By TAKASHI YOSHIKAWA/ Staff Writer
November 2, 2022 at 07:00 JST
A plate of Okayama curry served with white peach chutney, seen in front, at Kazicurry in Okayama (Takashi Yoshikawa)
OKAYAMA--Nearly 50 restaurants here are teaming up to promote the city’s new specialty, curry topped with chutney that features locally grown white peaches.
The relish is prepared by boiling the fruit, which is mixed with spices and other ingredients, until it is reduced to paste. The accompaniment complements the flavor of the curry.
The chutney was developed by Okayama Machiokoshi-tai, or town revitalization squad, which was established in March 2020 by department stores, shopping street vendors and the prefectural tourism federation to revitalize the city center.
Aware that local delicacies are a perennial draw for tourists, the group came up with the combination of curry, a universal food enjoyed by people regardless of age and gender, and white peaches, a specialty of Okayama Prefecture.
Okayama-style curry won the hearts of diners after local restaurants began serving the dish in November 2020. Regulars have been flocking back, hooked on the richness and savory taste of the peaches.
At present, 48 restaurants are involved in the endeavor.
Kazicurry in the city’s Kita Ward serves a curry dish with white peach chutney for an additional charge of 150 yen ($1), including tax.
The restaurant says the chutney goes particularly well with chicken curry (900 yen), which is prepared with tomatoes and more than 10 varieties of spices, and gives it a deeper and richer flavor.
Yoghurt is added to make the dish moderately sour.
Okayama curry sauce has also been used for curry bread, pasta, pizzas and quiche dishes, gradually gaining wide acceptance.
“We have hardly heard of anywhere that has established itself as the ‘town of curry,’ so it is advantageous for us to promote (Okayama),” a member of the revitalization group said.
“Eventually, we want to raise the profile of Okayama curry as a local delicacy integral to Okayama, like gyoza dumplings in Hamamatsu (in Shizuoka Prefecture) and Sanuki udon noodles (in Kagawa Prefecture).”
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