Curry may not have started in Japan, but it has become one of the country’s most loved comfort foods.

Introduced via the UK and adapted over time, it now appears everywhere from family chains like Coco Ichibanya to small local kitchens, each with its own style.

In this cooking class in Nara, you will experience a creative take on Japanese curry with Yuka, a cook with over 10 years of experience and a signature chili-free curry powder that has been nationally recognized in Japan Post’s 2024 curry festival promotion.

You will begin with a welcome drink of amazake, a naturally sweet, non-alcoholic rice drink, before moving into the main cooking session.

Using Yuka’s curry powder and fresh local ingredients, you will prepare a unique curry featuring flavors like plum, citrus, and sake lees.

As it simmers, you will also prepare baked curry bread by filling pre-made dough with rich curry filling, creating a lighter version of a popular Japanese snack without losing its comforting taste.

The cooking continues with chicken cutlet and curry udon, giving you a full range of curry-inspired dishes. Everything is prepared step by step with guidance, making it easy to follow even for beginners.

When it is time to eat, you will experience “ajihen,” the Japanese idea of changing flavors as you eat. You can add toppings like nuts, raisins, and onsen tamago to shift the taste of your curry as you go.

Your meal is completed with a chicken cutlet served in curry tartar sauce, a fresh salad, and optional sake pairings selected to match curry flavors. For dessert, you will enjoy a pudding made with sake lees and roasted green tea chai.

Before you leave, you will receive curry bread to take home, along with English recipes and Yuka’s signature curry powder so you can recreate the experience in your own kitchen.