Description
Crispy, golden, and loaded with flavor—Japanese Curry Buns (Kare Pan) are the ultimate savory snack. These delicious pockets are filled with a thick, rich Japanese curry made from tender meat and vegetables, then wrapped in soft dough and either baked or fried to perfection. Whether you’re looking for an easy dinner recipe, a quick lunch idea, or a creative food idea for gatherings, this curry-filled bread will never disappoint. Perfect for meal prep or indulgent snacking, and easy to customize for any diet.
Ingredients
2 ½ cups bread flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
¾ cup warm milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon milk
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
½ medium onion, finely diced
1 small carrot, diced
1 small potato, diced
100 grams ground beef or meat of choice
1 cup water
1 cube Japanese curry roux
1 teaspoon soy sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté onions until soft. Add carrots and potatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
2. Add ground meat and cook until browned. Pour in water and simmer until vegetables are tender.
3. Stir in curry roux until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and optional soy sauce. Let it cool completely.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit until foamy.
5. Add egg, flour, and salt. Mix and knead for 10 minutes, gradually adding butter until smooth.
6. Cover and let dough rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
7. Punch down the dough and divide into 10–12 equal parts. Flatten each piece into a disc.
8. Add 1–2 tablespoons of cooled filling to each disc. Pinch edges to seal tightly.
9. Let the filled buns rest for 20–30 minutes to proof.
10. To fry: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry buns until golden, about 3–4 minutes per side.
11. To bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), brush with egg wash, and bake for 15–18 minutes.
12. Let cool slightly and enjoy warm.
Notes
Let the curry filling cool completely before stuffing to avoid soggy dough.
For the best results, use bread flour for fluffier buns.
Always seal the dough tightly to prevent curry from leaking during cooking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snack / Bread
- Method: Frying or Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Japanese curry bun, kare pan, quick lunch, easy dinner, stuffed bread