TOKYO – In my ongoing search for strategic and successful crossover business models available to porn industry investors and business owners, I’ve considered a lot of different directions, from megachurch-casino combo franchises to topless barbecue chicken joints and just about everything in between — or so I thought.
As it turns out, when it comes to entreporneurial exploration, I have been outstripped in terms of original thinking by none other than Japan’s most popular male performer, Ken Shimizu (stage name Shimiken), who also happens to be a budding restaurateur of significant ingenuity.
While there’s nothing particularly revolutionary about the idea of operating a curry shop, Shimizu has come up with a thematic twist on the curry concept that is every bit as appetizing as it is unconventional: The “special taste of shit” with rice.
Using a mix of green tea, cocoa powder, bitter gourd and various vegetables, Shimizu’s poo-tinged curry is something of a tribute to his adult film debut, in which Shimizu reportedly ate feces — presumably at the request of the director, not just because he forgot to pack a lunch that day.
To crown his culinary concept with the appropriate presentation, Shimizu offers his crappy curry in a toilet-shaped serving dish, along with the option of beer served in a bedpan.
Now, to be clear, not everyone is as excited about Shimizu’s faux feces as I am. According to a poll conducted by the restaurant itself, 85 percent of respondents said they would never darken the door of Curry Shop Shimizu, based on the description of the signature dish.
All this proves, though, is a lot of Japanese people aren’t as adventurous about food as their international reputation suggests. What? They’ve got no issue with eating “dancing shrimp” but they’re squeamish about a curry that simply (if greatly) resembles excrement? Grow up, people!
While I applaud Shimizu’s culinary daring, I do think he’s falling a bit short on the marketing and branding fronts. The key to a theme restaurant, after all, is perfect consistency in imagery and message. Curry Shop Shimizu does appear committed to the restroom look and feel, but Shimizu is still missing opportunities to underline and emphasize the theme.
For example, by slightly expanding the eatery’s menu into other popular areas of Japanese cuisine, Shimizu’s restaurant could seriously enhance its ability to communicate its fecal vision. Imagine, for example, an entire menu page dedicated to “Shitshimi” and the many possibilities it would create.
Who wouldn’t accept an invitation to “Tako Crap,” for instance? Or perhaps a nice plate of “Duki Maki” would be more to your liking?
Stepping up the presentation a little further, rather than serving its Oshizushi in the traditional wooden pressing box, Shimizu could shape their oshibakos like tiny little outhouses, or for a more modern feel, miniature PolyJohns.
The only other problem I can see with Shimizu’s turd-like delight is the price point: It’s way, way too low.
I don’t know if it’s a function of the proprietor hailing from the porn industry, where it’s pretty much accepted people don’t want to pay for our products anymore, but I just don’t think a price of 100 Yen (roughly the equivalent of $0.81 USD) is sustainable — unless the average patron is ordering several of those bedpan beers to wash down each serving of Curry du Merde.
As a relatively inexperienced restaurateur, Shimizu might be thinking the low price of his flagship menu item is a good hook to get people in the door, but if he wants to create the impression his curry is really good shit, he needs to charge accordingly. I’m not saying he should jack up the price into $10-plus territory, but 81 cents doesn’t say “this curry is an exotic delicacy.” It says “this curry might literally be made from shit.”
Given the adult industry’s well established penchant for copying successful ideas, I can’t help wondering whether others will follow in Shimizu’s skid marks, leading to excremental eateries in Porn Valley, Florida’s South Beach, or perhaps the already-adventurous underground carnal culinary scene in Manhattan.
On a related note, there’s still no official confirmation of the persistent internet rumor that television personality and unrepentant illicit caviar-eater Anthony Bourdain will soon be starting up a whole new show on CNN called “Body Parts Unknown.”
Image © Curry Shop Shimizu
