From 7-Eleven in Japan, a dream-like collaboration that no one, not just ramen fans, can afford to miss has become a reality. This involves Iida Shoten, the renowned treasure of the ramen world with its main branch in Yugawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Ramen FeeL, a rising star in Tokyo led by a chef who trained at Iida Shoten. A special cup ramen created by these two incredibly popular shops, which share a master-apprentice relationship, has finally been released.
Normally, both shops operate on a reservation-only basis and are known for being extremely difficult to visit. The fact that you can easily experience the competing flavors of these two famous shops at 7-Eleven stores nationwide in Japan is nothing short of a major event.
The biggest appeal of this product lies in its “ajihen” (flavor-changing) gimmick, which allows you to enjoy two different tastes in one bowl. It starts as a delicate salt ramen, then dramatically transforms into a rich ‘tori paitan’ (creamy chicken broth) ramen when you add a powder soup packet midway through.
Product Information
“Seven Premium Gold: Iida Shoten x Ramen FeeL – A Dream Master-Apprentice Collaboration Ramen” is priced at 358 yen (386.64 yen including tax) and has been rolling out sequentially at 7-Eleven stores nationwide in Japan since Tuesday, December 9th. It’s an excellent opportunity for everyone, not just ramen lovers, to experience the cutting edge of Japanese food culture.
Two Delicious Experiences in One! An Innovative Journey of Flavor Transformation
What sets this cup noodle apart is its unique composition. A story of flavor unfolds, much like a course meal.
Act I: The Delicate “Chicken Broth Shio Ramen”
First, you’ll savor the “Chicken Broth Shio (salt) Ramen,” with its beautiful, clear golden soup. The soup, with umami carefully and slowly extracted from chicken, has a gentle flavor that seems to permeate your body the moment it enters your mouth.
But it’s not just gentle. Deep within lies a solid chicken richness, while aromatic vegetables and a faint scent of yuzu (a Japanese citrus fruit) add further depth and complexity to the flavor. This delicate yet complex harmony of umami is truly reminiscent of the work of a master chef.
Act II: A Dramatic Transformation to Rich “Tori Paitan Shio Ramen”
The second act of this story begins when you add the included post-addition powder soup packet. The delicate salt soup from before is instantly transformed, undergoing a dramatic change into a rich, cloudy “Tori Paitan (creamy chicken broth) Shio Ramen.”
As the powder soup, packed with powerful chicken umami and spices, dissolves, the aroma and richness are instantly boosted, making you feel as if you’re eating a completely different bowl of ramen. This bold flavor change, known as “ajihen,” is the true pleasure that can only be experienced with this collaboration. Two supreme experiences await in a single bowl.
Toyo Suisan’s Patented Noodle-Making Process Creates a Miraculous Texture
Supporting this innovative soup experience are special non-fried noodles made using Toyo Suisan’s patented technology, the “Fresh-Boiled Noodle Perfection Process.”
This method achieves a texture so smooth and translucent, it’s almost unbelievable for instant noodles, feeling just like fresh noodles. When you lift them with chopsticks, they have a substantial weight, and you can feel their firm ‘koshi’ (chewy resilience) and elasticity.
It is thanks to these high-quality noodles that they pair perfectly with both the delicate chicken broth of the first act and the rich tori paitan soup of the second, allowing you to fully enjoy every aspect of the flavor transformation.
The Two Famous Shops Leading the Ramen World
To understand why this collaboration is being called a “dream team-up,” let’s introduce the two great ramen shops behind it.
Iida Shoten: The Hard-to-Book Treasure of Kanagawa
“Iida Shoten” is a reservation-only ramen shop located in the hot spring town of Yugawara, Kanagawa Prefecture. Since opening in 2010, the owner, Shota Iida, has adhered to a philosophy of creating each bowl using only carefully selected domestic ingredients, without any chemical seasonings.
His house-made noodles from a unique blend of domestic wheat, and his soup with umami meticulously extracted from chicken, pork, and seafood, are hailed by many ramen fans as the “best in Japan.” Its popularity is immense, and it is also known for being extremely difficult to get a reservation.
Ramen FeeL: The Rising Star in Tokyo Inheriting the Master’s Spirit
“Ramen FeeL” is another popular, reservation-only shop located in Ome City, Tokyo. The owner, Daisuke Watanabe, is none other than the cherished disciple of Mr. Iida, having honed his skills at “Iida Shoten” for many years. After going independent in 2021, he quickly rose to the top of the ramen scene.
His ramen, created with the wish “for customers to feel the creator’s passion through a single bowl of ramen,” faithfully adheres to his master’s teachings while maximizing the umami of the ingredients with his own unique sensibility. Its clear and profound flavor is reminiscent of his master’s at Iida Shoten, making it a bowl that truly makes you feel the “bond between master and apprentice.”
The fact that a cup ramen packed with the philosophy of these two famous shops is available at a Konbini is an event that symbolizes the depth and fun of Japanese food culture. When you visit Japan, be sure to pick up this special bowl.
Source (Japanese): 夢の師弟コラボラーメンがついに実現！「セブンプレミアム ゴールド飯田商店×Ramen FeeL 夢の師弟コラボラーメン」12月9日（火）より全国のセブン‐イレブンより順次発売開始
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