Instant Curry Day
Food DaysWhat Is Instant Curry Day?
November 27th is "Instant Curry Day" (Sokuseki Karee no Hi) in Japan. It was established by Oriental Co., Ltd., based in Aichi Prefecture. On November 27, 1945, the company released "Oriental Instant Curry," devised by its founder Hoshino Masuichiro. It was a pioneering curry roux product that let families make curry rice easily at home.
A Revolution in Home Curry, Born Just After the War
Until then, making curry at home meant the extra work of frying flour and combining it with curry powder and seasonings. Hoshino thought, "If fried flour, curry powder, and seasonings are premixed into a powder, anyone can make curry rice at home," and released instant curry shortly after the end of World War II.
- Origin of the date: "Oriental Instant Curry" went on sale on November 27, 1945
- Established by: Oriental Co., Ltd.
- Inventor: The company's founder, Hoshino Masuichiro
- The product: A powdered curry roux combining curry powder with flour fried in beef fat and seasonings
The "Instant" Idea That Spread from Nagoya
Oriental was founded in Nagoya, and the birth of its instant curry is said to have depended on several strokes of luck, including access to wheat through the Port of Nagoya and receiving a large supply of spices. The idea of finishing time-consuming steps in advance led to the later spread of curry roux and helped make curry rice a staple of Japanese home cooking.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Make curry rice for dinner tonight
- Compare several brands of store-bought curry roux
- Look for old-style powdered curry mixes
- Chat with family or colleagues about your "secret ingredient" for curry
Doing the Work in Advance Helped Create a National Dish
By taking care of the tedious steps ahead of time, instant curry turned curry into a dish anyone could make. November 27th is a day to enjoy a plate of curry while thinking about the origins of Japanese home curry.