Demiya

375 Saratoga Ave G, San Jose, CA 95129, United States
$$$ Japanese curry restaurant
(672 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Demiya is a no-frills Japanese curry spot tucked into a modest strip mall in San Jose’s South Bay area. It operates more like a casual fast-food joint than a sit-down restaurant, with a self-service setup where guests order and pay at the counter, grab their own water, and clear their trays afterward. This makes it a convenient stop for lunchtime or a quick dinner when you want hearty, Japanese-style curry without a long wait or formal service.

The focus here is on Japanese curry rice, udon noodles, and donburi dishes that highlight deep-fried proteins like tonkatsu (pork cutlet) and chicken katsu. Portions tend to be generous, especially for their tonkatsu curry rice and bento boxes, which appeal to those looking for substantial comfort food. The tonkatsu itself is notably tender and fried to order, giving it a freshly made quality that reflects attention despite the casual setting.

Demiya’s atmosphere is straightforward and unpretentious—no table servers or elaborate décor—making it feel more like a local takeaway spot where the food is the main event. It’s well-suited for solo diners or groups who don’t mind a hands-on dining rhythm. Because of the modest setup, waits can sometimes stretch a bit during peak hours, but the steady crowd indicates that locals appreciate the balance of flavor, portion size, and value here.

If you’re in the mood for Japanese curry with a few twists (you’ll find curry udon with various toppings, deep-fried cheese rolls, and even dishes like Nasi Lemak on the menu), this is a reliable choice. The kitchen’s made-to-order style ensures that each plate feels freshly prepared rather than pre-made, which is a plus for anyone craving authentic curry textures and flavors without fuss.

Best times to visit tend to be off-peak lunch or early dinner hours, avoiding the rush that comes with this local favorite. Expect a relaxed pace and casual vibe, perfect for a quick meal where fresh Japanese curry takes center stage.

Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves wine
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

,

5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

,

5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

,

5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

,

5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

,

5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Sunday

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

,

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

672 Reviews
Bryan Yoz

04 Jan 2026

Tonkatsu Curry tasted great. The thick cut fried pork tasted very tender. You will need to place the order and pay at the front desk; there is no waiter to serve. Almost everything is taken care by yourself, such as getting the water, receiving the food orders at the front desk, removing the tray and plates/bowls to the collection shelf in the back, etc. Also, it took quite a while to receive the order.

J B

22 Dec 2025

Ordered the tonkatsu bento and was surprised with the big and generous portions of everything. The tonkatsu was juicy, the salad tasted great! We also ordered takoyaki and chicken katsu curry and they were also so good and flavorful! They're also pretty affordable too compared to the other Japanese restaurants in West SJ.

priyush j

08 Dec 2025

Finding this spot after a long gap. Delicious in taste, excellent flavors and this will be my goto place for some fried chicken and Japanese curry. Great quantity, the dashi omlette was a bit disappointing but the chicken katsu curry rice was excellent. Definitely recommend this place for some delicious chicken curry rice.

Scott L

08 Nov 2025

Demiya – A Casual Spot for Japanese Curry Lovers in San Jose Tucked into a modest storefront in San Jose, Demiya is a popular local curry house known for its Japanese-style curry rice, udon noodles, donburi, and teishoku sets. While the shop has built a strong following, especially for takeout, the dine-in experience is more of a casual, fast-food format than a full-service restaurant. The dining space is compact, with wooden two-person tables that can be pushed together for small groups, but the layout isn’t ideal for larger gatherings. The décor is minimal but thoughtful—featuring Japanese artwork, a teapot or two, and a few playful touches like Hello Kitty plush toys. Demiya’s menu offers a wide range of protein options including tonkatsu, chicken katsu, karaage, menchi (ground meat cutlet), tofu, nasu (eggplant), beef shabu, croquettes, and ebi (shrimp). A spicy level could be chosen with the curry option. I believe the curry rice with the fried protein could be high in calories. You can customize your meal further with toppings like mushrooms, veggies, omelet, egg, and sausage. While the variety is impressive, the prices run high considering the dishes are relatively simple and home-style in nature. Ordering is done at the counter, and food is picked up once your name is called. Self-service water is available, and the dine-in staff presence is minimal—likely due to the team’s focus on prepping a steady stream of to-go orders. During lunch hours, even on weekdays, be prepared for a short wait in line. If you're looking for quick, customizable Japanese comfort food, Demiya delivers on flavor and variety, though not necessarily on atmosphere or service. Best suited for a solo visit or casual lunch, especially if you're a fan of Japanese curry done right.

Vicky Leung

31 Oct 2025

My go to Japanese curry in the South Bay. Their tonkatsu is done really well. They make each portion to order.

Brendon Nguyen

28 Sep 2025

Consistent and delicious. It really hits the craving for Japanese style curry. Got the mapo tofu curry rice and a side of chicken karaoke.

Kimberly Iwamoto

21 Sep 2025

For Japanese curry place , still thinking Demiya is better than other 3 around South Bay . Curry is light but flavorful and smooth. Tonkatsu is outside crispy , inside is juicy , they did so perfectly! You ordered at front , and pick up at front and clean table by yourself .

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