Latest news with #ramen
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
The Asian destination that can't get enough of a favourite British dish - and it's HALF the price
It's a country that runs on ramen and sushi, but apparently the Japanese have developed a passion for some stodgier English fare - including fish and chips, Devon fudge and cream teas. Department store Takashimaya, which has branches across the country, regularly hosts 'English markets' selling everything from pots of traditional English marmalade to Scottish kilts and Paddington bear memorabilia - and even pints of Brewdog IPA. The markets have proved such a hit with Japanese shoppers that British suppliers have been jetted over to the likes of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto to ensure consumers can enjoy an authentic experience. Amongst those peddling their wares to Japanese customers is a fish and chip outlet called Malin's, which serves up hearty portions of the battered British staple for around £8.20 a portion, significantly cheaper than what many of us are paying on English soil at the moment - with cod and chips coming in at as much as £15. While there's no sign of mushy peas or pickled eggs on sale, the English market's chippy does serve up golden-hued pasties, although some of the fillings might shock purists. At the market on the top floor of Kyoto's Takashimaya store last week, flavours being sold to hungry customers included a classic Cornish style beef pasty - and a host of fruitier fillings, including banana and apple. Elsewhere, there was a Devon fudge counter, with cubes of the sweet treat being served in paper bags. Perhaps the biggest queue was to be found at a pop-up up cafe, where cream tea enthusiasts were partaking in cups of English Breakfast tea and fluffy scones served with clotted cream and raspberry jam. Apparently the markets have become so popular they've become regular fixtures, with stalls expanded to include other items. There's bottles of Scottish whisky from The Un-Chillfiltered Collection, which retail at around 9,900 Yen, around £50. A flea market section saw examples of crockery featuring famous British faces including members of the royal family, Toby jugs bearing the images of Margaret Thatcher and Henry VIII and a whole section dedicated to Paddington bear. Memorabilia, including plates that celebrate the late Queen and Union Jack tea cosies are also in the mix. British universities are celebrated on preppy baseball caps, there's merch galore featuring British bands, including Oasis and the Beatles, as well as Scottish kilts and fashion items featuring British place names. While British food is often much maligned, there's a surprising number of foreign destinations that are smitten with some of our dishes. Every August, the hilltop town of Barga, Italy, hosts its annual Fish and Chip festival, which admittedly sounds a little more cosmopolitan in Italian - 'Sagra del Pesce e Patate'. Legions of locals turn up to dine on battered fish and chips, doused in salt and vinegar - although it's unclear whether other chip shop favourites such as mushy peas, battered onion rings and pickled eggs make the cut. How did the Tuscan town, which typically enjoys a diet of olive oil, pizza and pasta, fall in love with our own deep-fried staple? Italian immigration to Scotland in the early 20th century holds the key; many Barga residents upped sticks and sought a new life north of the English border. While many of those who relocated to Scotland brought an Italian foodie favourite with them - gelato - and opened ice-cream stores, others found work in the most popular takeaway of the time, the humble chippie. Scottish singer Paolo Nutini's family hails from the walled town, which lies around 45 minutes drive from Florence, and is popular with tourists exploring Tuscany. When immigrants later returned home - either to visit family during the summer holidays - or relocated permanently, they taught those back in Barga how to recreate the fish and chips they'd been serving up... and the rest is history. The Fish and Chip Festival has now been running since the 1980s and one Scottish-Italian who attended last year praised the event as a 'bucket list moment', writing on its Facebook page: 'Attended this year from Bonny Scotland. 'Had a great evening and delicious fish and chips thank you for your hospitality it was second to none. Another bucket list adventure ticked if our list.' Another, this time an Englishman, added: 'From Yorkshire to Barga, again, we've returned for our second year. Thank you very much, Forza Barga!!' On the menu, alongside a host of other Italian meals for those who remain unconvinced by the popular British takeaway, are portions of battered fish and chips, served on paper plates. There's one other dish that possibly wouldn't make the menu in a down-to-earth Scottish chippie - fagiolie cipolla, a side made up of cannellini or borlotti beans and sliced red onions. The festival this summer will be held from August 1st to August 17th in the town's AS Barga football stadium, which is named after the only Scottish-born male footballer to play for Italy, Johnny Moscardini. Moscardini was born in Falkirk in 1897 and learned to play football in the streets near his family's café in Manor Street. His family came from Barga and Moscardini enlisted in the Italian Army as a machine gunner, receiving a shrapnel wound to his left arm that restricted its movement until his death in 1985. While recovering from his injury he played football with Lucchese, Pisa and Genoa, during which time he won nine international caps, scoring seven goals. He played his last game for Italy against France on March 22, 1925, scoring twice in a 7-0 win. That year, however, he returned to Scotland to help run his uncle's Royal Cafe in Campbeltown. Long after his death in 1985, he remains Barga's favourite Scottish son.
Reuters
19-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Japan's Yoshinoya bets big on ramen noodles for next phase of expansion
TOKYO, May 19 (Reuters) - Japan's Yoshinoya (9861.T), opens new tab said on Monday it was betting on ramen noodles for its next phase of growth, looking to turn it into a third business pillar along with 'gyudon' beef bowls and udon noodles. Announcing a growth plan for the next five years, the fast-food chain operator best known for its gyudon, or stewed beef over rice, said it would target a 10-fold jump in operating profit from the ramen business to 4 billion yen ($28 million). By the financial year ending in February 2035, it hopes to become the world's top seller of ramen, it said. The new business plan comes as Japanese restaurant chains struggle from higher food prices - particularly of domestic rice and U.S. beef - and the difficulty of raising product prices in a country just emerging from years of deflation. "I see significant potential for ramen," incoming CEO Tetsuya Naruse told a press conference to announce the plan. Yoshinoya expects its ramen business to garner revenues of 40 billion yen by the 2029 financial year and account for 13% or total sales, versus 4% last year. Setting the stage for growth, Yoshinoya bought two Kyoto-based ramen shop operators, Takara Sangyo and Kiramekino Mirai, last business year, adding to its portfolio of ramen brands including Withlink in Hiroshima and Setagaya in Tokyo. Yoshinoya said its ramen expansion would involve further inorganic growth with more acquisitions. ($1 = 145.1600 yen)
CNA
19-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Japan's Yoshinoya bets big on ramen noodles for next phase of expansion
TOKYO :Japan's Yoshinoya said on Monday it was betting on ramen noodles for its next phase of growth, looking to turn it into a third business pillar along with 'gyudon' beef bowls and udon noodles. Announcing a growth plan for the next five years, the fast-food chain operator best known for its gyudon, or stewed beef over rice, said it would target a 10-fold jump in operating profit from the ramen business to 4 billion yen ($28 million). By the financial year ending in February 2035, it hopes to become the world's top seller of ramen, it said. The new business plan comes as Japanese restaurant chains struggle from higher food prices - particularly of domestic rice and U.S. beef - and the difficulty of raising product prices in a country just emerging from years of deflation. "I see significant potential for ramen," incoming CEO Tetsuya Naruse told a press conference to announce the plan. Yoshinoya expects its ramen business to garner revenues of 40 billion yen by the 2029 financial year and account for 13 per cent or total sales, versus 4 per cent last year. Setting the stage for growth, Yoshinoya bought two Kyoto-based ramen shop operators, Takara Sangyo and Kiramekino Mirai, last business year, adding to its portfolio of ramen brands including Withlink in Hiroshima and Setagaya in Tokyo. Yoshinoya said its ramen expansion would involve further inorganic growth with more acquisitions. ($1 = 145.1600 yen)
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Maruchan Introduces NEW GOLD Spicy Tonkotsu to Premium Instant Ramen Line
The New Restaurant-Inspired GOLD Flavor Now Available on Amazon IRVINE, Calif., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Maruchan, America's favorite instant noodle brand, announces the launch of its newest premium offering: Maruchan GOLD Spicy Tonkotsu. This exciting addition to the GOLD lineup brings the rich, complex flavors of authentic tonkotsu ramen with a spicy kick to consumers nationwide, available on Amazon in 5-pack bundles. The new Spicy Tonkotsu variety features Maruchan's revolutionary air-dried noodles that deliver an unmatched restaurant-quality texture. By dehydrating the noodles with air-dry technology rather than cooking in oil, Maruchan creates a noodle texture, chew, and mouthfeel that mimics the type of noodles served at ramen restaurants. Each package includes a special seasoning blend rooted in Japanese tradition, creating a bold broth that honors classic Japanese ramen craftsmanship while adding a customizable spicy element. 