Curry Nanban Day

What Is Curry Nanban Day?

December 1st is "Curry Nanban Day" in Japan, marking the birthday of Torinosuke Kakuta, the second-generation owner of "Choshoan" in Nakameguro, Tokyo, credited with inventing curry nanban. It was established by the "Curry Udon 100th Anniversary Innovation Project."

A Japanese Noodle Dish Born From an Encounter of East and West

Curry nanban combines curry-flavored broth with soba or udon noodles, topped with long green onion. Kakuta is said to have opened a soba shop called "Tokyo Soba" in Tanimachi, Osaka, in 1908 and to have begun selling curry nanban around 1909. He later returned to Tokyo, and his line continues today as Choshoan in Nakameguro.

• Origin: the holiday marks the birthday of Torinosuke Kakuta, credited with inventing curry nanban
• Purpose: to spread the history and appeal of curry nanban and curry udon to more people
• The origin of "nanban": the word refers to long green onion; one theory says the "nanban" (Portuguese and Spanish visitors) were fond of it, another that it comes from Namba in Osaka, once a green-onion growing area
• Competing origin stories: another theory credits Sanchoan in Waseda, and many details remain unclear

A Fusion Flavor Dating Back to the Meiji Era

Curry nanban emerged from the fusion of curry, introduced from the West, with udon and soba, Japan's traditional noodle dishes -- a true symbol of East-meets-West cuisine.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Go out and enjoy curry nanban or curry udon
• Try making curry nanban at home
• Look into the difference between curry nanban and curry udon
• Learn about the history of curry nanban and who invented it

A Spicy Bowl Warms You From the Inside Out

As the cold deepens this time of year, noodles soaked in curry-flavored broth warm both body and heart. December 1st is a day to savor the appeal of curry nanban once again.