A day for the pasta named after Naples with no Naples connection

Today, and April 29th annually, is Napolitan Day ナポリタンの日 in Japan. Napolitan is a type of pasta that was born in Japan and has nothing to do with Naples despite its name. It is made from spaghetti dressed in ketchup, usually with onions, green peppers and sausages or ham.

It is a popular "itameshi" pasta dish and often features on the menus of cafes and Italian restaurants, although it is not Italian! They say that it was created by a chef in the Hotel New Grand in Yokohama after World War II. The story goes that the chef was inspired by American soldiers who mixed their spaghetti with tomato sauce.

The reason April 29th was chosen for the anniversary of Napolitan pasta is that it is a public holiday dedicated to the Showa era and Napolitan was born in the Showa era!