Description
Curry Bread, also known as Kare Pan, is a classic Japanese fried bread stuffed with a savory and mildly spiced curry filling. This recipe features a soft, fluffy dough encasing a flavorful mixture of ground meat, curry powder, and aromatics, coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried to golden perfection. Perfect as a snack or main course, curry bread offers a deliciously satisfying combination of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¾ cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 large egg
For the Filling:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ small onion (finely chopped)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ½ pound ground beef or ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup water
For Coating and Frying:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- vegetable oil (for deep frying)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine warm milk and sugar. Stir in the yeast and let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. Add flour, salt, softened butter, and egg. Mix until a dough forms, then knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
- Make the Filling: While the dough rises, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and garlic until soft. Add the ground meat and cook until browned. Stir in curry powder, ketchup, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with flour and stir well, then add water and simmer until thickened. Let cool completely.
- Shape the Buns: Punch down the dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Flatten each piece into a circle, place 1–2 tablespoons of cooled curry filling in the center, then pinch and seal the edges to enclose. Shape into balls or ovals, seam side down.
- Coat the Buns: Lightly roll each bun in flour, dip in beaten egg, and coat with panko breadcrumbs.
- Fry the Buns: Heat oil in a deep pan to 340–350°F. Fry each bun for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.
Notes
- You can bake these at 375°F for 15–18 minutes if you prefer a lighter version.
- Filling can be made in advance and stored chilled.
- For vegetarian curry bread, replace the meat with mashed potatoes and peas or lentils.
