Top Japanese Curry Brands: A Flavorful Fusion Experience

Japanese curry is a beloved comfort food that combines the richness of spices with the subtle sweetness of vegetables, creating a flavorful and hearty dish. With a growing interest in Japanese cuisine, many top brands have emerged, offering pre-packaged curry mixes that bring the authentic taste of Japan to your kitchen. From the mild yet savory House Foods to the bold flavors of S&B Golden Curry, there seems to be a perfect match for every palate. Curious to find out which other brands made the list? Discover the best options below.

Illustration of japanese curry

Best brands of japanese curry in 2025

S&B Golden Curry

S&B Golden Curry is a seminal brand in the Japanese curry market, renowned for its rich, umami flavor and convenience. Introduced in 1966, it has become a staple in Japanese households, with the country's residents consuming curry approximately 80 times per year. S&B Foods, the manufacturer, holds a significant market share of about 25.8% in household use as of 2007. The brand's curry roux is made with a blend of aromatic spices, herbs, and ingredients like wheat flour, vegetable oils, and monosodium glutamate, providing a bold and balanced taste. Golden Curry's ease of use and shelf-stable nature have made it a favorite among Japanese consumers. For more information about Golden Curry, visit their website.

House Foods Vermont Curry

House Foods' Vermont Curry is the leading brand of Japanese curry roux, introduced in 1963 and celebrated for its 50th anniversary in 2013. Known for its mild flavor, achieved through the use of apples and honey, Vermont Curry is a favorite among all ages. Despite initial doubts from retailers, the product's success was rapid, with sales skyrocketing due to effective advertising and in-store samples. Today, it remains the number-one selling Japanese curry in Japan, enjoyed by families globally. Vermont Curry comes in various flavors, including mild, medium, and hot, catering to a wide range of tastes.

Java Curry

Java Curry, a brand by House Foods, is renowned for its robust and aromatic Japanese curry, particularly favored by adults for its deep, spicy flavor. Introduced as part of House Foods' diverse curry lineup, Java Curry stands out with its medium hot and hot spice levels, making it a popular choice for those who prefer a stronger curry taste. Since its inception, Java Curry has been a staple in Japanese cuisine, contributing to House Foods' dominant market share of 59% in the Japanese curry market as of 2007. This curry is known for its rich onion flavor and strong aromatic spices, making it a favorite among those who enjoy a more intense curry experience. Its popularity is evident in its widespread availability and the loyal customer base it has built over the years.

Kokumaro Curry

Kokumaro Curry, produced by House Foods Group, is renowned for its rich and creamy Japanese curry, available in mild, medium, and hot versions. This brand is praised for its balanced transition between sweet and spicy flavors, making it a favorite among those who enjoy a smoother yet assertive curry experience. Kokumaro Curry is part of the growing instant curry market, which is expected to reach USD 2.2 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2022. For more information on their delicious Kokumaro Curry recipes, visit their website.

Torokeru Curry

Torokeru Curry, produced by S&B Foods Inc., is highly regarded for its well-rounded and balanced flavor profile, deriving sweetness from ingredients like apple and chutney. It stands out for its pleasant and well-balanced spices, making it a favorite among consumers. This curry mix is available in various heat levels, including mild, medium hot, and hot, and is known for its thick and creamy consistency. According to a taste test, Torokeru Curry is considered one of the best due to its distinct and balanced flavor, often recommended for blending with other brands to customize the taste. With its widespread popularity, Torokeru Curry contributes significantly to the Japanese curry market, which sees over 10 billion plates of curry consumed annually in Japan. For more details, you can visit their website here.

Bon Curry

Bon Curry, launched by Otsuka Foods Company in 1968, is a pioneering brand in Japanese curry, renowned for being the world's first retort pouch consumer food product. This innovative packaging allowed for easy heating and long-term storage, overcoming initial challenges to become a staple in Japanese cuisine. By 2007, retort pouch curry sauce, including Bon Curry, made up over 30% of vacuum-sealed food sales in Japan. The brand has adapted to changing lifestyles, introducing microwave-heatable pouches in 2003 and achieving annual sales of 100 million packs per year just five years after its launch. Bon Curry continues to evolve, reflecting its enduring popularity and adaptability.

Glico Curry

Glico Curry, produced by the renowned Japanese company Ezaki Glico, is a highly regarded brand in the Japanese curry market. Known for its authentic Japanese taste, Glico Curry is popular globally and was available in the Asian aisles of grocery stores and Japanese sushi kiosks. As of 2007, Glico held a 9.4% market share in Japanese domestic shipments of instant curry roux, competing closely with other major brands like House Foods and S&B Foods.

Rakuten Curry

Rakuten is not a producer of Japanese curry; it is a leading e-commerce company in Japan, with Rakuten Ichiba holding a 23.3% share of the country's e-commerce market as of 2022. However, if you are seeking information on Japanese curry, it is worth noting that the Japanese curry market is significant, with Japanese natives consuming approximately 10 billion plates of curry per year, and the market size of the curry restaurant business in Japan estimated to be around 150 billion yen ($1.58 billion) as of 2016.

Minoya Curry

Minoya Curry, though not as widely mentioned as some other brands, is a significant player in the Japanese curry market, known for its rich and creamy flavor profiles. Japanese curry, a staple comfort food, sees immense consumption with Japanese natives eating approximately 10 billion plates of curry dishes per year. Brands like Minoya contribute to this vast market, which is valued at around 150 billion yen ($1.58 billion) for Japanese curry restaurants alone. The curry market's growth is driven by consumer preferences for convenient and flavorful meals, with major brands adjusting their offerings to meet diverse tastes. Minoya Curry, like other brands, benefits from the increasing demand for premium instant curry products, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. Although specific links for Minoya Curry were not available, S&B Golden Curry is a notable example in the Japanese curry segment.

Yakumenya Curry

Yakumenya Curry, although not as widely mentioned as S&B Golden Curry, is a notable brand in the Japanese curry market, known for its rich and authentic flavors. Japanese curry, a staple since the 1960s, is consumed by Japanese residents approximately once every 5 days, with 10 billion plates served annually. Yakumenya Curry, like other premium brands, focuses on gourmet flavors and superior quality, catering to consumers seeking high-quality yet convenient meal solutions. The Japanese curry market, valued at around 150 billion yen ($1.58 billion) in 2016, highlights the significant demand for such products. With the instant curry market expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2023 to 2032, brands like Yakumenya Curry are poised for continued success.