Go Back
–+ servings

Kare Pan Recipe (Japanese Curry Bread)

Kare Pan is also known as Japanese curry bread, which is a popular Japanese street food that’s loved for its crispy golden crust and flavorful curry filling. This deep-fried bread is stuffed with a thick and mildly spiced chicken curry made using minced chicken, potatoes, carrots, and Japanese curry blocks. For Vegetarians, check my veg curry bread. The outer layer of Kare Pan is made from soft, fluffy bread dough that is coated in crunchy panko breadcrumbs and fried until perfectly crisp. This recipe is special because of the crispy coating and the rich, savory curry inside. It is a great snack or lunchbox treat. This unique stuffed bread recipe is a must-try one. 
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours
Course Appetizer, Snacks
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 12 buns
Calories 376 kcal

Equipment

  • Cooking pot
  • Deep Frying pot & Slotted Spoon

Ingredients
  

Curry Filling

  • 2 tablespoon Toasted Sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic peeled and chopped finely
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger peeled and chopped finely
  • 1 medium medium Onion peeled and chopped finely
  • 1 large Potato peeled and chopped finely
  • 1 large Carrot peeled and chopped finely
  • 250 grams Minced Chicken
  • 2 cups Chicken Stock
  • 2 to 3 cubes Japanese Curry Block

For Kare Pan Dough

  • 3 cups Plain Flour All Purpose Flour
  • 4 tablespoon Sugar
  • 1 cup Warm Milk
  • 2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 tablespoon Dry Yeast
  • 3 tablespoon Butter

For Coating

  • 1 large Egg
  • ¼ cup Water
  • 2 cups Panko Breadcrumbs

Instructions
 

  • First start by making curry sauce. Heat oil in a pot. Add in ginger, garlic and saute until fragrant. Now add in onions and cook for a couple of mins. Add in carrots, pitatoes and saute for couple of minutes. Now add in minced chicken and saute for 2 minutes. Pour in chicken stock and bring it to a full boil. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Now add in curry block and mix well. Cook on medium heat until all the curry block melts and the curry thickens. Once the curry thickens. take it off the heat and place the curry in fridge until it thickens more. I usually keep them overnight.
  • Now make dough. Take warm milk, sugar and yeast in a bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes until yeast activates. Now add in plain flour, salt and mix well to a dough. Add in butter and knead for 2 to 3 minutes until soft. Cover and set aside for 1 hour until it doubles in volume.
  • Once the dough has doubled in volume, remove it from the bowl and divide into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball. Take one ball, flatten it. Place some curry sauce in the centre. Cover the sides and seal well. Repeat this with all dough.
  • Now take egg and water in a bowl and mix well. In another bowl take breadcrumbs. Dip the bun in egg mix and roll in breadcrumbs. Heat oil for deep frying, fry the kare pan on medium heat until golden brown on both sides. It will take around 5 minutes on low heat. Remove gently using a slotted spoon. Enjoy.

Video

Notes

  • Once filled and shaped the buns, give 10–15 minutes to rest before frying the buns. It helps the dough relax and gives a fluffier texture.
  • Always maintain medium heat. Too hot oil makes the outside brown and leaves the inside doughy. Too low and they soak up oil.
  • Use wide pan. Which makes the buns don’t touch each other while frying and get an even golden color.
  • Place the fried buns on a wire rack or paper towel so the crust stays crisp and doesn’t go soggy.
  • Even a short chilling time makes stuffing easier and keeps the curry from breaking the dough.

How to Bake or Air Fry Curry Bread

Bake: Pre-heat oven to 180 C (350 F). Place the curry bread on a lined baking tray and spray with oil on all sides. Bake each side for 15 minutes (total 30 minutes) or until they’re golden brown.
Air Fry: Pre-heat air fryer to 180 C (350 F). Place the curry bread in the air fryer basket and spray all sides with oil. Air fry for 6 minutes. Flip and air fry for another 6 minutes (total 12 minutes).

Nutrition

Serving: 1bunCalories: 376kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 11gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 608mgPotassium: 392mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1174IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 2mg
Keyword curry bread
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!