Inner Richmond's Back Room retools to offer Japanese curry as Konomama

Inner Richmond's Back Room retools to offer Japanese curry as KonomamaThe vegan curry plate. | Image: Courtesy of Konomama
Camden Avery
Published on October 17, 2019

It's almost one month in for new Japanese curry spot Konomama (4601 Geary Blvd., at 10th Ave.), and co-owner Takahiro Hori says that so far, "we've been having a blast." 

"We feel pretty good about our menu and believe that it caters well to the community here," says Hori, who was invited by longtime friend Yosuke Takahashi to join forces after Hori's Mission restaurant, Ken Ken Ramen, closed last year.

Takahashi, also the owner of the FiDi's Ramen Underground, ran Konomama in its earlier incarnation, a cafe called Back Room.

"Yosuke watned to refine the curry recipe, and I wanted to sell something fresh," Hori said. And so, Konomama was born.

Hori said the concept for the restaurant — whose name in Japanese translates to "just as it is"— was "to offer a comfortable welcoming place," complete with Afro-funk and jazz records on vinyl. 

The casual dining room at Konomama, where customers order at the counter. | Photo: Carol W./Yelp

The menu is straightforward, with either a traditional or vegan Japanese curry plate ($11.50 or $12.50) accompanied by rice and vegetables. Add-ons include pork katsu, deep-fried seasonal vegetables, sukiyaki beef, and vegan fried tofu.

There are also side dishes like furikake sweet potato fries ($4.50) and broccoli with karashi sumiso, a Japanese mustard and miso sauce (also $4.50). 

The restaurant also offers an array of Japanese craft beers, Hori said.

Konomama is now open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m., Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m., and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.