Discovering Japanese Curry: A Flavorful Journey Through Asia’s Comfort

Those who grew up in traditional Japanese homes have fond memories of enjoying Japanese curry on several occasions. This national treasure has made its way into the global culinary space, thanks to its unique texture, rich flavors, and health benefits. This is the ultimate guide to making and enjoying Japanese curry. We’ll provide you with everything from simple recipes to top brand options. What Is Japanese Curry and Why Is It So Popular? Japanese curry is a thick and stew-like sauce made with a mix of vegetables and meats. Its thickness is a result of a flour, fat, and spice mix known as roux. Japanese curry is an evolution of the original curry created by the Indians and introduced to Japan in the 19th century. Thanks to decades of adaptations, the Japanese version is much different from Indian and Thai curries. It boasts a thicker, richer, and milder sauce that is better suited for short-grain rice. In fact, we can consider it to be more like a stew than a curry. Japanese curry may contain a variety of meats and vegetables, giving it a wide flavor profile that ranges from slightly sweet to savory. Hence, both adults and kids love the dish. Traditionally, there are multiple ways to enjoy this comfort food. People eat it with rice, over noodles, or inside pastry. The Evolution of Curry in Asia: How Japan Made It Their Own The British Empire introduced curry to Japan in the late 1860s. At the time, India was under the Empire’s colonial rule, and English sailors from the country adopted the local dish. The earliest use of curry in Japan was known as karē raisu (curry rice). Since the curry introduced to Japan by the British had already been adapted to suit the Western palette, Japan’s version turned out thicker and richer than the traditional Indian curry. As time went on, curry in Japan evolved into a sweeter, milder version better suited to the tastes of the local people. Several regional variations containing local ingredients also appeared. At first, Japanese curry was considered yoshoku, a term used in reference to Western-style dishes in Japan. Hence, only certain high-end restaurants served it. However, by 1960, the dish had become popular in restaurants and supermarkets nationwide. Brands like S&B Foods were also selling the curry as an instant mix in the form of a small block. Japan’s version no longer resembles curry from other countries, hence, many people consider it to be a national comfort food and not a domestic adaptation. Japanese Curry Sauce: The Secret to Irresistible Flavor The secret to the thickness and sweetness of Japanese curry lies in its sauce. The typical makeup of the entire dish is curry sauce, meats, and vegetables. However, the sauce holds its true Asian identity. What is Japanese curry sauce made of? Japanese curry sauce is made from a mix called roux, which consists of curry powder, flour, fat, oil, and various other ingredients. The flavor profile and spice level of the mix are determined by the ingredients in it. This is best illustrated by the following list: Sweet seasoning: apple, honey, banana, or apricot. Spicy seasoning: chili pepper, cayenne pepper, or black pepper. Sour seasoning: yogurt, lemon, or tomato. Umami seasoning: soy sauce, oyster sauce, tonkatsu sauce, or sake (Japanese rice wine). Fragrant seasoning: cinnamon, curry leaves, garam masala, or bay leaf. While it only takes less than an hour to make curry sauce from scratch, the ready-made versions or instant mixes are much more convenient. Instant curry roux comes in block, cube, or powder form. They contain all of the essential curry sauce ingredients and additional flavoring. What Are Japanese Curry Cubes Made Of? – Exploring Japanese Curry Cubes as a Pantry Staple The block or cube form of instant curry roux mixes has been popular in Japan since 1950. Many people prefer it to powdered Japanese curry roux because it's easier to store and produces a thicker sauce. In most cases, you don’t need more than 2-3 cubes to enjoy a satisfying dish. Simply put the cubes in a plate of boiling liquid and let them dissolve. You can ensure they do so completely by mixing with a spoon. Are Japanese curry cubes healthy? Some people are concerned about the caloric content and nutritional value of popular Japanese curry cube brands like Golden Curry, Vermont Curry, and S&B Golden. Japanese curry cubes are typically high in calories and sodium. Hence, to get the best nutritional value from them, you should balance the dish with protein and fiber-rich vegetables. Japanese Curry in Cup Noodles: A Quick, Flavorful Twist Japanese people have been enjoying curry over noodles for decades now. The curry is often mixed with katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) and poured over udon or soba, two popular types of Japanese noodles. More recently, we’ve seen a fusion of instant ramen and curry flavors, particularly in the form of cup noodles. Although many top brands offer curry cup noodles, Nissin is globally