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Golden Japanese korokke croquettes on a plate with tonkatsu sauce

Japanese potato and meat croquettes

Korokke

Korokke

1h 15mMedium

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

15 min

Total Time

1 hr 15 min

Servings

4

8 croquettes

Difficulty

Medium

Cost

Budget

$

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Korokke

Japanese potato and meat croquettes

Creamy mashed potato croquettes with seasoned ground beef, coated in panko and fried until shatteringly crispy. A beloved Japanese yoshoku dish inspired by French cuisine and perfected with Japanese precision.

30m

Prep Time

15m

Cook Time

75m

Total Time

4

Servings

Medium

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Japanese CuisineSide DishAppetizerSnackDairy-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

September 28, 2024(Updated April 13, 2026)

Korokke are the Japanese take on the French croquette, and many would argue they improved on the original. The contrast between the crackly shell and molten creamy interior is pure comfort.

Why This Recipe Works

Chilling the formed croquettes before breading firms the interior so they hold their shape during frying. A three-step flour-egg-panko coating creates the signature ultra-crispy shell.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1/4 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. 1

    Boil potatoes until tender, drain, and mash. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.

  2. 2

    Stir-fry onion and ground beef until cooked. Season with 1 tsp soy sauce and mix into mashed potatoes. Cool completely.

  3. 3

    Shape mixture into oval patties. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until firm.

  4. 4

    Coat each in flour, dip in egg, and press into panko.

  5. 5

    Deep-fry at 350F for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown. Serve with tonkatsu sauce and shredded cabbage.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice

  • Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi

  • Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor

  • Arrange on a platter for easy sharing at your next gathering

Substitutions

Ground beefGround pork or canned corn

Both are classic korokke fillings in Japan

Russet potatoesSweet potatoes

Sweeter and more colorful variation

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Soy Sauce

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the pantry staple matters

This style of cooking leans heavily on a few foundational condiments. A better soy sauce is usually the fastest pantry upgrade to notice.

The savory base here starts with a more useful bottle, not another gadget.

  • Useful across marinades, stir-fries, and dipping sauces
  • Gives the final dish a fuller savory backbone

If this cuisine shows up regularly in your kitchen, soy sauce is one of the best-value pantry upgrades.

Shop soy sauce for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Make sure the potato mixture is completely cool before shaping, or the croquettes will fall apart.

  • Freeze shaped, breaded croquettes for convenient frying straight from frozen.

Storage

Freeze breaded, unfried croquettes for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Fry frozen korokke at 340F for 5 minutes. Bake at 400F for 15 minutes as an alternative.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (35mg) · 4 servings

Calories220
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein8g
Carbohydrates10g
Fat26g
Fiber340mg
Sugar1g
Sodium1g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake these instead?
Yes, spray with oil and bake at 425F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
What other fillings work?
Curry, cream corn, or crab and cream make popular Japanese korokke variations.

Explore More

More Japanese RecipesMore Side DishMore AppetizerMore SnackDairy-Free RecipesStovetop Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

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