Yokosuka City is a seaside town full of exotic atmosphere. Famous as an international exchange city, the specialty of this area is "Navy Curry". Although it has become a representative local dish of the city, not many people may know much about its characteristics and history.

So this time, I'd like to talk about the appeal of the famous "Yokosuka Navy Curry."

What is Yokosuka Navy Curry?

Yokosuka Navy Curry is a local delicacy that was originally created based on military food served in the Japanese Navy.

The recipe is based on the method found in the "Navy Cooking Reference Book" published in 1908; since there was no commercially available curry roux at the time, "homemade curry" was made using beef tallow, wheat flour, and curry powder.

It does not use pork or lard, but instead uses beef or chicken, carrots, onions, potatoes, etc., giving it a light flavor, and it can currently be enjoyed at over 40 restaurants in the city.

So how did Yokosuka Navy Curry, with its nostalgic taste, become so popular across the country?

The history and origins of Yokosuka Navy Curry

Yokosuka Navy Curry, which is also the root of Japanese curry rice, dates back to the Meiji period.

At the time, the Japanese military mainly ate white rice, and beriberi, a disease caused by vitamin deficiency, was a major problem. It is said that Yokosuka Navy Curry began when, in order to improve this situation, curry served by the British Navy was added to the menu.

At that time, the British Navy served curry-flavored stew thickened with flour, and it is said that beriberi cases in the Japanese military dropped dramatically as a result of eating curry rice with plenty of meat and vegetables. It is said that soldiers who returned home later introduced Navy-style curry to the people.

It is also said that curry became a Yokosuka specialty due to a retirement party held in 1998 for the Regional Commander-in-Chief of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

During the conversation, one person suggested that since curry rice became popular on the dinner table thanks to naval curry, why not try to promote Yokosuka as the birthplace of curry? The following year, the city, chamber of commerce, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force worked together to declare Yokosuka "the city of curry."

Since then, Yokosuka City has continued to spread the word about the appeal of Navy curry.

How to make Yokosuka Navy Curry

From here, I will briefly introduce how to make Yokosuka Navy Curry.

The nostalgic Yokosuka Navy Curry uses very simple ingredients. First, diced beef or chicken, carrots, onions, and potatoes are fried.

Next, add beef fat to a separate frying pan and fry the flour until golden brown to make a roux. Once the roux is ready, add curry powder and soup to thin it out, then add the stir-fried meat and vegetables and simmer slowly. Once the ingredients are soft and the mixture has thickened, add salt to taste and it's done.

The finished curry is served over rice and with pickles such as chutney. Restaurants that serve Yokosuka Navy Curry often serve it with salad and milk, following the Navy's lead, in order to ensure a balanced nutritional diet.

When we think of curry, we imagine a spicy, spicy flavor, but back then it had a refined and mild taste that made the most of the flavor of the meat and vegetables.

The appeal of Yokosuka Navy Curry

At Yokosuka Navy Curry, you can enjoy different types of curry depending on the restaurant. Recently, not only curry rice but also bread, instant curry, and many other curry-related dishes have appeared.

At Yokosuka Navy Curry Honpo, where you can taste the original navy curry, you can also get the restaurant's menu items for takeout.

Another thing you should check out while you're there is the Yokosuka Maritime Self-Defense Force Curry, which is an actual reproduction of the recipe of the head chef aboard each of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's ships, and can be eaten at local curry restaurants.

It's like a dream to be able to casually try each ship's signature curry at a restaurant, such as the delicious "Demi-Glare Curry" made with crispy curry-flavored pork, or the "Chicken Curry" which makes use of the sweetness of onions and fruit.

If you are confused by the large number of restaurants, we recommend carrying a Yokosuka Navy Curry guidebook. It is convenient for you to choose your favorite curry while checking the locations and what kind of curry is available.

Sightseeing spots around Yokosuka

After enjoying the delicious curry, why not enjoy sightseeing in the city? From here, we will introduce some recommended sightseeing spots in Yokosuka.

The Yokosuka Navy Curry Honpo is a famous restaurant where you can eat the original Yokosuka Navy curry. Here, you can enjoy Japanese curry rice in a restaurant that faithfully follows the recipe of military food from the Meiji period and has an atmosphere reminiscent of that time.

This stew-flavored curry uses as little flour as possible to thicken the curry, and locks in the delicious flavors of vegetables and fruits, resulting in a smooth texture and refined taste.

There are also many other varieties to choose from, including black curry, which features a rich roux, and curries named after battleships.

From there, it's about a 15-minute walk to Mikasa Park, Yokosuka's most famous park. Inside the park, you'll find the Mikasa Memorial Ship and a statue of Togo Heihachiro, who served as commander at the time, and their presence is overwhelming. It's so cool that you'll find yourself taking your camera out.

There are also guided tours of the ship, making it a popular spot that symbolizes Yokosuka.

Another recommended place for sightseeing and shopping is Yokosuka Port Market. This facility was originally used as a cold storage facility, but has since been renovated. You can buy fresh vegetables and other seasonal ingredients from Yokosuka and the Miura Peninsula, and enjoy meals on the wooden deck with a view of the ocean.

It's located close to Misaki Park, so be sure to check it out.

Access to Yokosuka City

From here, we will introduce how to get to Yokosuka city. If you are traveling by train from Tokyo, take the Keihin Kyuko Line from Shinagawa Station to Yokosuka Chuo Station, which takes about 45 minutes. If you are traveling by JR Yokosuka Line, it will take about an hour to get there.

If you are driving from Tokyo, take the Yokohama Yokosuka Expressway, exit at Yokosuka IC, then change to the Honmachi Yamanaka Road and it's about a 10-minute drive.

If you are coming by plane, it will take about an hour from Haneda Airport to Yokosuka Chuo Station on the Keikyu Line.

Location of Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture

summary

This time we introduced Yokosuka Navy Curry, a local gourmet dish from Yokosuka City.

You can enjoy the historic navy curry, which is based on a recipe from the Meiji period, at restaurants in Yokosuka City. Each restaurant adds its own unique ingredients and secret flavors to create a nostalgic taste, so be sure to try it out.

\ We are looking for Tempo Star affiliates! /