• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
a Veg Taste from A to Z
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Why Plant Based
  • Work With Me
  • Italian Site

No Fuss Crispy Katsu Tofu with Japanese Curry

Modified: 15 Apr, 2024 · Published: 24 Jul, 2018 by Adriana Z. · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

Jump to Recipe - Vai alla Ricetta Print Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links - Questo post potrebbe contenere link di affiliazione

This easy katsu tofu curry recipe is what you need to learn to make yourself a restaurant quality dish in a poor amount of time!

Questa ricetta è disponibile anche in italiano.

vegan katsu tofu curry

Hands up who loves a good curry dish!

Because, let's face it: curry is the ultimate comfort food, one of the all time British favourite!

Sometimes, unfortunately, we don't have much time or will to make ourselves a cosy meal like this: too much chopping and tons of washing ups to do, am I right?

Well this revolutionary method I'm about to share with you will allow you to make a delicious Japanese inspired Curry completely from scratch and using JUST ONE POT!

You read that right friends, you will be able to replicate this smooth golden curry using just one knife and one pirex pot or bowl!

The only thing you need to make sure of is that the pot you're going to use is microwave friendly. Why? You would ask.

Simple: our dearest microwave is going to be our special alley for preparing this dish.  

vegan katsu tofu curry

So our first step would be the curry sauce.

To do so we simply have to chop the veggies with no real precision, add them to our microwave proof bowl with spices and water and allow the microwave to do its job!

Once the veggies are cooked, remove the bay leaves and add in the same bowl the coconut milk, all the remaining spices and the flour. Blend it with a stick blender until smooth, then cook again in the microwave for extra 3:30 minutes (this will allow thicken the sauce).
Note: If you’re not happy with the consistency, and you prefer it slightly thicker or runnier, add more flour or milk/water, blend it again and microwave for another minute or so.

This is a really good recipe if you're craving curry in the summer heat, when the last thing you want is to turn on the stoves!

I've made this recipe a lot of times since the very first time I tried to cook it completely in the microwave, and that was indeed during a heatwave in the U.K.

I was craving curry in such a heat. I called myself crazy multiple times until I had a blast and I said to myself (yeah, I talk to myself all the time, I bet you all do as well *no judgments pls*): You know what Adriana? Why don't you try a microwave version: no heat for the stoves required, cut the times and might also turn out decent. Definitely worth trying!

And this is basically how this baby was conceived.

Now, what's a katsu curry without "katsuretsu" (long word for cutlet in Japanese)? 

I've decided to make an easy peasy katsu tofu to be served with this rich and smooth curry sauce, but you can use whatever veggies (sweet potatoes, courgettes, aubergines, cauliflower etc) or vegan protein (seitan, tempeh etc) you'd like to go for, following the next easy steps!

How to make Vegan Katsu Tofu

First we need to press the tofu for 15 minutes (you can skip this step if you're using frozen tofu or already pressed tofu) Cut tofu into cubes of approx 1 cm high and 3-4 in length.
Place it in a container sprinkle it with soy sauce and marinate for at least 1 hour.

Now prepare 3 bowls:
- one with the flour
- one with the oat milk
- one with the corn flakes crumbs

Coat every chunk of tofu first in flour (making sure it's well coated), then dip it in milk and finally in the crumbs (we want it to be completely coated this time as well).
Deep fry for around 2-3 minutes each side and place it in a plate with kitchen paper, to absorb the excess of oil.

Alternatively you can oven bake it or air fry it with just a little spray of vegetable oil on top for 15-20 minutes.

crispy katsu tofu

And there you have it: a nice katsu tofu with easy-peasy curry sauce ready to be served, enjoyed and absolutely loved!

Complete the dish with some sticky jasmine rice and a freshly squeezed lemon!


Did you like this recipe? Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to my mail list and to follow @avegtastefromatoz on Instagram or Facebook!

…or you can PIN the following image for later!

