In Japan, they are very fond of vending machines that sell products on the street. In the last decade they also turned to food. One of the consumers’ favorite choices was canned ramen, the traditional chunky soup that makes a complete meal.
Ramen was in these vending machines, however, so far the canned ramen has never been exactly the same as the real thing, as the “noodles” are made with konjac instead of wheat.
The main reason konjac is used is that the starch in this root vegetable provides a long-lasting firmness that mimics the texture of freshly made noodles throughout the shelf life of the product. However, the taste and texture are different from the noodles you would normally enjoy at a ramen restaurant, so true ramen fans have been left out.
Japanese noodle maker Maruyama Seimen has started selling canned ramen containing wheat noodles, which is a milestone in the industry. This new product is a total game changer for ramen lovers because it not only contains wheat noodles, but also has a flavorful soy sauce broth and ingredients such as scallion, menma (fermented bamboo shoots) and chashu pork. These newly developed wheat noodles maintain their firmness despite being in the broth for long periods.
At 500 yen (US$3.25), this is one of the most expensive products you’d normally see in a vending machine, but with a unique manufacturing method behind the product, it promises to deliver a canned ramen experience like no other.
Founded in 1958, Maruyama Seimen has decades of experience manufacturing noodles for food-related businesses and is always looking for ways to revitalize the noodle industry, which is currently facing difficulties due to a lack of successors.
The company has already generated a lot of interest with the new canned ramen, but, for now, you have to travel to try it, as it will be sold in vending machines at 150 locations in Miyagi Prefecture and 100 locations in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, before being distributed to other locations.
The product does not include chopsticks, so you can enjoy it straight from the can or wait until you get home to put it in a bowl.
William Say & Co, a company dedicated to the manufacture of cans, has decided to invest a significant sum of £850,000 in the construction of a new factory in London.
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