If you’re craving a comforting, flavorful dish, my Japanese Hamburger Curry is the perfect recipe for you! This classic Japanese dish features tender hamburger patties served with a rich, savory curry and fluffy rice, all made right in your own kitchen! It’s super easy to make and versatile, perfect for meal prepping and enjoying throughout the week—trust me, it’s even better than what you’d get at a restaurant!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
What I love about my Japanese Hamburger Curry is how it’s the perfect one-plate meal that brings together a juicy ‘hambagu’ patty and a flavorful Japanese-Style Curry, all served with rice! The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility—make a big batch of curry and store it in the freezer for later use in other dishes like Beef Curry or Chicken Curry, and if you have any leftover hamburger patties, turn them into a delicious Japanese Hamburger Steak or serve them with my Wafu Dressing to create my Wafu Hamburger for a new twist!
The curry has a comforting sweetness, and the savory hamburger patty adds a juicy, hearty bite, making this dish feel like the ultimate comfort food. If you’re someone who loves authentic Japanese flavors but wants a meal that can be made ahead and enjoyed all week long, this recipe is for you! It’s time to make this dish now and experience a taste of Japan right at home!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Curry Mix – block of Curry Mix. My recommendation is House Foods Java Curry, but you can use the brand and flavor you prefer.
- Neutral Oil – no taste or flavor with high cooking temperature. Some choices are sunflower oil, peanut oil, sallower oil, vegetable oil, and canola oil.
- Onion – yellow or brown onion, chopped and diced.
- Carrot – fresh carrots, chopped and peeled.
- Rice – I recommend serving the curry with steamed fresh white rice, however, you can also use your rice of choice if you prefer.
- Ground Pork – fat 20% preferred. Japanese patties use a 50/50 blend of ground beef and pork to keep the patties juicy.
- Ground Beef – fat 20% preferred. Japanese patties use a 50/50 blend of ground beef and pork to keep the patties juicy.
- Butter – salted or unsalted.
- Garlic– freshly grated garlic.
- Panko – panko bread crumbs.
- Salt – sea salt preferred.
- Black Pepper – ground.
- Egg – beaten.
- Half and Half – a blend of half heavy cream and half milk, can sub with dairy milk.
- Nutmeg – ground spice.
🔑 Curry Secret Ingredients
Enhance the flavor of your Japanese Curry by adding a secret ingredient such as 1 tbsp of Maple Syrup or Honey for sweetness, 1/4 Cup Grated Apple for a unique twist, 1/4 tsp of Chili Oil for a kick, 1 tbsp of Butter for richness. If you elect to use a secret ingredient, only add in 1 to avoid over sweetening the curry.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
- Dutch Oven or Large Pot
Directions
☑ Before Getting Started
Use a Large Pot to make the curry to ensure there’s enough surface area for the curry to thicken properly and for the vegetables to cook evenly.
Step 1 Heat cooking oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over high heat. Once heated, add 1/4 cup of chopped onions and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
Step 2 Add 1 1/2 cups of water to the pot and bring it to a soft boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to medium-low and add chopped carrots, curry roux and any secret ingredients you like. Let it cook for 10-15 minutes, partially covered, stirring occasionally until the curry thickens.
Step 3 Next, dice 1 tbsp of onions. In a skillet, melt 1/2 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until browned. Set aside.
Step 4 In a mixing bowl, combine ground pork, ground beef, grated garlic, panko, salt, black pepper, 1 egg, half & half, nutmeg, and browned onions. Mix everything together with your hands until well combined.
Step 5 Take half of the meat mixture and gently shape it into a ball by tossing it between your hands. Then, press it down into a patty about 1 inch thick. Make a small indent in the center of each patty with your thumb to help it keep its shape while cooking. Repeat until all the mixture is used up and set the patties aside.
Step 6 Spray a large skillet with cooking oil and heat it over medium heat. Carefully place the patties, indent side up, in the skillet. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned, then flip and cook the other side until browned.
Step 7 Serve the cooked curry on a plate with rice, and top with a hamburger patty.
🌿 Garnishing Pro Tip
Garnish your dish with Fukujinzuke for enhanced flavor or Parsley for improved presentation.
Recipe Variations
A simple variation of this dish is to swap the ‘hambagu’ for a crispy Tonkatsu, turning it into a classic Katsu Curry. Or you could replace it with a Chicken Katsu for a lighter, yet equally satisfying, Chicken Katsu Curry! For a vegetarian option, my Vegetable Curry, Mushroom Curry, or Tofu Curry are all great choices, offering delicious, plant-based alternatives that still pack a punch of flavor!
Pairing Recommendations
I recommend serving this curry with classic sides like a fresh green salad tossed in my Japanese Ginger Salad Dressing. The tangy dressing balances the richness of the curry, while a bowl of Cream Corn Soup adds a smooth, comforting contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the curry ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the curry in advance and store it in the fridge for 3-5 days or freeze it for longer storage.
Can I use ground chicken or turkey instead of pork and beef for the patties?
Yes, ground chicken or turkey can be used as a substitute for the pork and beef mixture but it will alter the taste of the patty.
Can I use a different type of curry roux?
Yes, you can experiment with different brands of Japanese curry roux such as S&B. I prefers House Foods, but it is a personal preference.
Can I freeze the hamburger patties?
Yes, you can freeze the uncooked patties. Just shape them, wrap individually, and store them in a ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. For longer storage of the curry, transfer it to ziplock bags and freeze for 3-4 months. To defrost, place the curry in hot water to return it to liquid form, then microwave for 45-60 seconds.
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Watch How To Make It
Japanese Hamburger Curry
Ingredients
Curry
- 1/2 tbsp Cooking Oil neutral, no flavor
- 1/4 Cup Onion chopped
- 1 1/2 Cups Water
- 1/2 Cup Carrot chopped
- 2 Blocks Curry Roux
- 2 Cups Rice
Hamburger Patties
- 1/4 lbs Ground Pork
- 1/4 lbs Ground Beef
- 1/4 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Onions diced
- 1 Clove Garlic grated
- 1/2 tbsp Panko
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 Egg
- 1 tbsp Half n Half can also use milk
- 1/8 tsp Nutmeg
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Heat cooking oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add 1/4 cup of chopped onions and cook for 1-2 minutes until they turn golden brown.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of water to the pot and bring it to a soft boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low. Add in chopped carrots, curry roux and any secret ingredients you want to add. Let the curry simmer for 10-15 minutes, partially covered, stirring occasionally until it thickens.
- While the curry is simmering, melt 1/2 tbsp of butter over medium heat in a skillet. Add 1 tbsp of diced onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until they are browned. Set the onions aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, ground beef, grated garlic, panko, salt, black pepper, 1 egg, half & half, nutmeg, and the browned onions. Mix well with your hands until everything is fully combined.
- Take half of the mixture and shape it into a ball by gently tossing it between your hands. Then press it into a 1-inch thick patty. Use your thumb to make a small indent in the center of each patty, which helps it keep its shape during cooking. Repeat with the rest of the mixture and set the patties aside.
- Spray a large skillet with cooking oil and heat it over medium heat. Carefully add the patties, indent side up, to the skillet. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned, then flip and cook the other side until browned.
- To serve, spoon the curry onto a plate with rice and place a hamburger patty on top.
