Noodles are just noodles. They are nothing but staple food, loved mostly in Asia, and with that being said, noodles, regardless of where it hails from, are hardly consider a delicacy. However, when a Japanese ramen gets a little too good to be mere strings of unleavened dough, it gets the attention of prestigious Michelin Guide and subsequently, slapped with holy grail of recognition of food excellence: the Michelin star. According to the Michelin guide, a Michelin star is “coveted by many chefs but bestowed upon only to an excellent few.”
So, as you can imagine it is quite a big of a deal if a restaurant gets awarded with even a single star. Nakiryu is one such Japanese noodle restaurant to be bestowed with this prestigious award for 2017. It is the second ramen restaurant in Tokyo to do so following Tsuta, which happens to be located in the same neighborhood (what’s with this neighborhood and ramen???). But what interest us not the Tsuta, neither are we interested in Nakiryu’a achievement. It is cup noodles.
You see, back in May, one-Michelin-starred restaurant Nakiryu has released the Nissin Foods’ Signature Restaurant Series: Nakiryu Dandan Noodles (basically, egg noodles), thus making it the first ever Michelin star cup noodle and yes, cup noodle is instant noodle, but in a cup, or bowl. The thing is, we are not sure if releasing cup noodles version of a restaurant award-winning ramen immediately qualifies the cup noodle as a Michelin-starred cup noodle. In any case, someone actually did have a taste of it and the verdict was overwhelming.
Without additional condiments, the cup noodle was reportedly authentic, but throw in some condiments and garnishes, it’d heightened the authenticity even more. If the food reporter’s words were to be believed, then whether or not does this cup noodles automatically gets the nod of the Michelin guide is non-consequential. Assuming it does get a Michel one star rating, it’d be the most accessible Michelin meal ever because, these cup noodles can be found in most supermarkets and convenience stores, and for a super affordable 200 Yen a pop, or about US$1.80.
If you are thinking of skipping the queue forming long before the Tokyo restaurant throws its door open each day, then this is it. The caveat is, it is only available in Japan. Hence, for a taste of this prestigious instant ramen, you will need to fly to Japan or start digging around your phonebook for contacts in Japan who are willing to ship a few cups to you from Japan.
Featured image: Nissin Foods.
Images courtesy of RocketNews24.
via Goody Feed.
