Volcano Curry

"This casual Japanese restaurant has everything from udon to potato croquette sandwiches—but you’re here for the Japanese curry. For $10.50, you get a heaping plate of white rice and curry (you can also add proteins like pork katsu or chicken karaage for a few dollars more). Or you can opt for the mini sandwiches, which come out to $3.50 apiece and as are adorable as they are cost-efficient. Our go-to is the spam katsu, which is a crispy-salty flavor bomb that fits right in the palm of your hand." - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong

"Anyone with an aversion to the overly fussy, take note of Volcano Curry. The counter-service spot provides neighborhood fuel in the form of hefty Japanese curry plates. Each one comes with enough curry to fill a pool (it’s lava-like and full of curry-soaked carrot and potato cubes), plus your protein of choice, from perfectly fried pork katsu to the vegetarian options like eggplant and zucchini. Especially considering the portion sizes, the affordable prices feel straight out of 1999. Pop in for a quick, easy lunch or dinner, order a mini $3.99 spam sandwich flavor bomb to go with it, and keep your day moving." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez

"Volcano is a Japanese curry spot in the Richmond, so diners can either get their katsu sunk into a bowl of lava-like curry sauce, or stacked onto a sandwich. The katsu pork or chicken sandwich is more of a handful, with generous cabbage and sauce. There’s also a mini sandwich available for only $2.75, which is notably not crustless, but more of a bun, and can be stuffed with crispy Spam, fish, or a potato croquette." - Becky Duffett

"Like a cleansing crystal, eating a meal at Volcano Curry is one direct way to set you on a positive path. This Richmond spot specializes in Japanese curries that are poured over different proteins and starches. The katsu chicken curry is comfort food at its finest, as is the mini fried Spam katsu sandwich—a crispy, creamy palm-sized flavor bomb you’ll easily inhale in three bites." - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, lani conway

"Like a cleansing crystal, eating a meal at Volcano Curry is one way to set you on a positive path. The casual Japanese spot in the Richmond has everything from udon to mini fried Spam sandwiches—but you’re here for the curries. The best part is that they're under $15, yet big enough to leave you with leftovers—or, most likely, cradling yourself after you devour everything up. A plate includes white rice, a protein like pork katsu, chicken karaage, or fried fish, and enough curry (containing big chunks of potatoes and carrots) to fill a pool—a.k.a. it's exactly the kind of soul-saving food you want while mulling over deep questions like, "Did I really need to order that hotel-quality bathrobe?" " - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez