Food and Drink

Amply proving that students have way too much time on their hands, several undergraduates from Kanagawa University spent three hours on Sunday making a 60-metre noodle. A rather unusual endeavour it has to be said, but one designed to draw attention to the town of Takamatsu — a place once renowned for its udon noodles. A feat that they seem to have pulled off quite successfully.

Unfortunately, the downside to being a student — namely a lack of funds — also played its part in the proceedings. Whilst the mammoth measurement of 60-metres would have made it the longest noodle in the world, the udon-loving undergraduates couldn’t rustle up enough money to apply to the Guinness Book of Records.

So instead they just ate it. Although with what wasn’t disclosed.

In the never-ending battle to keep consumers chomping on its fatty foodstuffs, snack maker Tohato has produced Jyagasane — a bacon and black pepper ‘combination potato’.

Perhaps feeling that customers were tiring of conventionally flavoured snacks, the company has ingeniously made one side of each potato chip (or crisp from where I come from) taste of bacon — the other of black pepper. Tohata claiming that depending on how you eat it, you’ll get a different combination of flavours. Providing it’s either bacon or black pepper based of course.

For reasons unknown, Jyagasane is only available in Tokyo, north Kanto, Koshinetsu, Tokai and Hokuriku areas.

Lucky us eh?

Similar to most places in the world, big juicy melons are extremely popular in Japan. People everywhere keen to get there hands on them whenever possible.

Unfortunately they can be expensive — very expensive in fact. Although for a bit of variety, they are available in several shapes other than round. A situation that arguably enhances the pleasure of sucking on one. Making it a special treat of sorts.

Takashi Itoh however has taken this melon mania to a whole new level, creating works of art from the watery fruit. Describing his endeavour in this rather elaborate manner:

‘Watermelon sculpture’ which entertains the infinite possibility from white and red, and green colors. Cool and have after admiration.

Whilst ‘cool and have after admiration’ might be pushing things a little too far, Itoh-san undoubtedly has gentle hands where melons are concerned. The fruit fan creating a whole host of melon based sculptures. Like this sumo themed effort for example.

Or a similarly traditional kimono offering.

Countless more are viewable here, although sadly none of them are breast shaped. Putting a stop to any more fruit flavoured innuendo.

Which is a pity.