Elevate your dishes with curry powder
“Curry Rice” is a popular Japanese comfort food. But did you know that curry-flavored dishes are widely loved as well? These recipes will showcase variations using curry powder.
Curry Rice - a Japanese fusion cuisine
When you ask the Japanese, "What's your favorite dish?," "curry rice" invariably ranks at the top. Western-style cuisine spread across Japan in the 1860s. While curry originated in India, it was introduced to Japan from Britain. It took many years to become a common presence on dinner tables as it is today, and curry powder for home use was not available until the 1930s. The typical style of Japanese curry rice is curry stew poured over rice. When making it at home, you can use commercial curry roux that’s dissolved in water for a thick and savory curry. However, some home cooks add curry powder to customize the flavors to their preferences.
Mastering the use of curry powder!
Curry powder is a blend of spices like turmeric, coriander, cumin, ginger, pepper, red chili, dried citrus peel, and cinnamon. The blend varies by country and brand, leading to various unique flavors. Since most don't contain salt or umami, this is where Kikkoman Soy Sauce comes to the rescue! Taste the curry and adjust the flavors to your preference.
Vegetable and Tuna Curry
This is a quick and simple curry recipe. Saute root vegetables like carrots and lotus root with curry powder, then add the soup, along with a touch of ketchup and Kikkoman Soy Sauce. Using canned tuna as a protein source speeds up the cooking process for a delicious curry in no time.
Vegetable and Tuna Curry
Dry Curry
Dry Curry is a term coined by the Japanese. Unlike the typical Japanese curry that is stewed and has a lot of sauce, Dry Curry is crumbly without sauce. The dish of sautéed vegetables and ground meat with curry powder, it is found at many classic cafes in Japan.
Dry Curry
Curry Udon
Curry Udon first appeared in Japan in the early 1900s. As Western cuisine gained popularity, the fusion of soba and udon dishes became a hit. The combination of Japanese dashi, soy sauce, and the curry flavor works remarkably well. It's a satisfying and piping hot meal featuring spices to whet your appetite and katakuriko (potato starch) for a thick and comforting soup base.
Curry Udon
Potato and Bacon Curry Stir-fry
Curry powder can add a delicious twist to your everyday stir-fries. This dish features finely sliced potatoes and bacon seasoned with curry powder. Potatoes, bacon, and salt alone make a tasty dish, but adding curry powder and Kikkoman Soy Sauce elevates the flavors. You can substitute with other proteins and vegetables, such as corned beef with onions or ham with carrots.
Potato and Bacon Curry Stir-fry
More about Japanese food culture
Do you want to future explore Japanese food culture? Kikkoman publishes a booklet called "Food Forum" four times yearly to introduce Japanese food culture, including an article about the history of curry. Please take a look!
- You can find the latest information here.
Food Forum
