Curry Udon Day

What Is Curry Udon Day?

August 2nd is "Curry Udon Day" in Japan, established in 2010 by the "Curry Udon 100th Anniversary Innovation Project," a group devoted to celebrating curry udon.

Why August 2nd?

The date's origin reflects both curry udon's history and a nod to two neighboring anniversaries.

• Its origin: curry udon is said to have begun in 1910, when the soba restaurant "Choshoan" in Meguro, Tokyo, first served "curry nanban"
• A 100th anniversary: 2010 marked exactly 100 years since that first serving -- a fitting milestone year
• Choosing the date: since June 2nd is "Yokohama Curry Day" and July 2nd is "Udon Day," August 2nd was chosen to follow naturally after both

"Choshoan" Is Still Open Today

Choshoan, regarded as the birthplace of curry udon, remains open in Meguro, Tokyo, to this day, still serving "curry nanban" made from the same recipe used at the time.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Try curry udon yourself, whether at a restaurant or homemade
• Learn about Choshoan, the restaurant where curry udon began
• Trace the history of curry udon as a fusion of Japanese and Western cuisine
• Think up your own favorite curry udon toppings or variations

A Japanese-Western Masterpiece, Born in a Soba Shop

Curry udon was born from the bold idea of combining curry -- still a novel Western dish at the time -- with the traditionally Japanese setting of a soba restaurant. Let August 2nd be a chance to savor this fusion, born more than a century ago, all over again.