Curry-Punch!

Posted on 06/17/2022 Last updated on 06/17/2022

If you are interested in bread or deep fried snacks, then this is the food for you! Japanese curry bread (kare pan) is the perfect blend of sweet and savory. This soft, chewy and crispy deep-fried snack is popular all over Japan. Convenience stores, bakeries and even supermarkets all sell this tasty snack. Most places deep fry bread dough, use panko (Japanese bread crumbs) meat and vegetables.

Of course each place has it’s own unique twist and secret recipe. From adding cheese to sometimes baking the bread instead of frying, the sky is the limit. They are even in popular culture, with Currypanman being found in the famous Anpanman show. Either way, they all taste delicious and are super cheap.

A brief history

Curry was first introduced to Japan in the 19th century by the British via India. But, it wasn’t until 1927 for the first curry bread to be born. It is said, that the owner of Cattlea decided to deep fry curry, and “accidentally on purpose” invented curry bread. Here are a few recommended places in the Tokyo area.

Cattlea (Morishita)

“Ganso curry bread, Cattlea” was first established in 1927. They claim to be the first and original curry bread in Japan. The bakery is literally a one minute walk from Morishita station on the Oedo/Shinjuku line. There are two different curry breads to try here, an extra dark and spicy one or the original curry bread.

Each curry bread is crammed full of ingredients, the taste is rich and creamy. It’s like heaven when eating it and you can never just have the one. In my opinion this is the best curry bread you can eat. They make fresh curry bread at 7 am, 11 am and 3 pm, you have to be quick, as they literally fly off the shelves.

Curry bread price – 200 yen

Denmark Bakery (Nerima)

It is also said that the Denmark bakery in Nerima, invented curry bread in 1934. They were originally selling curry sandwiches but decided to deep fry them. The bakery is a one minute walk from the Nerima station on the Seibu line. The bakery has lots of choices from birthday cakes to cured meats, so you can have a sweet snack after munching your curry bread. The bakery is famous for adding a hard boiled egg to their curry bread. The bakery is very busy during lunch time, so you have to be quick!

Curry bread price – 270 yen

Boulangerie Seiji Asakura (Minato)

The bakery is a 5 minutes walk from Takanawadai Station on the Toei Asakusa Line. This bakery has been on the TV and has won many awards for its bread. Their curry bread is topped with lots of cheese and they use beef. They’re huge and the cheese adds great flavor and the beef is nice and spicy.

Curry bread price – 330 yen

Photo Credit: ringonomeさん on PhotoAC

Go for a walk and start eating

There are so many different curry breads to choose from and so many different places. You could spend a whole day in Tokyo alone, just walking around and snacking on curry bread. And remember, on the 8th day of each month is curry bread day. So now you even have an excuse, to go out and get your taste buds curry punched!

Photo Credits:

Top photo: 杉原さん on PhotoAC

Additional photo: ringonomeさん on PhotoAC