"Garret Popcorn Shops" is a popcorn shop that is "a little luxurious and gourmet". At the beginning of the opening of the Harajuku store, which was the first store in Japan, there was a line of 1 to 2 hours. Although I wanted to eat it, I was hesitant to line up with popcorn for 2 hours, but I realized that 2 months had passed. One day, I got a rumor that I could buy it in about 30 minutes. Are you wondering if this rumor is true?

If you're curious, the En-eating editorial department is the place to go. Now to Harajuku! I feel like I can tolerate a waiting time of 30 minutes!

■ I arrived in Harajuku

At 10:40, a little after the store opened, I arrived at the store in front of Harajuku Station. Looking at the entrance ... Oh? I can't find the procession. Maybe you can buy it without waiting anymore? Wow, let's get in!

At the entrance, the clerk asks me to line up. There was no line, right? Looking back while thinking ... there was. There is a line on the sidewalk on the other side of the road! Naruhodo.

Moreover, this matrix is long again. Counting the people in line, 55 people! It continues to just below the pedestrian bridge in front of the station. Behind the line is a clerk's older sister with a "last" tag, which looks like an amusement park. When asked about the waiting time, it takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour. It wasn't about "30 minutes".

When I was a little depressed, the clerk gave me a pamphlet for the store. I hope you read this and wait.

According to the pamphlet, Garrett Popcorn Shops is a long-established popcorn specialty store that opened in Chicago 60 years ago. We have 28 stores worldwide, including the United States and Singapore. They use corn cultivated by contract farmers and only offer "freshly made" handmade at the shop every day. As expected, the popcorn stores that are very popular all over the world are different.

25 minutes to wait while looking at the pamphlet so that a hole seems to open. When the line is about one-third left, you will be given a menu this time.

There are 6 flavors to choose from, including 6 flavors such as caramel crisp, cheese corn, and mild salt, and Chicago Mix, a signature product that blends caramel and cheese. You can choose from two types of containers: a paper "flavor pack" type and a shop-original can type. The number of cans is limited.

It takes 15 minutes to wait while looking at the menu so that a hole may open again. It's finally my turn! In front of the store, the clerk asks for an order. This time, I chose the Chicago mix. Take the written order sheet and go inside the store.

■ Finally to the store

When you pass through the door, there is a line of about 10 people in the store. The store, which has only sales space, is overcrowded. Follow the signs and wait in line.

Originally designed galette cans are lined up on the walls of the store. In the show window in the foreground, there are freshly made popcorn sorted by taste! looks delicious. After hearing the order, it will be packed in a bag.

There are baskets for each set on the counter, and it doesn't seem like the flow of putting slips and products in here and making a payment.

It's quite deep, but there is a kitchen behind the counter. There, an older sister who is spinning a big pot! Popcorn is made over there.

5 minutes to wait in the store. It's finally my turn to give the order sheet to the clerk at the counter. Chicago Mix mixes caramel and cheddar cheese after receiving an order.

When I finished the checkout and went outside, it was 11:40. It's been exactly one hour since I started lining up. The power of popcorn is terrifying. And even after an hour, the length of the procession did not change. Even two months after the store opened, its popularity seems to be still alive.

■ I tried it

I went back to the editorial department and decided to eat at once. The design of the paper bag is also fashionable, and the words "To Me From Me" are on the back. A gift from yourself to yourself. That's a good idea.

When you open the bag, you will feel the rich aroma of caramel and cheddar cheese. looks delicious! There is a lot of popcorn inside.

The caramel taste is not too sweet and bittersweet. Cheese has a strong cheese scent and is irresistible. And if you put the two flavors together in your mouth, it's the best match! I am convinced that it is "a little luxurious and gourmet".

By the way, in the editorial department, the caramel group and the cheese group were divided in half. I like to eat both together.

Chicago-born “a little extravagant, gourmet” popcorn, which was during the spring break, may have been difficult to buy in 30 minutes. However, it seems that you can buy it after waiting for an hour, so it might be a good idea to bring it as a souvenir for cherry blossom viewing (although the peak has already passed ...) and parties. It can also be a story!