7 Japanese Curry Recipes (With and Without Roux)

Japanese curry is one of the most popular comfort foods in Japan. It’s a thick, savory curry served over steamed rice. In this guide, you’ll find 7 easy Japanese curry recipes you can make with curry roux or completely from scratch. Let’s dive in!

Japanese Curry Ingredients

Before we get to the recipes, let’s take a quick look at the basic ingredients used in Japanese curry.

Vegetables
Potatoes, carrots, and onions are the classic vegetables used in Japanese curry. You can also add mushrooms, green beans, broccoli, eggplant, daikon, or kabocha for extra flavor and texture.
Protein
Many curry recipes include chicken, pork, or beef, but plant-based options such as tofu, tempeh, and beans work very well too.
Curry Roux
Store-bought curry roux is the easiest way to make Japanese curry. It comes in cubes or flakes and quickly thickens the sauce while adding rich flavor.
Curry Powder
If you prefer not to use roux, you can also make Japanese curry from scratch using curry powder along with flour and oil to create the thick curry sauce.

1. Japanese Curry (Basic)

Japanese curry served over steamed rice.

A classic Japanese curry made with store-bought curry roux, potatoes, carrots, and onions. This comforting dish is easy to prepare and perfect if you’re new to making Japanese curry at home.

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2. Japanese Vegetable Curry

A hearty plant-based version of Japanese curry made with plenty of vegetables. Creamy, comforting, and satisfying, perfect for a simple family dinner.

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3. Japanese Tofu Katsu Curry

Crispy breaded tofu cutlets served with rich Japanese curry sauce. This vegetarian katsu curry is hearty, flavorful, and a great meat-free alternative.

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4. Japanese Curry From Scratch

A homemade Japanese curry made with curry powder instead of store-bought roux. This easy recipe shows how to make rich and comforting Japanese curry completely from scratch.

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5. Daikon & Lentil Curry

A hearty Japanese-style curry made with tender daikon and lentils. This quick curry is made without curry roux. Serve it over steamed rice for a satisfying plant-based meal.

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6. Eggplant & Lentil Curry

A flavorful Japanese-style curry made with eggplant and lentils. Like the daikon curry, this recipe is made without curry roux and comes together quickly. Perfect for eggplant lovers.

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7. Tempeh Curry

Tempeh curry served in a bowl with salad.

A dry curry made with chopped tempeh as a meat substitute. This simple recipe is easy to make and a great introduction to cooking with tempeh.

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More Dishes Made with Japanese Curry

If you have leftover curry, try making
curry udon or curry and egg spring rolls.
If you enjoy curry-flavored dishes, you might also like
curry soup or fried lotus root with a curry twist.

Watch How To Prepare

Wrap Up

Japanese curry is a comforting and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many ways, from classic curry rice to homemade curry and creative leftover dishes. I hope this guide inspires you to try some of these Japanese curry recipes at home!