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Japanese curry

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Japanese curry is a beloved meal that people in Japan eat every day.

Japanese curry rice with shredded beef by Banej in SG
Japanese curry rice with shredded beef by Banej in SG

It is a thick, warm sauce that is often served over sticky, short-grain rice. You can also find it in many other tasty forms. Some people enjoy curry udon, which uses thick noodles in a curry broth.

Marugame Seimen Curry udon
Marugame Seimen Curry udon

Others love curry bread, a pastry filled with the savory sauce.

Curry house curry pan
Curry house curry pan

There is even katsu curry, which features a deep-fried meat cutlet on top.

Katsu curry by luckypines
Katsu curry by luckypines

This dish is so common that it is often called a national dish.

Making the sauce is a special process that involves several steps. To make a roux, cooks fry together curry powder, flour, and oil. They then add this roux to stewed meat and vegetables to create the sauce. Common vegetables used are onions, carrots, and potatoes. For meat, people often choose beef, pork, or chicken. For curry udon, cooks soak dried bonito flakes in boiling water first. They add the curry to this broth and then use potato starch to make it thick. This creates a savory flavor known as umami.

Curry has a long and interesting history in Japan. It originally came from Indian cuisine. The British introduced curry powder to Japan during the Meiji era, which lasted from 1868 to 1912. Many believe the British navy brought the spices to the country. By the 1870s, curry was already being served in Japan. One of the oldest mentions of curry rice was in cookbooks from 1872. An American professor named William S. Clark helped make the word popular in 1877. He also helped introduce potatoes to the dish to help with rice shortages.

Over time, curry became much easier for everyone to enjoy. In 1905, people could buy curry powder made in Japan. This made the meal affordable for most people. In 1945, a company made the first powdered instant curry roux. Later, in 1950, companies began making block-shaped instant roux. This allowed families to cook delicious curry quickly at home. In 1963, a product called "Vermont Curry" was released with apples and honey. This sweet version made curry a huge hit with children.

Today, curry is part of many different traditions and lifestyles. Some sailors in the Navy still make special curry every Friday. This tradition helps them stay healthy by providing vitamin B1. There are even big festivals in cities like Yokosuka to celebrate Navy curry. You can also find many regional styles across different parts of Japan. Some people even enjoy "spice curry," which uses many different spices.

Whether it is from a pouch or made from scratch, curry is a wonderful part of Japanese food culture.

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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:First-Curry-Rice-Recipe-of-Japan-Seiyo-Ryoritsu-by-Kanagaki-Robun-1872.jpg
First-Curry-Rice-Recipe-of-Japan-Seiyo-Ryo...
File:Marugame Seimen Curry udon.jpg
Marugame Seimen Curry udon.jpg
File:Boncurry chori kara.JPG
Boncurry chori kara.JPG
File:Kaga Curry.jpg
Kaga Curry.jpg
File:CoCo Ichibanya Hot and spicy curry with chicken and tomato.jpg
CoCo Ichibanya Hot and spicy curry with...
File:Curry house curry pan.jpg
Curry house curry pan.jpg
File:Katsu curry by luckypines.jpg
Katsu curry by luckypines.jpg
File:Hayashi_rice_and_curry_rice_in_Tokyo_2023-12-30.jpg
Hayashi_rice_and_curry_rice_in_Tokyo_2023-...
File:Japanese curry rice with shredded beef by Banej in SG.jpg
Japanese curry rice with shredded beef by...
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