Gapao Shokudo's massaman curry is their claim to fame — it topped CNN's global food poll. The curry is made with a balanced blend of massaman spice paste, coconut milk, and a hint of tamarind providing sweetness and tang. Peanuts and potatoes add texture and heartiness. The meat is tender and absorbs the sauce. Every lunch set includes a salad and soup alongside this curry.
The restaurant's namesake dish. Ground pork is quickly stir-fried with fresh holy basil (gapao), garlic, and chilies until fragrant and lightly caramelized. Served over jasmine rice with a fried egg on top. The sauce clings to the rice and pork, building flavor with each bite. Reviewers note the abunbalance of aromatic basil is what makes this version special. One of the five lunch choices.
Made with green curry paste made from fresh green chilis, giving it bright, grassy heat. Coconut milk mellows it slightly while lime and basil keep it fresh. Tender chicken and vegetables like eggplant, bamboo shoots, and basil leaves float in the aromatic broth. One of the five lunch options. Customizable heat level available.
Tom yum — the iconic Thai soup — made with a lemongrass-based broth built from shrimp stock. Lime juice and chilies provide sharpness, galangal and kaffir lime leaves add aromatic complexity. The soup is served with plump shrimp and mushrooms. As part of the lunch set, this comes as the soup course alongside your curry or gapao choice.
Available on the evening menu (not standard lunch). Thin rice noodles are quickly tossed over high heat with tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar creating the characteristic sweet-sour-savory balance. Garlic, shrimp, and ground peanuts add texture. Garnished with fresh lime and roasted peanuts. Customizable to your spice level.
Gapao Shokudo started as an original shop between Shibuya and Omotesando stations and has expanded to multiple locations across Tokyo. The philosophy is speed and value: a limited lunch menu of 5 choices means food arrives within minutes of ordering. Their massaman curry ranked top on CNN's global food poll. The casual shokudo format makes it accessible for lunch breaks but the flavors are rich and authentic.
The limited lunch menu (only 5 choices) means your food arrives in minutes — usually 5-10 minutes max. Perfect for a quick business lunch break.
Lunch plates are ¥980 and come as a set with salad and soup included. This is among Tokyo's best value for quality Thai food.
The original location is between Shibuya and Omotesando stations — close to the nightlife area but not directly on a main road. Additional branches in Aoyama, Shinjuku, and Ebisu offer similar quality.
Most curries and the gapao can be adjusted for spice level — ask your server if you want more heat. Thai authenticity is maintained without compromise.
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