What to Serve with Katsu Curry – 17 Best Side Dishes

It’s true: There are a ton of great Japanese restaurants in the US.

Unfortunately, most don’t have a great selection of side dishes, unless they’re very Japanese in their presentation.

There’s only one way to get around this: make them yourself!

With just a little bit of effort, you can create dishes that are a huge hit at your next get-together.

In this post, we’ll give you our 17 best side dishes to try.

Katsu curry is a Japanese dish that’s very popular in Japan.

It’s a savory dish with curry, meatballs, and a delicious sauce that packs quite a punch.

While the original recipe is made with chicken, you can easily substitute it for other meats, such as beef, pork, shrimp, or even a tofu-based dish.

What’s more, it’s the perfect dish for entertaining: it’s simple to make and looks great on the table.

The flavors of this dish will remind you of Japanese curry, but with a twist.

It’s a perfect addition to your menu for a Japanese-themed dinner party or event.

We’ve rounded up our favorite side dishes below.

See Also: What to Serve with Curry Chicken Salad? 17 Best Side Dishes

What to Serve with Katsu Curry – 17 Best Side Dishes

When it comes to choosing sides, there’s nothing wrong with sticking with the classics, but why not shake things up a bit and try something new?

In the case of katsu curry, you could serve rice pilaf, couscous, or mashed potatoes.

Katsu curry is traditionally served with white rice, but you could also use brown rice, quinoa, or evenzo.

You could also serve some steamed vegetables or sautéed mushrooms.

1. Spinach Ohitashi

Katsu curry is often served over rice, so this is a great time to serve spinach ohitashi — which is similar to a spinach salad but has Japanese flavors.

The dressing that accompanies the salad is tangy, sweet, and spicy. It makes for an authentic and flavorful side dish.

This recipe is easy to make and uses ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

The dressing can be made ahead of time, and you can serve it over the spinach salad or rice as you like.

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2. Teriyaki Tofu

Katsu curry is a Japanese dish similar to Indian-style curries.

The main difference between katsu curry and other curries is that it has a “meatiness” that comes from being spiced with pepper and then breaded and fried.

The breading and frying tenderizes the tofu, giving it a meat-like flavor and texture that goes perfectly with the bold flavors of katsu curry.

Because of its “meatiness,” teriyaki tofu is also a great addition to stir-fry dishes and other Asian-inspired meals.

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3. Cucumber and Chicken Marinated in Chili Oil

Cucumber and chicken marinated in chili oil is a fantastic side dish to katsu curry.

If you love spicy food, then you’ll love the flavor of this dish.

Katsu curry is a Japanese curry that is known for its milder flavors.

It’s a traditional dish that was originally served with rice but today it’s often paired with noodles.

The best way to pair this dish is with something like a grilled or sauteed chicken breast.

Chili oil adds a spicy kick to this dish, so if you don’t like spicy foods, you can always leave it out.

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4. Broccoli Blanched with Sesame Oil

Katsu curry (sometimes spelled katsu-ya) is a Japanese dish consisting of thinly sliced chicken coated in breadcrumbs that are fried until golden brown.

Often, the chicken is dipped in a sweet sauce such as ketchup or honey mustard before it is breaded and fried.

The breading and frying process ensures the chicken stays moist and tender.

This dish is commonly served with rice, but it’s also great with cauliflower or broccoli rabe.

You can find katsu curry at many Asian supermarkets and some larger supermarkets.

The key to getting the best flavor is to use a high-quality brand of Asian marinade and breadcrumbs.

You can use your favorite brand of ketchup or, if you want something a little less sweet, you can use honey mustard.

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5. Ramen Egg (Ajitsuke Tamago)

The savory egg in Japanese cuisine is often referred to as the “spicy meatball.”

This savory, protein-rich egg can be eaten on its own or used as an ingredient in a variety of dishes.

When paired with katsu curry, a savory Japanese curry, the two flavors work very well together.

The egg and the curry create a delicious, hearty meal that’s great for when you’re on the go.

