Chicken Katsu Curry Ramyun

Hey, fellow foodies! So, I was scrolling through Instagram the other day, and I saw @okonomikitchen’s post about katsu curry udon. I love katsu curry, so of course, I had to try it. But here’s the twist: why not make it with ramen?  Yup, I was totally blown away by how amazing this turned out! I’m obsessed with it.

Now, I gotta shout out to Lisa for a pro tip slicing the curry block before adding it to the dish. Why didn’t I think of that before?! No more clumpy curry, people! 

I used the same base as my katsu curry udon, but with Shin Ramyun because, let’s be honest, I’ve got more than 10 packets lying around. Oh, and I did the “katsu” style without the panko breadcrumbs. I just air-fried some frozen chicken from Aldi because why make it hard when you can think smart, right? 

Method

Sauté the Vegetables

Start by heating some oil in a pot over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, toss in the sliced onions and chopped carrots. Sauté them for about 1-2 minutes, or until they start to soften. The goal here is to release the sweetness of the vegetables while they become tender, but make sure they don’t become too soft just enough to enhance the flavor of your broth.

Add Water and Dashi Powder

Next, pour in 2 cups of water and stir in the 1/2 teaspoon of dashi powder. Dashi is a Japanese stock that adds a deep umami flavor to your dish, so don’t skip this step! Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. As it heats up, you’ll start to notice the aroma of the dashi blending beautifully with the onions and carrots.

Incorporate the Ramen and Seasoning

Once the water has come to a boil, it’s time to add your ramen. Break open your Shin Ramyun packet and add the noodles to the pot. Only use about 1/2 teaspoon of the seasoning packet for this step unless you want it to be extra spicy. Stir the noodles into the broth, and cook for about 1-2 minutes. It’s important to cook the noodles just a little firm at this point since they’ll continue to cook once you add the curry block, so don’t let them get too soft yet.

Add the Curry Block

Here’s the key to getting that smooth, rich curry flavor: slice your curry block into smaller pieces before adding it to the pot. This helps it dissolve and mix into the broth more evenly, avoiding the dreaded clumps. Add the curry block pieces to the noodles and broth, stirring them gently until it completely dissolves. Keep cooking for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the curry to blend with the noodles and turn the broth into a creamy, flavorful soup.

Finish Cooking the Noodles

Continue cooking the noodles until they are just the right texture, soft but not mushy. Make sure to stir occasionally to keep everything mixed and avoid the noodles sticking to the bottom of the pot. Once the noodles are ready, take the pot off the heat.

Assemble the Dish

Now for the fun part  assembling your dish! Take your crispy chicken (or any protein you prefer) and place it on top of the noodles. You can air-fry the chicken to crispy perfection or even pan-fry it for a more golden crust. Once your protein is ready, add it on top of the ramen, and then garnish with freshly sliced spring onions for a pop of color and a fresh bite.

Serve and Enjoy

Now that your Chicken “Katsu” Curry Ramyun is complete, serve it hot! You can top it off with additional garnishes like a fried egg, sesame seeds, or even a drizzle of soy sauce for extra flavor. Dig in and enjoy the creamy, spicy comfort that this dish brings to the table!

Necessary Tools

• Pot
• Knife (for chopping the veggies and slicing the curry block)
• Spoon for stirring
• Air fryer (or a pan if you’re pan-frying the protein)

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a side salad  A refreshing cucumber salad would be a great balance to the richness of the curry.
• Add a fried egg on top  For some extra protein and a beautiful touch, add a fried egg on top of your ramen.
• Pair with pickled vegetables  The acidity of pickled vegetables will complement the rich, creamy curry.

Fun Fact

Did you know that “katsu” literally means “cutlet” in Japanese? It’s typically made with breaded, deep-fried meat like pork or chicken. But for this recipe, we kept it simple by using air-fried chicken. Who knew that smart shortcuts could taste just as good?

Conclusion

This Chicken “Katsu” Curry Ramyun is seriously a game-changer. The combo of the creamy curry and spicy ramen is pure comfort food bliss, and you get to skip all the fancy steps of breading chicken. It’s easy, fast, and totally delicious, perfect for when you want something special but don’t have the time for a full-on cooking session. Try it out, and let me know how you like it!