Is a cup of yakisoba really yakisoba?

This is a question that everyone had when cups of yakisoba were first introduced in 1974. "It's not cooked, so why can't we call it 'yakisoba'?" I think "boiled soba" or "boiled soba" would be more accurate, since it is boiled. I mean, that bowl isn't a cup, is it?" Many people objected to the name.

No one has (probably) yet come up with a satisfactory answer to this question. I have tried to think about it in various ways, but I just keep going in circles.

In such a case, the best thing to do is to go out in the field! If you think of yourself as a cup of yakisoba, you might get an answer, right?

So I went to a press preview of the "FOOD factory" that will open on March 18 at Yomiuriland and got a taste of what it will be like to be a cup of yakisoba with "Splash U.F.O.". I was stretched, cut, fried, splashed with water, and drained with turbo water!


■ Becoming a Nissin Yakisoba U.F.O.
Splash U.F.O." is an attraction that allows visitors to experience the manufacturing and cooking process of Nissin Yakisoba U.F.O. while riding in a rubber boat. The boat ride takes visitors through the production process, including "kneading flour," "noodle making," "seasoning," "instant hot water heat treatment," "cooling," and "packaging. After production, the products are shipped out, and visitors can even experience what it feels like to be poured hot water from a large kettle set up outdoors in the "FOOD factory"! During the attraction, visitors can also enjoy a video shooting game in which they exterminate "kettlers" with the buttons at hand.


The four-passenger vehicle, which was developed with the cooperation of Yakisoban, is now ready to take you into the factory.


Kneading flour
We started with the process of kneading flour. The overhead monitor shows the flour being kneaded, and the vehicle is turned in a circular motion along with the flour. The vehicle is turned quite hard, so if you are not good at it, you might want to hold on to the handle. Don't forget to use the button on your hand to attack the kettler that interferes with the manufacturing process.


Noodle Making
The next process is the "rolling" of the noodles. The vehicle rises slowly on a conveyor belt as the dough kneaded overhead is rolled out. The stretched dough is cut into pieces and the noodles are ready.


Seasoning
The "seasoning" is represented by a steep drop. The darkness makes the experience more thrilling. The water splashes more than expected, soaking you from your face to your feet. By getting splashed with the water, I was able to experience the seasoning of the noodles in a very realistic way.


Instantaneous hot water heat treatment
The next step was the "instant hot water heat treatment" process, in which the noodles are fried in oil. Again, the kettler interferes with the production process by lowering the temperature of the oil.


Cooling
The vehicle is "cooled" as it spins and falls through the rapids. The speed at which the vehicle falls is so thrilling that even adults can enjoy it. I couldn't help but feel like a noodle and think, "There must be some other way to cool it down! I wanted to rush in.


Wrapping
The last part of the production process is "packaging. A large upside-down cup appears overhead and is placed in a bowl. Finally, condiments such as nori (seaweed) are sprinkled on top of the cup to complete the process.

Cooking
Once completed, the cup noodles are shipped outdoors for the cooking process. Before entering the "FOOD factory," hot water is released from a huge kettle, giving visitors the feeling of noodles being doused with hot water.


Turbo hot water drain
After the hot water has been poured in, the familiar "turbo draining" is performed before eating. You can see the hot water coming out of the large U.F.O.'s hot water outlet up close. Once the hot water is drained, the delicious "Nissin Yakisoba U.F.O." is ready to eat. You may even be able to smell the faint aroma of yakisoba in the rising steam.


What I thought when I became a Nissin Yakisoba U.F.O.
Stretched, fried in oil, hot (?) water, etc. Splash U.F.O." is a fun way to enjoy being splashed with water. The mood is totally Nissin Yakisoba U.F.O., but the question is, "Is there such a thing as yakisoba that is not cooked?" We could not find an answer to this question.

But, if you think about it, there are many things with names that do not match the reality. For example, "roasted pork (chashu)" even though it is not roasted, or "toothpaste" even though it is not a powder. Also, "tsuri-kin" even though it is not made of leather, "geta-bako" even though it does not contain clogs, and so on.

So, if you think about it (how did you think about it?) I feel that it would be a good idea to have "yakisoba" (fried noodles), even though they are not baked.

This is my conclusion after thinking about it while soaking wet from being yakisoba myself.

Now, this Splash U.F.O. is basically a ride for children. But there is a plunge point in the middle of the ride, where you can get soaked by splashing water, so it should be fun enough for adults as well. It is perfect for hot summer days or days when you just want to get wet. Couples and families, of course, but you may also want to take a solo ride when you feel like quitting the human race.