economy
Full steam ahead: how ‘navy curry’ conquered hearts in Japan
Thought to have been introduced by Anglo-Indian officers in the Royal Navy in the 1800s, the dish has since spiralled into a national obsession
TL;DR
- Curry is a long-standing Friday tradition for Japanese sailors, originally used to track time on voyages.
- It's considered a de facto national dish in Japan, cherished by SDF personnel.
- The dish was introduced in the late 1800s, potentially by British officers, helping to prevent vitamin B1 deficiency.
- Japanese navy curry is a milder, anglicized version, often served with meat and vegetables.
- Different SDF bases have developed their own recipes, leading to culinary competition.
- Japan's sailors consume approximately 45 tonnes of curry annually.
- Yokosuka is considered a 'navy curry capital' with its own variations and festivals.
- Recent incidents have involved sailors facing disciplinary action over unpaid curry and diplomatic tension arising from curry presentation.