You can enjoy this dish for lunch or dinner. It’s hearty enough to be the main dish, but also satisfying enough to be a complete meal on its own.

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6. Rice

Rice is the perfect accompaniment to curries, both in terms of appearance (it looks nice) and flavor.

And because rice has such a mild flavor, it works well with almost any curry.

Make sure to buy long-grain white rice, not instant or “converted” rice.

Long-grain white rice is much lower in carbs than instant or converted rice and will actually keep you fuller for longer.

White rice is also the best choice when it comes to serving rice dishes to children and others who might have trouble digesting other grains.

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7. Brown Rice

Rice is an ideal accompaniment to curries. It has a delicate yet hearty flavor that goes well with the spiciness of curry.

It can also be used as a base for many different rice dishes.

This recipe for Katsu Curry from “Cook’s Illustrated” is one of the best ways I’ve found to enjoy brown rice.

It comes together in under 30 minutes and is easy to customize depending on what you have on hand.

8. Steamed Buns

Buns are a great vehicle for serving up all kinds of different foods.

They’re great for scooping up curry sauce, serving as a base for other things like eggs or rice, or even just for dunking into a cup of tea.

The steamed buns should be soft, fluffy, and light – not dense and chewy.

Try using your favorite store-bought brand of Japanese steamed buns.

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9. Cucumber Salad

Japanese cucumbers are long and slender with a crisp, refreshing flavor.

They are perfect for sipping on their own as an appetizer or starter or served alongside other foods.

The slightly sweet, fresh flavor goes perfectly with savory dishes like katsu curry.

Cucumbers are low in calories and fat, and only contain trace amounts of sodium.

This is another side dish that is easy to make and will add a pleasant surprise to your guests’ tastebuds.

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10. Tossed Green Salad

Katsu curry is a Japanese dish consisting of chicken pieces marinated in a sweet soy sauce and then pan-fried.

One of the great things about this dish is you can enjoy it with a range of salads – from traditional Japanese arugula salad to more exotic greens like watercress or romaine.

A tossed green salad is a healthy and versatile option. It’s low in calories, full of vitamins and minerals, and easy to prepare.

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11. Hearty Greens

Katsu curry is great with almost any type of salad, but some types of salad work better than others.

For example, tangy greens like arugula or radicchio complement the spiciness of the curry dish nicely, but bitter greens like romaine or iceberg don’t do as well.

Greens that have been slightly warmed by roasting or grilling are much more appealing, and you can prepare them in advance if you’d like.

Try serving a warm, crispy coleslaw made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and scallions.

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12. Jícama

Jícama is a root vegetable that looks sort of like a large, thick turnip. It has a crisp texture that pairs well with Asian dishes like katsu curry.

You can substitute it for the turnips in this recipe if you like. The recipe will still be delicious, but the jícama will add another layer of texture and a slightly sweet flavor.

Try serving this side dish with your katsu curry over a bed of arugula. You can also top it with some toasted coconut for a more tropical twist.

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13. Cold Sesame Noodles

Cold sesame noodles are a great addition to almost any Asian-inspired meal.

They add a nice texture and crispness to the sauce, which pairs perfectly with the slightly sweet and sour flavors of the katsu curry.

This simple side dish can be served as a light meal on its own, or it can also be used as a great snack to munch on while you’re watching your favorite show.

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14. Kale Salad

One of the most versatile and healthy greens, kale is an excellent choice for any salad.

Kale has a peppery flavor that works well with spicy foods like katsu curry.

Try this simple, tangy salad with your favorite curry dish for a totally new and unique twist on an old favorite.

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15. Mixed Greens

If you are looking to add something fresh and light to your meal, then mixed greens are the way to go.

Mixed greens are perfect for salads that feature vegetables as main ingredients — and katsu curry is no exception.

The addition of greens to your meal not only adds flavor, but also gives you a nice dose of vitamins and minerals.

Katsu curry is also one of those dishes where you want to make sure you use fresh ingredients and season them well.

