Ringo Curry — Review by J. Kenji López-Alt
Seattle, United States — Japanese Curry
Ringo Curry is a newly opened brick-and-mortar Japanese curry house in Seattle's International District that serves curry rice, katsu curry, and omelets. The pork katsu curry featured perfectly fried panko coating, a juicy unsmashed pork cutlet, and an excellent medium-spiced sauce that paired beautifully with a gooey omelet and good rice. The reviewer highly praised the quality and execution of the dish.
What was great: Excellent pork katsu with crispy, craggy panko coating and juicy thick pork cutlet; excellent curry sauce with good medium spice level; gooey and juicy omelet; good rice
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The main order was a pork katsu with rice and Japanese omelet paired with a medium spice curry sauce. The pork katsu stood out immediately with its exceptional panko coating - really nice, craggy, and well-fried for a crispy exterior. The pork itself was a thick, unsmashed cutlet that remained juicy and well-seasoned, contrasting with the reviewer's childhood experience of smashed, thin pork katsu. While modern katsu curry typically features this fuller cut, the execution here was excellent. The curry sauce delivered on its medium spice promise, offering a balanced heat level that the reviewer felt was likely the strongest option on their limited three-level spice menu. The Japanese omelet accompanying the dish was notably gooey and juicy, and the rice was good quality, completing a well-rounded plate.
The Experience
Ringo Curry operates in Seattle's International District as a relatively new brick-and-mortar establishment, having transitioned from a successful food truck operation in 2024. The setting reflects a typical Japanese curry house format with a straightforward menu focused on their core specialties.
Value & Pricing
No specific pricing was mentioned in the review.
Notable Moments
The pork katsu the panko that they use here are really nice. Really nice and craggy. Well fried, really crispy.
Modern katsu curry seems to be more frequently a bigger cut like a full unsmashed pork chop pork cutlet. I'm not mad about that. I could do it either way.
The Verdict
Ringo Curry delivers excellent Japanese curry house food with particular strength in their pork katsu preparation. The restaurant's recent transition from food truck success to a permanent location in the International District makes it a worthwhile stop for anyone seeking authentic Japanese curry. The combination of quality ingredients, proper technique, and well-balanced flavors makes this an excellent choice for curry enthusiasts.