Not quite ready to say goodbye to the cherry blossoms? Then it’s time to enjoy some sakura curry.

Save for the northernmost areas of Japan, 2017’s cherry blossoms have, for the most part, come and gone. Every year, visitors flock to the most famous viewing spots to catch a glimpse of their fleeting beauty before the delicate petals are scattered to the wind.

If you’ll be in Niigata Prefecture during Japan’s Golden Week holiday period, however, you can still enjoy some cherry blossoms in an interesting new way with pink sakura curry.

The Niigata-Naeba Prince Hotel’s Restaurant Azalea will be offering selling this unusual creation on their lunch menu for a limited time, from Saturday, April 29 until Sunday, May 7. The curry had already been on the menu exclusively on Saturdays and holidays between April 8 and April 23.

Despite its name, the curry actually gets its stunning pink color from beets, although real sakura extract is added to give it a lightly fragrant sweetness. Overall, though, it still keeps a signature curry flavor with a bit of a spicy kick. The dish is served with a helping of white rice accompanied by a few slices of lotus root, potato, and broccoli.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen pink and other surprising colors of curry pop up, and it likely won’t be the last. but it’s always nice to find a new way to make the sakura season fun last just a little longer.

Restaurant information
Naeba Prince Hotel Restaurant Azalea / 苗場プリンスホテル　レストランアゼリア
Address: Niigata-ken Minamiuonumagun Yuzawamachi Mikuni 202 Building 3, 1st floor
新潟県南魚沼郡湯沢町三国202 3号館１Ｆ
Open: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Website

Source: Umai Meshi 
Top image: Naeba Prince Hotel