Takoyaki, korokke, or okonomiyaki are familiar Japanese street foods. Most of my friends recommended these dishes when I was in Japan. However, none told me about kare pan or curry bread.
I fell in love with this Japanese curry bun in the first bite. It is the combination of contrasting things: the crunch of the outer layer and the softness of the bread, the sweet dough and the savory, spicy filling of Japanese curry.
The curry filling itself is a flavorful mixture of curry sauce, which often includes ingredients like meat (like chicken), onions, carrots, potatoes, and a blend of spices. However, I could see some variations might include additional ingredients like cheese or even hard-boiled eggs.
The curry bread is a popular Japanese snack that can be found in bakeries, convenience stores, and specialty shops. It can even be the filling for some sweet treats like the Kashi-pan.
This dish pairs well with various refreshing drinks. Lassi, a yogurt-based beverage, cools the palate and complements the curry’s spices. It comes in sweet or savory varieties. For a contrasting flavor, try mango soda or other fruit juices.
If you’re not in Japan, this is how to make curry bread or kare pan.
Ingredients
For the Curry Filling
- 1 cup diced potatoes
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 lb ground meat beef or pork
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Bread
- 2 ½ cups flour gluten-free one
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs beaten
Instructions
Making the Curry Filling
- In a large skillet, sauté onions until translucent. Add ground meat and cook until browned.
- Add diced potatoes and carrots, cooking until they begin to soften.
- Sprinkle curry powder over the mixture, stirring to coat evenly.
- Pour in soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar. Mix well.
- Add broth gradually, simmering until the mixture thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to cool.
Making the Bread Dough
- In a bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes until it foams.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and vegetable oil.
- Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size
Making the Curry Bread
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal portions.
- Take one portion, flatten it in your hand, and spoon a generous amount of the cooled curry filling into the center. Seal the edges, forming a ball.
- Roll the filled dough ball in beaten eggs, then coat it with breadcrumbs. Place the coated curry bread on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining portions.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the bread is golden brown. Allow the curry bread to cool slightly before serving.
Note
You can deep fry these Japanese curry breads instead of baking them.
Curry Bread – Kare Pan
Ingredients
For the Curry Filling
- 1 cup diced potatoes
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 lb ground meat beef or pork
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Bread
- 2 ½ cups flour gluten-free one
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs beaten
Instructions
Making the Curry Filling
- In a large skillet, sauté onions until translucent. Add ground meat and cook until browned.
- Add diced potatoes and carrots, cooking until they begin to soften.
- Sprinkle curry powder over the mixture, stirring to coat evenly.
- Pour in soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar. Mix well.
- Add broth gradually, simmering until the mixture thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to cool.
Making the Bread Dough
- In a bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes until it foams.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and vegetable oil.
- Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size
Making the Curry Bread
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal portions.
- Take one portion, flatten it in your hand, and spoon a generous amount of the cooled curry filling into the center. Seal the edges, forming a ball.
- Roll the filled dough ball in beaten eggs, then coat it with breadcrumbs. Place the coated curry bread on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining portions.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the bread is golden brown. Allow the curry bread to cool slightly before serving.
