Apr 20, 2024 23:41:00

I tried 'Tateyama JMSDF Curry', a spicy curry made with ingredients from Tateyama, in Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has a tradition of eating curry every Friday, which has been passed down since the Japanese Navy. In Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, where the Tateyama Air Base is located, a local curry called ' Tateyama JMSDF Curry ' supervised by the base has been available since 2023, so I went to try it.

Tateyama JMSDF Curry Official Website - Local curry made under the supervision of the Tateyama Air Base

https://tateyama-kcurry.com/

'Tateyama JMSDF Curry' is based on the concept of 'not too hard, but thick' and 'not too sweet, but spicy.'
1: The amount of rice and roux is 200g to 240g
2: Mix the roux and keep the spices simple
3: Drink included = Milk is available as a choice
4: Comes with salad and pickled radish
5: Use carefully selected ingredients from Tateyama and Boso. Side dishes that reveal the origin and the intention of the maker.
There are five basic rules:

It is served at five restaurants in Tateyama City, but one of them is only for dinner and the other is only for hotel guests, so I tried the three 'Tateyama JMSDF Curry' restaurants that are open for lunch.

Arrive at JR Uchibo Line Tateyama Station. All three shops are within a 30-minute walk from Tateyama Station.

◆ Hifumi honey and Satomi Fushihime beef curry
First, we head to

Hifumi Bee Farm, a famous honey store located north of Tateyama Station.

Café123 is located to the north of the beekeeping farm.

This is the 'Monument to the Bees,' a memorial to the souls of the bees that have become victims of beekeeping.

The dish served at this cafe is 'Hifumi Honey & Satomi Fushihime Beef Curry.'

On the rice was a Black Jack Flight flag representing the Tateyama Air Group. The long and narrow bowl is actually used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. It is shaped like this so that the stacked bowls do not collapse when the ship rocks.

This is a thick and rich curry in which the fine ingredients melt completely and are combined with a spicy kick to the core.

It also comes with a hamburger steak and salad plate, with an original dressing made from turnip, sweet summer mandarin oranges, and honey.

For dessert, agar made from Boso-grown agar and honeybee soft serve ice cream are included. Honey is provided as a table condiment, so you can add as much honey as you like, which is a nice touch.

'Hifumi Honey & Satomi Fushihime Beef Curry' is available for 1,880 yen including tax. The route from the east exit of Tateyama Station to Café123 looks like this. If the bus time works out, you can get on at 'Hachiman Shrine Mae' and it's only a 5-minute walk away.


◆ Tateyama's specialty curry with vegetables to give you energy
Photon 325, a bar near Tateyama Station, operates as a curry restaurant during lunch hours.

As the name suggests, it is characterized by the large amount of vegetables that look large. According to the staff, most of the ingredients used are produced in Tateyama, so it can be said that this curry set allows you to taste Tateyama in particular.

A distinctive feature of 'Tateyama JMSDF Curry' is the generous serving of salad.

The 'Vegetable Gorori Energizing Tateyama Specialty Curry' is 1,650 yen including tax. 'Photon 325' is about a 3-minute walk from the east exit of Tateyama Station.


◆Boso Mackerel and Chicken Curry
Finally, we head to

Satomi Chaya, located in the park at the foot of Tateyama Castle.

This is a Japanese-style cafe that mainly serves handmade dango and tea, but they also serve curry.

This curry looks rich and spicy with a strong flavor of dried mackerel.

It also comes with a whole piece of chicken thigh on the bone, making it very filling.

It also comes with the famous 'Hakkenshi Dango'.

The 'Boshu Sababushi Addictive Chicken Curry' is priced at 1,580 yen including tax. Depending on the time of day, the restaurant may only serve a small number of people, so please plan your visit with the assumption that you will be able to spend a leisurely time there.

Satomi Chaya is located here, about a 25-minute walk from the east exit of Tateyama Station. If you take the bus, take the bus heading towards Tateyama Air Corps and get off at 'Shiroyama Park Mae.'


In addition, Maruhei Minshuku, a small seaside inn near the main gate of Tateyama Air Base, serves 'Black Jack Curry with tuna sanga and fragrant black sesame oil' exclusively to guests staying overnight, and Tateyama Resort Hotel, a resort hotel in Heisaura in the southern part of Tateyama City, serves 'Heisaura Fish Burger Curry' exclusively for dinner.