(REVIEW) 100 Hours Curry Opens in MyTOWN, Serving Up a Different Kind of Japanese Curry

Japanese curry fans have another reason to visit MyTOWN Shopping Centre. Freshly opened at the popular mall, 100 Hours Curry brings its award-winning Japanese curry concept to Kuala Lumpur, promising deep, rich flavours developed through a painstaking cooking process that gives the brand its name.

Curious to see if the hype was justified, we dropped by to sample two of its signature combinations: the Chicken Katsu Omelette Curry Rice with Original Curry and the Chicken Katsu Omelette Curry Rice with Butter Curry.

The outlet carries a clean and contemporary Japanese casual dining aesthetic, making it an inviting spot for a quick lunch or relaxed dinner. Service was efficient and our dishes arrived promptly, looking every bit as appetising as the menu photos suggested.

Image Credit: 100 Hours Curry

What immediately stands out about 100 Hours Curry is its focus on the curry itself. Unlike some Japanese curry chains that rely heavily on toppings to drive flavour, the curry here is clearly the main focus.

Original Curry: rich, deep and peppery

The first dish featured a generous portion of crispy chicken katsu, fluffy omelette and rice, all covered in 100 Hours Curry's signature Original Curry.

Interestingly, this wasn't the sweet, mellow Japanese curry flavour we were expecting. Instead, the curry carried a noticeably peppery profile that reminded us more of a rich black pepper sauce than a traditional Japanese curry.

While the curry retained its thick and velvety consistency, the stronger spice notes gave it a different personality compared to the Japanese curries commonly found around the city. Those expecting something sweeter and milder may be surprised, but diners who enjoy peppery gravies and robust flavours will likely appreciate its uniqueness.

The chicken katsu itself was well-executed, with a crispy golden coating and juicy meat inside. Combined with the soft omelette and rice, the dish delivered plenty of texture and substance, even if the curry flavour leaned more towards black pepper territory than classic Japanese comfort food.

Butter Curry: creamier & more indulgent

For comparison, we also ordered the same Chicken Katsu Omelette Curry Rice, but with the butter curry variation. If the Original Curry leaned towards black pepper sauce territory, the Butter Curry went in a completely different direction.

From the first spoonful, it felt like a mash-up between Indian butter chicken and Japanese curry. It had the creamy, buttery richness and slight sweetness you'd associate with a good butter chicken, but retained the thick consistency and comforting qualities of Japanese curry.

The result was a sauce that was smoother and significantly more indulgent than the Original Curry. The buttery notes softened the pepperiness of the curry base, making it more approachable and easier to enjoy throughout the meal. It also paired exceptionally well with the fluffy omelette, creating an almost velvety combination that coated every mouthful of rice, egg and chicken katsu.

Between the two, the butter curry felt more unique, while the original curry showcased the brand’s culinary identity more clearly.

Beyond the curries

While our visit centred around the Chicken Katsu Omelette Curry Rice, 100 Hours Curry's menu goes beyond just a handful of curry rice combinations.

Diners can choose from a variety of proteins, including chicken katsu, beef, shrimp and bone-in chicken, with several curry styles available depending on how adventurous they're feeling.

Image Credit: 100 Hours Curry

One thing we appreciated was the level of customisation available. Whether you prefer your curry classic, richer and creamier, or loaded with extra toppings, there's enough variety here to encourage repeat visits.

Of course, the brand's signature curries remain the main attraction, but it's nice to see a menu that's broad enough to cater to different cravings and dining occasions. Given how differently the Original Curry and Butter Curry tasted, we're curious to see how the other curry variations stack up and whether they'll offer similarly distinct flavour profiles.

Our verdict

If you're heading into 100 Hours Curry expecting the sweet, mellow Japanese curry commonly found at most curry chains, you might be in for a surprise.

What makes 100 Hours Curry stand out is how distinct its curries are. The Original Curry leans into a bold, pepper-forward profile that reminded us more of a rich black pepper sauce than a conventional Japanese curry, while the Butter Curry takes things in the opposite direction, blending the creamy indulgence of Indian butter chicken with the comforting qualities of Japanese curry rice.

Combined with well-executed chicken katsu, fluffy omelette rice and satisfying sides, 100 Hours Curry offers something a little different from the Japanese curry spots we're used to seeing around Kuala Lumpur.

For those seeking something beyond the usual Japanese curry rice, 100 Hours Curry is well worth a visit and easily one of the more unique Japanese curry experiences currently available in the city.

Featured Image Credit: Rojak Daily, 100 Hours Curry