Curry that combats food waste and takeout boxes made from sustainable materials debut

TREE by NAKED yoyogi park has consistently offered guests artistic dining experiences, ranging from seasonal cafe menus to full-course gastronomic meals.

As part of its SDGs activities this spring, the cafe has introduced "TREE Curry," a new menu item aimed at tackling food waste, a significant challenge for the restaurant industry.

Food loss, where edible food is discarded, amounts to 1.03 million tons annually in Japan's restaurant industry alone. While TREE by NAKED serves course meals featuring abundant seasonal ingredients sourced nationwide, this new initiative addresses the waste of vegetables and meat scraps generated during preparation.

The answer to maximizing the use of these ingredients, which are still perfectly delicious but difficult to repurpose in existing dishes, is "curry." By adding these ingredients to a roux seasoned with original spices and simmering them slowly, "TREE Curry" was born, served with chewy mixed-grain rice. A unique characteristic, driven by the goal of reducing food waste, is that the texture, sweetness, and spiciness of the ingredients can vary depending on the day you order.

This marks the first rice-based dish on TREE by NAKED's lunch menu and offers a satisfying meal. The cafe aims to deliver a new culinary enjoyment and sense of fulfillment while inspiring customers to consider the issue of food loss.

Furthermore, the cafe has launched takeout options using new, environmentally conscious takeout boxes. Made from 100% bagasse, a byproduct of sugarcane processing, these boxes serve as an alternative to wood pulp, potentially reducing deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions. They can be disposed of as combustible waste and have the added benefit of decomposing into soil when buried, thanks to bacterial action.

Recommended for takeout in these boxes are the cafe's signature hot sandwiches. Customers can now enjoy hot sandwiches with an optional green salad, ensuring a nutritious meal even when dining out.

This spring also sees a renewal of the most popular hot sandwich, the Tuna Melt. Now served on whole wheat bread, it features tuna salad, mozzarella cheese, and a handmade carrot slaw infused with cumin. The result is a more substantial, spicy, and satisfying flavor that won't become tiresome.

Delivery service via Uber Eats has also commenced for the local area. It's convenient to order items for home parties or smoothies when you feel you're not getting enough vegetables.

TREE by NAKED will continue to implement sustainable initiatives and offer menus that align with contemporary lifestyles.

TREE by NAKED yoyogi park
Address | 1-10-2 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone | 03-6804-9038
Access | Yoyogi-koen Station (Tokyo Metro) Exit 2, Yoyogi-Hachiman Station (Odakyu Line) South Exit *No parking available
Closed | Tuesdays, Wednesdays
Opening Hours | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Last Order 5:30 PM) *Currently operating under special hours.
Takeout Order Hours | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Last Order 5:00 PM)