Kaneya - Dec 6, 2024
Curry: A Japanese National Food with Global Appeal
Japanese curry is a popular dish throughout the country. In 2022, Taste Atlas, an experiential travel website about traditional cuisines, announced its Top 100 Best Traditional Foods in the World ranking, and Japanese curry came out on top. When people think of Japanese foods, many may think of sushi (salmon nigiri sushi came in at 46th) or ramen (pork ramen at 21st), but it is even more popular than these! This article introduces the food culture and attractiveness of Japanese curry.
Japanese Curry Taste
The secret to the popularity of Japanese curry is that it has a unique taste, different from Indian or Thai curry. There are two main characteristics. First, curry powder and wheat are used to make it thick, so it is served with sticky japonica rice, called curry rice.
Second, it is made by frying and stewing a lot of vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and onions together with meat, and has a simple taste of vegetable and meat broth. As no hot species of peppers, etc. are used, the vegetables have a sweet and mild taste, which are gentle on the stomach and warm the body, making it easy for everyone to eat, from children to adults.
How the Food Culture of Curry led to its Spread as a National Food
Curry in Japan has its origins in the UK, from where it began to be introduced alongwith Western cuisine when Yokohama opened their ports in 1859. In 1871, physicist Kenjiro Yamakawa tasted rice curry on board a ship on his way to study in the USA. Also, around the time of the beginning of modern civilization, people were allowed to eat meat, and Western restaurants began to be opened, which provided an opportunity to introduce curry. In the 1870s, curry began to be prepared at schools training army officers to improve nutritional balance and was cooked to suit rice with reference to British naval curry, which was the beginning of curry rice in Japan. After the war, it was adopted for school lunches and spread to ordinary households by soldiers who learnt how to make curry. In 1950 solid curry roux was launched, and during the period of rapid economic growth, retort-pouch curry was also sold, making it easy for anyone to eat.
Today, the wave of curry popularity is not limited to curry rice, but also includes other unique ways of eating curry that originated in Japan. Curry bread is crispy on the outside and soft and savory on the inside, made by wrapping curry in bread dough, dipping it in breadcrumbs and deep frying it. Another example is curry udon, served in a mild curry-flavored soup with a dashi soup stock. This unique Japanese curry culture is now experiencing a phenomenon of re-importation: one major Japanese curry chain restaurant has entered India in 2020, and curry udon was sampled at a Japanese-affiliated restaurant in India in 2023.
Japanese Curry Products for Easy Tasting
You can easily and deliciously taste Japanese curry in your home. The best choice is the retort-packed instant curry.
There’s also instant Curry-Meshi Rice. This product is made from sticky Japanese domestic rice and allows you to experience the taste of Japan by simply pouring hot water over it.There are also easy ways to cook it at home. Solid curry roux can be made in a short time and without the need to get spices or flour, just stew it together with any extra vegetables! For children and those who want to try a sweet Japanese curry, it is recommended to try a roux with apples and honey as shown in the product below, or a mix of both sweet and hot curry roux.
Conclusion
Japanese curry has a unique taste, a harmony of richness, and the umami and sweetness of vegetables and meat. Though originally a foreign cuisine, the taste has developed from restaurants to the home and has been successfully fused with Japanese food culture. We expect to see more cultural creations of curry in Japan and abroad.Be sure to find your favorite Japanese curry, as curry is an interesting dish in terms of the ingredients and flavors that vary from home to home, and region to region!
