17 Japanese Curry Recipes You Have To Try

I have a feeling that this collection of cozy Japanese curry recipes will make you drool.

They’re flavorful, filling, and crazy-easy to make.

The Japanese love curry so much that they’ve given their own unique spin to the classic Indian dish.

And if you consider yourself a curry lover, I highly suggest you bookmark this article!

From udon and ramen to curry rice and katsudon, there’s something here for everyone.

So try these Japanese curry recipes, and let me know what you think!

How To Make Japanese Curry

1. Japanese Chicken Curry

If you’re looking to add a quick and easy dish to your weekly meal rotation, this Japanese chicken curry is an excellent option.

Kare raisu (curry rice) consists of juicy pieces of chicken, carrots, and potatoes. That’s all cooked in a rich, savory, and mildly spicy curry sauce.

Be sure to cook rice while you’re preparing this dish! They’re meant to be enjoyed together.

2. Japanese Curry Roux 

Most of the recipes in this collection call for curry roux – which is basically a bouillon cube packed with curry spices.

If, for some reason, you can’t get hold of curry roux, then this homemade recipe is for you.

The blend of toasted cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, garam masala, and more provides a beautiful curry flavor.

3. Katsu Curry (Japanese Curry with Chicken Cutlet)

When it comes to Japanese curries, katsu is, hands down, my absolute favorite. In fact, I’m making it for dinner tonight!

Chicken katsu is a breaded chicken cutlet that’s deep-fried until golden. Kind of like chicken schnitzel.

Imagine that crunchy delight bathed in an umami and spice-rich curry sauce. Yeah, it’s crazy delish!

4. Curry Udon

Udon is one of those traditional Japanese dishes we all know and love.

This recipe combines it with another beloved dish to create a spectacular hybrid.

Starchy and chewy udon noodles and strips of thinly sliced pork swim in a rich and aromatic curry soup. 

It’s super hearty and packed with flavor, making it Japanese comfort food at its best.

5. Cozy Chicken Curry Soup

Here’s another hearty and cozy soup that will chase the chill away.

This rich and creamy curry is filled to the brim with juicy chunks of chicken and hearty vegetables.

Enjoy it on its own, or stretch it out by serving it with rice. Or, try one of these tasty Japanese sides to make it a complete meal.

6. Vegan Japanese Curry

The great thing about curry is that its flavor is so bold that you don’t necessarily need to put meat in it.

Even with just vegetables, it’ll still be irresistible. And this vegan curry is loaded with mushrooms, carrots, and potatoes.

You might notice an odd ingredient in the list, but it’s definitely meant to be there.

Grated apples add a wonderfully complex flavor to the sauce.

7. Japanese Coco Ichibanya-Style Vegetable Curry

Here’s another Japanese vegetarian dish that even meat-eaters will enjoy. 

If you’ve ever eaten at Coco Ichibanya, you’ll know exactly how delicious their curries are.

Luckily, this recipe makes a pretty good copycat, so you can enjoy it in the comfort of your own home.

Loaded with carrots, potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, and eggplant, it’s colorful and filling.

Who needs meat when you have all those colorful and flavorful veggies, right?

8. Curry Ramen

Japanese ramen restaurants have a wide selection of broths. Among the classics are shoyu (soy sauce), shio (salt), and miso. 

So, if you want to try something relatively unconventional, go for curry ramen!

It turns out that thick and chewy noodles taste incredible with rich and savory curry.

9. Japanese Beef Curry

While most of these Japanese curry dishes use chicken, it’s not uncommon to see other kinds of protein, too.

Like this beef curry recipe! If you love extra rich and savory flavors, you should definitely give it a try.

The beef’s fatty and buttery flavor combined with the umami-ness of the curry is undeniably decadent!

10. Pork Curry Donburi

This curry donburi features the fatty goodness of pork belly, savory curry, and hearty rice. It doesn’t get any better than this.

The best part is that it only calls for six ingredients which come together in just 30 minutes.

Again, don’t forget to cook some rice as you prepare this dish. It’s just not the same without the rice!

11. Curry Doria (Japanese Curry Rice Gratin)

If you’re looking for something more novel than donburi and kare raisu, then this curry rice gratin is a must-try.

This is a baked dish with rice at the bottom, curry in the middle, and cheese on top.

It’s like the love child between an American casserole and Japanese curry. And it’s absolutely delicious.

12. Cold Curry Udon

If you’re a fan of cold noodles, this curry udon will knock your socks off.

It has a beautiful mix of chilled udon, sliced pork, and boiled egg. There’s also cucumber, onions, tomatoes, and eggplant.

Finally, the curry sauce enrobes everything, making this udon flavorful and colorful.

This dish is ideal for hot summer days as it’s served cold. But, of course, it’s just as tasty during the winter!

13. Pressure Cooker Japanese Seafood Curry

This succulent Japanese shrimp dish also features clams, scallops, and calamari. It’s basically a seafood lover’s dream come true!

You’ll love how the richness of the curry complements the sweet and briny flavors of the shellfish.

It’s like they’re meant to be together.

This curry is also infused with white wine, adding incredible complexity to the sauce.

14. Quick Japanese Curry Rice

Quick, easy, and ridiculously delicious, this is one fantastic Japanese curry.

Ready in just 30 minutes, this curry dish is ideal for busy weeknights.

The trick is to use ground beef as it cooks and absorbs flavors much faster than other proteins.

Despite it being unbelievably easy, this curry rice is surprisingly scrumptious.

15. Curry Bread (Kare Pan)

If you like savory empanadas and turnovers, you’ll absolutely adore kare pan. 

It’s deep-fried bread filled with curry and coated with panko bread crumbs.

Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside and oozing with curry heaven, it’s a must-make for any curry enthusiast.

You can choose whatever kind of curry you want for the filling. But in case you’re curious, my favorite is chicken.

16. Pressure Cooker Japanese Curry

This next curry is brimming with boneless chicken thighs, potatoes, carrots, and onions. It’s a classic dish that won’t ever disappoint.

You’ll add ketchup and soy sauce to the sauce. They offer a subtle sweetness that goes wonderfully with curry spices.

While the vegetables make this dish filling on its own, I still suggest you serve it with rice or udon. 

17. Japanese Curry Using Roux Cubes

Last but not least is a basic curry recipe that you can easily customize according to your taste preferences.

Feel free to use chicken, beef, pork, or shellfish for protein. As for vegetables, you can’t go wrong with carrots and potatoes.

Whatever you choose, don’t forget to add the secret ingredient: caramelized onions.

This simple addition will give the sauce an even richer flavor and a gravy-like consistency. It’s a complete game-changer!