'We're thrilled to introduce Spicy Tonkotsu to our premium GOLD collection,' said Katelyn Stokes, Marketing Director at Maruchan. 'Our market research consistently showed that ramen enthusiasts were craving more bold, spicy options that don't compromise on authenticity. This new flavor is the perfect response to the growing trend of consumers seeking more adventurous flavor profiles in their at-home dining.' This launch follows the successful expansion of Maruchan GOLD earlier this year, which saw the brand's existing Soy Sauce and Spicy Miso varieties reach more than 1,500 Walmart locations across the United States. Since its initial debut in 2019, the GOLD line has consistently attracted consumers seeking convenient yet premium meal solutions that don't compromise on taste or quality. Maruchan GOLD Spicy Tonkotsu is available now on Amazon in 5-pack bundles, with anticipated expanded retailer availability later this year. Meanwhile, GOLD Soy Sauce and GOLD Spicy Miso continue to be available in Walmart stores nationwide, as well as through Amazon and Instacart. About Maruchan Maruchan Inc., established in 1953 by Japanese visionary Kazuo Mori, revolutionized the instant ramen industry with a mission to create convenient, affordable noodles for everyone. After success in Japan, Maruchan began U.S. production in Irvine, California in 1977, where they perfected classics like Chicken Ramen Noodle Soup and Instant Lunch. Today, Maruchan operates manufacturing facilities across America, continuously expanding their lineup with innovative flavors and product offerings that inspire ramen recipes. Maruchan believes in bringing people together through the joy of noodles, creating moments where families and friends can share a warm, satisfying meal. Their commitment to quality ensures every bowl delivers the same delicious experience. In the U.S., Maruchan Inc. develops and markets a variety of products, including Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup™, Maruchan Ramen Bowls™, Maruchan Yakisoba™, Maruchan Instant Lunch™, Maruchan Rice Bowls, Maruchan Wonton Ramen Noodle Soup Bowls, and Maruchan GOLD™. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Maruchan
South China Morning Post
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
South Korea's World Ramen Festival leaves attendees hungry for more: ‘threw most away'
Poor planning and logistical issues were some complaints that left a sour taste in attendees' mouths at the 2025 World Ramen Festival held in Busan, South Korea Organisers of the event from May 2 to 11 said the inaugural festival would have more than 2,200 ramen brands from 15 countries, including Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and the United States. However, shortly after the event began, ramen enthusiasts realised that there were fewer than 10 brands were actually available – an even smaller selection than what is typically found in convenience stores. Many took to social media to voice their concerns about logistical issues, saying the organisers did not provide hot water or offer enough varieties of ramen to satisfy their expectations. 'A total of seven types of ramen at the World Ramen Festival? Vietnamese and Thai ramen brands have official importers here, so you can buy them whenever you want,' one user wrote. Another wrote, 'I threw away most of the ramen because the water was lukewarm. This is the worst festival I have ever been to.' Some food trucks left the venue earlier than expected because they did not receive the promised payments, according to media reports. A collection of ramen at the 2025 World Ramen Festival in Busan, May 4. Photo: Handout The organising committee issued a formal apology on Monday, acknowledging its poor management. 'We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and discomfort that many of you experienced due to poor handling of the festival,' it said in a statement.