recognized for such products. Curry Beyond the Bowl: Creative Japanese Curry Dishes Curry has expanded into different types of meals in Japan. There are more than enough creative options for you to experiment with at home. The following are popular Japanese curry dishes: Curry bread: A savory dish of bread buns filled with curry. It has a slightly crispy exterior thanks to the panko coating. Curry ramen: Instant ramen is the perfect pairing for leftover curry. It’s easy to prepare and highly functional. Curry udon: The soup used to make this dish is often thickened with potato starch and some curry. Katsu curry: This is basically the staple curry dish of the country. However, it has a slight twist. The dish is topped with breaded pork cutlet. Soup curry: The dish offers a unique blend of Asian spices, curry, ginger, garlic, and various herbs. Dry curry: This dish contains seasoned Japanese curry rice recipe mixed with meats and vegetables.. Chicken curry: Japanese chicken curry is arguably the most famous type in the country. Making it involves cooking pieces of chicken in a rich, savory curry sauce. Big Names in Japanese Curry: Iconic Brands and Their Offerings There are several major curry brands in Japan and each of them has greatly contributed to making curry a household favorite in the country. The following are some of the biggest brand names in the Japanese curry market. Enjoy! House Foods: No other company manufactures as much Japanese curry as House Foods. Two of its most famous brands are known as Vermont Curry and Java Curry. S&B Foods: Founded in 1940, S&B Foods is one of the oldest producers of Japanese curry cubes. Their flagship brand is known as Golden Curry. Ezaki Glico: Although this company is famous for sweets and candy products, it holds a small portion of the Japanese market share for instant curry mixes. Bokksu Market: Our website is a popular one-stop shop for exclusive Asian grocery options. We offer both instant mixes like Golden Curry and delicious curry-based cup noodles such as Nissin’s products. How to Make Japanese Curry at Home: Tips and Tricks In less than two hours, you can craft homemade Japanese curry. The first step is to make curry powder by toasting aromatic seeds (such as coriander or cinnamon) until they turn light golden and then grinding them in a blender. Mix the Japanese curry powder with melted butter, flour, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Next, add onions, meat (such as skinless chicken thighs), curry powder, salt, soy sauce, carrots, broth (chicken stock), potatoes, and other ingredients. Stir in the roux and simmer until the mixture thickens. Your Japanese curry should be ready to serve. The following are tips and tricks to help you make better Japanese curry: Try to maintain a uniform shape when cutting ingredients to ensure that they cook evenly. Avoid submerging the ingredients in water or broth. Add two store-bought curry roux cubes and dissolve them completely before adding another two. Pair curry with steamed rice or noodles for a simple traditional dish. Regional Variations of Curry in Japan: A Taste of Local Flavors Japanese curry flavors vary across different regions. Many of these regional specialty dishes were created in the later stages of the 1990s. Examples include the following: Hokkaido: cream-based soup curry and sika deer curry. Chiba Prefecture: Japanese curry recipe made with fresh mackerel. Aomori Prefecture: apple curry Wakayama Prefecture: whale curry. Osaka: spicer specialty curry. Many of these regional specialties are reflections of the local culinary influences and available seasonal produce. Why Japanese Curry Is a Global Favorite The best part about Japanese curry is how adaptable it is to different palates around the world. Its balance of flavors has seen it gain international recognition, with more brands and restaurants popping up in major cities. Online platforms like Bokksu Market have made shopping for Japanese curry so much easier, especially if you live in the US. We’ll deliver the items to your doorstep. Comparing Japanese Curry with Other Asian Curries The Japanese version of the dish tends to be sweeter and milder than Indian, Thai, and Malaysian curries, which are notorious for their spicy tastes and complex flavors. Japanese curry also has a thicker consistency and typically comes in cube form, which helps it to stand out as a comfort food. Where to Find the Best Japanese Curry Near Me To enjoy Japanese curry in your area, visit local Asian markets and restaurants. It’s a staple dish and you barely have to struggle to find options. However, nothing beats the ease of finding authentic curry options online at Bokksu Market. We highly recommend that you start your journey with S&B Plant-Based Golden Curry Sauce or Nissin Cup Noodle: Curry. Why Japanese Curry Deserves a Place on Your Table If you’ve always found Indian or Thai curry too spicy, you will love the sweet and mild flavors of Japanese curry. All you need is a few ingredients and curry cubes to enjoy the dish at home.