.jpg) Taco rice at a restaurant inChatan, Okinawa | |
| Place of origin | Japan |
|---|---|
| Region or state | Okinawa Prefecture |
| Main ingredients | Rice,ground beef,cheese,lettuce,tomato, sauces |
Taco rice (タコライス,takoraisu) is a rice dish inmodern Okinawan cuisine. It consists oftaco-flavored ground beef served on a bed ofrice, frequently served with shreddedcheese, shreddedlettuce, andtomato, topped withsalsa.[1][2]
Charlie's Tacos, serving tacos in shells made from rice flour, had been established in 1956 as the first "taco place" in Okinawa.[3][4][5][self-published source] Taco rice was created in 1984 by Matsuzo Gibo and introduced at two of his cafes, Parlor Senri and King Tacos, located just a minute from the main gate ofCamp Hansen inKin, Okinawa.[6][7]
Taco rice is a popular dish among U.S. military personnel stationed in Okinawa as lunch or late night food.KFC put it on their menu throughout Japan for a time during the 1990s andYoshinoya, a nationwidegyūdon restaurant, serves it in the chain's restaurants in Okinawa prefecture.[7] In addition,Taco Bell offers it as a menu option at the chain's restaurant in theShibuya district of Tokyo.[citation needed]
TheTex-Mex flavor is sometimes replaced by the use ofsoy sauce,mirin andsake. Occasionally it is served with rice in atortilla roll.[citation needed]
