There’s something absolutely magical about the crispy crunch of perfectly breaded katsu meeting a rich, spicy curry sauce. This beloved Japanese comfort food has captured hearts worldwide, and for good reason – it’s the ultimate marriage of textures and flavors that never fails to satisfy. Whether you’re craving the classic pork tonkatsu or looking to experiment with creative twists, these recipes will transform your kitchen into a katsu curry paradise. From mild and creamy to fiery and bold, each recipe brings its own personality to this iconic dish. Get ready to discover your new favorite way to bring authentic Japanese flavors home, with enough variety to keep your taste buds excited for weeks to come.
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25. Classic Chicken Katsu Curry
The most popular katsu curry recipe that uses Vermont Curry roux, which contains apple and honey to reduce spiciness. This is the gold standard that started it all – tender chicken cutlet with a golden, crunchy exterior swimming in rich Japanese curry sauce. I’ve made this recipe countless times and it never fails to deliver that perfect balance of crispy texture and comforting curry warmth.
24. Wagamama-Style Chicken Katsu Curry
This recipe recreates the famous Wagamama katsu curry with its rich & creamy sauce with zingy hits from the ginger. The curry sauce is so unique compared to other recipes, and when paired with diagonally sliced, crispy breaded chicken, there’s nothing like it. This homemade version gives you more sauce per serving and uses a healthier baking method for the chicken.
23. Crispy Chicken Katsu Curry Rice
This recipe is described as “a symphony of texture—crispy panko chicken cutlet, creamy curry sauce, and of course, rice!” The focus on textural contrast makes this version particularly satisfying. The detailed technique ensures your panko coating achieves maximum crispiness while keeping the chicken incredibly juicy inside.
22. Chicken Katsu Curry Burger
Here’s a genius fusion that combines two comfort food classics into one incredible burger experience. This recipe features “crispy chicken and the sauce is a Japanese curry sauce that drenches it” all combined “with a seeded brioche bun and a zingy rainbow coleslaw.” I love how this transforms traditional katsu curry into handheld perfection – it’s messy in the best possible way and gives you all those familiar flavors in an completely new format that’s perfect for casual dining.
21. Rick Stein’s Chicken Katsu Curry
Master chef Rick Stein’s recipe offers both chicken and aubergine options for a vegetarian alternative. The celebrity chef’s approach brings professional techniques to home cooking, ensuring restaurant-quality results. His attention to detail in the curry base creates incredible depth of flavor that elevates the entire dish.
20. Doobydobap’s Authentic Katsu Curry
The key technique here focuses on ensuring “onions have caramelized fully to a dark jammy paste” which “brings on so much depth and rounded sweetness.” This Korean-influenced take on Japanese katsu curry emphasizes building flavors through proper caramelization techniques. I love the storytelling approach that makes cooking feel more personal and connected to tradition.
19. CJ Eats’ Comforting Chicken Katsu Curry
They call this “the ultimate comfort dish – the crispy, juicy fried Chicken Katsu with the savory Japanese curry,” which perfectly captures its appeal. The focus on comfort food aspects makes it ideal for cozy nights at home when you need something truly satisfying. Plus, the helpful video guidance makes the technique accessible for beginners who might feel intimidated.
18. Bright Moment’s Japanese Katsu Curry
What sets this recipe apart is the suggestion to garnish “with thinly sliced radishes and scallions” for essential freshness that cuts through rich curry. The attention to presentation details elevates the home dining experience beyond ordinary weeknight meals. I appreciate how they incorporate traditional Japanese garnishes that add both visual appeal and flavor contrast.
17. Marion’s Kitchen Japanese Chicken Katsu Curry
This version features “a lightly spiced, sweet curry sauce” with options to “tweak things by adding chilli flakes at the end” for heat lovers. The customizable spice level makes it perfect for families with different heat preferences and dietary needs. Their detailed curry-making process ensures perfect texture and flavor development every single time.
16. Kwokspots Creamy Katsu Curry
Here’s a recipe that creates “a creamy Japanese curry accompanied with a crispy panko crusted chicken cutlet” served over jasmine rice. The choice of jasmine rice adds a subtle floral note that complements the curry beautifully without overwhelming. I find the creamy texture focus makes every bite particularly indulgent and satisfying for curry lovers.
15. Just One Cookbook’s Ultimate Katsu Curry
This comprehensive guide offers multiple curry and katsu options, with the brilliant tip of making “the curry one day before you serve” because “the flavor is better the next day.” The make-ahead advice proves invaluable for meal planning and actually improves the final result significantly. It’s become my go-to when I want to prepare something special with minimal day-of stress.
14. Keeping It Relle’s Tonkatsu Curry
Their pork version promises “breaded pork cutlet fried to crispy perfection alongside rich & flavorful curry” that brings us back to traditional roots. The focus on pork tonkatsu returns us to the original katsu curry experience with deeper, more robust flavors. Rich pork paired with aromatic curry creates a heartier meal that’s perfect for special occasions.
