I tried out this easy dish this time, Spaghetti Napolitan. For those who only fancy Michelin starred restaurants may ask what the %$#^ is "Spaghetti Napolitan?" It is category of Japanese dishes called Yoshoku (洋食) where literal translation is Western dish but it is often referred to American/European dishes introduced in Japan and over the years evolved into own dish in Japan. Talking about dishes evolved into own in Japan, ramen is one of famous one but ramen originates in China so ramen is not called Yoshoku but ramen is called Chuka (中華).

Beside being quick easy dish, I decided on Spaghetti Napolitan, I have seen Japanese Roma-ji (ローマ字) spelling of "Naporitan" also, because this is the dish can be made from items available at local supermarket, does not have to go to Asian or Japanese grocery store.

First, the ingredient:
Spaghetti
Onion
Green pepper
Ketchup
Tomato sauce
Hot dog


Chose hot dog because Spaghetti Napolitan encountered in Japan does not use Italian sausage, but it uses Japanese sausage which I think American hot dog come closest.

First cook spaghetti as directed.


While spaghetti is cooked, on separate pan sauté onion, green pepper, and hot dog cut into small bite size. I used olive oil but does not have to be olive oil. I also used minced garlic but garlic is optional. Salt and pepper while sautéing the ingredient.


Once onion, green pepper, and hot dogs were cooked then add equal amount of ketchup and tomato sauce. This is the part you will find variation of this dish. Some will use ketchup only, some will add little bit of Worcestershire sauce to ketchup, some will add little bit of sugar although ketchup already contain sugar. In any case key ingredient of Spaghetti Napolitan is ketchup, if the recipe does not use ketchup then it is not Spaghettis Napolitan.

Simply warm ketchup/tomato sauce mix. Then add cooked spaghetti into the pan.


Another key point of Spaghetti Napolitan is after cooked spaghetti is added, sauté the content. Don't just mix the sauce and spaghetti, need to sauté for few minutes. By sautéing sugar from ketchup will caramelize and add texture to spaghetti which makes Spaghetti Napolitan. Key point of Spaghetti Napolitan is 1) use ketchup and 2) sauté spaghetti and sauce together.

Ready to serve.


When Spaghetti Napolitan used to be served at Kissatenn (喫茶店), the dish always came with Tabasco sauce, but my personal preference is Crystal hot sauce. But Crystal hot sauce is unlikely readily available in Japan, I think authentic Japanese Spaghettis Napolitan has to be with Tabasco sauce. Also, grated parmesan cheese is also commonly provided on side along with many pasta dishes in Japan.

May question if this is really Japanese dish... I do think Spaghetti Napolitan is Japanese Yoshoku and can be categorize on the same level as ramen and Japanese curry. When Shinkansen had dining car service (Shinkansen dining car service ended in 2000), the trip from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo I took, there was some track problem near Tokyo station and Hikari I was on stopped near Shizuoka station. Looked like I would get home late due to delay so decided to have a dinner at a dining car. I was not the only passengers had same thought, when I got to the dining car some items on menu were sold out. They still had Spaghetti Napolitan so I had Spagetti Napolitan for dinner on Shinkansen dining car. (nice memory ) Yes, Spaghetti Napolitan used to be served on Shinkansen dining car. If Spaghetti Napolitan was served on Shinkansen dining car then Spaghetti Napolitan is as Japan as Mt. Fuji!