Name: How To Make Curry Bread (Kare Pan)
Prep time: 130 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 160 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 300 g All Purpose Flour; 1 Tbsp White Sugar; ½ tsp Salt; 5 g Instant Yeast; 15 g Unsalted Butter; 200 ml Warm Water; 700 g Leftover Curry, cold; Panko (Japanese Style Bread Crumbs); Neutral Oil, for frying

How To Make Curry Bread (Kare Pan)-Japanese Taste

Bread Breakfast Curry Kid-friendly Party Food Snack Vegetarian-friendly

Japanese curry bread, affectionately known as "kare pan," is a mouthwatering blend that beautifully fuses Japanese and Western flavors. This popular street snack in Japan effortlessly combines the comforting essence of bread with the rich, aromatic profile of Japanese curry.

Picture this: a deep-fried delight with a perfectly breaded exterior cradling a generous portion of Japanese curry. This curry, a delightful mix of spices, veggies like potatoes and carrots, and sometimes meat, creates a flavor symphony that dances on your taste buds. The artful preparation of the curry filling is what sets kare pan apart, ensuring each bite is a savory delight.

The journey of kare pan begins with a yeast-based dough, skillfully crafted to achieve that ideal balance of softness and crispiness after a dip in hot oil. The dough undergoes a patient process of proofing and shaping, hugging the luscious curry filling. Once these parcels hit the frying pan, they transform into golden-brown orbs of joy.

Kare pan's popularity in Japan is partly because of its accessibility—bakeries and convenience stores offer these savory treats for those on the move. Its portability, paired with its rich, aromatic flavors, makes it a favorite choice for a quick and satisfying snack in the midst of busy lives.

Beyond its snack status, kare pan has become a cultural symbol, embodying the innovative spirit of Japanese cuisine that fearlessly embraces diverse influences. It represents a delicious cross-cultural conversation between traditional Japanese flavors and Western-style bread, resulting in a uniquely Japanese gastronomic experience that continues to charm locals and visitors alike.

Overview

Prep time: 2hrs 10mins

Cook time: 30 mins

Total time: 2hrs 40mins

Total servings: 8

Difficulty: Difficult

Ingredients

300 g All Purpose Flour
1 Tbsp White Sugar
½ tsp Salt
5 g Instant Yeast
15 g Unsalted Butter
200 ml Warm Water
700 g Leftover Curry, cold
Panko (Japanese Style Bread Crumbs)
Neutral Oil, for frying

Expert's Tip

This S&B Foods Golden Japanese Curry Roux Sauce Medium is a lifesaver when it comes to making curry bread at home. This product makes cooking so easy. The curry comes out super tasty every single time and it is quick to prepare, consistent in flavor, and customizable with your favorite ingredients!

Instructions

1) Gathering the Ingredients Together

Gather the ingredients together.

Tips: If your curry is too watery, add 1 or 2 tbsp of flour, then mix well. Don't know how to make Japanese curry? Go ahead and follow our recipe.

1 / 4

2) Preparing the Curry Bread Dough

Place flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a medium bowl or a stand mixer. Add water and mix until the dough surface becomes smooth, either with a stand mixer or by hand. Once smooth, add butter and mix again.

1 / 3

3) Resting of the Dough

Transfer the dough to a bowl when it feels nice and smooth. Let it rise somewhere warm until it doubles in size, which will take about 30 minutes if in an environment set at around 100°F.

1 / 4

4) Shaping the Curry Bread Dough

Punch the dough to remove the air. Divide the now-doubled dough into 8 portions and shape them into balls. Cover with a damp cloth and let them rest for 10 minutes.

1 / 6

5) Filling the Bread with Curry

Use a rolling pin to gently spread the dough into a round shape. Place the curry in the center of the dough, then pull and fold the sides together, closing it with your fingers. Make sure to seal it tightly; otherwise, the curry might leak out while frying. Put the seam on the bottom. Repeat the process for the rest of the curry bread.

1 / 4

6) Coating the Curry Bread with Panko Bread Crumbs

Prepare water and Panko in separate trays and give your curry bread a good misting with water. Sprinkle Panko all over, ensuring an even spread. Repeat the process. Cover with a damp cloth and let the curry breads rest for 10 minutes.

1 / 3

7) Deep Frying the Curry Bread

Pour oil into a deep fry pot and heat it to 350°F.

Drop the curry bread into the oil and let them dance until they turn a lovely golden brown color (around 2 minutes on each side). Do not overcrowd the pan. Take them out and place them on a tray with a draining rack.

Tip: If you don’t have a thermometer, wet chopsticks and put them in the oil; if a lot of bubbles form around the surface, it’s a sign that the oil is hot enough.

1 / 2

8) Enjoying Curry Bread

Enjoy your curry pan while it's hot! It goes super well with Kewpie mayo for dipping too! Additionally, you can freeze the remaining curry pan and reheat them when you want a quick breakfast or snack.

About the author

Mana Sobral

Mana is a mother of two who is currently based in Toronto, Canada. While she has called Toronto her home for the past 7 years, she is originally from Wakayama. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and gained practical experience working as a dietician in Japan. She is absolutely obsessed with sharing her love for Japanese cuisine. She loves the seasonality of vegetables in Japan and the creativity of plating dishes. She loves writing Japanese recipes and sharing them with people around the world. She prefers to keep her writing style simple and fun, so that everyone, including people who are not particularly keen on reading, can enjoy her articles. In her free time, she loves baking desserts and Japanese breads. She also enjoys participating in Muay Thai classes.

View articles by Mana Sobral