Vegan Japanese Curry Rice | Gluten-Free & Healthy
A simple, nostalgic Showa-style vegan Japanese curry made without roux. Gluten-free, lower in fat, and naturally umami-rich with onion koji. Perfect for a comforting home-cooked meal.
Equipment
- pot
- Spatula
- cutting board
- kitchen knife
- ladle
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 200 g onion sliced
- 140 g carrot roughly chopped
- 300 g potato roughly chopped
- 140 g thick fried tofu tear into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon grated garlic
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
Oil for Saute
- 2 tablespoon oil
Spices
- 1 teaspoon cumin seed 2tsp for powdered cumin
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- cayenne pepper optional
Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon onion koji
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon natural salt
Water
- 700 ml water
Thickening
- 2 tablespoon rice flour
- 4 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Heat oil in a frying pan and sauté cumin seeds until fragrant. (If using powdered cumin, add later with other spices.)1 tsp cumin seed, 2 tbsp oil
- Add onions and sauté until soft.200 g onion
- Add carrots, potatoes, tofu, garlic, and ginger; sauté lightly.140 g carrot, 300 g potato, 140 g thick fried tofu, 1 tbsp grated garlic, 1 tbsp grated ginger
- Stir in coriander, turmeric, and optional cayenne for 30 seconds; avoid burning.1 tbsp coriander powder, 1 tsp turmeric powder, cayenne pepper
- Pour in water, onion koji, sugar, soy sauce, and salt. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes until vegetables are tender.1 tbsp onion koji, 1 tbsp sugar, 2 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp natural salt, 700 ml water
- Turn off heat, let flavors infuse 30 minutes.
- Stir in rice flour dissolved in water; cook on low for 3–5 minutes, stirring continuously.2 tbsp rice flour, 4 tbsp water
- Serve over rice. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
Notes
- Curry tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.
- For extra thickness, dissolve 1 tablespoon rice flour in 2 tablespoon water and add gradually.
- To add umami: mushrooms or extra potatoes.
- Any seasonal vegetables or beans can be used.
- Non-vegan option: swap tofu with meat if desired.