13. Tiffy Cooks’ Extra Crispy Pork Katsu Curry
If you love texture, this recipe promising “extra crispy, extra delicious” pork katsu curry that’s “easy to make” will be your new obsession. The emphasis on achieving maximum crispiness delivers that perfect golden crust everyone craves. Their detailed frying techniques ensure restaurant-quality results that stay crispy even when surrounded by curry sauce.
12. Japanese Taste’s Traditional Tonkatsu Curry
Authentic recipe explains that “katsu curry typically means pork cutlet curry” in Japan and describes variations like “chicken katsu, tofu katsu, menchi katsu (minced meat), and even beef katsu.” Learning about the traditional hierarchy of katsu types helps appreciate the cultural significance of each variation. Educational approach makes cooking feel like a cultural exploration rather than just following instructions.
11. FeedMi’s Easy Japanese Katsu Curry
Highlighting “the textural contrast of crispy fried katsu with thick velvety curry” while being “full of warm spices that make it so comforting.” Focus on comfort food aspects makes it perfect for cold weather cooking when you need something warming. Approachable technique ensures success even for novice cooks who might feel intimidated by Japanese cuisine.
10. YUCa’s Authentic Japanese Katsu Curry
Tokyo-based cooking class recipe brings authentic Japanese home cooking techniques directly to your kitchen. Traditional approach ensures you’re learning genuine methods passed down through generations of Japanese home cooks. Having a recipe from an actual Tokyo cooking instructor feels like getting insider knowledge of real Japanese home cooking traditions.
9. Cheese Katsu Curry with Melty Center
Japanese katsu curry gets a genius upgrade with chicken parm inspiration, featuring cheese-stuffed cutlets that ooze melted goodness when cut. The combination of crispy exterior, tender chicken, and molten cheese center transforms ordinary katsu into something extraordinary. I discovered this recipe when craving both comfort foods at once, and now it’s my secret weapon for impressing dinner guests who think they’ve tried everything.
8. Amiable Foods’ Hearty Pork Katsu Curry
This recipe explains that Japanese curry “is not overly spicy but sweet and savory” and “rich and thick,” recommending making “your own roux from scratch” for best results. Understanding the flavor profile helps set proper expectations and achieve authentic results. I always follow their roux-making advice because homemade truly makes a noticeable difference.
7. Marie Food Tips’ Japanese Pork Katsu Curry
This recipe describes katsu curry as “a Japanese vegetable curry with a creamy sauce and a breaded meat cutlet.” The emphasis on vegetables in the curry base creates a more balanced, nutritious meal. The creamy sauce technique ensures restaurant-quality results at home.
6. Cooking With Ayeh’s Crispy Tofu Katsu Curry
This vegan version pairs “rich curry sauce” with “crispy katsu tofu” and is described as “hearty, cosy and great in colder months.” The plant-based approach proves that katsu curry can be just as satisfying without meat. The comfort food focus makes this perfect for anyone seeking cozy, warming meals.
5. Lazy Cat Kitchen’s Vegan Tofu Katsu Curry
This plant-based version features “panko encrusted firm tofu served with an aromatic curry sauce, plain rice, pickles and a simple salad.” The complete meal approach with pickles and salad creates a well-rounded dining experience. I love how the accompaniments add fresh elements that balance the rich curry.
4. Okonomi Kitchen’s Ultimate Tofu Katsu Curry
This comprehensive vegan recipe offers “options for frying, air frying & baked” techniques, calling it “the ultimate comfort meal.” The multiple cooking method options make this accessible regardless of your kitchen setup or health preferences. Having tried all three methods, I can confirm each delivers its own unique texture benefits.
3. WoonHeng’s Fork-Tender Tofu Katsu Curry
This recipe creates tofu katsu curry that’s “so delicious and packed with fork-tender vegetables.” The emphasis on vegetable texture shows how plant-based katsu curry can be just as satisfying as meat versions. The fork-tender description suggests perfect cooking techniques that avoid mushy vegetables.
2. Food to Glow’s Baked Tofu Katsu Curry
This healthier version uses “baked-not-fried panko-crusted tofu” and includes “silky side of miso aubergine slivers and yuzu-splashed spinach.” The sophisticated accompaniments elevate this to restaurant-level presentation. The baking method reduces oil while maintaining that crucial crispy texture we all crave.
1. Vegan Huggs’ Golden Tofu Katsu Curry
This recipe focuses on achieving “golden crispy tofu surrounded with fragrant and delicious Japanese-style curry sauce.” The golden color emphasis shows attention to visual appeal that makes home cooking feel more professional. The fragrant curry description suggests careful spice balancing that creates complex, layered flavors.
