Homemade Curry and 2-Minute Microwave Rice: The Miracle of Japanese Retort Packs


For lunch today, I made a quick homemade curry rice using a "2-minute microwave rice pack."

​All you have to do is peel back the corner of the lid slightly and microwave it for two minutes. Just like that, you get to enjoy steaming, freshly cooked white rice!

​I transferred the rice to a plate and poured my homemade curry right next to it to complete the dish. My full lunch menu today consisted of this curry rice, yesterday’s leftover miso soup, and some Natto (fermented soybeans).


​Since rice is the staple food in Japan, we obviously cook it at home a lot. But what's amazing is that even these instant retort packs are engineered to taste incredibly good. I’m so grateful for this level of quality and convenience.

​By the way, does your country have any convenient instant food packs or microwavable meals that you use all the time? If so, what kind of food is inside? Let me know in the comments!

Comments

Post a Comment

If you enjoyed this glimpse into my daily life, you can buy me a coffee here!

Popular posts from this blog

Today's Lunch: Super Spicy & Rich Chicken Ramen

Image
​I went out for ramen with my friend today! We had this spicy, rich chicken ramen covered in bright red ichimi (cayenne pepper powder). ​The soup is so thick and creamy that it clings to the noodles perfectly. Every bite is packed with the intense flavor of the broth! ​Of course, the toppings—chashu (braised pork), nori (seaweed), and nitamago (soft-boiled seasoned egg)—were the perfect match for the rich soup. It was absolutely delicious! ​As many of you probably know, Japanese people (especially guys!) LOVE ramen. That’s why there are so many different varieties of ramen all over the country. ​I’ll share more whenever I try a new bowl. Stay tuned! ​How spicy do you like your ramen? 
Read more

Today's Budget-Friendly Lunch: Retort Curry and Bean Sprouts! 🍛

Image
Today's lunch is Japanese curry rice and sautéed bean sprouts! ​In Japanese supermarkets, you'll find an incredible variety of "retort" (ready-to-eat) curry pouches. They are very affordable, yet each one tastes amazing. All you have to do is heat the pouch in the microwave for about a minute, pour it over rice, and it's done! ​For the rice, I used some leftover broccoli rice I made yesterday. ​The side dish is bean sprouts, which are probably the cheapest vegetable you can buy in Japan—only about 35 yen (approx. $0.23) per bag! My favorite way to eat them is a simple sauté with sesame oil, salt, and pepper. It’s so simple, yet delicious. ​Today’s meal is a real "budget home-cooked lunch," but I'm totally satisfied!
Read more

McDonald’s Japan: The King of Fast Food and a Friend to the "Ordinary Guy"

Image
Today's lunch was McDonald’s! ​As many of you probably know, McDonald’s is everywhere in Japan. It is truly the king of hamburger chains here. ​I ordered the classic Big Mac meal (we call it a "Big Mac Set" in Japan). ​I’ve heard that the Big Mac in Japan is actually one of the cheapest in the world. For an ordinary Japanese guy like me, it’s a reliable friend that lets me get full without breaking the bank. ​A hearty burger paired with salty French fries—it’s the best! ​However, the concern about nutritional balance is the same in Japan as it is everywhere else in the world, so I have to be careful not to overdo it.
Read more