Japanese Curry using S&B Golden Curry

Want to whip up an incredibly tasty Japanese curry in just 20 minutes? This recipe has got you covered with cooking tips, seasoning and tasty toppings.

When you're craving a curry on a busy weeknight, curry mixes like S&B Golden Curry save the day. Plus, there's just 5 key ingredients to keep things nice and simple.

Don't have curry mix to hand? I also have a simple recipe for Japanese Curry Sauce. You can find this alongside, lots of other weeknight-friendly Japanese Recipes like this Japanese Grilled Mackerel and Miso Eggplant on my Japanese recipes page.

The post contains additional information and helpful tips to ensure the recipe turns out great the first time. Please use the link above to jump to the recipe card at the end if you are in a hurry!

Jump to:

• 5 reasons why you'll love this recipe:
• Japanese Curry
• S&B Golden Curry Mix
• Where to buy S&B Golden Curry
• 🛒 Key ingredients:
• Types of Japanese Curry:
• Variations:
• Adjusting the seasoning:
• 🧑‍🍳 Recipe steps
• The best type of rice to serve with Japanese curry
• Toppings
• Expert Tips
• 🙋 Recipe FAQs
• More Japanese recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• Recipe Card
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Japanese Curry

Japanese curry, or "kare" as it's fondly called in Japan, is like a warm hug in a bowl. It also has an interesting history that started when the Japanese navy sailors got a taste of curry from British naval officers back in the late 1800s. They brought it back to Japan, and from there, it quickly became a beloved part of Japanese cuisine.

Japanese curry is as spicy as Indian or Thai curries, and it's got a signature blend of spices, including cumin, coriander, and turmeric. The sauce is mild, thick and hearty, typically loaded with tender chunks of carrots, potatoes, and onions.

S&B Golden Curry Mix

When it comes to whipping up a tasty Japanese curry quickly, a Curry roux is your best friend. These little blocks contain a mixture of spices, seasonings, and thickening agents compacted into a solid form. All you need to do is add them to a simmering pot of vegetables and protein to transform it into a rich, creamy and flavourful curry sauce.

There are several brands of curry roux to choose from, all with slightly different blends of seasoning and spices. S&B Golden Curry is one of the most popular brands and is also the most accessible curry roux outside of Japan. It's renowned for its rich and comforting flavour. Plus, it comes in three different spice levels, so you can choose mild, medium, or hot.

Where to buy S&B Golden Curry

It's possible to find Golden Curry in regular stores like Target and Walmart in the US and Sainsbury's in the UK.

Otherwise most Asian speciality stores will stock it and you can buy it online at Amazon.

🛒 Key ingredients:

This simple recipe contains just 5 key ingredients:

• Onion: I use regular brown onions, but most onions or shallots will work.
• Carrot is cut into chunks and simmered in the sauce to add texture and sweetness.
• Protein: Chicken is my go-to, but pork and beef also work well.
• Honey: For extra sweetness.
• Curry mix: You can use the widely available S&B Golden Curry or another brand. Choose a spice level based on personal preference. I usually go for medium.

Types of Japanese Curry:

For a swift and straightforward curry, chicken and pork are good choices. They tend to have shorter cooking times compared to beef, but let's look a little deeper into the options.

• Chicken: This isn't the most traditional choice, but it works really well. I like to use thighs because they're succulent, plus they're quick and easy to cook. You can use breasts too, but I personally find them too lean and dry. Leftover cooked rotisserie chicken is another convenient option.
• Pork: Like chicken, it's easy to cook. Cuts like pork loin or tenderloin work well and pork belly is a good choice if you prefer a fattier cut.
• Beef: Typically takes longer to cook than chicken or pork, but its rich flavour goes nicely with the curry sauce. Remember that some cuts like chuck and brisket will require a longer period of slow simmering. If you want types that cook quickly opt for thinly sliced cuts of ribeye or sirloin.
• Vegetarian/vegan: You can add any veggies you want. Roast pumpkin and squash complement the rich sweetness of the sauce and umami mushrooms also work well. You can also add tofu or boiled eggs for extra protein.

Variations:

Note that the recipe has not been tested with all the substitutions and variations below, so the results cannot be guaranteed.

• Grated apple: this is used in a number of traditional Japanese curry flavours to add extra sweetness and texture.
• Potatoes: Many Japanese curries often include potato chunks simmered in the savoury sauce. It's great if you want a heartier curry, but I personally find it a bit carb-heavy, especially when paired with rice.
• Breaded chicken or pork cutlet. Transforms the dish into the popular Katsu Curry. Want to cook up some super flavourful and crispy chicken cutlets, try my Panko Chicken Recipe.

Adjusting the seasoning:

One of the great things about Japanese curry is how adaptable it is. Here are some ways you can adapt it to suit your tastes.

• Sweet: Add sugar, increase the amount of honey, or add apple sauce.
• Rich: Add butter, dark chocolate, or wine.
• Tangy: With ginger and/or tomato puree.
• Spicey: Chilli powder, cayenne pepper or hot sauce
• Umami: Worcester sauce, soy sauce, or fish sauce.

🧑‍🍳 Recipe steps

*Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions! *

Step 1: Place a frying pan on a medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the chicken or pork and cook for a few minutes until it starts to brown. Then remove and set aside.

Step 2: Fry the onions for a few minutes until they are translucent, adding a little more oil if you need to. Add the carrot slices and fry for a few more minutes. Then pour on the water and simmer on a low heat for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Add the curry roux cubes and stir until it thickens then incorporate the honey.

Step 4: Add the browned chicken or pork and simmer for 5 more minutes until cooked through. Serve with rice and your choice of toppings.

The best type of rice to serve with Japanese curry

In Japan curry is served with Japanese short-grain rice and this is my go-to. It's often sold as Sushi rice in Western countries and is available at most grocery stores.

That said, if you don't have Japanese rice you can serve the curry with other types of rice like basmati and jasmine or serve with brown rice for a healthier alternative.

Toppings

Toppings to enhance the curry's flavour and texture. Here are some options:

• Soft-boiled or poached egg. You could also add some Ajitama (soy-marinated ramen eggs) for an extra pop of umami flavour.
• Tempura chicken, shrimp or vegetables.
• Cheese: Melted cheese, often in the form of a cheese slice, or shredded cheese for a fusion twist,
• Pickled red ginger (Beni Shoga): Has a spicy and tangy flavour that pairs well with curry.
• Green Onions: Or chives can provide a fresh and slightly pungent contrast to the rich curry.
• Crispy Onions: Fried shallots or onions can add a delightful crunch to your curry.

Did you try this recipe?

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