Japanese curry has become popular in the US because of its amazing flavors and delicious taste. Still, some people have no idea what to serve with Japanese curry, making planning dinner more challenging.
The dish can be made in a few different ways. It’s generally made by adding a roux (a mixture of flour and fat) to some kind of meat broth or vegetable soup.
Then adding various spices like cumin, turmeric, garlic powder, ginger root powder, and onion powder.
Japanese curry is a dish that originates from Japan. It can be served on its own, but there are other dishes that are served along with it.
Meanwhile – we’ve got you covered! Here is what to serve with Japanese curry!
What to Serve With Japanese Curry?
1. Rice
Regarding what to serve with Japanese curry, rice is the most apparent option, and you could even say that it’s required rather than optional!
It’s excellent for soaking up the flavorful, delectable curry sauce. You can keep it simple or go creative if you’d like.
A fantastic option is coconut rice, or you can like to incorporate some of your favorite chopped vegetables, such as peppers and spring onions.
While rice is the most common side dish for curry, it’s not always the best one. If you’re looking for something that will be a bit richer and give your curry more flavor, try some steamed vegetables or meat.
2. Fried Egg
This is the next on our list of what to serve with Japanese curry. In Japanese restaurants, a fried egg is frequently offered with curry, which is a straightforward but tasty option.
It only takes a few minutes to make the runny egg, which is ideal for dipping bite-sized pieces of breaded chicken or pork.
A fried egg is a tasty and nutritious option. Not only does it provide protein, but the yolk of the egg also helps make the curry rich and creamy.
It’s best served over rice. This can be made by boiling rice, steaming rice, or microwaving pre-made rice packets. The rice absorbs all the curry flavors and creates a wonderful texture that is chewy yet soft.
3. Udon Noodles
Japanese curries are typically served over a bed of rice, but some people prefer noodles. Udon noodles are among the most popular choices when deciding what to serve with Japanese curry.
This is because they’re thick and hearty—perfect for soaking up the curry sauce. You can use dried or fresh noodles, but cook them before adding them to the dish.
4. Japanese Pickles
Pickles are an essential part of a Japanese meal. This is because they can help balance the spice in many curries, such as those served at your local curry house.
The tartness from pickles can help soothe the tongue and break up any heat from the curry. Pickles can be served before or after a dish and typically contain vinegar, salt, and sugar for flavor.
These three ingredients create what is known as brine which is found in most pickle recipes.
5. Eggplant Dengaku
If you are wondering what to serve with Japanese curry, eggplant dengaku is a great option. Meanwhile, eggplants soak up the sauce from the marinade quickly, so it’s important to put them on the grill quickly after putting the marinade on them for even cooking.
Eggplants need about 10 minutes of grilling before they’re ready to serve. If you like your eggplants soft and tender (more on the gooey side), grill them for about 8-10 minutes.
Eggplant dengaku is made by slicing the purple vegetable, gently broiling it, and then coated with a sweet miso glaze to make eggplant dengaku.
As a side note, I should point out that eggplant is a fantastic base for a Japanese curry on its own. Slices of eggplant can be breaded, baked, or shallow fried and then drizzled with a thick katsu sauce instead of the more conventional chicken or pig.
Perfect if you’re looking for what to serve with Japanese curry to add more variety to your diet or are cooking for vegetarians.
6. Spinach Ohitashi
Spinach is a great way to make your curry more substantial. This simple dish requires only a handful of ingredients, usually spinach, cold water, and soy sauce.
You’ll also need dashi granules or another type of dried seaweed (optional). Combine all the ingredients in a pot and simmer for about five minutes until the leaves are wilted.
The result will be delicious leafy greens that have been infused with the umami flavor from the dashi granules.
7. Salad
Curry is a staple dish in Japan, and when you order curry for takeaway or sit down in a restaurant, it’s not uncommon for the waiter to ask if you would like something else as well.
The most common dish served alongside curry is rice. Rice dishes are typical accompaniments and can be eaten before, during, or after the meal.
8. Shredded Cabbage and Carrot with Miso Dressing
Curry is a staple dish in Japan and is eaten as a meal or side dish. It’s often served over rice, but you can serve it over any other grain or protein for a change of pace.
Regarding what to serve with Japanese curry, shredded cabbage and carrot with miso dressing is a great option.
9. Tempura Battered Vegetables
Looking for what to serve with Japanese curry? This is one for you. Japanese curry is delicious, but it’s also a bit heavy. To make the meal a little lighter, serve tempura battered vegetables alongside the curry.
This will add some crunch and color while still satisfying your appetite. Plus, most vegetables take very little time to cook, so they’re quick and easy!
10. Goma-ae Japanese Greens
Goma-ae is a dish that can be served cold or hot and is traditionally made with spinach, sesame seeds, and a sauce of soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar.
It’s common to eat this dish as an accompaniment to the main meal. The greens provide a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the curry.
Other dishes that are typically served alongside curry are rice, pickles, tsukemono (Japanese pickled vegetables), oden (a simmering hotpot consisting of fish cake or vegetables in broth), and karaage (deep-fried chicken).
Luckily, Goma-ae takes less than 15 minutes to prepare and makes for a simple side dish with plenty of flavors! This makes it one of the best options for what to serve with Japanese curry.
11. Crusty Bread
To serve with Japanese curry, you should find good crusty bread. The crusty bread will soak up the sauce from the curry and provide an excellent counterpoint.
The best bread for this is French baguettes, ciabatta, or sourdough. You can also use crackers like saltines or matzo.
Rice is served with most dishes in Japan, so it’s always a good idea to have some on hand. For an extra-special treat, try dipping fried eggplant in the curry sauce!
12. French Fries
This is the last on our list of what to serve with Japanese curry. Fries are the perfect side dish for a curry.
They’re easy, tasty, and go well with either a sweet or savory curry. Fries are great as they soak up the delicious spices and they help cool off spicy curries.
If you want something fancier than fries, try sweet potato fries! Sweet potatoes are easier to work with than regular potatoes and have a much better flavor. You can even try sweet potatoes that come in different colors, like purple or orange.
Conclusion
Japanese curries, or karē raisu as they’re known in Japanese, are an integral part of the country’s cuisine, even today.
While they were once reserved only for special occasions, you can find them served at neighborhood noodle bars and other local eateries across the country these days.
However, as popular as they are in Japan, it can be hard to know what types of dishes go best with this ubiquitous staple of the Japanese diet!
There are several dishes that go well with curries, such as naan bread, coconut rice, and even garlic naan.
If you’re looking for what to serve with Japanese curry, you can also try fried shrimp or chicken schnitzel.
And if you have any leftover rice from the previous night’s dinner, fry it up in a pan with some eggs and call it breakfast!
