[Recipe] Japanese Napolitan Spaghetti

If you've ever visited a Japanese café, you might have come across Napolitan Spaghetti—a ketchup-based pasta that is uniquely Japanese despite its Italian-sounding name. While it may shock Italians, this dish has been a staple in Japan for decades, offering a simple yet nostalgic flavor. Think of it as Japan’s version of quick comfort food, much like how diners serve classic American-style spaghetti in the U.S.

The recipe varies widely depending on personal preference, with some including garlic, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, tonkatsu sauce, or even milk.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

Sauce:

Ketchup – 8 tbsp (140g)
Worcestershire sauce – 1 tbsp
Milk – 6 tbsp (90ml)

Pasta & Toppings:

Spaghetti – 200g (cooked and slightly softened)
Green bell pepper – 1 (sliced)
Onion – 1 small (sliced)
Mushrooms – 3 (sliced)
Sausages – 4 (sliced, with 1 left whole for garnish)
Cooking oil – 1 tbsp
Parmesan cheese (powdered) – for topping
Fried egg – optional

How to Make It

1. Prepare the Sauce

Mix ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and milk in a bowl. The milk helps create a slightly orange-red hue instead of a deep red sauce, which is actually the classic Napolitan color!

2. Cook the Sausages and Vegetables

Heat oil in a non-stick pan (essential for Napolitan!).

Sauté the sausages until slightly crispy to render out their oil.

Add mushrooms, followed by onions and bell peppers.

Once softened, remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Cook the Sauce

In the same pan, turn off the heat before adding the sauce.

Once added, turn the heat back on and let the sauce warm up gently. This prevents the ketchup from splattering.

4. Combine with Pasta

Add pre-cooked spaghetti (some recipes suggest leaving the cooked pasta in the fridge for a few hours to give it a chewier texture).
Toss everything together, adding a bit of pasta water if needed to help mix the sauce evenly.

5. Serve & Enjoy!

Top with a fried egg for an authentic touch.

Sprinkle powdered Parmesan cheese (not fresh-grated—it’s all about the nostalgic flavor!).

30-sec recipe

How Does It Taste?

If you’ve ever had stir-fried sausages and ketchup (ssoya), this will feel familiar! It’s a mix of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, with the vegetables adding their own distinct aromas. Despite being a simple dish, every bite is packed with nostalgia.