cube of the Agedashi Deep-Fried Tofu, and it wasn’t bad at all.
I was done after one cube.
The chicken karaage was a good fried nugget, especially enjoyable for those who are picky eaters. Adding a squeeze of lemon is superior because anything citrus added to food will more or less elevate the taste.
The homemade kimchi and daikon pickles were the perfect palate cleansers—sweet yet tangy, complementing the dishes well. The girls and I couldn’t stop eating them and debated whether we should order more.
Unfortunately, we were too full to try their desserts, buns, and pastries, but for sure, I would love to explore more of their menu—especially their café selection—when I get the chance!
Overall, the girls and I had a great meal, and Yuichi and the team were so warm and welcoming that I wish them nothing but all the luck and success the universe has to offer. And best believe—I’ll be back for another Croissando!
