Urban Stomach

Is there such a thing as a curry high? After my first experience tonight with the Magic Curry Kart, I’d say yes and, three hours later at 1:30 AM, I still haven’t come down. Some background: During the past year, San Francisco has seen an explosion in food carts, especially in the Mission District. Most of these carts are run by one or two people who post their whereabouts on Twitter and/or their own blog. Brian Kimball, who operates the Magic Curry Kart, helped to start the street food trend when, hoping to make a little extra money, he started making curry in front of his apartment using a makeshift cooking setup. As word of an almost mythical “curry guy” spread, the crowds gathered quickly.

Cut to one year later. The Magic Curry Kart has evolved into a two burner, two rice cooker mobile machine. I was thrilled to learn from Brian’s tweets that the cart would be on 16th near Mission as I was getting off at the 16th St. BART station on my way home from the Warriors game (where the food sucks by the way). At 10:45, Brian had just finished setting up the cart and asked me to put my name on a list indicating what type of curry I’d like. Tonight’s choice was simple: Chicken red curry or Vegetable red curry. I opted for the chicken and was rewarded with a bowl of perfectly spiced, expertly cooked curry. Unlike the stringy pieces commonly found at Thai restaurants, the chicken was cut into small chunks The vegetables snapped perfectly in my mouth. The Kart’s curry is on the creamier side, how I like it, and the rice becomes well coated so that you still get many forkfuls of flavor after the chicken and vegetables are gone. Brian described the curry as being “medium spicy” yet for the first few bites, I wasn’t feeling it. Then, the heat slowly settled in on my tongue and remained at a perfect level for the remainder of the bowl. I love spicy food but not to the point that all other flavors are drowned out. Magic Curry nailed it.

As I’m beginning to delve into the street food scene, I’m curious to find out if the quality is there or if it’s the novelty that’s attracting the crowds. I have to admit that there was something cool about standing outside in the Mission District on a crisp night while eating from a cart that only some people even know exists. However, the Magic Curry Kart’s curry would make this stomach happy anywhere, anytime. For you early birds, the cart is often out in the afternoon and early evening. Follow the cart on Twitter and check it out.

Magic Curry Kart
$6 for a bowl of curry with rice
Check Twitter for times and locations
www.twitter.com/magiccurrykart
www.magiccurrykart.com