Fragrant, golden, and mildly sweet, Japanese curry powder adds cozy warmth to any dish. In this post, you’ll learn what it is, my favorite brand, how it differs from other curry powders, easy ways to use it beyond Japanese Chicken Curry, and how to make it in a pinch. Once you try it, you’ll want to sprinkle it on everything!
What is Japanese Curry Powder?
As the name suggests, Japanese curry powder is a commercial spice blend made for cooking Japanese-style curry.
Curry first came to Japan during the Meiji era (1868–1912) via the British navy, who introduced the curry powder spice mix.
The most famous brand is S&B Foods’ Aka Kan (赤缶, literally “Red Tin”), first sold in 1923. Today, it holds more than 80% of the market share in Japan. This iconic blend contains over 30 kinds of roasted, powdered, blended, and aged spices. Its main ingredients include turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, pepper, chili, and orange peel. Unlike commercial curry roux, it does not contain wheat flour.
Since its debut, the Red Tin has become a staple in both home and restaurant kitchens, shaping the familiar flavor of Japanese curry we know and love today.
How To Use Japanese Curry Powder
Japanese curry powder is a versatile seasoning you can enjoy in many dishes—not just curry! It adds a warm, savory kick and pairs well with various ingredients. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:
- Mix with Japanese mayonnaise for a quick curry spread or dip
- Sprinkle over vegetables or meat before grilling or roasting
- Add to salad dressings for extra flavor
- Stir into soups, stews, stir-fries, marinades, or fried rice
- Mix into flour for breading cutlets or into mashed potatoes for croquettes
- Sauté with onions, meat, or vegetables before adding liquid when making Japanese curry from scratch
- Make Homemade Japanese Curry Roux—additive-free!
Where To Buy
My favorite brand, S&B Curry Powder, can be found on Amazon or at most Japanese and Asian grocery stores. You can also always make it from scratch!
Jump to RecipeHow To Store
Treat it like dried spices and store it in a cool, dark place away from moisture and humidity.
Homemade Japanese Curry Powder
Ingredients
For the Color
- 1 Tbsp turmeric (Required; gives the signature bright yellow color to the curry)
- 1 tsp paprika (for earthy flavor and a touch of red)
For the Fragrance
- ½ tsp allspice (adds a warming fragrance)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 Tbsp coriander (Required; lends a sweet, nutty, floral citrus aroma)
- 1 Tbsp cumin (Required; the main fragrance that reminds you of curry)
- 1 tsp cloves (Required)
- ½ tsp fennel
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cardamom (Required)
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder (Required)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp fenugreek seeds (Required)
- orange peel (optional; S&B Curry Powder includes this)
For the Spice
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp ginger powder
- ½ tsp red chili pepper (optional; spicy, dried, fine powder)
- ⅛ red pepper (optional; spicy, roasted, coarse)
- ⅛ white pepper powder (optional)
Instructions
- Before we start: This recipe with just the required spices will yield roughly 6 Tbsp of curry powder. This curry powder is unsalted—taste your dish and add salt as needed while cooking. When using whole spices, see endnotes.
To Make the Japanese Curry Powder
- Combine the required ingredients in the glass jar and shake everything well. Seal the jar and store it in a cool, dark place or freezer for two months.
Notes
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