About Japanese Curry vs Indian Curry, History, Dishes & More

Ah, Japanese curry.

What is it? How’s it different from Indian curry?

And is it even delicious? The answer to this last question is YES.

But the rest, you’ll discover in this Japanese curry guide. So, read on.

Part 1: What is Japanese Curry?

Japanese curry is a unique dish that consists of a thick gravy-like sauce with vegetables and meat served with rice.

Unlike Indian curry, which is typically spicier and more watery…

The Japanese version is sweeter. Everyone can eat it regardless of spice tolerance!

It is considered a comfort food in Japan that you can enjoy at home or in restaurants.

But if curry is known to be Indian…. why is there a Japanese version?

Well…

History of Japanese Curry

Back in the Meiji Era, it was the British who brought curry powder. And that’s how Japanese curry developed into what it is today.

Now, the British ate curry because they colonized India at the time.

So, after the introduction of curry, curry slowly adapted to Japanese tastes.

This meant that the curry became sweeter and less spicy while adding condiments such as Japanese pickles became popular.

The Japanese ate curry with Japanese-style rice, which tends to be much stickier than the rice in India or the U.K.

Back to Nowadays…

You will notice curry in many casual restaurants and home cooking in Japan.

Every household makes curry differently, so it can become a “taste of home” for many Japanese people.

Some choose to flavor their curry with chocolate or other special flavorings to make their unique version of curry.

It is also an extremely easy dish to make, so it is popular in large gatherings where lots of food needs to be served.

Note – if you want some Japanese curry for yourself…

Part 2: Japanese Curry vs. Indian Curry

If you’re wondering how much difference there is between the two…

Let’s break it down —

Flavor

Compared to Indian curry, Japanese curry is much sweeter and less spicy.

It is also thick because it is made with a roux, which contains flour. Indian curry can have a diverse range of flavors, textures, spices, and ingredients.

Because Japanese curry is a single type of dish, for the most part, all Japanese curries have a similar base and flavor profile.

Ingredients

The ingredients inside of Japanese curry can include vegetables and meat that you would typically find in a stew. Ingredients include carrots, onions, potatoes, beef, chicken, and pork.

On the other hand, Indian curries can have a wide range of ingredients that aren’t limited to the root vegetables and meat in a Japanese curry.

Cooking Method

Japanese curry is considered easy to prepare.

It typically starts by boiling all ingredients in a pot and adding a Japanese curry roux. Indian curry can be much more complicated and involves many different spices and cooking techniques.

Cultural Significance

In Japan, curry is a popular comfort food at gatherings, restaurants, and at home.

It is considered a type of Western cuisine that has become a part of Japanese cuisine.

In India, curry is a central part of their cuisine and represents the country as a whole.

It is also where curry started, and it has become a widely eaten food outside of India as well.

Now, is Japanese curry healthy…?

Part 3: Health Benefits and Downsides

Well, there are good and bad points.

Health Benefits of Japanese Curry:

1. Nutritious Ingredients: Curry usually includes many vegetables, such as carrots and onions. It also includes protein sources like chicken or beef, which can be healthy.
2. Digestive Health: Curry spices can help with digestion. In particular, turmeric, which is found in Japanese curries, is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Boosted Energy: A large proportion of a plate of Japanese curry is the rice that goes with it. Some curries also include potatoes, so the amount of carbohydrates can be high. Japanese curry can be helpful if you need extra carbohydrates for energy!

Health Downsides of Japanese Curry:

1. High in Calories: Japanese curry may can boosting your energy, but that also means it is high in calories. Along a large portion of rice (carbs), the curry is high in fat. If you’re trying to watch your calories, it can be difficult with Japanese curry.
2. High Sodium: Japanese curry is meant to be eaten with a large portion of rice, so its sodium content is very high. High sodium can increase blood pressure.
3. Potential Additives: If you buy a Japanese curry roux from the store, it could potentially have additives to preserve it. Most Japanese people don’t make their curry from complete scratch but buy a pre-made roux that can be mixed into stewed vegetables and meat.

So, keep that in mind if you’re concerned about your diet.

Note – if you want some Japanese curry for yourself…

Part 4: Types of Japanese Curry Dishes

If the health impact of Japanese curry does not dissuade you…

And you’re interested in Japanese curry dishes, well here are a few.

Katsu Curry

This dish features Japanese curry served with a fried pork cutlet and rice. The crispy pork and the gravy-like curry sauce combine well to create a delicious dish.

Curry Udon

Another popular dish flavored with curry is a curry udon. This dish makes the curry sauce more watery with fewer ingredients. It also adds in some dashi broth for extra umami. Thick udon noodles work well with the thicker curry broth which can be an excellent dish for winter months.

Curry Ramen

You’ll be surprised that there are different types of Japanese ramen.

Including ramen with curry – rather, a curry-flavored broth. Although it is not as common as udon, it is a delicious way to enjoy Japanese curry flavors.

Curry Bread (Curry Pan)

You’ll find this bread in many Japanese bakeries and convenience stores. It features crispy bread filled with curry inside. To make the filing work with bread, the curry is typically thicker so that it doesn’t get soggy.

Curry Doria

Doria is a popular Japanese food in which rice is served like a gratin with cheese on top. Curry doria is a curry version of this dish, with creamy gratin flavored with Japanese curry flavors. Cheese complements curry well and creates a mouthwatering dish.

Back to You

Now you know a bit about Japanese Curry vs Indian Curry.

How Japanese curry came about to be…

And the health benefits and downsides.

If you’re interested in getting some for yourself, you’ll find plenty on Amazon — click here (Amazon affiliate link).