Yokosuka Kaigun Curry (よこすか海軍カレー)

    Yokosuka Kaigun Curry
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    Introduction to Yokosuka Kaigun Curry

    Curry rice is a popular food in Japan. Many people overseas may have made it using curry roux or have eaten it at Japanese restaurants overseas. In Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, there is a different kind of curry called Yokosuka Kaigun Curry ( Yokosuka Navy Curry ). The curry can only be eaten in Yokosuka City.
    Aren’t you wondering why it is only available in Yokosuka City and what kind of curry it is?

    What is Yokosuka Kaigun Curry?

    There are many different curry recipes in Japan, but there are several requirements to be Yokosuka Kaigun Curry.
    The Navy Curry is a reproduction of a recipe in the “Naval Kappou Jutsu Reference Book” published in 1908, which contains recipes for military food prepared by the Japanese Navy. It is including instructions on how to make curry rice, but it is not enough to cook the curry.

    Here is some criteria to be it.

    1. Should be based on a recipe from the Navy Kappou Art Reference Book.
    2. Can be served in Yokosuka City.
    3. Must be served with a salad and milk.
    4. Only stores certified by Yokosuka City of Curry can use the name.
    Yokosuka Kaigun curry

    History

    The Japanese naval curry originated as naval food. In the Meiji era (1868-1912), the Japanese Navy took notice of the British Navy’s curry stew, which was easy to prepare and had a good nutritional balance. So They decided to make it one of naval food.

    In December of 1998, the Maritime Self-Defense Force District Commander’s Experience Party was held at the Maritime Self-Defense Force Tadodai Branch Office.
    The commissioner said at the party curry rice is spread to people and the start is naval curry. This was the beginning of a conversation in which the commissioner suggested using curry in Yokosuka city, because Yokosuka city is closely related to the navy.

    Yokosuka City, Yokosuka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Maritime Self-Defense Force discussed the issue. It was decided to recreate the curry served in the former Japanese Navy.

    On May 20, 1999, Yokosuka City declared “Curry Town Declaration”. After their consideration, Yokosuka Kaigun Curry became main brand of the curry for the those reasons.
    This is start of the Yokosuka curry!

    Yokosuka Kaigun Curry

    Yokosuka Kaigun Curry Recipe

    Yokosuka Kaigun Curry Ingredient

    Kaigun Curry for 6 People
    RiceProper Quantity
    Beef300 g
    Potato400 g
    Carrot250 g
    Onion500 g
    Beef Tallow140 g
    Wheat Flour 37 g
    Curry Powder90 g
    Fond de veau1200 cc
    Salt2.5 g
    Pepperlittle bit
    Chutney9 g
    Hymielittle bit
    Soup ingredients (umami seasoning)21 g
    Fukujinzuke (vegetables pickled in soy sauce)Proper Quantity

    How to cook Kaigun Curry ?

    STEP
    Cut the beef into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper.

    STEP
    Peel potatoes, dice into 5mm cubes, soak in water and drain.
    Dice carrots into 5mm cubes if the skin is clean.
    Cut the beef fat into small pieces.

    STEP
    Put 70 grams of beef fat in a pan and heat it so that it starts to smoke from the pan.

    STEP
    Then add the onion and sauté over high heat for about 3 minutes, add the step1 beef and sauté to brown, then add the potatoes and carrots and sauté over high heat for another 2 minutes.

    STEP
    Reduce the heat to medium and saute for 5 to 6 minutes, add the fond de veau, bring to a boil, and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.

    STEP
    When the vegetables are soft, add the soup stock and remove any lye.

    STEP
    In a frying pan, slowly fry 70g of beef fat over low heat, add flour after the oil has melted.
    Fry until bubbles appear all over and the mixture turns slightly brown.

    STEP
    Add the curry powder and fry over low heat until the mixture thickens without burning.
    If there is not enough oil, add a little salad oil and stir-fry.

    STEP
    Mix everything together and thicken.
    Season with salt, pepper, hai mee and chutney.

    STEP
    Place the rice on a plate, pour the curry over it, and garnish with chutney and fukujinzuke.

    STEP
    Prepare a salad and milk separately, and the Yokosuka Navy Curry is ready.

    Cooking Tips

    Choose potatoes, carrots, and onions with good ingredients, and when frying, use high heat to prevent moisture from escaping. If you are making fond de veau at home, you can add the used meat to the curry for more flavor.

