It Never Became a Western Dish

“Make me that Western dish—meat and potatoes simmered in a dark, thick sauce.” All they had to go on were descriptions of its taste and appearance. They had never seen it. Never tasted it. They simmered the meat and potatoes, then stood before the pot and thought. Dark. Richly flavored. Perhaps this seasoning could bring it closer. After much deliberation, they resorted to a desperate measure. “…Let’s try soy sauce.” It never became a Western dish. —But according to one story, that was how nikujaga was born.