Winter Curry Festival: Japan’s Favorite Comfort Food

This special event is co-presented by Japan Society and the NY Japan Restaurant Association.

While sushi or ramen may immediately come to mind when Americans think of iconic Japanese cuisine, curry (カレー, kare) is beloved in Japan and one of its signature comfort foods. Nothing warms up a cold winter night quite like a plate of this beloved dish, a Japanese curry stew served with rice and pickled vegetables. Originally introduced to Japan through East-West cultural exchange in the 1870s, Japanese curry has taken on a life of its own and become something very different from the Indian original—transforming into a thick, luscious, sweet and savory home-cooking staple that’s also available at dedicated curry shops and conbini. From classic curry rice to curry croquettes, curry bread and curry udon, curry is everywhere in Japan. It’s been estimated that the average person in Japan eats curry over 70 times a year (that’s over once a week) and it even ranked at Japan’s #2 favorite food after sushi!

See what Japanese curry is all about in this special event featuring a panel discussion with experts in the curry industry, and after the talk, tuck into plates of different curries from House Foods and S&B, two of Japan’s curry leaders. Plus enjoy green tea, sake and Japanese beer.

Come experience the warmth of curry with us!

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This event is co-presented by the NY Japanese Restaurant Association, House Foods, S&B Curry and ITO EN Tea.

Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Additional support for cultural programs is provided by an anonymous donor and the Sandy Heck Lecture Fund.