What Does Japanese Curry Taste Like?


Curries aren’t just from India! Japan has its special type of curry, which is incredibly tasty. In this article, we will explore its taste, ingredients, and even its history. Let’s get started!

What Is Japanese Curry?

Japanese curry is a thick gravy that is made from curry roux. It is most commonly eaten with rice, vegetables, and pieces of fried chicken or pork. Japanese curry was introduced to Japan in the 1800s by English sailors from India and is now considered a national dish.

What is Japanese curry made from? Japanese curry is made from instant curry roux blocks. Curry roux contains a mixture of spices, butter, flour, pepper, cardamom, chili, cumin, fenugreek, and turmeric. Vegetables including onion, potato, and carrots are also added.

The main ingredient to create Japanese curry is instant curry blocks known as curry roux. Japanese curry roux contains flour, butter, and a whole range of spices. The curry roux cubes are dissolved, and then a range of vegetables are added to give the Japanese curry extra flavor. Common vegetables include onion, potato, and carrots. Sometimes apple and honey are added to give the Japanese curry extra sweetness. You can add lemon to make it sourer, chili to make it spicy, and Worcestershire sauce to enhance the umami taste. Japanese curry is incredibly versatile.

What is the red stuff in Japanese curry? The red stuff in Japanese curry is a fermented relish known as Fukujinzuke. Fukujinzuke is made from a mixture of Japanese radish, lotus root, cucumber, and eggplant fermented in wine and soy sauce.

Japanese curry is often served with a mystery red relish. This relish contains radish, lotus root, cucumber, and eggplant known as Fukujinzuke. Fukujinzuke tastes like a sweetened soy sauce with a pronounced sour flavor.

How is Japanese curry different than Indian curry? Japanese curry is thicker, sweeter, and saltier than Indian curry. Japanese curry is more similar to rich, savory gravy. Indian curry tends to be a lot more flavorful as it contains more spices and is far spicier due to high amounts of chili. 

Japanese curry is very different from Indian curry. Japanese curry is slightly sweet, salty, and very thick, like the gravy in a meat pie. Indian curry is more watery but has stronger flavors and is usually very spicy, while Japanese curry is mild. Japanese curry is usually served with fried pork or chicken, while Indian curry is served with slow-cooked mutton.

Japanese Curry Tasting Notes

Are you thinking of trying Japanese curry? Then read our extensive tasting notes to find out if you will like this adopted Japanese national dish!

What does Japanese curry taste like? Japanese curry has a strong umami flavor combined with a pleasant saltiness, subtle sweetness, and mild spice. You can taste a range of spices, including cumin, cardamom, and garam masala. Japanese curry has a thick gravy-like texture and tastes incredibly well with white rice and fried chicken or pork.

Japanese curry is just yummy! It tastes like pure umami with some added heat and complex spices resulting in a rich and must-try flavor. The combination of spices and thick texture will coat your taste buds, leaving you wanting more. Japanese curry is even a little sweet, thanks to the addition of carrots, onion, and sometimes grated apple. There is nothing better than covering a piece of fried chicken and rice in Japanese curry.

What is different about Japanese curry? Japanese curry is thicker, saltier, and has a stronger umami flavor than other curries. It is mildly sweet and only a little bit spicy. Japanese curry is like a mix of gravy and traditional curry, which produces something tasty and unique.

When you first try Japanese curry, you may think it tastes more like gravy than a typical curry. You will also notice a powerful savory taste which is salty. Japanese curry is not very spicy but still has a kick from the spices and chili and has a subtle sweetness thanks to the added onions and carrots.

What is Japanese curry similar to? Japanese curry tastes like thicker and sweeter Thai curry. Japanese curry tastes like a less spicy, less flavorful, and more salty Indian curry. It also tastes like a combination of gravy and curry.

Japanese curry is different from your standard Indian or Thai curry. Japanese curry tastes like gravy and Indian curry had a baby, which is less spicy, has a thicker texture, has a sweeter and saltier flavor, and a dark rich color. Due to Japanese curry’s unique flavor, you need to try it yourself! If you only had Indian curry, you are in for a treat because the smooth umami and sweet flavor goes incredibly well with rice and fried pork or chicken.

What goes with Japanese curry other than rice? Japanese curry goes with basically everything! Japanese curry tastes amazing with udon noodles, fried eggs, chicken katsu, and even a green salad with tomato and a lemon dressing. You should also try Japanese curry with tempura vegetables.

As Japanese curry has a rich and salty umami flavor, it pairs well with lots of savory dishes. Our personal favorites include fried eggs and green salad with tomatoes and lemon mayonnaise sauce. Japanese curry also tastes amazing when you pour it over udon noodles!

What does Japanese curry sauce taste like? Japanese curry is different from other curries. Japanese curry is thick, salty, and sweet with only a mild spiciness. Japanese curry is more like a spice-infused sweet gravy than Indian or Thai curry.

When you take your first mouthful of Japanese curry, you will swear you are eating gravy and not a curry. Japanese curry is thick and smooth, just like gravy, and is not nearly as flavorful or spicy as Indian curry. Japanese curry has a rich umami flavor and a pleasant sweetness, and a lovely salty taste.

Is Japanese curry sweet or spicy? Japanese curry is mildly sweet and spicy. The onion, carrot, and grated apple provide a nice sweet flavor, while the chili and spices give the dish some heat. Japanese curry is very savory with a smooth, salty, and umami taste that is oh so satisfying.

Japanese curry is sweet, salty, and spicy! The main flavor of Japanese curry is savory and umami. The tangy flavor is balanced by a subtle sweetness and some spice. Japanese curry contains onion, carrot, chili, cardamom, garam masala, and turmeric, which all combine to produce a mildly sweet, and spicy flavor. If you want to make your Japanese curry extra sweet, you can add honey or grated apples. If you are looking for more spice, just throw in some more chili.

Is Japanese curry like gravy? Japanese curry tastes like spicy and sweet gravy. In Japanese curry, you can taste a range of spices, including cardamom, garam masala, turmeric, and chili, which aren’t present in gravy. Gravy and Japanese curry both have a strong umami flavor.

Japanese curry and gravy have a similar thick and smooth texture. Japanese curry has a more complex flavor due to added spices and a sweet flavor that you won’t find in gravy. Both gravy and Japanese curry are salty and have a lovely savory taste. Japanese curry does an amazing job of sticking to rice and producing an incredibly tasty treat!

Final Thoughts

Japanese curry arrived in Japan in the late 1800s courtesy of British sailors stationed in India. The Japanese put their spin on the British/Indian curry mix, which soon became a big hit in Japan. Japanese curry is now considered a national dish and tastes incredible with rice, vegetables, and breaded pork. Japanese curry is sweet, salty, and savory with a mild spicy flavor. It is very different from Indian curry as it is milder, thicker, and more similar to gravy. We recommend you head to your nearest Japanese restaurant and order a curry katsu today!

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