Japanese Curry from scratch in 3 minuets! #Topchef

Learn how to make Japanese curry from scratch with Shota Nakajima
This is a chicken version from the finale menu from top chef season 18 finale menu

Japanese Curry from Scratch Using Spices
Ingredients
For the Spice Blend:

2 tbsp turmeric (heavy base flavor)
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp sansho pepper
A tiny pinch of cinnamon
For the Curry Base:

1 lb chicken thighs (or protein of choice), cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola oil)
1 large onion, finely minced
2 medium carrots, grated
2 garlic cloves, grated
1 inch of ginger, grated
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 small apple, grated and allowed to oxidize (let it sit for 5-10 minutes after grating)
1/2 small banana, mashed and allowed to oxidize (let it sit for 5-10 minutes)
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (or water)
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Salt to taste
For Serving:

Steamed Japanese rice
Pickled ginger or Fukujinzuke (optional garnish)

Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Chicken

Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Brown the Vegetables

In the same pot, heat the remaining 1 tbsp of oil. Add the minced onion, grated carrots, garlic, ginger, baking soda, and salt. Stir to coat, then cover with a lid.
Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture softens and browns quickly due to the baking soda.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes until it deepens in color.
Sprinkle in the flour and the prepared spice blend. Stir well to coat the vegetable mixture evenly, cooking for 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.

Step 4: Add the Fruits

Stir in the oxidized grated apple and mashed banana. Cook for 1-2 minutes until well incorporated.

Step 5: Add Broth and Simmer

Gradually add the chicken or vegetable broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and stretch out the roux.
Return the browned chicken to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is tender and the flavors meld.

Step 6: Season and Adjust

Add more soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce (adjust to taste), and season with additional salt if needed.
Simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes to thicken the curry slightly and concentrate the flavors.

Step 7: Serve

Ladle the curry over bowls of steamed Japanese rice.
Garnish with pickled ginger or fukujinzuke for added brightness, if desired.#topchefbrasil
#Curry

[sumayyah_on_air]

The ONLY recipe where u don't use cubes and stuff, SUPER EASY, probably THE best recipe out there. It's always the ones with less recognition having the BEST recipe, thank u sooo much

[cammycalves]

Since I discovered I suffer from gluten sensitivity 3 years ago, I never had curry rice again. Today I made this recipe. I used tapioca starch as the thickening agent instead of flour and I also added a bit of honey for flavor. It was so delicious. Better than store bought. Thank you so much for this recipe, now I’m able to eat curry rice again ☺️

[kimberlific]

Thank I saw a video of how to make Japanese curry rice years ago. I gave in at some point and bought Golden Curry cubes but never used them. I've been wanting to try to make this from scratch for years but never pushed forward with looking for a recipe until now. Hope to make this very soon. Thank you again so much for the recipe!!!

[CrayolaCoffeeBean]

THANK YOU. For some reason it’s so hard finding a “from scratch” video that doesn’t include those little cubes

[savannafc]

I made this tonight for my family and it was really good. Used grated pear instead of apple, and omitted the cardamom (didn’t have any on hand) and it was still amazing. Used a bit of dark soy to deepen the colour. Wish I had some scallions or chives to garnish with. So good. Thanks for the recipe!

[gbjr]

Watching Top Chef, this was the dish I was most excited about. SO GLAD YOU SHARED IT!

[lithangw]

I see you figured out how to cook and plate rice! LOL! Seriously, Top Chef production gave everyone access to stoves, fryers, blenders, ovens, even pizza ovens, but no, they didn’t let you use a rice cooker to cook rice. You should have been the winner! You are my winner!

[mattbuckley]

Thank you so much!!

I've been looking for a roux-block-free curry recipe and it's been so hard to find. Your video was helpful and easy to follow, the curry turned out perfect :)

[hiannaj]

You are too much a gentleman and chef to say but you should have won Top Chef!

[KatNel-nvuf]

I was so excited to see this on Top Chef because this is my families favorite dish!

[timothysmith]

There are a few comments asking about the curry spice blend measurements. I will share what I tried.
I toasted these in a skillet let them cool and then ground them up in a mortar and pestle
7g whole coriander seed
6g whole cumin seed
6g whole cardamom seed (shelled)
6g Szechuan Peppercorn
4g allspice (if you can't find allspice, try mixing cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg)

I then added Ground Turmeric to that spice mix.
16g turmeric

I used about 3 tablespoons of that mixture in the curry to about 2 liters of stock.

[emmanutrition]

I made this today and it was delicious. Used skinless chicken thighs and eyeballed all the measurements and it turned out great with sweet and umami flavours. Thanks!

[tralfaz]

I just watched the finale and thought "I wonder if Shota has that curry recipe available somewhere" and here it is. All your food looks so delicious. Thank you

[onigireee]

I was _so_ nervous about the banana and sheer quantity of tumeric but oh my goodness, everything came together and broke down so beautifully!
Love this recipe, thanks so much! :D

[karenguerrero]

The ingredients in this appeal to me so much! This looks so delicious! This is the first one that I feel I could actually make! Love the Japanese culture history lessons you are giving us. Please keep doing lots of these entertaining videos!

[owen]

Finished top chef a few days ago, googled you and heard about your YouTube channel! Subscribed. You’re the man. This looks delicious

[dallasjamison]

Made this today and it turned out amazing even tho I was missing a few ingredients. The ultimate comfort food! Thanks, Chef Shota!

[DeerPrince]

Love how this video is edited! very smooth.

[azaletel]

Made this tonight. So good. Great balance of flavors: I had no idea that the sweetness came from apple and banana. I eyeballed the spice mix, which turned out great, and having had Japanese curry before I know it tasted the way it should, but maybe give a rough ratio of spices for those that might not have the experience? Thank you for the recipe, this is going into the family catalogue.

[karmahavok]

My man. Japanese curry is a favorite of mine. There was an Italian (yes, Italian) restaurant in the little rural Japanese city I lived in that served a "3 day" Japanese curry that I adored. I've never found a recipe I like, so I'm going to try yours.