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16. Asparagus Salad

Asparagus is a great source of vitamin K and folate.

The vegetable is also rich in fiber and has a naturally sweet flavor.

So when you’re looking to add a healthy salad option to your katsu curry, asparagus is a great choice.

To make your asparagus salad even more interesting, you can top it with a variety of ingredients such as cucumbers, beets, edamame, or radishes.

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17. Romaine Lettuce

Romaine lettuce is a great choice for a side dish that goes with almost anything.

It’s mild, slightly sweet, and holds up well to strong flavors like katsu curry.

If you’re looking for a great way to add some variety to your side dishes, then you should definitely consider serving a wedge salad with your katsu curry.

You can top your wedge salad with the grilled corn or even serve it alongside.

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FAQ

what side dish to serve with katsu chicken?

The side dish that is perfect for serving with katsu chicken is the one you like best. There really is no “right” or “wrong” side dish for katsu chicken. Some people love it with rice, some people love it with mashed potatoes, and others might even prefer gravy. It’s important to remember that the best side dish for katsu chicken is the one you like best!

Katsu chicken is a dish that is mostly made up of boneless, skinless chicken thighs that have been breaded and fried. A lot of people love this dish because of how easy it is to make and the large variety of ingredients you can use to flavor the chicken.

Katsu chicken is often served with a side of rice and ketchup. If you are going to serve ketchup as a side with katsu chicken, you could try serving it with sweet potatoes or carrots as those sides have some similar flavors to ketchup.

what salad goes with katsu curry?

You can serve a simple salad such as spinach or cucumber, but the katsu curry has a spicy flavor that would overwhelm a salad. It’s best to choose a side dish that pairs well or katsu curry, it is customary to serve a side salad. You can choose from any of the salads mentioned in this article, or you can choose something completely different that you would like.

What veg to serve with katsu curry?

Katsu curry is a dish that originated in Japan but is now enjoyed all over the world. It is often served with rice and is very spicy. Vegetables that can be served with katsu curry are cucumbers, zucchini, carrots, cauliflower, potatoes, peas, green beans, cabbage, onions, and eggplant. All of these options will give you a chance to experiment with different flavors and spice levels to find just the right combination.

what rice to serve with katsu curry?

Rice is traditionally served with katsu curry. It is good to add some vegetables or even another protein like chicken or fish to make it more of a complete meal.

You can also serve basmati rice or even sushi rice as a side. Just be sure to match the rice to the spice level of the curry. If you are going for a milder flavor, go for regular white rice. If you want something spicier, try red or jasmine rice.

what bread to serve with katsu curry?

Katsu curry is traditionally served over white or brown rice. However, you can also use egg noodles, French bread, or even pita bread. If you are using egg noodles or bread, you should probably lightly fry it first to get it crispy and warm from the inside before serving it with katsu curry.

Serve it with whatever type of bread you like. It could be white, wheat, rye, pita, baguette, or even Italian bread.

what goes in katsu curry?

Katsu curry has a few different varieties, but the one you will most likely find at your local Japanese restaurant is the chicken katsu curry. You may have heard of chicken katsu before, and it’s the same dish, but instead of deep-fried chicken, it’s breaded and pan-fried chicken. It’s then served with a sweet and tangy sauce. It’s also perfect as an appetizer for the holidays.

Katsu curry is one of my favorite dishes to make at home. It is similar to a chicken katsu, but with a twist. I usually add some fresh herbs to give it a little more flavor, and then finish it off with some lemon zest and fresh parsley.

what to drink with katsu curry?

When you are enjoying katsu curry, you will want to go for something light and fruity. A nice beer or even a glass of wine would do just fine.

Conclusion

Katsu curry is a Japanese dish that’s similar to chicken curry, but with a spicy kick.

These 17 side dishes are perfect when served with katsu curry, but again, there are many other options available.

No matter what you’re looking for, there’s sure to be a side dish that’s perfect for you.

Be sure to experiment with different flavors and recipes, and you’re sure to find something that you love.

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