Japanese chicken curry – Simple but amazing flavor!

Japanese cuisine is commonly known for its intricate cooking technique and complicated food presentation. Many people probably feel quite uneasy when thinking about preparing a Japanese dish by themselves. However, there are still a lot of basic recipes which offer delighted flavors but take little time to prepare. Japanese chicken curry is one of the finest suggestions. If you are keen to know more about this amazing food, let’s continue to view our blog.

Japanese Chicken Curry – Simple But Amazing Flavor!

1. History Of Japanese Curry

Before becoming a national dish, Japanese curry (カ レ ー) had a long historical journey. In the 18th century, curry was first imported from India to England. By the 19th century, the British invented curry powder so that people could cook it easily without complicated steps. This type of curry came to Japan during the Meiji period (1868 – 1912). After that, the Japanese transformed it into a Japanese-style curry to suit the daily taste. As time goes by, along with Ramen, Japanese chicken curry, has continuously developed and become one of the most popular dishes to make at home in Japan.

Japanese chicken curry

As time goes by, along with Ramen, Japanese curry, especially Japanese chicken curry, has continuously developing and becoming one of the most popular dishes to make at home in Japan

2. Japanese Curry vs Indian Curry

India is probably the first thing that comes to mind when people think of curry. But as many people claimed, Japanese curry seems to be a better choice than Indian curry for those who want to try curry for the first time. The texture of Japanese curry sauce is thicker and its taste is quite tender and sweeter. This is because basic ingredients to make Japanese curry are potatoes, carrots, onions which creates a natural sweetness and soft flavors. In addition, Japanese people only use curry powder to enhance the heat and spiciness for this dish. Meanwhile, Indian curry is creamier and spicier as it contains various kinds of spicy ingredients, including paprika, cumin, turmeric, ginger and garlic.

Japanese chicken curry

The texture of Japanese curry sauce is thicker and its taste is quite tender and sweeter.

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3. Homemade Japanese Chicken Curry Recipe

In today’s blog, we are going to give you a short and simple instruction to cook your very own delicious Japanese chicken curry at home. Please note that you can adjust the amount of some ingredients in this Japanese chicken curry recipe depending on your preference.

Japanese chicken curry

In today’s blog, we are going to give you a short and simple instruction to cook your very own delicious Japanese chicken curry at home

3.1. Prep Time

It would take you 1 hour to 1 hour 30 mins to cook.

3.2. Ingredients (portion for 4 people)

1.2 lb Chicken thigh meat or chicken breasts

2 – 3 onions

2 – 3 carrots

1 – 2 potatoes

1/4 apple

4 – 8 buttom mushrooms

2 cloves garlic

½ Tbsp Ginger

Black pepper

Sea salt/kosher salt

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 QT chicken broth

1½ Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 box of Japanese curry roux

1 Tbsp ketchup

Fukujinzuke pickles (Side dish)

3.3. Instruction

  1. Cut chicken thigh into bite-sized pieces and season them with salt and pepper in 15 minutes
  2. Peel and cut the carrots, onions and potatoes. Peel the apple and grate it. Soak potatoes in water for 15 minutes to remove toxic alkaloid.
  3. Wash button mushrooms, soak them in water for 5 minutes and slice into thin pieces .
  4. Mince ginger and garlic.
  5. Heat up the oil in a saucepan. Stir fry the onions until they become translucent, then put ginger and garlic together. Add curry powder and ketchup and cook about 2 more minutes.
  6. Saute the chicken thighs on another large pot until they changes color to golden brown.
  7. Add the carrot, onions, potatoes and apples and mix them in 10 minutes. Then pour the chicken broth in. Cook until potatoes and carrots become tender.
  8. Add 4 -5 blocks of curry roux and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until the curry becomes thick.
  9. Serve the curry with Japanese rice and Fukujinzuke pickles and enjoy your delicious curry!
Japanese chicken curry

Serve the curry with Japanese rice and Fukujinzuke pickles and enjoy your delicious curry

4. Best Curry Restaurants In Japan

There’s nothing better than enjoy a hot, delicious and original Japanese chicken curry right in Japan! If you are in Japan, do not forget to stop by some of the fines curry restaurants in Japan. Below are some suggestions for you.

4.1. Yoshida Curry (吉田カレー)

Address: 3-8-2, 2F, Amanuma, Suginami-ku, Tokyo

You can definitely find fantastic Japanese curry at Yoshida Curry. The restaurant is located just around a 5-minute walk from Ogikubo station. Though the sign is hard to find and the place is quite small to have a comfortable experience here, Yoshida Curry still attracts a lot of tourists thanks to its high quality food. There are 2 kinds of sauce here: one is spicy and one is mild. You can mix it up to balance the sweetness and spiciness.

Just a heads up that there are a few rules to follow here. Since it is a popular spot, you may have to wait in line and the price is quite expensive. Average price is around ¥1,000~1,999.

Japanese chicken curry

The restaurant is located just around a 5-minute walk from Ogikubo station

4.2. Camp (野菜を食べるカレー camp)

Address: 11 Tamazukuri Building, 4-29-11 Sendagaya, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo 151-0051

This is a very popular Japanese curry restaurant in Tokyo. Visitors love it because not only the price is very affordable ( ¥800~1,000) but also the restaurant theme and the taste of food is extremely unique and delicious. If you love camping, this curry restaurant is definitely a must-try spot in your trip. Here, you can enjoy a very original Japanese chicken curry rice in a fresh and fun atmosphere .

The restaurant has different branches in different areas of Japan. For Tokyo, they have branches in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Shinagawa, and Tachikawa.

Japanese chicken curry

Visitors love it because not only the price is very affordable ( ¥800~1,000) but also the restaurant theme and the taste of food is extremely unique and delicious.

4.3. Mi no Ringo

Address: 1F West Building, 1-22-7 Jingumae, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo

Mi no Ringo is another suggestion for you. The curry here is rich, saucy and quite spicy which is very suitable to eat in cold weather. Their signature menus are chicken curry and keema curry. A lot of people like to add cheese topping so you can try if you want to experience new thing. However, the room here is quite small (for around 10 people only) so it’s better to dine here when you go alone.

4.4. Bondy

Address: Kanda Old Books Centre 2F, 2-3 Kanda-Jinbocho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo

Similar to Yoshida, Bondy might be a bit hard to find. It is located on the second floor of second hand bookshop in Jinbocho. Since the restaurant is quite popular in town and no reservations accepted, you may have to wait in line. However, the delicious flavor and generous serving of curry here will definitely satisfy you.

You can check out its website for more information: Link

Japanese chicken curry

Check the menu for more information (Source: Bondy)

Click on this link for more reviews:

Conclusion

It is no exaggeration to say that Japanese chicken curry rice is a must-keep dish for your family meal. It is a perfect combination of sweetness and spiciness that hardly anyone can resist. Now you have already known the recipe, do not hesitate to make this dish for your family and friends. If you have any comment on the recipe, please feel free to share with us under comment section.

5/5 - (3 votes)

About Haruto Suzuki

Haruto Suzuki is a senior food and drinks blogger at Question Japan. He has a background in F&B industry and also experience of running his own Japanese restaurant in Tokyo for over 10 years. Therefore, he has a great knowledge of Japanese cuisine. So if you want to discover Japan through its unique traditional cuisine, Haruto Suzuki’s blog will be a great source of information for you.

5/5 - (3 votes)

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