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Ditch the take-out and make your own Tofu Katsu Curry at home! Enjoy the golden crispy tofu surrounded with fragrant and delicious Japanese-style curry sauce. A straightforward and simple dish that's ready in 40 minutes!
This recipe is a vegan spin on the classic Japanese Katsu Curry, replacing the meat with tofu. I love serving these tofu cutlets in a bed of steaming rice with the creamy, spiced curry sauce poured on top! It’s a filling and flavorful meal that is perfect for lunch or dinner.
What is Katsu Curry?
The proper Japanese term for this dish is Katsukarē. Katsu means “cutlets” while karē is a Japanese version of curry. It is basically a dish that traditionally includes a meat cutlet (called tonkatsu) served with rice and Japanese curry. It is one of the most popular dishes in Japan, way up there with Ramen and Tempura!
Japanese curry is a bit different from the Indian curry that we know. This version was introduced by the British during the Meiji era. It is said to have been adapted to British tastes.
Thus, the curry powder used in Karē contains fewer spices compared to the original Indian curry. So it has a more mellow taste and is less spicy, but rich in umami flavor. It also has a thicker consistency and is mildly sweet.
Ingredient Notes and Substitute Ideas
- Tofu - You will need extra firm tofu for this recipe, otherwise it will break apart. I prefer to use vacuum-packed tofu because it doesn't have to be pressed and it's ready to go.
- Curry Powder: Don’t just pick the first curry powder you see on the aisle. Curry powders have different levels of spiciness. Choose from mild to hot depending on your preference.
- Rice - I prefer jasmine rice, but if you are looking for lighter options, you can also use quinoa or cauliflower rice.
What can I serve with Tofu Katsu Curry?
Along with the rice, this recipe goes terrific with a fresh green salad. To garnish, top with chopped spring onions, cilantro leaves, chopped radishes, or julienned carrots. It also pairs nicely with my Vegan Miso Soup.
Can I make it in advance?
Yes, you can! Or at least the curry sauce! You want your tofu to be crispy and it’s always better to serve those straight from the pan. Make your curry sauce 3 to 4 days ahead of time and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. You can reheat it on the stovetop once you are ready to serve. In case it thickens too much after refrigerating, add some water or broth.
Does it freeze well?
I wouldn't recommend freezing the tofu, but you can definitely freeze the curry sauce. Sometimes the coconut milk separates, but I haven't experienced an issue so far. Results can vary depending on the brand you use. I usually use the Native Forest or Sprouts brand.
More Tofu Recipes to Enjoy
I Love To Hear From You
If you make this Katsu Curry recipe, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. It would really make my day. You can also follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @veganhuggs and hashtag #veganhuggs so I don’t miss it
📖 Recipe
Tofu Katsu Curry
Ingredients
Breaded Tofu
- 16 ounces extra firm tofu , vacuum-packed if possible (*see note)
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup non-dairy milk , unsweetened
- ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic (or ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (*optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt , more to taste
- Fresh ground pepper , to taste
- Oil for frying (about 2-3 tablespoons)
Curry Sauce
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or preferred cooking oil
- 1 medium onion , diced
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger (sub with frozen, jarred or paste)
- 3 cloves garlic , minced or crushed
- 1.5 tablespoons curry powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups vegetable broth , low sodium
- ½ cup coconut milk , full-fat (canned)
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce, low sodium
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (sub with preferred sweetener)
- ½ teaspoon salt , more to taste
To Serve (optional)
- Rice (about 3 cups cooked)
- Green onion , sliced
- Cilantro , chopped
- Fresh salad
Recommended Equipment
- Large Pan
Instructions
Curry Sauce
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add onion and sauté until translucent. About 2-3 minutes.
- Now add the garlic and ginger. Sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add curry powder and turmeric powder. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the flour and combine. Cook for 30 seconds to remove a raw flour taste.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and whisk to combine well and eliminate lumps. Reduce the heat and add the coconut milk, tamari, maple syrup, and salt. Cook for a few minutes until the curry thickens a bit. If it's too thick, thin it out with a splash of broth or water. Taste and adjust flavor if needed.
- Transfer to a blender and blend on high until smooth. Set aside, but leave the top on to keep warm. Alternatively, you can transfer to a small pot, cover with a lid and place on stove over low heat. Wipe out the large pan to reuse for tofu.
Breaded Tofu
- Cut the pressed tofu into 4-5 even slices, then prepare a breading station with three bowls big enough to fit the tofu. In the first bowl, add the flour. Then the second bowl, add the milk. In the final bowl, combine the bread crumbs with granulated garlic, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper.
- Place one slice of tofu in flour and coat on all sides. Now dunk in the milk, and finally into the bread crumbs to coat all sides. Press the slice gently to ensure it's coated well.
- Heat a frying pan on medium heat for a few minutes. When fully heated, add the oil and wait until it shimmers. Now add the breaded tofu to the pan and fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Flip with a sturdy spatula. Give it time to fully brown before flipping or it may stick.
- Transfer the tofu to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
To Serve
- Slice the tofu diagonally and place it on a bed of rice. Pour the curry sauce over top or on the side. Garnish with spring onion and cilantro leaves. Serve with salad greens. Enjoy!
Ashlee
This is the BEST vegan dish I have made since I stopped eating meat about a year ago!! I’ve been struggling so much to find tofu dishes I like (I’ve always been a picky eater!) and this is the first dish I’ve tried that both my husband and I absolutely LOVED. We both agreed that this would be a new dish in our regular meal rotation. Thank you so much for sharing this delicious recipe! I can’t wait to try more of your recipes.
Melissa Huggins
This made my day Ashlee! I am super happy to hear that you both loved this recipe as much as we do. 🙂 I have quite a line-up of tofu recipes that I hope you can try too.
Michelle
Loved it! Took some time to make it all (I made the salad as well) but it was 100% worth it.
Melissa Huggins
Thanks for trying this out Michelle! Glad you loved it. 🙂
Ellie
Mafe this for my mother and I today and it is genuinely incredible. Thank you!
Melissa Huggins
Glad to hear that you and your mom loved this recipe, Ellie! 🙂 Thanks for trying it out.
Margaret Davis
This recipe is so good it made my son and fiancé request I make it more (and they are meat eaters)! They absolutely loved this recipe, It is now my “Meatless Monday” go to. I have frozen the sauce as it makes a lot and this is wonderful to have “prepped” for busy schedules. I top it with sprouted mung beans and it is absolutely fabulous!. The tofu is crunchy and satisfying!
Support @ Vegan Huggs
Hi Margaret! We are so thrilled to hear how much you all loved the recipe! Thanks so much for trying it out 😀
Bruce Standen
This was delicious. My vegan son loved it, my fussy eater daughter loved it and my Japanese wife loved it. Me too. Love curries and this goes into the favorites. Thank you very much.
Support @ Vegan Huggs
Hi Bruce! We're so happy to hear that this recipe made the whole family happy 😀 Thanks so much for giving it a try!
Mary
This recipe was delicious! It will definitely be among our regular dinner recipes from now on. Thanks so much for this!!
Support @ Vegan Huggs
Hi Mary! We're so pleased to hear that you'll be making this recipe again! Thank you for giving it a try 🙂
Bruce Standen
My son,a vegan, rated the meal a hard 5. It was awesome...my fussy eater daughter even liked it. My life always likes it when I cook and as a Japanese national she thought it was oishii....delicious in Japanese. Thanks for the recipe.
Support @ Vegan Huggs
Hi Bruce! We're so happy that you all loved it! Thanks for stopping by 🙂