🍜 Wu Hai Zi Curry (Wu Hai Jun Curry)

When it comes to Kure City, you must try "Kure Navy Curry" (吳海自咖哩). The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has a tradition of serving curry rice for lunch every Friday, which is said to help prevent crew members from losing track of what day it is during long periods at sea. One of the characteristics of Kure Navy Curry is its unique flavors, which vary according to the exclusive curry recipes passed down by different ships. Many restaurants in the city learn these curry recipes from the chefs of various vessels, and they must be certified by the ship captains to claim they serve "Kure Navy Curry," offering a version that is different from regular curry rice. If you have time, it's recommended to visit the restaurants that serve Kure Navy Curry and taste the different flavors they offer. At the "Kure City Tourist Information Plaza," just a minute's walk from Kure Station, you can obtain a small booklet that introduces restaurants offering Kure Navy Curry. It’s advisable to get this as soon as you arrive in Kure City. There are also many places in the city selling cooking kits, allowing you to enjoy "Kure Navy Curry" at home. These are available at locations such as the Yamato Museum and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure Historical Museum (Iron Whale Museum).

The recipe for the curry actually consumed by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's various vessels has been recreated. In the city of Kure, there are a total of 25 restaurants (as of 2021) where you can enjoy the exclusive curry from each ship. Only flavors approved by the captains of the ships can be labeled as Kure JMSDF curry. There is also a Kure JMSDF curry cooking kit that is perfect as a souvenir.