Japanese White Stew, also known as cream stew, is a beloved comfort food in Japan, especially during the colder months. With its mild, creamy broth and tender chunks of meat and vegetables, this dish offers warmth and nourishment in every spoonful. It’s the kind of homey, cozy meal that brings families together around the dinner table after a long day.
Unlike rich European cream-based stews, Japanese White Stew has a lighter, more delicate flavor. It’s typically made with a base of milk or cream combined with a roux, which gives the stew its smooth and velvety texture without being too heavy. The flavor is subtly savory, often enhanced with chicken broth and just a touch of sweetness, a signature element in many Japanese comfort foods.
The heart of the stew includes bite-sized pieces of chicken or pork, along with a colorful variety of vegetables like carrots, potatoes, onions, and sometimes broccoli or corn. These ingredients simmer gently in the creamy broth, absorbing the flavors and becoming perfectly tender. The result is a stew that feels both satisfying and gentle on the palate.
What makes Japanese White Stew even more appealing is how easy it is to make. It’s often prepared with the help of ready-made stew roux blocks sold in Japanese supermarkets, which simplify the cooking process without sacrificing flavor. However, homemade versions are just as rewarding and allow for more customization with ingredients and seasoning.
This dish is typically served with steamed rice or crusty bread, making it a complete, hearty meal. It’s a popular weeknight dinner option for families across Japan, and its subtle, soothing taste makes it perfect for children and adults alike.
Japanese White Stew is a reminder that comfort food doesn’t need to be complex to be deeply satisfying. With its creamy texture, mild flavor, and nourishing ingredients, it’s the kind of meal that warms both the body and the soul.

Ingredients
- 500 grams chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 carrot peeled and sliced
- 1 onion chopped
- 200 grams broccoli cut into small florets
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 500 milliliters milk
- 500 milliliters chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the flour and stir continuously to make a roux, about 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually add the milk and continue to stir until the sauce thickens.
- Pour in the chicken stock, and add the chicken pieces, diced potatoes, sliced carrot, and chopped onion. Bring to a simmer.
- Season with salt and pepper, and let it cook for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Add the broccoli florets and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
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Yummm! The milk and chicken combo is so creamy. Perfect for winter!
Totally agree! This dish is such a comfort food during those cold days. 😍
I dunno, milk and chicken? Sounds kinda weird to me. Is it really good?
I loved it, my partner not so much. He thinks it’s too plain. Guess it’s a hit or miss.
Nice but I forgot the broccoli 😅 Still turned out good!
Easy, quick, and tastes nice. Next time, I’m adding cheese! 🧀
Cheese sounds like a great idea! Adds flavor for sure. Enjoy your cooking!
This recipe is way too complicated! Can’t just mix stuff?
I don’t get why people like this. It tasted kinda bland.
This looks really comforting! Can’t wait to try it this weekend! 😊
So simple but so good! My kids devoured it. Will definitely make again.
Really good, but I substituted the chicken with tofu because I’m vegetarian. Still yummy!
I don’t have chicken stock, can I use vegetable stock instead?
Didn’t turn out quite right. The sauce was too thick. Not sure what I did wrong.
I don’t know about this. Sounds too bland for my taste. Why no spices?
I thought the same at first, but this stew is super creamy and comforting! Maybe try adding some herbs or a dash of soy sauce if you want more flavor!
OMG this was a disaster! The sauce didn’t thicken at all. What did I do wrong?
Disaster? That’s a bit dramatic! Did you follow the measurements? Sometimes less flour can make a difference.
You probably didn’t cook the roux long enough. Make sure to stir it until it’s golden before adding the milk!
5 stars! I made it for my family and they all cleaned their plates!!!
Kinda bland, but adding some spice might fix it for next time.
My kids wouldn’t touch it. I guess they wanted more flavor.
Delicious neva thought I’d like broccoli in a stew but it rocked!
I’m glad you liked it! Broccoli really adds a unique flavor to the stew. 😊
Didn’t have chicken so I used beef. Not the best idea. 😂
Beef? Really? 😂 That sounds like an interesting twist, but I don’t think that would work the same way! Stick to the chicken next time!
Lol, I mean who needs chicken anyway? Beef can work too I guess. Just don’t tell the recipe police!
I love chicken stew! I didn’t have broccoli, so I used peas instead. Still tasted great!
So easy and delicious! I might add some garlic next time. 🥰
Garlic would be a great addition! I love experimenting with flavors. 😊
I don’t know about adding garlic… Seems like it might mess it up? 🤔
Meh… was okay. I don’t see why people rave about it.
This looks delicious! I love the creamy texture. Can’t wait to try it!
Too much milk!! I didn’t like it at all. Yuck!
I actually loved the creaminess! Maybe you added too much milk by accident? 🤷♂️
best stew ever!!!
This was an amazing dish! My family loved it. Will definitely make again.
I am not a fan of stews in general, but this was decent. The roux part was confusing tho.
I made this for dinner but it came out too soupy. What did I do wrong?
It turned out too salty for my taste. Maybe I added too much? Not sure I’ll make it again.
I followed the recipe exactly, but it came out too thick. What did I do wrong? 🤔
I’m not sure about this. It seems too creamy for my taste. Maybe I’ll try it without the milk.
I get what you’re saying! The creaminess might not be for everyone. Trying it without milk could really change the flavor.
Nah, it needs the milk to be good! Otherwise, what’s the point? I guess some people just don’t like creamy stuff.
Delicious! My family loved it. Will make again!
So glad you liked it! It’s become a family favorite for us too. 😊
This stew was so creamy and delicious! My family loved it, especially the kids!
Honestly, I was skeptical but it was really nice. Might make it again sometime.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it! It’s such a comforting dish. Did you add anything extra to it?
Really? The way you described it makes me think it would taste bland. How did you season it?
This stew is awesome! I added some garlic and it turned out great!
Glad you liked it! Garlic really does elevate most dishes. Did you make any other tweaks?
Yummy! But a bit too much broccoli for my liking, next time I might skip it.
Easy to make! I’m not a chef but I managed just fine. 10/10 would eat again!
Very yummy! I added some garlic and it was a great addition! Thanks for this recipe!
Tasty! But where’s the spice? I like some heat in my food!
I used frozen chicken and the texture was off. Stick to fresh for best results!
So good! Can’t believe I spent my whole life without knowing this recipe. Thx!
I agree! This recipe is a game changer! I’ve made it twice this week already. So creamy and delish!
Looks good, but I’m not sure about the milk and chicken stock together. Isn’t that too liquidy?
Absolutely delicious! The creaminess is just perfect. My family loved it!
Yummyyyy! Just like my grandma used to make. Brings back such good memories.
This stew might be good, but my grandma’s recipe is way better! She used more veggies and added secret spices!
Broccoli? I thought it was supposed to be green stew. Confused! 😂
Looks easy enough, but I don’t get why you use so much milk. Is that normal for stew?
This looked good but my kids wouldn’t eat it. Maybe they’re just picky.
Maybe it’s too healthy? Kids generally prefer mac and cheese or chicken nuggets. Just sayin’.
Kids can be picky eaters sometimes. Have you tried adding cheese on top? They love that! 😄
Yum! My kids loved it! I added some extra veggies tho.
That’s great to hear! Extra veggies are always a good idea for kids. What did you add?
Not a fan. I expected more flavor. Maybe add garlic next time?
It’s just chicken soup. Why call it ‘Japanese’? 🤷♂️
Meh… just not my thing, too creamy for me. 🤢