Japanese Potato Croquettes, or “Korokke” as they are called in Japanese, is a delicious fried food made from panko-crumbed mashed potato with carrot, onion, and mince. In Japan, these are tasty street food but are also one of those Japanese home-style dishes that can easily be made from scratch.
What is Korokke?
Korokke is the Japanese name for potato croquettes. The outside of Korokke is perfect golden-brown that gives a wonderful “Crunch!” sound as you bite into it. And inside is the perfect “hoku hoku” mashed potato with the ultimate ratio of potato to beef mince.
What Makes Delicious Japanese Potato Croquettes?
The secrets to “hoku hoku” Japanese Potato Croquettes are; 1. Choose a starchy variety of potato. 2. Before you mash the cooked potato, shake it around to fluff up the outside and fry off the excess moisture from the potato. 3. Use Panko crumbs
What is “Hoku Hoku” Texture?
Sometimes food textures are described in Japanese using onomatopoeias (where the sound of the word is similar to the sound of the thing you are describing). It is very difficult to translate these words exactly. Sadly, only those who have bitten into a Korokke will know the comforting softness and warmth of the starchy steamy potato texture and know what I am talking about…..
Potato Types Suited to Korokke
So, let’s make some “hoku hoku” deliciousness so you can know the hidden meaning too! In order to achieve the perfect “hoku hoku” texture, using the right type of potato is the key. The two main types that you find in Japan are “Meekuin” (メークイン) and “Danshaku” (男爵).
Three Potato Types
Usually, potatoes are classified into three types: Starchy, Waxy, and All-purpose. The Starchy type makes for a great “hoku hoku” texture in Japanese Potato Croquettes because they are high in starch and low in moisture. And the Japanese variety Danshaku is the one most suitable for Korokke.
So I recommend making your Japanese korokke with a starchy type of potato in your country to experience the “hoku hoku” texture. For example, in the USA, the classic Idaho, or Russet would be a great choice for Japanese potato croquettes. In Australia, I usually use the Sabago variety which is more of an all-rounder.
How to Cook Potato for Making Croquettes
There is also one other important cooking tip to create the “hoku hoku” texture. After the potato is cooked and before you mash it, drain the water from the potatoes, put them back in the pot and shake them around to rough up the outsides.
This will result in the potatoes looking like they are covered in snowy-like potato powder. This technique helps decrease the amount of moisture in the potato through evaporation and makes the potato fluffier overall. This technique is called “kofuki imo”, and potatoes made this way are served as side dishes in Japanese cuisine.
Panko Crumbs
In order to get the crispy and crunchy outer coating, you need to use Japanese panko crumbs. Since the word “Panko” adopted into English and gained popularity over ordinary bread crumbs, you can purchase Panko from supermarkets and also online. If you can not access, Panko can be made easily at home following my Panko recipe.
Short Cut for the Batter
I usually short cut the process by making the batter before coating panko crumbs. Generally, Japanese cover shaped mashed potato with all-purpose flour, then dip it into beaten egg, then coat with panko crumbs. I mix the egg and flour together to make the first two steps into one and cut out one step.
Japanese Potato Croquettes are Great for an Obento Menu
My mother often cooked this for us because Japanese Potato Croquettes are a favorite dish of most Japanese children. Japanese Potato Croquettes are served either for lunch or dinner because this little croquette is like an all-in-one-meal! They’re especially great for Bento menu on-the-go!
FAQ for Japanese Potato Croquettes
Q1: Can I use any potatoes that I already have in my pantry?
A: Of course you can. You need to make sure that it is good to use and preferably the potato you have is the starchy type. If not, make sure that you follow the cooking potato tip in the above post. Also, read this tip from Tipbuzz whether your potato is good to use or not.
Q2: Could I make in bulk and store korokke for later use?
A: Yes you can. Make Korokke in bulk and freeze them before you deep fry. Wrap with cling wrap individually then place them in a freezer ziplock bag. It will keep for about a month in the freezer. And you can deep fry without defrosting them.
Suggested Side Dishes
The following Japanese side dishes are good to have with korokke.
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Ingredients
- 1lb/500g Starchy potatoes *1
- 0.3lb/120g Ground Beef
- 0.15lb/70g Onion *2
- 0.15lb/70g Carrot *3
- 1/2 tbs olive oil
- Oil for deep frying
Coating
- 1 egg
- 4 tbs plain flour
- 3 tbs water
- 1 tbs kewpie mayonnaise
- 2 cups of Japanese panko bread crumb *4
Instructions
- Peel and dice the potatoes.
- Cook the potatoes in boiling water for about 10 minutes.
- While the potato is being cooked, chop the onion and carrot finely and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a frying pan over high heat and add the mince to cook.
- When the color of most of the ground beef changes, add onion and carrot to cook for about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Check if the potatoes are cooked by inserting a skewer. If it goes through, the potato is cooked.
- Strain the water from the potatoes, put them back in the pot and shake them around to rough up the outsides a little. *5
- Then mash the potato with a potato masher while the potato is warm.
- Add cooked ground beef, onion and carrot to the mashed potato and combine them all well.