No Fuss Curry with Katsu Tofu Recipe

Ingredients:
...for the curry...

1 Large Carrot
1 Large Potato
2-3 Red Onions
3 Bay Leaves
1 Clove Garlic
1 cm Ginger
3 tablespoon Curry Powder
2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
1 tablespoon Turmeric
1 pinch Nutmeg
1 teaspoon Veg Stock Powder
1 pinch Oregano
½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1 teaspoon dried Parsley
1 teaspoon Pepper
1+½ teaspoon Salt
3 tablespoon Gluten Free Flour
250 g Water
350 g Coconut Milk
...for Katsu Tofu...
500 g Extra Firm Tofu
4 tablespoon Soy Sauce
100 g Plant Based Milk (Oat)
Gluten Free Flour
Crumbled Corn Flakes (or Panko Bread if not GF)
Vegetable Oil for frying

Method:
1. Press the tofu if needed and cut it in cubes of approx. 1 cm high and 3-4 in length.

2. Place it in a container and marinate in soy sauce for at least 1 hour.
3. Roughly chop the veggies and put them in a large bowl, microwave friendly.
4. Grate both the garlic and the ginger, add bay leaves, tomato paste, veg stock, oregano, parsley, salt, pepper and cayenne, and finally the water.
5. Microwave for 8 to 10 minutes at 800W.
6. Once the veggies are cooked, remove the bay leaves and add in the same bowl the coconut milk, all the remaining spices and the flour. Blend it with a stick blender until smooth, then cook again in the microwave for extra 3:30 minutes (this will allow thicken the sauce).
7. For the Katsu Tofu. Prepare 3 bowls: one with the flour, one with the oat milk, one with the corn flakes crumbs.
8. Coat every chunk of tofu first in flour (making sure it's well coated), then dip it in milk and finally in the crumbs (we want it to be completely coated this time as well).
9. Deep fry for around 2-3 minutes each side and place it in a plate with kitchen paper, to absorb the excess of oil.
10. Serve it warm with curry sauce, sticky Jasmine rice and a lemon wedge.vegan katsu tofu curry

katsu tofu curry
Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

No ratings yet

No Fuss Curry with Katsu Tofu

This easy katsu tofu curry recipe is what you need to learn to make yourself a restaurant quality dish in a poor amount of time!
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

...for the curry...
  • 1 Carrot Large
  • 1 Potato Large
  • 2-3 Red Onions
  • 3 Bay Leaves
  • 1 Garlic Clove
  • 1 cm Ginger
  • 3 tablespoon Curry Powder
  • 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
  • 1 tablespoon Turmeric
  • 1 pinch Nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon Bouillon Vegetable
  • 1 pinch Oregano
  • ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Parsley Dried or Fresh
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1.5 teaspoon Salt
  • 3 tablespoon All purpose Flour
  • 250 g Water
  • 350 g Coconut Milk
...for Katsu Tofu...
  • 500 g Tofu Extra Firm
  • 4 tablespoon Soy Sauce
  • 100 g Plant Based Milk Oat
  • All purpose Flour
  • Crumbled Corn Flakes or Panko Bread if not GF
  • Vegetable Oil for frying*
4 people
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Press the tofu if needed and cut it in cubes of approx 1 cm high and 3-4 in length.
  • Place it in a container and marinate in soy sauce for at least 1 hour.
  • Roughly chop the veggies and put them in a large bowl, microwave friendly.
  • Grate both the garlic and the ginger, add bay leaves, tomato paste, veg stock, oregano, parsley, salt, pepper and cayenne, and finally the water.
  • Microwave for 8 to 10 minutes at 800W.
  • Once the veggies are cooked, remove the bay leaves and add in the same bowl the coconut milk, all the remaining spices and the flour. Blend it with a stick blender until smooth, then cook again in the microwave for extra 3:30 minutes (this will allow thicken the sauce).
  • For the Katsu Tofu. Prepare 3 bowls: one with the flour, one with the oat milk, one with the corn flakes crumbs.
  • Coat every chunk of tofu first in flour (making sure it's well coated), then dip it in milk and finally in the crumbs (we want it to be completely coated this time as well).
  • Deep fry for around 2-3 minutes each side and place it in a plate with kitchen paper, to absorb the excess of oil. (see notes for air fryer option)
  • Serve it warm with curry sauce, sticky Jasmine rice and a lemon wedge.

