An isekai trip for your taste buds, no truck accident required.
Isekai translates to “alternate world,” but within the Japanese pop culture sphere it’s also the name of a genre of anime, novels, and other media in which someone gets transported from our mundane plane of existence to a realm with new adventures waiting for them. A salaryman might be whisked away to a second life as a spacefaring explorer, or a schoolgirl might awaken to find herself reborn in a kingdom where she’s now part of a web of romantic courtly intrigue.
But now it’s Cup Noodles’ turn to get isekai-ed, as Nissin has announced three new flavors that combine their instant noodles with other beloved food brands from outside the cup ramen world.
First up for the Cup Noodle Isekai Gattai series (gattai meaning “combination”) is a collaboration between the standard Cup Noodle flavor and Gindaco, one of Japan’s most popular takoyaki (octopus ball) chains.
The familiar Cup Noodle broth gets enhancements of extra dashi (bonito stock), and the customary takoyaki ingredients of powdered seaweed, pickled ginger, plus flavors evocative of the sweet sauce that’s squirted on the dumplings. Inside the cup, Cup Noodle’s iconic “mystery meat” is joined by the similarly mysterious-sounding “octopus-style balls.” There’s also an extra packet of oil on the side to add after the noodles cook as a salute to the oil that Gindako adds to its takoyaki.
Next up is a meeting of the worlds of Curry Cup noodle and Karamucho, Japan’s spiciest mass-market crisp potato stick snacks.
The already piquant curry broth gets its heat turned up a notch with the addition of chilies, plus garlic too. Floating in that spicy/savory mix are pieces of chili-spiced potato, mystery meat, and carrots.
And finally, Seafood Cup Noodle joins forces with Gohan Desu Yo, a brand of simmered seaweed. Gohan Desu Yo is usually eaten by adding a small spoonful to a bowl of white rice, but for this team-up you get a packet of simmered seaweed paste to squeeze into the broth after cooking. That broth is based on the Seafood Cup Noodle, but with extra seaweed, and the oceanic theme continues with pieces of squid and imitation crab, plus cabbage, egg, and green onion.
All three varieties are priced at 259 yen (US$1.65) scheduled to go on sale November 9.
Source: Nissin via Golden Times
Images: Nissin
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