A Michelin Chef Just Opened a Tiny Japanese Curry Spot in Orlando and It’s Not Where You’d Expect

A tiny curry counter inside Mills Market is turning heads in Orlando. Cowboy Curry serves Japanese-style curry with a cowboy twist, and locals keep coming back for more. The bowls are big, the sauce is deep and rich, and the toppings are fun to pick.

Here are eight things to know before you go.

1. Hidden Inside Mills Market

Most people expect a famous curry spot to have its own flashy building. Cowboy Curry skips that idea and tucks itself inside Mills Market on East Colonial Drive. You walk in through a busy food hall, and the curry counter is waiting among the other stalls.

That setup is a gift if your group cannot agree on dinner. One friend can grab tacos or noodles while you line up for curry, and everybody still sits together. The address is 1110 E Colonial Dr, right in the Mills 50 neighborhood.

Expect a lively room. Seating is shared between the shops, so tables can fill up fast, especially on weekends. One reviewer called the weekend mood a little chaotic, and another said you may be lucky to snag a table.

Here is a simple trick. Send one person to hunt for seats while another orders. Also remember that the counter is open from noon to 8 PM every day of the week, so an early lunch or a mid-afternoon visit can be much calmer than the dinner rush.

The market itself is part of the fun, with a casual, street-stand feel and plenty to explore after you eat.

2. The Slow-Cooked Beef Curry

Forty hours and forty ingredients. That is the story behind the base curry, and one reviewer from Japan said it earned her stamp of approval. The beef is slow cooked until it turns tender, and the sauce tastes deep, savory, and a little sweet.

The flavor comes from fruits and vegetables instead of heavy sugar or thickeners. Diners mention hints of tomato, carrot, and warm spices, with a strong umami punch. Some compared it to a cozy beef stew or goulash, only silkier.

The base curry comes one way, and that way is beef. There is no long menu of sauces to decode, which makes ordering easy for first timers. If you like heat, know that this bowl leans mild, with a gentle tang rather than a burn.

Here is a fun fact for people with food limits. The curry sauce is described as gluten free and dairy free, and a guest with celiac said it worked great for her. Always ask the staff about your own needs, especially for fried toppings, since those may be handled differently.

Simple, comforting, and full of depth, it is the reason the whole place exists.

3. Chicken Katsu Is the Crowd Favorite

Ask around and one order keeps coming up: beef curry with chicken katsu on top. It was the most mentioned item in reviews, and it is easy to see why. The cutlet arrives crunchy outside and juicy inside.

Katsu is chicken coated in airy breadcrumbs and fried until golden. Dropped onto curry, it soaks up the sauce at the edges while the center stays crisp. Guests say it comes out perfectly cooked and not greasy, which is not always easy with fried food.

A couple of diners also tried menchi katsu, a fried ground meat patty, and fried shrimp. Both got happy reviews. If you love a crunchy bite in every spoonful, katsu is the move.

Toppings are priced separately, so your bowl grows as you build it. That means you can keep it simple or go all in. A base bowl runs a little over fifteen dollars, and adding katsu pushes it past twenty.

Newcomers should not stress about the menu. The team explains everything patiently, and reviewers by name praised the counter crew for steering first timers toward good picks.

4. Croquettes and Karaage on the Side

Fried sides can steal the show here. The cheese croquette gets high marks for being crispy on the outside and unbelievably soft inside. One guest called it the softest thing they had ever bitten into.

There is also a cheesy potato croquette, which pairs well with the rich sauce. The melted center adds a creamy contrast to the savory curry. Several people said to order it with your bowl, and one regular swears by cheese plus extra katsu.

Chicken karaage is the other fan pick. This is Japanese-style fried chicken, marinated and lightly coated, and reviewers found it juicy and satisfying. It is priced by the piece, so you decide how many to add.

A word of honesty from the reviews. One diner felt the karaage pieces were small for the price, and the owners responded with an apology. Sizes can vary, so if something looks off, speak up politely at the counter.

Overall, these sides turn a plain bowl into a mini feast. Sharing a few with a friend is a smart way to taste more without going overboard.

5. Egg Potato Salad, Pickles, and Tea

Tucked beside the big bowls are the small extras that make lunch feel complete. The egg and potato salad has real fans, with one guest naming it a personal favorite. It brings a cool, creamy break from the warm curry.

A guest from Japan said she would like it even more if it were closer to the Japanese style. Still, plenty of others loved it as is. Sides can occasionally be missed, as one diner learned, so double check your tray before you sit.

Pickled cucumbers add a zesty, tangy snap. They cut through the richness and wake up your taste buds between bites. Think of them as a tiny reset button.

Drinks include hojicha, a roasted green tea with a toasty, mellow flavor, and yuzu tea, a bright citrusy option. Reviewers said the hojicha paired nicely with the meal. On a hot Florida day, a cool tea can be just what the curry needs.

Add one side and one drink, and you have a balanced meal with crunch, cream, tang, and comfort all at the same table.

6. Portions and Prices, Honestly

Let us talk money, because reviewers certainly did. A base bowl costs a little over fifteen dollars, and toppings add up. A full build with katsu can land around twenty-three, and heavier orders have hit twenty-five.

Many guests felt the size made up for it. Portion size was one of the most mentioned topics, and one couple split a single bowl between two adults. The bowls are deep, so it is easy to leave full.

Not everyone agreed. One diner felt the rice took up half the bowl and the meat pieces were small, while another liked the flavor but said the price kept them from a quick return. The team responded politely and said feedback goes to the kitchen.

Here is a smart plan. If you are hungry, order one bowl with a topping and a side per person. If you are lighter eaters, share one bowl and add a croquette.

Since pricing is build-your-own, it helps to decide your budget before you reach the counter. That way the total holds no surprises.

7. A Friendly Crew With Cowboy Charm

Walk up to the counter and you will spot the hats. The cowboy theme runs through the stall, and guests call the atmosphere cute and playful. It is a fun contrast to the very Japanese menu.

The people matter as much as the theme. Reviewers named several team members who helped them choose dishes, explained the menu, and made first visits easy. One guest said the young cook in a cowboy hat took great care to make the bowl perfect.

Service is quick, too. Diners mention short waits and food that arrives fast, which is handy on a lunch break. Ordering is simple, since you pick a base and then add toppings.

If you are new to Japanese curry, tell the staff. They are happy to walk you through the choices, and several first-time curry eaters said they were hooked right away.

Mistakes can happen in a busy market, and the owners answer feedback with apologies and an email address for help. That kind of care helps explain the 4.8 star rating from hundreds of reviews.

8. Plan Your Visit

Ready to go? Cowboy Curry sits at 1110 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, inside Mills Market. It is open every day from 12 PM to 8 PM, so you have plenty of options.

Timing changes the experience. Weekend evenings get crowded, and finding a seat can take patience. Weekday afternoons tend to feel easier, with shorter lines and more open tables.

Bring friends who like variety. With other stalls nearby, everyone can eat what they want and still share a table. Also look at the website at cowboycurryfl.com for updates before you head out.

For your order, a smart starter is the beef curry with chicken katsu and cheese, which is what several regulars recommend. Add a potato salad if you like creamy sides, and pick a tea to sip. If you crave more heat, remember the curry is mild.

Finally, come hungry and open minded. Whether you are a longtime curry lover or a total beginner, this little counter offers a warm, hearty bowl that people in Orlando keep talking about.