Curry Bun (Kare-Pan)
A curry bun (often called kare-pan in Japan) is a delicious Japanese bakery item — basically a soft bread roll filled with savory Japanese curry and then coated in breadcrumbs before being deep-fried (crispy style) or sometimes baked.Here’s what makes it special:The filling: Usually a rich, slightly sweet Japanese curry with onions, carrots, potatoes, and sometimes minced meat or beef.The bread: Soft, fluffy dough made from wheat flour — not unlike doughnuts or milk bread.The coating: Rolled in panko breadcrumbs to give it that crisp outer layer when fried.Bite into one, and you get a mix of crunchy outside + warm, spicy-sweet curry inside. They’re super popular at Japanese bakeries, convenience stores, and festivals — a perfect comfort snack.
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Ingredients
For the Curry Filling
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- ½ small onion finely chopped
- ½ small carrot finely diced
- ½ small potato finely diced
- 100 g minced beef or chicken (about 3.5 oz)
- 1 tsp curry powder
- ½ block Japanese curry roux (or about 2 tbsp curry paste)
- ½ cup water
- 1 tsp soy sauce (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Dough
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour or bread flour, (200gl)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup (180 ml) warm milk or water
For Coating
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Oil for deep-frying (or a baking option below)
Instructions
Make the Curry Filling
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add onion and sauté until translucent.
- Add minced meat, cook until browned.
- Stir in carrots and potatoes.
- Add curry powder, water, and curry roux. Simmer until thick—like a paste.
- Season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Cool completely before filling (you can chill it for faster handling).
Make the Dough
- In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
- Add warm milk and mix until it comes together.
- Knead in the butter until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes).
- Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
Shape the Buns
- Punch down dough, divide into 4 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into a circle (about 4–5 inches).
- Place about 2 tablespoons of curry filling in the center.
- Pinch edges to seal, forming an oval shape. Make sure seams are sealed well!
- Let rest for 15 minutes, seam side down.
Coat and Fry
- Roll each bun gently in beaten egg, then coat with panko.
- Heat oil to 170°C (340°F).
- Fry 2 at a time for about 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Baked Option: Brush buns lightly with oil and bake at 200°C (400°F) for about 15–18 minutes, until golden.
Serving SuggestionsEnjoy warm! Curry buns pair beautifully with iced green tea or a light soup on the side. They’re great for picnics, lunchboxes, or as a cozy snack.
Disclaimer
Some parts or all of recipe maybe AI-generated. Recipe pictures are examples of recipe and represent no affiliation with photographer.
Nutrition
Calories: 461kcal (23%)Carbohydrates: 64g (21%)Protein: 17g (34%)Fat: 15g (23%)Saturated Fat: 7g (44%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 79mg (26%)Sodium: 545mg (24%)Potassium: 401mg (11%)Fiber: 4g (17%)Sugar: 7g (8%)Vitamin A: 1376IU (28%)Vitamin C: 5mg (6%)Calcium: 114mg (11%)Iron: 4mg (22%)
Disclaimer
Nutritional information for this recipe is an approximation and is not to be construed as medical advice.
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