Simple & Easy Japanese Curry (Perfect for Beginners!)

By Sho @ Hungry for Thai on May 7th 2025

🍛 Japanese Curry — A Comfort Food Favorite

Rich, savory, and with a subtle sweetness — this Japanese curry is cozy comfort food with a fun twist.

Thanks to the convenient boxed curry roux you can easily find in supermarkets, all you need to do is toss it into a pot of simmering veggies and meat, and voilà — dinner is ready!

Plus, it keeps well and tastes even better the next day, making it a go-to meal for busy weeknights.

What You’ll Need

• Japanese Curry Roux – The heart of the dish! This block of ready-made curry seasoning makes it quick and easy to get that classic Japanese curry flavor.
• Onions – They add natural sweetness and richness to the curry sauce as they cook down.
• Potatoes – These make the curry hearty and comforting, soaking up all the delicious flavors.
• Carrot – Adds a pop of color, slight sweetness, and a nice texture to every bite.
• Vegetable Oil – Used for sautéing the vegetables to bring out their natural flavors.
• Water – Needed to simmer the veggies and create the base for the curry sauce.
• Apple – Brings a gentle sweetness, tartness, and a fresh aroma to balance the curry.
• Dark Chocolate – Just a small piece deepens the flavor, thickens the sauce, and makes it extra creamy and luxurious.

Why You’ll Love This Beginner-Friendly Japanese Curry Recipe 🩷

• That secret sweet twist from apple and chocolate 🍫🍎
• Ready in under 40 minutes
• Easy to adjust with your favorite veggies or proteins
• A comforting dish the whole family will enjoy

How to Cook Homemade Japanese Curry for Beginners

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, potatoes, and carrots. Cook until the onions are soft (about 5–7 minutes).
2. Pour in water and bring to a boil. Skim any foam off, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, until veggies are fork-tender.
3. Turn off the heat. Break the curry roux into pieces and stir until fully melted.
4. Stir in chopped apple and chocolate until combined.
5. Turn heat back to low. Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the sauce thickens.
6. Serve hot over steamed rice, with or without a crispy cutlet on top. Yum!

What to Serve With

Looking for the perfect sides to round out your meal? Here are some tasty ideas:

🥗 Starter: Japanese cucumber salad or edamame with sea salt

🥩 Main Course: Katsu (breaded cutlet), tofu steak, or tempeh for plant-based

🍛 Side Dish: Pickled ginger, miso soup, or a fresh green salad

🍰 Dessert: Matcha ice cream, mochi, or fresh fruit with whipped cream

For Japanese curry lovers, you can take your dish to the next level with a Japanese Katsu Curry.

This delicious meal combines a crispy breaded chicken/pork cutlet with a rich, savory curry sauce poured over fluffy rice.

If you’re looking for an easy and satisfying Japanese katsu curry recipe, this one is a must-try.

It’s perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or whenever you’re craving something warm and flavorful.

How to Make a Crunchy Cutlet 🍛

1. Pick your meat of choice. Use a meat mallet or poke it all over with a fork to tenderize both sides.
2. Season it well with salt and pepper, and gently massage the seasoning into the meat.
3. Coat the meat lightly with flour, dip it into beaten egg, then press it into panko breadcrumbs until fully coated.
4. Deep-fry the cutlet until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Slice it into bite-sized pieces and serve it on top of your Japanese curry with a side of fluffy rice.
6. OR If you’re using plant-based or other types of protein, be sure to check the cooking instructions for that specific product.

If you prefer to add meat to your curry, sauté the meat until it’s partially cooked first, then add all the vegetables.

Across different regions and families in Japan, there are tons of little twists and secret touches that make each curry unique.

One home might add honey, another might add soy sauce or coffee.

In this version, we’re using two secret ingredients that are surprisingly common in Japanese kitchens: dark chocolate and apple. 🍫🍎

The apple brings a subtle sweetness, a bit of tartness, and a lovely natural aroma to the curry sauce.

The dark chocolate, on the other hand, adds a richer, more complex depth of flavor, helps thicken the texture, and gives the sauce a beautiful dark color.

Together, they elevate the boxed curry into something that tastes slow-cooked and homemade — with just a few simple steps.

Give this version a try and see how it transforms your regular curry night into something truly special! 😋