
Who needs Mt. Dew when you can have ready-to-chug ramen as your gamer fuel?
In Japan, instant ramen has long been the go-to for people who need to get something to eat, but also need to get back to whatever video game they’re right in the middle of playing ASAP. Instant ramen keeps for a long time so it’s easy to keep a stock of it on hand and save yourself a trip to the store to pick something up, and since all you have to do is pour hot water in and let the noodles cook for three minutes, it’s way faster to prepare than just about anything else.
However, once your instant ramen is ready you’ll still need to grab the cup in one hand, and chopsticks in the other, so unless you’re playing with a Dance Dance Revolution mat, you’re still going to need to pause the game and take yourself out of the action while you actually eat…unless, that, is, you’re eating Boost Noodle, Japan’s new for-gamers ramen designed to be eaten using just one hand.
Boost Noodle comes packed in a “spout pouch,” as maker Nippon Ham calls it. Just twist off the cap, life the pouch to your lips, and take swig of ramen, all while using you other hand to keep gaming.
Boost Noodle can be stored at room temperature for up to 90 days, and appears to require no cooking or heating whatsoever. Inside the pouch are noodles, chashu pork, menma (fermented bamboo shoots), and a mixed tonkotsu (pork stock)/seafood broth. The noodles themselves are special, as they’re made out of konnyaku, a wiggly yam gelatin that doesn’t get soggy (similar to the vending machine ramen we ate that one time in an Akihabara back alley), and the broth is a semi-gelatin too. To help keep those gamer senses tingling, each pack of Boost Noodle also contains 35 milligrams of caffeine, and the pouch is free-standing, just in case you need to quickly set it down to get both hands back on your controls.
Nippon Ham says the idea for Boost Noodle was initially pitched by a game-loving 20-something employee at the company, after which it took two years to refine and bring to market. In addition to gamers, though, Nippon Ham says Boost Noodle is a good fit for anytime you’ve got at least one hand tied up but are craving ramen, such as when using your smartphone or walking to your office or school as part of your morning commute.
▼ This woman could be eating ramen right now.
Boost Noodle goes on sale through e-commerce sites in Japan on July 27, priced at 660 yen (US$4.15).
Source: Nippon Ham via Sankei Shimbun via Hachima Kiko
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert images: Nippon Ham, Pakutaso
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!



Nissin releases new Gaming Cup Noodle in Japan, with caffeine to keep you gaming all night long
Alien Ramen: In space no one can hear you complain…
Pizza ramen Cup Noodle going on sale, could take us to comfort food heaven or hell
How to make yoghurt ramen with instant noodles
Pikachu ramen topping instantly makes your instant noodles twice as much fun to eat【Photos】
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Krispy Kreme Japan giving free donuts with morning drink purchases at all branches, maybe forever
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Mr. Sato discovers his inner beaver with a 16-inch chocolate “twig” at Tokyo Station
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Why is Yoshinoya called Yoshinoya?
Pringles Chocolate, but with a Japanese twist, is the snack hack you should be trying right now
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Whole boxes of Mystery Meat going on sale in Japan, Cup Noodle fans rejoice
Restaurant-quality frozen ramen that doesn’t need water added to go on sale 20 February
Cup Noodle Pro is Nissin’s latest way to up its instant ramen game
First ever Pringles instant cup ramen noodles are coming to Japan
Cup Noodle instant ramen topping ice cream is on sale now, Nissin reminds/threatens us
Pitch-black instant ramen added to Cup Noodle lineup to fill dark hole in our ramen-loving hearts
Anime girls will keep you company as you eat your instant ramen with new AR promotion
Should you add instant ramen toppings before or after adding hot water?【Taste test】
New Zero-Second Chicken Ramen leaves us zero reasons not to be eating ramen right now
Japan’s biggest ham company is making “tuna” that contains neither ham nor fish
Vanilla-flavoured creamy seafood cup ramen from Japan: Makes your noodles taste like ice cream
Cup Noodle’s latest giveaway prizes are insane, even by Cup Noodle standards【Pics】
Japan has instant ramen booster packs, and we’re not even trying to restrain ourselves【Taste test】
Amazing new powder turns ramen broth from a liquid back into a solid, but why?【Video】
Cup Noodle pizza flavor instant ramen arrives in Japan, but can it win over our greasy hearts?
Website lets you eat ramen with handsome actor – Great for fans, sort of awkward if you’re not