A great Japanese curry starts with the perfect spice blend, and nothing beats making it from scratch. This homemade Japanese curry powder is warm, aromatic, and perfectly balanced, bringing out the deep, rich flavors that define a comforting bowl of curry. Carefully blended and toasted to enhance its depth, this spice mix adds an authentic touch to your favorite Japanese dishes. Once you try this fresh, homemade version, store-bought curry powder will never be the same.

Best Homemade Japanese Curry Powder Recipe

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

cup

Prep time

minutes

Total time

minutes

This homemade Japanese curry powder makes about one cup and is packed with bold and aromatic flavors. It adds incredible depth to both veg and non-veg curries, making every dish more flavorful. Do not skip the final dry-toasting step as it is the secret to unlocking its rich and toasty essence. Tanoshinde!

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Ingredients

2 tbsp Ground Turmeric
4 tsp Ground Coriander Seeds
3 tsp Ground Cumin Seeds
1 ½ tsp Ground Fenugreek Seeds
1 tsp Cinnamon Powder
1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
1 tsp Ground Green Cardamom
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Ground Ginger
1 tsp Ground Star Anise
½ tsp Ground Allspice Berries
½ tsp Cloves
1 tsp Dried Mandarin Peel Powder
1 tsp Cayenne Pepper Powder
1 tsp Ground Bay Leaves
1 tsp Ground Sage (dried)
1 tsp Ground Thyme (dried)

Directions

Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Mix well until fully combined.
Transfer the mixture to a grinder jar.
Grind for a few seconds until finely blended.
Preheat a pan and transfer the ground spice mixture.
Dry-toast over low heat for 30 seconds, stirring continuously.
Let cool completely.

Recipe Video

Notes

Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the spice level. For a milder curry powder, reduce it to ½ teaspoon, or for extra heat, add up to 2 teaspoons.
Toast whole spices like cumin, coriander, and fenugreek seeds before grinding for an even deeper, more complex flavor. This adds a fresh, roasted aroma to your curry powder.
Mix in a teaspoon of dried shiitake powder for a natural umami boost. This enhances the savory depth of your curry, making it richer and more flavorful.