General and Wholesale Sales Begin for "Curry Buddha Might Have Eaten," Recreating Flavors from 2,500 Years Ago

Shokuyoku Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Setagaya Ward, Tokyo) has commercialized the "Curry Buddha Might Have Eaten," a legendary curry that was offered for one day only and in limited quantities at Tsukiji Honganji's "Hanamatsuri" in 2025. General sales and wholesale began in June 2026.

This curry focuses on the food culture of the era when Buddha lived, and its recipe was developed using ingredients from that time, based on ancient Indian literature and interviews with researchers, making it a romantic culinary creation.

Honestly, the first bite doesn't have the "punch" of modern curry.

However, as you chew, the elegant aroma of spices, a subtle spiciness, and a deep, savory umami spread. "Buddha might have smelled the same aroma..." It has been finished into a delicious dish that allows you to experience that romance with your taste buds and stomach.

Reason for Developing "Curry Buddha Might Have Eaten"

Naomi Takenaka, representative of Shokuyoku Co., Ltd., which handles product planning and recipe development for curry and spice dishes, was inspired by an encounter with a monk in Shinjuku Golden Gai to focus on the food culture of Buddha's era and develop this curry. The recipe was constructed using ingredients from that time, based on research into Ayurvedic (ancient Indian traditional medicine) literature and interviews with researchers of early Buddhist food culture. It's like taking a "food journey" on a time machine. With that sense of romance, we have recreated an ancient curry for the modern day. We also hope that this curry will help spread the joy of Buddhism.

Background of General Sales Launch

"Curry Buddha Might Have Eaten" garnered a huge response on X (formerly Twitter) even before the Tsukiji Honganji "Hanamatsuri" event. On the day of the event, a line of over 100 people formed before sales began, and 200 portions sold out in just three hours.

In response to voices on social media and direct messages asking, "I wanted to try it!" and "Can I buy it somewhere?", we launched a retort curry project on the crowdfunding service "Makuake" on April 8, 2026 (Wed). This project also achieved its funding goal within two hours of launch, and realizing the high level of interest, we decided to begin general sales.

Product Information

Product Name: Curry Buddha Might Have Eaten

Contents: 200g

Ingredients: Chicken (domestic), sauteed onion, sesame oil, yogurt, shiitake mushroom, grated ginger, grated garlic, coriander, salt, cumin, black pepper, mustard seed, long pepper, kalonji, ajwain, (includes milk ingredients, chicken, and sesame)

Specific Allergens (8 items): Milk

Country of Origin: Japan

Shelf Life: Avoid direct sunlight, store at room temperature for 24 months from date of manufacture.

*This product is manufactured in a facility that also produces products containing wheat, eggs, shrimp, crab, peanuts, walnuts, and cashews, but these are not included in the product itself.

● General Sales Price: 830 yen (excluding tax)

Sales Channels

Shokuyoku Co., Ltd. Official Online Shop

Retail stores and individual shops other than supermarkets and mass retailers, and stores related to temples and Buddhism.

【Wholesale Sales】

Available only to retail stores and individual shops other than supermarkets and mass retailers, and to those related to temples and Buddhism.

If you wish to purchase wholesale, please contact us via the inquiry page, stating the following information: ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ - Store Name (or Corporate Name) - Store Website URL (or SNS Account) ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ Once the information is confirmed, we will send you a dedicated wholesale URL.

Click here for the wholesale inquiry page

Development Points of "Curry Buddha Might Have Eaten"

Point 1 Ingredient Selection Based on Food Culture Approximately 2,500 Years Ago

Early Buddhist monks had a rule of not being allowed to work and eating whatever they were given (alms gathering culture). Based on this background, many researchers believe they ate meats such as goat, deer, and pork, and we have used chicken for this product.

Point 2 No Tomatoes, Chili Peppers, or Turmeric, Basic Ingredients of Modern Curry

Tomatoes and chili peppers are said to have been introduced to India during the Age of Discovery in the 1500s and did not exist in India 2,500 years ago. Turmeric, a staple spice for curry, was primarily used as medicine or dye at the time, according to one theory, which we have adopted, and it is not used in this product.

Point 3 Carefully Selected 7 Ancient Spices

Long pepper, black pepper, and ginger were the main sources of spiciness at the time. We use 7 kinds of spices, inspired by the prototype of "Panch Phoron," a mixed spice traditionally used in the Eastern India region. Sesame oil, which was common at the time, is used for the oil, and yogurt is used to supplement umami, drawing from the Buddhist term "Daigo" (meaning the highest state, often associated with dairy products).

Retort Curry Recipe Developer

Naomi Takenaka, Representative, Shokuyoku Co., Ltd.

Engaged in content production related to curry and spices, writing, product development, and advertising planning. Has a wide range of achievements, including retort curries such as RHYMESTER Utamaru's "Murg Aloo Masala" and YOASOBI's "Piriri to Maroro," private brand food products, OEM support, and campaign-specific products.

Currently distributing the podcast "Curry San Kyodai no Mogumogu Jiyukenkyu 2." Author of the sci-fi curry fantasy novel "Curry of Planet Phenegric" (Kamome Books). His favorite concept is curry.

Company Profile

Company Name: Shokuyoku Co., Ltd. Business: Content production and promotion planning related to food, design production, web/e-commerce site production, production and sales of publications such as books, product development, manufacturing, and sales of products using spices. Location: Yamada Building 2F, 1-18-11 Kyodo, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo Representative: Naomi Takenaka URL: https://syokuyoku.co.jp/

【Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Release】

Shokuyoku Co., Ltd.: info@syokuyoku.co.jp

Please feel free to contact us at the above for inquiries regarding handling or other matters.