{"id":5137,"date":"2021-03-31T14:30:16","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T21:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zojirushi.com\/blog\/?p=5137"},"modified":"2024-08-29T13:04:58","modified_gmt":"2024-08-29T20:04:58","slug":"mothers-home-cooking-curry-rice-%e3%82%ab%e3%83%ac%e3%83%bc%e3%83%a9%e3%82%a4%e3%82%b9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zojirushi.com\/blog\/mothers-home-cooking-curry-rice-%e3%82%ab%e3%83%ac%e3%83%bc%e3%83%a9%e3%82%a4%e3%82%b9\/","title":{"rendered":"Mother\u2019s Home Cooking: Curry & Rice (\u30ab\u30ec\u30fc\u30e9\u30a4\u30b9)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Japanese Curry & Rice (kare-raisu) is a hearty dish made with a m\u00e9lange of vegetables and a protein of choice. It\u2019s so popular in Japan that it\u2019s considered one of the country\u2019s national dishes, right alongside ramen. It is enjoyed by children and adults alike all year long, especially when it\u2019s made by mom! Below, we\u2019ll dive into what makes this dish unique, how to enjoy it, and how to make it on your own for a perfect and comforting meal. Let\u2019s dig in.<\/p>\n

Where Does it Come From?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Curry originally came from India and was introduced to Japan by the British navy in the late 1800s, or what\u2019s known as the Meiji period. The word \u201ccurry\u201d is derived from the word \u201ckari,\u201d from the Tamil people of India and Sri Lanka. It simply means \u201csauce\u201d and has countless different forms in those regions.<\/p>\n

By the time curry landed in Japan, it had been altered a bit by the British to better suit their palates, where it was then served to the Japanese Imperial Navy. From there, the dish continued to transform over the centuries until it became what it is commonly known as today: Japanese \u201ckare.\u201d What made kare\u2019s popularity skyrocket in the last few decades, however, was when pre-made curry \u201croux\u201d blocks were introduced to markets and restaurants in the 1960s, making what was once a labor-intensive process convenient and accessible to all.<\/p>\n

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What Makes Japanese Curry Japanese?<\/strong><\/p>\n

What sets Japanese curry apart is its milder and sweeter profile, and its thick viscosity that makes it more akin to a stew than a soup. Instead of a fiery spice, it is gentle, soothing, and comforting. Kind of like a mother\u2019s hug!<\/p>\n

Japanese curry also incorporates a variety of vegetables, most commonly onions, carrots, and potatoes, but it can include more adventurous toppings such as root vegetables, fruits, Fukujinzuke (Japanese relish<\/a><\/span>), and oyster sauce. For mothers, it\u2019s a great way to \u201ctrick\u201d or introduce their children to vegetables.<\/p>\n

Though many Japanese people use pre-made \u201croux\u201d blocks for their curry base, they refer to \u201ckakushiaji,\u201d or \u201csecret ingredients,\u201d to make it truly their own. No Recipes<\/a><\/span> uses banana, soy sauce, and cocoa powder as their kakushiaji, and others, like Chopstick<\/span> Chronicles<\/a>, swear by apples and honey.<\/p>\n

So, How Should I Eat It?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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If you simply refer to \u201ckare\u201d today in Japan, it is understood that you are looking for \u201ckare-raisu,\u201d or curry with rice. However, you can enjoy kare in many forms, such as over noodles, as a filling within a pastry, or as a dipping sauce for another popular Japanese dish, Katsu. The answer is: whatever suits you best!<\/p>\n

From Scratch<\/strong><\/p>\n

We have two different versions of this dish on our website if you\u2019d like to whip it up yourself. A Dry Curry<\/a><\/span> for a shorter prep time or a more traditional Beef Curry<\/a><\/span> for the slow food fans. Don\u2019t forget to set your Zojirushi rice cooker to prep the white rice<\/a><\/span> while you begin preparing your curry.<\/p>\n

From Curry Roux Blocks <\/strong><\/p>\n

AZ Central<\/span><\/a> offers a list of their \u201ctop\u201d packaged curries that you can purchase at Japanese markets for quick meal prep. Take note that many of these come in different spice levels, from mild, medium, to hot, and can taste widely different by brand.<\/p>\n