Notes

For a healthier option you can air fry the tofu instead of deep fry. To do so, follow all steps until the bread coating, then place in the air fryer basket and spry it with vegetable oil. Cook for 7 minutes at 200°C (390°F), turn the tofu and spray it with more vegetable oil. Bake for another 5 minutes or until golden and crispy.

Nutrition

Calories: 422kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Potassium: 816mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2908IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 263mg | Iron: 8mg
Did you like this recipe?Follow @avegtastefromatoz and tag #avegtastefromatoz when you try it!

For more curry dishes, be sure to check out this Thai Green Curry with Crispy Tofu, this Spiced Potato Curry with Spinach and Chickpeas, this Tofu Makhani, this Cauliflower and Leek Curry or this Green Split Lentil Dahl.

 

Sharing is Caring! Please share my content on social networks 🙂

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Related

More Curry

  • Bagara Baingan in a serving plate in bright orange gravy garnished with fresh coriander
    Vegan Bagara Baingan
  • The best vegan laksa
    The BEST Vegan Laksa
  • Instant Pot Chickpea Biryani
  • Pumpkin Katsu Curry with Coconut Rice

Filed Under: Asian, Curry, Gluten Free, Health Conscious, Japanese, Mains, Soup, Tofu, Under 30 Minutes

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

nice to see you here

Welcome to a Veg Taste from A to Z! I'm Adriana Zifarelli, an Italian born massive foodie living in London. In this space you can find my true, tried and tested experiments in the kitchen. Have fun!

More about me →

SUMMER FAVOURITES

Eggplant "Meatballs"

Vegan Egg & Cress Sandwich

Vegan Grilled Mushroom Souvlaki

Mushroom Souvlaki

Couscous Stuffed Peppers

jerk barbecue corn ribs

Jerk BBQ Corn Ribs

crice noodles with seasonable colourful vegetables in a grey plate with half a lime

Vietnamese Noodle Salad

Lebanese Moussaka with Green Peppers FI

Lebanese Moussaka

Vegan Piña Colada Cheesecake

POPULAR NOW

wild garlic pesto spaghetti rolled into nests served on a grey plate and topped with pine nuts and wild garlic flowers

Wild Garlic Pesto Pasta

best vegan salmon / carrot lox close up on a wooden tray with lemon wedges, capers and dill

The Best Vegan Salmon

homemade vegan italian sausages with gluten roasted on a plate close up

Italian Style Sausages

How to Cook Potatoes in the IP

courgette and potato bake close up

Courgette and Potato Bake

vegan sticky toffee pudding slice on a white plate with fork and oozing toffee sauce

Best Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding

Vegan Lemon Pound Cake

tofu puffs on a grey plate

How to Make Tofu Puffs

tofu vegan eggs on chopping board

Vegan Hard Boiled Eggs

Vegan Quiche Lorraine Closed Up Slice

Ultimate Vegan Quiche Lorraine

seitan chicken shreds on chopping board

Vegan Seitan Chicken

tearing with hands a breaded and air fried oyster mushroom

Air Fried Oyster Mushrooms

Subscribe to get latest recipes!

privacy policy

Stay Connected

Copyright © 2025 a Veg Taste from A to Z on the Foodie Pro Theme

 

Loading Comments...
 

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

    This worked exactly as written, thanks!
    My family loved this!
    Thank you for sharing this recipe

    Or write in your own words:

    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required