Our Japanese-languge reporter heads to 7-Eleven to grab the most hotly anticipated cold treat fusion of the season.
You may have caught our earlier article about a curious fusion of dried ramen and buttery caramel ice cream, the dramatically named Baby Star Ramen on Ice – the mixture of comforting junk food we didn’t know we were waiting for.
Upon hearing about the collaboration of two time-honored treats, our Japanese-language reporter Ahiru Neko was lost for words. Sure, Baby Star Ramen is a staple snack for any self-respecting Japanese citizen, and who doesn’t like ice cream? However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have to mix. Imagine pudding and sushi, for instance. Two great tastes, but together? Bleh.
Now, Mr. Neko is something of a gourmet. When he’s not attacking bowls of pasta bigger than himself , or cramming himself full of more beef than the human body can handle he appreciates a good peculiar food (or anything food-like, really). So as soon as he was done gaping at the gall of the responsible snack companies, he was ready to take a bite of the action.
▼ To the 7-Eleven!
The Baby Star Ramen on Ice hit 7-Eleven convenience stores nationwide on May 29. It’s a peculiar love-child of Oyatsu Company (Baby Star Ramen) and Daisen Dairy Cooperative (Shiobara milk, a.k.a the ice cream). Retailing at 213 yen (US$1.95), the ice cream consists of buttery caramel flavor ice cream, a dash of soy sauce and a generous serving of the beloved dry ramen noodles.
▼ If it weren’t for the tell-tale ice crusted around the edges, it would even look like a ramen cup.
We already covered all the PR in the previous article, so Ahiru Neko was more than prepared when the time came to crack open the ice cream carton.
▼ My God, it’s full of ramen!
First impressions so far were well up to standard. Our contender brought a strong visual straight away, with that unmistakeable avalanche of dry noodles completely obscuring the ice cream from view. Ahiru Neko had to check that the Baby Star wasn’t playing foul by substituting a sweeter, non-standard flavor of their noodles. Nope! Regular old chicken flavor! Top points.
Then it was time for the moment of truth. He took a spoonful of noodles. He braced himself. Though he thought they would probably taste salty and sweet, he wasn’t sure what the actual result would be. It was time to take the plunge…
▼ The undisturbed surface of the ramen, moments before Ahiru Neko took a chomp
(crunch)
(crunch crunch)
(crunchcrunchcrunch)
Ah… Satisfyingly salty, just as he anticipated. The chicken flavor took him by surprise, though. It was somehow more powerful than usual, more enticing. In fact, the dry ramen completely overwhelmed any experience of the ice cream, like a dad stealing the spotlight at his daughter’s wedding. Not that that’s a bad thing: those little noodles were more-ish and super delicious!
Ahiru Neko reminded himself that the dry noodles were meant to serve as an accent to the ice cream, not the other way around. It wouldn’t do to just gobble down every noodle beforehand. He decided to try a lick of Baby Star’s vaunted partner, the butter caramel ice cream, on its own.
▼ Ahiru Neko carved out a chunk of ice.
The ice cream was mixed with a little soy sauce, which brought out the sweetness of the butter, lending it depth. The taste was gentle, in stark contrast with the overwhelmingly chicken-y noodles, and its rich flavor never passed the threshold into cloying sweetness.
While he was carefully judging the ice cream portion, Ahiru Neko found himself wishing that he could just eat that on its own as well. While both tastes were incredible, he couldn’t help but yearn for both snacks separately! Perhaps this power couple should split and focus on their solo careers, for the sake of future snack harmony.
▼ Now, to pick out all of those baby ramen noodles…
If you haven’t had your fill of chicken ramen and ice cream, don’t miss the review of the Chikira-House version! And if your palate has expanded to appreciate ice cream and carbohydrate combos, you should definitely read up on the ice cream interpretations of french fries, stew and spaghetti.
Images: ©SoraNews24
Related: Oyatsu Company
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