Pressure Cooker Japanese Curry

Step 1

Gather all the ingredients.

Step 2

Cut the onions into halves and cut the halves into 5 wedges.

Step 3

Peel the carrot and cut into bite sizes. I use a Japanese cutting technique called “Rangiri”. Cut the carrot diagonally while rotating it a quarter between cuts. This not only results in an attractive shape that is good for stews and simmered dishes but also gives the pieces bigger surface space to absorb seasonings quicker. Tip: You can cut the vegetable slightly bigger to avoid mushy texture.

Step 4

Peel the potatoes and cut into quarters. Soak in water to remove starch.

Step 5

Mince the garlic and grate ginger.

Step 6

Cut the meat into bite-size pieces (I use a Japanese cutting technique “Sogigiri”). Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Step 7

Press the “Sauté” button on your Instant Pot (or a pressure cooker; I use a 6 QT Instant Pot) and heat 1 Tbsp oil.

Step 8

When the pot is hot, add the onion, minced garlic and ginger.

Step 9

Add the chicken to the pot and coat with oil.

Step 10

Add carrot and potato to the pot and mix well.

Step 11

Add 3 cups (720 ml) chicken broth and then curry roux from one box (I use ½ package mild and ½ package medium spicy). Use the spatula to push down some ingredients but keep the curry roux blocks on top and do NOT mix! If you use a homemade roux, add it after pressure cooking is done. Homemade roux is runnier and it goes to the bottom of the pot easily and can burn while cooking.

Step 12

Cover and lock the lid. Make sure the steam release handle points at “sealing” and not “venting”. Press the “Keep Warm/Cancel” button on the Instant Pot to stop sauté. Press the “meat/Stew” button to switch to the pressure cooking mode. Press “minus” button to change the cooking time to 15 minutes.

Step 13

[stove-top pressure cooker] If you’re using a stove-top pressure cooker, you won’t have the buttons to press. Just cook on high heat until high pressure is reached. Then reduce the heat to low but maintain high pressure for about 15 minutes.

Step 14

When it is finished cooking, the Instant Pot will switch automatically to a “Keep Warm” mode. Slide the steam release handle to the "Venting" position to let out steam until the float valve drops down, OR let the pressure release naturally (takes about 15 mins).

Step 15

Unlock the lid and add 1 Tbsp ketchup and 1 Tbsp soy sauce (if you use homemade curry, add it before ketchup and soy sauce. Change to saute mode for additional 5 minutes until homemade curry roux blends well). Mix well and make sure all the curry roux has been dissolved. Transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with Fukujinzuke (red daikon pickles).