Cozy Curry Night
Estimated Grocery Cost: $45–$55, approx. $5.50~$6.80 per serving.
In Japan, curry is one of the ultimate comfort foods — a childhood favorite for many kids and a nostalgic, cozy meal for adults.
Growing up, winter evenings often meant coming home from school and smelling a pot of curry simmering in the kitchen. That aroma alone told me it was going to be a warm, happy night.
Cozy Curry Night brings that same simple comfort into your home.
What's in the curry dish?
Japanese Brown Curry Sauce (Choose your spice level)
Mild - あまくち（Amakuchi）
Medium Hot - 中辛（Chuukara）
Hot - 辛口（Karakuchi）
If you never had it before, I suggest trying Mild or Medium Hot. I know a few tricks to adjust the spiciness so don't worry too much.
Choice of protein
Potatoes
Carrots
Onions
They are the classic combination. I can recommend other vegetables based on the choice of your protein.
Base ingredient (Vegetables)
Chicken thigh or breast (classic)
Pork (tonkatsu topping or simmered pork)
Beef (stew cut)
We do love tofu in Japan — but almost no one puts it in curry.
If you insist, I can absolutely make “Tofu Curry” for you… just know that your Japanese friends and colleagues may gently wonder what inspired such a bold life choice.
Steamed Rice
4 cups dry rice (≈ 8 cups cooked)
Enough for dinner + leftovers
I supply rice on per cup basis so you don't have to buy a big bag of rice only to use just a portion of it
A typical bowl of steamed rice is about ½ cup (cooked) however, everyone tends to eat more rice with curry. So 1 cup per person is how I calculate the amount needed.
The 'Katsu' Craze
Katsu choices
Pork
Chicken
Beef
Shrimp (We call it Ebi fry)
Thanks to some famous Japanese and Asian restaurants, 'Katsu (cutlet)' has become the go-to topping for Japanese curry rice. So, I will gladly turn the protein into shallow pan-fried katsu for you. If you are practicing gluten reduced diet, I can replace panko bread crumbs with a different approach to accommodate your needs.
Recommended Sides
Cabbage Slaw
Napa or regular cabbage
Carrots and cucumbers
Raw onion and pressed garlic (optional)
Can be made with or without mayonnaise
A typical side dish accompanying a steamy bowl of curry and rice. If you are choosing hot curry sauce, you may want mayonnaise in your slaw to counter the spiciness.
Fukujinzuke (Japanese pickles)
Cucumber (Classic choice)
Napa Cabbage and Carrot (Also popular)
Adding wakame or konbu seaweed
Roasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top
They are the all classic combinations. If you've never had it, flavoring is mild and slightly sweet. I recommend the combination of cucumber and wakame seaweed.
Sunomono (rice vinegar marinated salad)
Store-bought, made of daikon radishes.
If you've ever visited a Japanese curry house, you'd find a jar full of this topping to add to your serving of Japanese brown curry.
Dietary Considerations
Japanese curry roux contains wheat flour (gluten).
I use sesame oil in some salad dishes (easily substituted)
Drink Considerations (BYOB)
Beer
Red wine
Tea and Coffee