Korokke, Japanese Croquette
Crispy Delights - Japanese Potato Croquette
Korokke, the delicious Japanese potato croquette, is a mouthwatering blend of mashed potatoes and pan-fried ground beef, encased in a crunchy, golden-brown coating. Not only does it offer a savory delight, but it is also a popular street food and snack in Japan. In this blog post, we will take a nostalgic journey through some delightful Korokke memories, and I will share with you a simple and easy-to-follow recipe. Whether you're a fan of Japanese cuisine or simply looking to expand your culinary horizons, Korokke is a delightful treat that will leave you craving for more.
RECIPE
Servings: 24 pcs
Time: 60 min
Ingredients:
5 pcs potato
1 pc onion
1 pc carrot
1/2 lbs ground beef
Salt and pepper
3 tbsp butter
vegetable oil for frying
1 cup flour
2 pcs egg
3 cups panko
Instructions:
Peel the potatoes and cut them into small pieces. Place them in a pot and cover with water. Add a pinch of salt and cook for approximately 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft and fully cooked.
Chop the onion and carrot into small pieces. In a separate pan, cook the chopped vegetables until they become tender. Then, add the ground beef, butter, salt, and pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked.
Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and transfer them to a mixing bowl. Mash the potatoes using a fork or a potato masher until they are smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the pan-fried beef mixture to the mashed potatoes. Mix well until the beef is evenly distributed throughout the potato mixture. If time permits, let the mixture cool down and rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will help the mixture firm up, making it easier to shape into patties.
Take a portion of the potato and beef mixture and shape it into a patty using your hands.
To coat the patties, set up a coating station. Place flour, beaten eggs, and Panko breadcrumbs in separate shallow dishes. Take one potato patty and coat it lightly with flour, dip it into the beaten eggs, ensuring it is fully coated, and then roll it in the Panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere the breadcrumbs to the patty. Repeat this process for all the patties.
Heat vegetable oil in a pan or deep fryer. The oil should be deep enough to fully submerge the patties. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the patties into the pan, and fry until they turn a golden brown color on both sides. This should take approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Once cooked, remove the patties from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
My Korokke Memory: One memory I have of Korokke takes me back to my high school days. There was a delightful deli shop conveniently located right next to my school. Not only did they offer a variety of snacks, but they also had a small diner section where they served hot meals. As you can imagine, it quickly became a favorite spot for many high school kids, including myself, to satisfy our hungry stomachs after a long day of classes. And one snack that always caught my attention was the irresistible Korokke.
I can still remember the aroma of freshly deep-fried Korokke filling the air as I entered the deli. The crispy golden exterior was simply irresistible. It became a ritual for me to indulge in this delicious treat, unable to resist its allure after a tiring day at school. The deli's Korokke became a source of comfort and satisfaction, a reward for enduring the challenges of academic life.
Also, on my way home from school, there was a charming retro shopping street, and nestled within it was a small meat shop that also offered delicious Korokke. Coincidentally, they always had a fresh batch of Korokke right around the time we finished classes for the day. Despite already stopping by the deli near school, I couldn't resist the temptation of grabbing another Korokke from this meat shop. At such an affordable price, around 30-40 yen each at the time, it was a budget-friendly indulgence for high school kids like me.
Those moments spent savoring the crispy exterior, followed by the creamy and savory potato filling, remain etched in my memory. Korokke became more than just a snack; it symbolized a sense of community and the simple joys of youth.
History of Korokke: The history of Korokke can be traced back to its origins in Western cuisine, particularly the French croquette. The croquette, which originated in France, is a deep-fried roll or patty made from a mixture of meat, vegetables, or seafood, coated in breadcrumbs. It gained popularity in Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912) when Western influences were introduced to the country.
The exact details of how the croquette made its way to Japan are not well-documented, but it is believed to have been introduced by European settlers and traders. As Yoshoku, Western-style cuisine gained traction in Japan, chefs and home cooks began adapting and incorporating foreign dishes into the local culinary repertoire. One of these adaptations was the creation of the Korokke, a Japanese twist on the French croquette.
