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A warm bowl of Japanese curry with rice sits on a patterned tablecloth, styled in soft candlelight with a glass of red wine and a small potted plant in the background. Text overlay reads “December 25, 2025 — Japanese Curry & Rosemary Vodka Spritz.”

We took this week off to rest and enjoy Christmas, so we are bringing back a favorite from earlier this year. We are sharing our Japanese curry. Kate lived in Japan for a school year, and this dish was always one of her comfort staples. It is deeply nostalgic, incredibly cozy, and it was one of the recipes you all loved the most.


It also feels perfectly fitting for the New Year. In Japan, the New Year is a much bigger holiday than Christmas, and it is celebrated with intention, tradition, and quiet grounding. Because of that, it felt right to revisit a dish that holds so much meaning.


We are pairing it with one of our holiday cocktails from this season, the Sparkling Rosemary Vodka Spritz. If you want a simple and refreshing drink to welcome the New Year, this one is perfect.

We are wishing you warmth, rest, and a beautiful start to 2026.

Kevin & Kate

Rosemary Vodka Spritz

A tall Collins glass filled with crushed ice and a pale rosemary-lemon vodka spritz, garnished with cranberries, a lemon peel, and a fresh rosemary sprig, photographed against a solid black background.

Japanese Curry

A close-up of a bowl of Japanese curry with tender vegetables and chicken served alongside white rice, set on a patterned tablecloth. A glass of red wine, soft candlelight, and a small potted plant create a cozy, warm atmosphere in the background.

Your Weekly Essentials

Everything you’ll need to make this meal — plus a few pantry staples you probably already have.

A gentle prompt to reflect on the past year and look toward the one ahead.

A warm, nostalgic jazz backdrop for a cozy New Year dinner at home.

notes from the kitchen

Just a few kitchen tips to make the most of this week's ingredients and flavors.

Japanese Curry Roux

This recipe requires a Japanese curry roux. You can often find the Golden Curry brand in most grocery stores. We usually order our favorite one online because it has the richest flavor and gives the curry that classic cozy texture. We'll link it here if you want to use the same one we do. → Link to our favorite Japanese curry roux


Caramelized Onions for Depth

The biggest secret to great Japanese curry is caramelizing the onions. Start them first while you prep the rest of your vegetables. Let them cook over medium heat for ten to fifteen minutes if you have the time. Leave them undisturbed for a few minutes at a time so they can brown and sweeten before you give them a gentle stir. This deep flavor makes the finished curry taste warm and comforting.


Rice Cooker Convenience

We love serving this curry with simple white rice. A rice cooker makes this incredibly easy because you can set it and forget it, and the rice comes out perfectly every time. Stovetop rice works well too. If you have been considering a rice cooker, we linked the one we use and love. → Link to our favorite rice cooker


Vegetarian Option

You can easily make this recipe vegetarian. Simply leave out the chicken and replace the broth with vegetable broth. You can keep it simple with just the vegetables, or add tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas for extra protein and heartiness. All of these options pair beautifully with the curry flavor.


Make It Your Own

Japanese curry is very forgiving. You can adjust the vegetables, the level of spice, and the thickness of the sauce to fit your taste. It is a cozy winter dish that welcomes small changes, and it is always delicious.

Heads up: We may earn a small commission on products we’ve linked here. We only recommend the real-deal favorites from our kitchen.

we hope you enjoy this week.  and as always,

Keep the Plates Full and the Spark Alive

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