Japanese Curry

If you're looking for a delicious and healthy meal that's quick and easy to prepare, look no further than Japanese curry. This dish is a popular staple in Japan and is enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a perfect comfort food that's both satisfying and nutritious. 

The Japanese are well known for their wide variety of dishes, from tasty noodles to the most delicious sweets; Japan has it all. One of the many dishes borrowed from foreign cultures is Japanese curry. Even though it seems like an unlikely pair, it is one of the world's tastiest sauces that has been featured in anime like One Piece (Sanji’s tasty version).

What is Japanese Curry?

Japanese curry is a mouth-watering sauce made from multiple spices that are cooked to form a thick broth. It usually contains vegetables like potatoes, onion, and carrots and an assortment of meats like beef, pork, and chicken.

Unlike other curries, Japanese curry is thick and stew-like, made with a roux and a blend of vegetables and meats. The curry roux is made from a combination of flour, oil, and curry powder, which gives it its signature flavor.

History of Japanese Curry

Japanese curry or kare (カレー) as it is called locally was first introduced to Japan in the mid-nineteenth century, during the Meiji era (1868 to 1912) by British naval officers stationed in what was then British India. The spices were initially designated as yōshuku (western food) because as far as they knew they came from the West. Over time, the Japanese adapted the dish to their taste, making it a unique blend of Japanese and Indian flavors.

Now, curry became a common food in Japanese households and is today amongst the most eaten foods across modern Japan, going as far as earning the moniker of "the national dish of Japan". Instead of making it from scratch, there are instant curry mixes available called “curry roux”.

What Does Japanese Curry Consist Of?

Though Japanese curry has its origins in India, it was transformed over time to fit more in line with the traditional Japanese diet, giving it quite a different taste from its sub-continent ancestors. The Japanese blend always includes turmeric, coriander, fenugreek, black pepper, and cumin. Other spices such as thyme, sage, cayenne, etc can also be added for extra flavor. This unique blend is milder in taste and unlike its Indian counterpart isn't considered as hot and spicy.

How To Make Japanese Curry

Making Japanese curry is simple and easy. Here's a recipe to get you started:

Ingredients

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 potato, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp of vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp of curry powder
• 1 tbsp of flour/ cornstarch
• 2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
• Chicken breast, beef or pork, cut into small pieces
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked rice

Directions

1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened.
2. Add the carrot and potato and cook for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
3. Add the curry powder and flour and stir until the vegetables are coated.
4. Slowly add the broth, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil.
5. Add the chicken, beef, or pork and let it simmer until the meat is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve over cooked rice.

Extra Tips

• If it is too thin, mix more flour with water then add it to the broth.
• Japanese curry with rice or kare raise is the most common way of eating Japanese curry so boil your rice while making the curry.
• Garnished the curry with fukujinzuke, a mixture of lotus root, daikon, and eggplant slices marinated in soy sauce.

Types of Japanese Curry

Even though rice and curry are extremely popular in Japan, there's a Japanese curry variant for everyone. Whatever your preference is, baked or stir-fried, with chicken or pork, you'll find a variant that suits your taste.

Curry Udon

Udon is a thick Japanese noodle made from wheat flour. Curry udon is a well-known tasty variant. The udon is left to cook in the curry broth allowing it to absorb the savory spices. A bowl of curry udon is perfect for winter. In this article, we cover the difference between Japanese Udon and Soba, two very similar noodles.

Kare pan

This is a type of popular Japanese pastry called Anpan, it consists of thickened Japanese curry, wrapped in a fine layer of flour dough and covered in breadcrumbs and deep fried. Read about other types of Anpan in this blog post.

Katsu curry

This type of curry is served with rice and pork cutlets coated in breadcrumbs. The Japanese name "Katsu curry" in the United Kingdom is popularly misused to refer to any type of Japanese curry.

Ishiyaki curry

An ishiyaki is a traditional stone grill. The curry is cooked in a stone bowl, similar to the Korean rice dish doisot bibimpap. 

Dry curry (Durai kare)

This is a variant of curry made from a mixture of beef and pork steamed with curry spices, vegetables, and a little broth so as not to have a gravy-like consistency. The curry is served with rice and topped off with a layer of fried egg or boiled egg slices.

Yaki curry

This recipe originated from Kitakyushu City. Though the Japanese word "yaki" means "grilled" in Japanese, this variant consists of a baked batch of curry rice coated with raw egg and sometimes cheese.

Japanese Kuro curry

This is a variant made similarly to a normal Japanese curry mix, but ingredients like turmeric are removed to prevent the mix from having a yellow coloring, while ingredients like chocolate, seaweed, and squid ink are used to darken the curry.

Frequently Asked Questions about Japanese Curry

Where can I get curry roux?

At local consumer stores or an Asian consumer store, or if you like experimenting in the kitchen, you could whip up your batch.

What is the taste of Japanese curry?

Japanese curry has a rich, creamy taste without the spiciness of Indian curry. it is sweet with muted flavors.

What are the differences between Japanese curry and Indian curry?

The main difference is in the level of spiciness. Traditional South Asian curry contains ingredients considered hot and spicy, like Cayenne and ginger.

Feeling a little hungry? We know you are. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Order a ZenPop ramen box from anywhere in the world.

This article was originally written by our freelance writer Umm-Kulthum Abdulkareem and edited by us.