Kare Spaghetti (Japanese Curry Pasta with Chicken and Mushrooms)
A Japanese cafe favourite: spaghetti coated in a savoury curry sauce with chicken and mushrooms.
Made with Japanese curry roux. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.60 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Boil the spaghetti in well salted water for 2 minutes less than the pack says. Save a mug of the cooking water, then drain.
9 min - 2
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Fry the chicken for 6 minutes until golden and cooked through with no pink. Lift out.
6 min - 3
Add the onion, mushrooms and courgette to the pan and cook for 6 minutes until soft and golden.
6 min - 4
Pour in your ready made Japanese curry roux (see the base recipe) and 100 ml pasta water. Stir and simmer for 3 minutes until smooth and loose.
- 5
Add the spaghetti and chicken, toss for 1 to 2 minutes until every strand is coated, adding more pasta water if too thick.
2 min - 6
Serve in warm bowls scattered with spring onion.
Tips
- The sauce thickens fast on pasta. Loosen with starchy pasta water, not plain water.
- Prawns or sliced sausages are both traditional swaps for chicken.
- Finish the pan with a squeeze of lemon if the sauce tastes heavy.
- Use gluten free spaghetti and a gluten free roux for a gluten free version.
Storing and freezing
Keep in the fridge for up to 2 days, cooled within 1 hour. Reheat with a splash of water until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Is curry spaghetti really Japanese?
Yes. It is part of yoshoku, Western-style Japanese cooking, and appears in cafes and school lunches as a way to use curry sauce.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes. Leave out the chicken and use extra mushrooms plus a handful of sliced aubergine or pan-fried tofu.
Can I make it gluten free?
Yes. Use gluten free spaghetti. The roux is gluten free, but check the pasta label and cook it carefully so it does not overcook.
More made with japanese curry roux
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.