Japanese Space Curry & Rice – A Real Meal from Orbit

Introduction

Did you know that Japan has developed over 50 types of certified space food, from curry and rice to miso soup and sweet treats? Among them, Japanese Space Curry stands out as one of the most iconic and heartwarming. Designed for astronauts on long missions, this curry offers not only nutrition but also comfort.

In this post, we’ll explore what this space-certified curry and rice set actually tastes like, how it’s prepared, and what we can learn from it. I made this post because I’ve always been fascinated by space, and food is a powerful way to connect something distant and abstract with our everyday lives.

Whether you’re a space geek, a foodie, or someone looking for unique culinary experiences, this is something you’ll want to see.

Ingredients

Here’s what came in the set I tried:

• Japanese Space Curry (Retort pouch, JAXA certified)

• Japanese Space White Rice (rehydratable)

• Hot water (to rehydrate the rice)

• Optional: Plate and bowl for presentation

🛒 I got the full 5-item set that includes curry, rice, miso chicken, and two kinds of onigiri.

You can try the same set here:

Japanese Space Food 5-Item Set (Curry, Rice, Miso Chicken, 2 Onigiri)

Instructions

Rehydrate the Rice

Pour boiling water into the rice container up to the line. Seal it and let it sit for about 15–20 minutes. This turns the dry vacuum-packed rice into fluffy, hot white rice.

Heat the Curry Pouch

Place the curry pouch (still sealed) in boiling water for a few minutes to warm it up. But on the ISS, astronauts use a food warmer instead

Plate the Food

Open both rice and curry pouches. You can eat directly from the container like in space, or plate it nicely at home to simulate an Earth-style meal.

Taste and Observe

Take your first bite. Observe the flavor, texture, and spiciness. Compare it to regular Japanese curry.

Reflect

Think about what it means to enjoy something so familiar even when it’s designed for outer space.

Tips

• The rice might seem dry at first. Let it sit a bit longer after rehydrating for better texture.

• The curry is labeled “medium spicy,” but it’s actually quite mild and easy to eat for me.

• This makes a great gift or educational experience, especially for kids interested in space!

Watch the Full Recipe on YouTube!

🎥 Want to see how it’s prepared and what it tastes like?

Check out my full YouTube video here:

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