Introduction
What’s that delicious smell? That's Japanese curry wafting through the air, making everyone's stomachs growl already! The best part? It’s ridiculously easy to cook, and you only need simple ingredients and basic cooking skills to fill every tummy in the house!
The Spicy Tale of Japanese Curry
GIF source: Pinterest
Curry (カレー Karē?), that dish in anime that makes everyone drool, originated from Indian cuisine and found its way to Japan during the Meiji era around the 1860s—a time when India was under British control.
The origin of Japanese curry is steeped in a maritime legend. It's said that British sailors, shipwrecked off the coast of Japan, were rescued with nothing but their curry powder rations in tow.
At the same time, the Japanese navy was on a quest to find an affordable, hearty meal for its sailors that could be easily prepared. This fortuitous meeting led to the creation of the first Japanese curry recipe, combining local culinary traditions with a foreign twist.
By the 1870s, curry started popping up in Japan and quickly became a dietary staple. It wasn't until the Japanese Navy and Army adopted it in the early 20th century that it truly caught on.
Made with a spicy blend of herbs and spices, and typically loaded with veggies like potatoes and carrots, as well as meats like chicken, pork, or beef, curry is every bit as tasty as it looks in those anime scenes.
- Fun fact: The addition of potatoes to the curry sauce was an ingenious move by William S. Clark during a rice shortage—and we're still reaping the benefits of this tasty innovation today!
Whether it's elementary school children savoring their school lunch, salarymen bustling through their busy schedules, or elderly women who never tire of Japanese curry, this national dish is a staple of life across Japan, consistently fulfilling its primary mission of keeping bellies filled and happy!
Curry Roux: The Simple Staple that Transforms Meals!
Japanese curry roux featured on ZenPlus
Curry sauce (カレーソース, karē sōsu) is the main star when making curry rice, draped generously over cooked rice. This flavorful sauce comes to life by mixing curry powder, flour, and oil into a roux, then blending it with simmered meat and veggies until it's perfectly thick.
Japanese people appreciate convenience, which is why in many homes, curry sauce is often made from instant curry roux. Available mostly in powder forms, these mixes offer a quick and easy way to whip up a delicious curry rice.
The variety and easy availability of these mixes have made curry rice a popular choice for a quick, tasty meal. You can find these authentic, ready-made mixes online on platforms like ZenPlus—they make your life easier and taste just like homemade!
Japanese Curry Ingredients
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While the ingredient list for Japanese curry might look long, you’ll find that most items are staples you likely already have in your kitchen. Just gather them together, and you’re all set to whip up a BIG pot of steaming, delicious curry!
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6 onions, quartered
- 3 ½ pounds beef (or any other type of meat) chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, adjust to taste)
- Enough water to cover the ingredients in the pot
- 2 cubes chicken bouillon (optional)
- 8 carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 6 medium potatoes, cut into 3-inch chunks
- 3 (3.5 ounce) containers of Japanese curry roux (adjust the amount depending on how thick you like your curry)
6 Steps to Make a Large Batch of Japanese Curry!
GIF source: Pinterest
Once you've gathered your ingredients, it's all about the heat! Just follow these 6 easy steps to cook up an amazingly aromatic and authentic curry.
- Heat the Oil: In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat the vegetable oil.
- Brown the Beef: Add the beef chunks to the pot and sauté until they are well-browned, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add Onions and Seasonings: Add the quartered onions to the pot and cook until they begin to soften, roughly 3 minutes. Go ahead and mix in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne pepper, if using.
- Simmer with Water: Pour in water to cover the mixture by about 1 or 2 inches. Add the carrots and bouillon cubes if you're using them.
- Cook the Vegetables: Allow the curry to simmer for 30 minutes, removing any fat that surfaces. After that, introduce the potatoes and continue to simmer.
- Incorporate Curry Roux: Stir in the curry roux, starting with one package, and add more as needed to reach the desired consistency of the sauce. Continue simmering until both the beef and vegetables are tender, approximately 30 additional minutes.
Best Ways to Serve Japanese Curry
GIF source: Pinterest
After whipping up your simple Japanese curry, you can serve it on anything from a flat plate to a deep soup bowl. Just pour the curry over the rice generously—it’s tough to hold back on this mouth-watering dish!
Traditionally, Japanese curry is accompanied by plain white rice, which perfectly balances the richness and spice of the curry sauce. Opt for sticky, round short-grain rice, the choice over the medium-grain variety often used in Indian cuisine.
Due to its saucy nature, it's best enjoyed with a spoon (but feel free to try it with Japanese chopsticks). Don’t forget to add a side of fukujinzuke or rakkyo for the full experience!
Time to Bring Japan's Aromas to Your Home!
Your loved ones deserve to enjoy the authentic aromas of Japanese cooking. Start by sourcing authentic Japanese cooking ingredients directly from Japan!
With ZenPlus, you can access over 5 million items listed by more than 3,000 local retailers—all from the comfort of your home.
Shop as if you were strolling through Japan’s streets, and get everything you dream of, neatly packaged and quickly delivered (ZenPlus ensures you won’t wait long!)
