This Korean curry rice is a delicious, comfort food we all grew up eating! The instant curry mix makes this dish so easy to make. Add lots of meat and vegetables to make it a hearty dish everyone loves.
Made with instant curry mix, Korean curry rice (ka-re-raice, 카레라이스) is a stew-like curry sauce served over rice. It’s one of those dishes that were introduced to Korea by the Japanese and have become a staple in Korean homes. Korean version of the sauce is generally lighter, which makes it so good eaten with kimchi. It’s a hearty, comfort food we all grew up eating!
The instant curry mix makes this dish so easy to make. In Korea, the powder form is more commonly used, but today, curry blocks (aka curry roux) have become popular as well. The curry roux is made with fat, so it has a richer taste and makes the sauce thicker. I used a curry roux here, but if you’re concerned about the fat content of the roux, use curry powder mix.
The Korean curry rice is usually made with meat and lots of vegetables. I used beef in this recipe. You can, of course, use any meat of your choice. Onions, potatoes and carrots are typical for this dish. I also like to add mushrooms and a green vegetable such as green bell pepper, peas, zucchini, broccoli, or scallions.
Next time you go to a Korean (or any Asian) market, pick up a box (or pouch if it’s powder) of curry mix. It comes in handy when you want to whip up a satisfying one pot meal at a moment’s notice!
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces beef or pork or chicken
- 1 medium onion
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 large carrot
- 4 caps white mushrooms - optional
- 1/2 green bell pepper - optional
- 1/2 package of instant curry roux use a couple more cubes for a thicker sauce
- 4 cups water or low sodium chicken broth
- 4 servings of cooked rice
Instructions
- Cut the meat into small bite size pieces. Lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper. Dice the onion, and cut the other vegetables into bite size chunks.
- Heat a large pot with a tablespoon of oil. Add the onion, and stir-fry until it turns translucent and light brown.
- Add the meat, garlic and ginger, and cook until the meat is no longer pink.
- Add the remaining vegetables and stir fry until potatoes turn translucent and partially cooked.
- Pour the water (or chicken broth) into the pot. Bring it to a boil, and continue to boil for about 10 minutes until the meat becomes tender.
- Break up the curry roux into small cubes. Drop them in, and stir well to dissolve.
- Reduce the heat to medium low, and gently boil until the sauce is thickened. Serve over steamed rice. Add more water if too thick.
Alkazavra says
Tried this recipe for a couple of times. Loving it!
Easy to cook and sooooo delicious!
Hyosun says
Great! So happy to hear that!
Sukesh says
I did it with shrimp. So I adapted by first frying the shrimp a bit, taking it out, cooking the rest and adding the shrimp with the curry block.
Ruth says
Tasty & easy to do. You definitely have a quick dinner.
Lynnette Richelme says
this dish is amazing! my family all love it. Can you please link the curry roux that you use as I’m not sure if I am using the right one.
susan cramer says
Could you please post a picture or better description of what you’re calling CUrry paste/cubes etc? There are so many options. I did buy a jar of curry sauce but it’s SOOOO high in fat. Thanks!
Catherine Kraft says
Can you show is the package for Curry roux? I’m not sure what I’m looking for. Thank you! Receive looks delicious and would love to try this recipe.
Nicole Vedder says
Hi,
First, I want to say thank you for all your Korean recipes. I refer to them quite often. I grew up eating S & B, but recently as I was going to make some for my family, I read the ingredients and saw that it had MSB and other additives, not to mention caramel color that’s been in the news lately for its unhealthy cancer causing attributes. Do you have a cleaner brand that you can recommend? Thanks!
Jacob says
Where can I find a recipe for the actual curry Roux? Would love to prepare a gluten free version for my wife and all of the powders and cubes contain gluten.
Sine Gammelgaard says
Looks super delish! But if I can’t get the cubes, what should I mix to get the same curry flavour?? I REALLY want to make this dish!
Hyosun says
There are also premade curry powder mixes in Korean markets. You will need one of these two for this dish unless you make from scratch!
TMinCA says
Can you please recommend a specific brand or two for the curry powders and the bricks? As others have noted, there are many choices, and it would be a great help to have some good guidance. If you are unable to provide brand names, photos of the brands you like would be just as good.
Thanks so much for all the wonderful recipes. I really look forward to your emails!
Hyosun says
Oh sorry I keep thinking about updating the post to address the questions but haven’t had a chance. I will soon. Korean Ottogi brands are most popular in Korea. Japanese block curry mix brands (S&B, House Foods) are all fine. Each brand offers different types with varying spicy levels or flavors. Japanese curry mix, in general, is heavier and richer than Korean’s. Not saying one is better than the other. It’s just a matter of preference, and Koreans tend to prefer lighter curry sauce. I hope to update the post with more details soon.
Elizabeth says
I just made a vegetarian version and it was delicious! Thanks Hyosun~
Philip @ Dream Kitchen Solutions says
Korean curry has always been my favorite. I have tried it quite a few times in Korean specialty restaurants. Will definitely try it at home now. Thanks a lot for sharing!
foxlondon.co.uk says
It looks delicious and I definitely would try it. I’m making such a dish but without curry. I’m sure the curry mix will give the meal a great taste.
Rachel Beckwith says
This is such a great meal for when I don’t have time to cook something more detailed. I added in some zucchini instead of green peppers and used the powdered curry mix, but it came together so quickly and easily and was delicious!