In their video “This 15-Minute Japanese CURRY UDON Will Change Your LIFE!” YouTube’s beloved culinary duo, Aaron and Claire, invite viewers into Japanese comfort cuisine with a dish that’s equal parts tradition and convenience. Their Japanese curry udon recipe breaks the dish down into a simple 15-minute process that’s easy to make and straightforward while still staying true to the core flavors of traditional Japanese cooking.
The Dish: History in a Bowl
Curry was first introduced to Japan in the late 19th century via the British Navy, and it quickly became a staple of Japanese home cooking. Paired with udon, a thick wheat noodle that originated in Japan’s Edo period, it becomes a hearty and satisfying noodle soup that blends different culinary traditions. Typically, preparing a curry base from scratch can take an hour. Aaron and Claire—true to their style—find a way to preserve the depth and complexity while delivering a version ready in just 15 minutes.
Image via Aaron and Claire
Ingredients: Essential and Authentic
The recipe uses a curry base of 80g of carrot, half an onion, garlic, ginger, unsalted butter, tomato paste, S&B curry powder, and all-purpose flour. The broth is made with water, soy sauce, mirin, chicken bouillon powder, hondashi, and optionally Worcestershire sauce. It’s served with thinly sliced beef and udon noodles (either fresh or frozen), then topped with chopped green onions. A soft-boiled egg can also be added as an optional garnish.
Image via Aaron and Claire
The Method: How It’s Made
1. Blending the Base
Instead of caramelizing onions, Aaron uses a purée of onion, carrot, garlic, and ginger, blended until smooth. This clever technique mimics the sweetness and depth of slow-cooked curry in mere minutes.
2. Searing the Beef
Thinly sliced beef is seared quickly to develop flavor. Once browned, it’s set aside, leaving behind rendered fat that becomes a flavorful foundation for the curry base.
3. Cooking the Purée
The aromatic blend is sautéed until its moisture evaporates, concentrating the flavors. Then, butter, tomato paste, curry powder, and flour are added to create a fragrant curry roux.
4. Preparing the Broth
The broth combines soy sauce, mirin, chicken bouillon, hondashi, and water, elevated further by the curry roux and beef. A brief simmer ties everything together into a rich, comforting soup.
5. Noodles and Assembly
Udon noodles are boiled separately, then drained thoroughly before serving. They’re placed in a bowl, ladled with hot curry broth and beef, and topped with green onion and an optional soft-boiled egg.
Image via Aaron and Claire
A Shared Table: From Kitchen to Culture
Aaron and Claire use ingredients like green onion, hondashi, and mirin, which reflect standard practices in Japanese home cooking. Green onion is a typical topping in udon dishes, while hondashi and mirin are everyday pantry staples that contribute essential umami and sweetness. Their recipe aligns with how many everyday Japanese meals are prepared: simple ingredients, clear techniques, and attention to flavor balance. Aaron shares a thoughtful recommendation for those who wish to expand their culinary curiosity beyond the main dish.
Image via Aaron and Claire
Bring Japan to Your Home with Sakuraco
If you enjoy the seasonal flavors of Japanese food, Sakuraco is a great way to experience more of that culture from home. Sakuraco is a monthly subscription box that delivers traditional Japanese snacks and teas directly from local artisans across Japan. Each box includes a mix of handmade sweets (wagashi), rice crackers (senbei), regional specialties, and one piece of Japanese tableware. Everything is carefully selected around a seasonal theme.
One of the themes is Ibaraki Harvest, which focuses on regional treats from Ibaraki, a prefecture known for its agriculture. The goal is to provide snacks and share the local food culture and traditions behind them. Each box also comes with an English guidebook that explains the background of the makers, ingredients, and regions featured, so you know what you’re eating and where it comes from. Aaron and Claire’s audience already appreciates quality Japanese food. If you’ve enjoyed their curry udon, Sakuraco is a significant next step in exploring more authentic Japanese flavors.
🧧 Use their code ANC to receive $5 off your first box here!
Image via Aaron and Claire
Final Reflections
What starts as a quick weeknight meal becomes a thoughtful introduction to Japanese home cooking. In just 15 minutes, Aaron and Claire show how familiar ingredients and straightforward techniques can create a dish rooted in cultural tradition. Their curry udon recipe offers more than convenience—it highlights how flavor, process, and presentation all contribute to understanding a cuisine. It’s a practical, approachable way to explore Japanese flavors, even if you’re cooking from another part of the world.
Paired with a cup of hojicha from a Sakuraco box, the experience extends beyond the meal itself, offering a small but meaningful connection to Japan’s food culture from the comfort of your home. So grab your apron, try out the recipe, and if you want to explore more traditional Japanese flavors, let Sakuraco take your tastebuds on a journey through authentic regional treats.
📺 Watch the full video here: This 15 Minute Japanese CURRY UDON Will Change Your LIFE!