- Divide the mix into 8 equal sized flat ovals. *6
- Combine the egg, water, mayonnaise, and flour in a small bowl to make a batter. *7
- Coat each of the ovals with the batter, then place the potato oval into the panko crumbs.
- Coat all potato ovals with the panko crumbs.
- Heat deep frying oil in a deep pan until it reaches around 350°F (180°C). *8
- Fry each of the potato ovals until crispy and golden brown.
- Serve croquettes with salad leaves or any side dish of your choice. *9
Hello! I would love to try and make this recipe. Would it work in an air fryer instead of deep frying in oil? Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!
I think it would, but I don’t have an air fryer and never used any so I don’t know.
Yes, I do it in the air fryer.
How long and what temp do you air fry?
Hi Stephanie, I don’t have air fry so I am not sure
Hi Shihoko
Really love you’re recepies I did your shokupan bread last week and it turned out amazing thank you for sharing.
I dont own a deep fryer and really love to try these. does shallow frying work with this method
I really look forward to your reply
Thank you
Ian 😁
Thank you Ian, Yes, you can deep fry with your frying pan 😀
Hi, Have you ever tried the koroke recipe with left over fish like salmon or mackerel? I love the standard version with ground beef but often, I end up with left over fish and always in search for ways to create another tasty meal.
Hi Melver, I have not tried it myself but if your fish leftover do not contain much moisture, you can replace meat with fish.
I just tried this recipe. It is so delicious ever I think. My children like this so much. I like oily food, so I use a little bit more oil than your specifications.
Thank you Trotter 😀 I am glad that your children loved Korokke too!
Delicious and very easy! CombinOmg the egg and flour step into one was great! Thanks for a great recipe!
You are welcome T 😀 Thank you for trying out Korroke.
Hi,
You think it’s possible to bake these instead of deep frying? It’s healthier and less troublesome that way, but perhaps deep frying is better for flavors?
Hi Yiming, yes you can but as you said it will lose flavour. If you prefer to bake, see this post https://www.chopstickchronicles.com/baked-tonkatsu-japanese-panko-crumbed-pork-cutlet/
DEAR SHIHOKO-SAMA.,
I LOVE CROQUETTES. I HAVE TRIED POTATATO CROQUETTES IN MADRID AND THE ARE VERY GOOD, BUT YOUR RECIPE, INVOLVING MEAT SOUNDS MUCH BETTER.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.
Hi Angel, you are welcome. Try with meat and if you liked it, please rate the recipe next time 😀
Hi Shihoko,
Thanks for the awesome recipe. A new way to try potato 🙂
You are welcome
I made these croquettes a lot over the past 2 years. And I will still say this was one of the greatest findings I ever had. The recipe itself is amazing but after making it 6 or more times a year I changed it up often to the point where the only base I kept is the preparations of the potatoes and the coating. Yet regardless of how I made them they are delicious. And actually this is one of those dishes that makes the eyes of my girlfriend sparkle and just say ‘hoku hoku’ happily whenever I suggest croquettes. We are together for almost 5 years now but this recipe and my beloved high effort ramens are the only food that ever created that much joy in her. These croquettes are quite an essential part of us living together now and even when I feel drained from cooking, I can still stand there chopping everything and smile, having all these wonderful memories of her and my own joy attached to these. It is just a simple recipe, sure, it packs amazing and a lot of flavour though; but for me this dish is a life defining factor in our relationship by now, a staple of the things I can do to create my girlfriends most beautiful smile. And I wanted to thank you from the depth of my heart to have written this an other great inspirations for cooking.
Wow Andreas, Thank you so much for your kind words. Your lovely comment made my day seriously. And for readers like you, I keep going with my Japanese food blog because Japanese home cooking are not complicated, they are really simple but delicious. I am so happy to know that I shared that happiness with you and your partner creating beautiful smile on her face 😀 and even speaking Japanese onomatopoeia “hoku hoku”. It is very hard to describe unless you experience and know what I am talking about. And you got it!! YAY! Happy cooking 😀
My elder son is obsessed with Korokke. Now I’ll definitely need to try this “hokuhoku” recipe! Thank you~~
You are welcome Staci. You will find out why he is obsessed with Korokke 😀 you will be hooked too!
I make these too but with Indian twist. I use ground meat (goat, lamb, chicken, boiled egg or peas), cook with onion, meat and spices (coriander powder, dry mango powder, garam masala). Use the potato base and fill with any filling. Cover completely, roll I. Bread crumbs and deep fry.
That’s sound great 😀
Thanks for the lovely recipe, Shihoko!
I first tried these divine crunchy treats in Japan a few years ago.
Sadly, here in Sydney they are hard to find and the frozen ones from Japanese stores are not as good.
There are a couple of typos in your recipe at the end:
*calories “frozen (not freezed) *to accurately measure
Cheers
ann
Hi Ann, yes frozen ones are difficult to cook 😀 Thank you for correcting my typo 😀
Hello, I know you made this recipe a long time ago, but what are those cute little pans you’re letting them rest on? Do you perhaps have a link? Also, do you just use a heavy-bottomed pot to heat the oil and fry in or can a deep fryer be used? Thank you, ma’am! I love your blog. It’s wonderful.
Thank you Dizzy, They are
Stainless steel trays
that I bought in Japan.