Japanese convenience stores, commonly known as “Konbini,” are more than just grocery stores. Here, you can easily find high-quality gourmet food. Particularly noteworthy are the products created in collaboration with famous restaurants. A new noodle dish supervised by “Iida Shoten,” a reservation-only ramen shop in Yugawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, will appear at 7-Eleven stores across Japan starting January 21st. The product is named “Iida Shoten Supervised: Separation and Fusion of White Sesame Tantanmen.” The philosophical keywords “Separation and Fusion” indicate the extraordinary attention to detail in this product.
Product Information and Price
First, let’s look at the basic product information. This new release falls under the category of “chilled noodles,” which 7-Eleven offers with confidence. These are refrigerated noodle dishes that allow you to enjoy a taste comparable to specialty shops simply by heating them in the microwave. The price is 648 JPY (699.84 JPY including tax). At roughly 700 JPY (about 4.70 USD), this falls into the slightly premium category for recent Konbini menus. However, considering it is supervised by a wildly popular shop where reservations are hard to come by, it can be said to be quite affordable.
Sales will begin sequentially from Wednesday, January 21st. The sales areas include Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Hokuriku, Tokai, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu. The fact that this flavor can be enjoyed in many regions across Japan is a happy point for travelers as well.
The greatest feature of this product lies in the perfection of the soup and noodles, packed with the dedication of Iida Shoten’s owner, Shota Iida. To recreate the taste of a famous shop, thorough adjustments were made from ingredient selection to manufacturing methods.
“Tsuru-Mochi” Noodles Using Hokkaido Strong Flour
In ramen, the quality of the noodles is extremely important. The noodles used in this Tantanmen contain a blend of Hokkaido-grown strong flour (high-gluten flour used for bread making, etc.), which is also used at Iida Shoten’s main flagship shop. This achieves a unique “Tsuru-Mochi” texture.
While chilled noodles at Japanese Konbinis are evolving daily, this noodle emphasizes a smooth throat feel (“Tsuru”). At the same time, it is designed so that the rich sweetness of the wheat expands the more you chew (“Mochi”). The powerful, mochi-like elasticity entangles well with the soup. It is a finish where the noodles themselves are the star, allowing you to fully enjoy the flavor unique to Japanese wheat flour.
Soup Where Richness and Freshness Coexist
The soup, which can be called the life of Tantanmen, also has Iida Shoten’s unique magic applied to it. The first impression is the powerful and rich scent of rising white sesame. The generous amount of sesame paste used gives the soup a dense richness and depth.
However, this soup is not just rich. Here enters the secret ingredient that holds the key to the “Separation and Fusion” in the product name: “Black Vinegar.” Following the richness of the dense sesame paste, the mellow acidity of black vinegar spreads in the mouth. This acidity transforms the creamy umami into a light aftertaste.
While it has a rich umami, the aftertaste is refreshing and crisp. Because of this exquisite balance, you will want to drink the soup down to the last drop. Please pay attention to the calculated soup composition where richness and freshness coexist.
Changing Flavors with “White Sesame Ball” and “Meat Miso”
The mechanisms to further enjoy this Tantanmen are the toppings: “White Sesame Ball” and “Meat Miso.” These are not mere ingredients. They play an important role in directing the eating process itself. In Japan, there is a food culture called “Aji-hen” (flavor change), where you add seasonings mid-meal to change the taste and enjoy the dish twice.
This topping was realized precisely because Iida Shoten knows spices inside and out. By dissolving these into the soup while eating, a dramatic change in taste occurs. It is recommended to first enjoy the taste of the soup itself, and then break apart the white sesame ball and meat miso partway through.
The meat miso contains the rich sweetness and body of Tianmian sauce (sweet bean sauce), and carries the wafting scent of spices like cumin. As the stimulation of spices is added to the creaminess of the sesame, your appetite is further stimulated. It is a cup that hides an entertainment quality, being delicious many times over in a single serving.
About the Legendary Ramen Shop “Iida Shoten”
Here, let’s reintroduce the supervisor, “Iida Shoten.” Located in Yugawara, a hot spring town in Kanagawa Prefecture, this is a super-famous shop known to every ramen lover. Since owner Shota Iida opened it in 2010, he has continued to captivate many fans with his uncompromising taste creation.
Currently, it operates on a reservation-only basis, and it is known that simply getting a reservation is extremely difficult. The soup, derived from nature using carefully selected ingredients, is characterized by a surprisingly deep flavor despite its clear appearance. Regarding the noodles as well, thorough dedication is maintained down to the smallest details, such as uniquely blending selected domestic wheat flour to bring out supple elasticity and aroma.
The fact that a Tantanmen infused with the essence of such a famous shop can be obtained at a nearby 7-Eleven is actually quite amazing. Even for those who find it difficult to travel to Yugawara, you can feel a part of that philosophy through this product.
Perfection Endorsed by Developers
The developers also have strong confidence in this product. True to the concept of “Separation and Fusion of White Sesame,” the combination of sesame paste richness, black vinegar acidity, and the “Aji-hen” toppings creates a composition that you won’t get tired of until the end.
I want you to pay special attention to the “Aji-hen” gimmick. Elements that were initially separated are fused by the eater’s hand, giving birth to a new deliciousness. It can truly be called an experience-based Konbini noodle. It is the perfect choice when you want to easily enjoy an authentic bowl for lunch or dinner.
If you are interested, please check it out at a 7-Eleven in Japan. Since it may be available for a limited time or in limited regions, we recommend trying it early if you find it.
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