The Hidden World of Japanese Curry

Curry is one of Japan’s most popular home-cooked dishes. Initially brought over from abroad, it was transformed with uniquely Japanese ideas and flavours, becoming a staple at dinner tables nationwide. Let’s look deeper into the appeal of Japanese curry, its distinctive characteristics, and how the classic recipe has blossomed into various colourful and creative versions.

1.So, what exactly is Japanese curry?

In Japan, everyday ingredients such as potatoes, carrots, onions, beef, and chicken are normally added to shop-bought curry roux or curry powder to create a rich, creamy curry sauce. Serving this sauce with white rice is called “curry rice” and is a familiar dish in many households.

(*Roux is a French word for a solid block of seasoning with a concentrated umami flavour. It is made by heating flour, spices and so on until the water content evaporates.)

One of the great things about Japanese curry is that you can choose to make it either mild, medium, or spicy. The level of spiciness can be balanced by adjusting the combination of capsaicin and piperine, which are the spicy components in chili and black pepper. Thanks to this, Japanese curry is loved by people of all ages, even young children who dislike spicy foods.

Another major speciality of Japanese curry is that new flavours are constantly popping up, unique to different regions in the country. Such local specialities include Hokkaido’s spicy soup curry, and from Moji Port in Fukuoka Prefecture, yaki curry (baked curry), which is topped with cheese and cooked in the oven. There is a whole host of other styles such as dry curry, which has little in the way of a saucy texture, and kuro curry (black curry), which derives its nuanced richness and aroma from being slow-cooked for many hours.

As you can image, there are countless variations on Japanese curry, and everyone can enjoy the perfect curry to suit their taste buds.

2.A simple twist can transform your curry! Add a touch of excitement!

Curry is surprisingly simple to make and you can easily enjoy its authentic flavour using shop-bought curry roux or ready-made, microwavable meals. It is also a familiar staple in school lunches and on camping trips. But its versatility doesn’t just stop there. By using different toppings and secret ingredients, you can make a special version that is all your own. Below are a few ways for making Japanese curry even more delicious.

Toppings

You can take your curry to the next level with all kinds of toppings, from pork cutlets, deep-fried prawns and hamburg steaks to fukujinzuke (pickled vegetables) and rakkyo (pickled shallots). Adding egg or cheese is a no-brainer to complement a curry’s smooth texture and mellow flavour.

Secret ingredients

Throwing in unusual and unexpected ingredients such as Worcester sauce, coffee, chocolate, apple, yoghurt, or honey gives a curry that depth and richness that leaves you craving more.

3.Curry has found a home in various Japanese foods

Japanese curry brings excitement to mealtimes by taking on many forms, for example, curry udon noodles, curry doria (rice gratin), curry pan (curry bread) and curry croquettes. This diversity of combinations has again taken on a new spin in each region and household, making curry a deeply ingrained part of Japan’s food culture.

4.Effortless Japanese curryjust use a microwave!

Ingredients: Chicken thigh / 120 g, Onion / 1/4 (50 g), Carrot / 1/4 (40 g), Mushroom / 4 (60 g), Water / 150 ml, Curry roux / 2 (50 g)

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, onion into 1 cm cubes, carrot into 7-8 mm cubes, and mushrooms into thin slices.
Place ingredients and water in a heatproof bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave at 800 W for 8 mins.
Add curry roux, stir to dissolve, cover again, and microwave at 440 W for 4 mins.

Create your unique Japanese curry in your own home with Panasonic NN-DS59NB

The NN-DS59NB microwave is equipped with a variety of cooking functions, including oven, microwave, grill, and steam, making it easy to not only cook curry but also enjoy toppings and creative variations with this microwave alone.