    Is curry good for your health?

    Curry is the ultimate health food. Many kinds of spices are used in making curry. Pepper, cloves, and turmeric are common spices used in curry. Turmeric has antioxidant properties. Cloves are said to help with loss of appetite, liver function, insomnia, and stress.
    Below are some of the health benefits that can be expected from curry.

    Expected Health Benefits of Curry

    • Appetite regulation
    • Digestive stimulation
    • Metabolism promoting effects
    • Antibacterial activity
    • Autonomic Nerve Regulation
    • Circulation promoting action
    Yokosuka Kaigun Curry
    ©横須賀市提供

    Where can you eat Yokosuka Kaigun Curry ?

    Yokosuka Kaigun Curry served only in Yokosuka city, so we have to go to Yokosuka city for it!
    Yokosuka city is in Kanagawa prefecture that is next to tokyo, so it is not far to eat the delicious curry!

    Where is Yokosuka city


    Here is some recommended restaurants.

    WOOD ISLAND Curry Restaurant

    This restaurant is located right in front of the Yokosuka Naval Base and has a long history.
    The chef in this restaurant is one of the committee members who certify the Yokosuka Navy Curry, so you can enjoy the legitimate taste of the curry at this restaurant.

    Address: 1-4 Ootakicho, Yokosuka city, Kanagawa prefecture
    Phone Number: 046-827-4790
    Open Hour: 11:30-14:00 15:30-19:00
    Website: http://woodisland-yokosuka.com/index.html

    Yokosuka Navy Curry Honpo

    The restaurant has the atmosphere of a ship’s dining room.
    The curry in this restaurant is prepared in the same way as the curry made on the ship, and vegetables and fruits are used to give it a sweetness in the spiciness. The restaurant is on the second floor, and the first floor sells goods related to Yokosuka Navy Curry.

    Address: 1-11-8 Wakamatsucho, Yokosuka city, Kanagawa prefecture
    Phone Number: 046-829-1229
    Open Hour: 11:00 – 16:00 (Week day) 11:00-20:00(Week end)
    Website: https://yokosuka-curry.com

    Gyorantei

    The first restaurant to be certified as a curry town in Yokosuka is Gyo-ran-tei. Due to the deterioration of the building, the restaurant was regrettably closed by many people, but the owner’s strong desire to somehow preserve the taste of the restaurant was realized and the restaurant was reopened six months later.
    The curry at Gyorantei is made from Japanese beef and is carefully simmered with a lot of time and effort, resulting in a taste of umami blended in with the spiciness, so this restaurant is one of popular in yokosuka.

    Address: 3-13 Wakamatsucho, Yokosuka city, Kanagawa prefecture
    Phone Number: 046-854-7470
    Open Hour: 11:30-14:00 17:00-23:00(Week Day) 11:00-22:00 (Week End)
    Website: https://wakamatsu-market.jp/shop/gyorantei/

    Tsunami

    A restaurant popular for its Yokosuka Navy Curry and hearty hamburgers.
    Tsunami’s Yokosuka Naval Curry is a dish with a good balance of sweet and sour onions and a lot of flavor from the large, rumbling meat. This restaurant is located in the middle of Dobuita stree, and on Saturdays and Sundays there is a line of tourists waiting to get in.
    The restaurant also sells Yokosuka’s famous navy burger, so if you have room in your stomach, you can order one along with it.

    Address: 2-1-9 Hocno, Yokosuka city, Kanagawa prefecture
    Phone Number: 046-827-1949
    Open Hour: 11:00 – 22:00
    Website: https://www.navyburger.com

    Conclusion

    Yokosuka Kaigun Curry, the origin of popular curry in Japan, is a must-try if you like curry. This is the only place where you can try the special curry, so I highly recommend trying it in Yokosuka.
    In Japan, there are many other dishes that use curry. Take a look at some of the other curry dishes here!

    Yokosuka Kaigun Curry

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    Comments

    List of comments (2)

    • There’s no cooking of the beef in your recipe.
      In step 4, you state “add 1 and sauté to brown.”
      Do you mean “add the beef and sauté to brown?”
      Also, under Cooking Tips, there is a repetitive sentence, “If you are making fond de veau at home, you can add the used meat to the curry for more flavor. If you want to make fond de veau at home, you can add the used meat to the curry.”

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