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Back in 1998, Yokosuka City, for purposes of boosting tourism, declared curry rice as its official food. It is called 海軍カレー (Kaigun Ka-reh), which means "Navy Curry (Rice)", and the recipe was originally developed by the Japanese Imperial Navy, which had a large base in Yokosuka (for more details, see the link at the bottom). The concept worked well, and Yokosuka has become famous using "Kaigun/Navy" curry rice as its symbolic food -- which is prepared in several local eateries. Then, later on in 2008, the U.S. Navy offered to cooperate on the launch another food item which would serve as a culinary symbol of Yokosuka City -- the classic hamburger sandwich. Just like curry rice was a staple in the Japanese Navy, hamburgers are regularly prepared and consumed by crewmembers on U.S. Navy ships. In order to get things started, the Admiral from Headquarters, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Japan prepared an official letter which contained a recipe for making a "Navy Burger" (ネイビー バーガー) and presented the letter to the Mayor of Yokosuka. Thereafter, the Mayor's staff developed a public relations & advertising campaign for the Navy Burger, as well as selecting a number of local restaurants and pubs which would prepare and serve the sandwiches. The recipe for the Navy Burger was simple, requiring 80% lean beef, salt & pepper seasoning, lettuce/onion/pickle/tomato toppings, a white flour-based bun, and condiments kept on the side. As things turned out, the Navy Burger was, and continues to be, a huge tourism business success, drawing many visitors from areas outside of Yokosuka who, on some busy weekends, form long waiting lines in front of the eateries which serve the sandwiches. So, we hope that while you live in the Miura Peninsula area, you will have the chance to seek out & enjoy Yokosuka's signature food items: Navy Curry Rice and the Navy Burger!

written by Goodfield

Link:

Kaigun (Navy) Curry Rice https://us.iino.cc/blog/blog.html?eid=00062