Hello Readers!
What comes to mind when you think of summer?
Beach, summer break, heat, tanning, watermelon, coconut, ice cream….
There are so many things that remind us of summer, but we never can forget food, can we?
If Japanese were asked, people would think of warabimochi, kakigori, watermelon, and somen. Of course you know watermelon, but do you know about warabimochi, kakigori, or somen?
Warabi mochi is a chilled, chewy, jelly-like Japanese dessert made of bracken starch and covered or dipped in kinako (roasted soybean flour). It’s not typical mochi since it isn’t made from rice.
Kakigori is shaved ice served with a flavored syrup such as strawberry and lemon, or even with a real fruit.
Somen is a kind of fine noodle made of wheat, usually eaten cold and dipped in a light sauce.
Today, we are going to focus on somen, and share a traditional way to eat “Flowing somen” with you!
So, what is flowing somen? Before I explain it, just take a look at a video about flowing somen.
What did you think? It looks so fun, doesn’t it?
Flowing somen is a fun way for a group to eat by catching noodles off a bamboo slide. It’s fun to compete and see who can get the most noodles. Once you snatch the noodles with your chopsticks, you dip them in a cool sauce and eat!
You can do it yourself and make a long tube out of bamboo and combine them using strings so that water can flow. However, it is definitely challenging, and it will take forever.
Here’s a product that was developed to solve those problem called the “flowing somen machine.” You can do flowing somen anytime, anywhere with it!
Our recommendations for flowing somen machine
Standard flowing somen machine
This machine is the most standard one. Easy to use, to clean, and to catch. It’s not quite as exciting as a bamboo chute, but it’s fun to eat this way too.
Bamboo-styled flowing somen machine
https://zenmarket.jp/rakutenproduct.aspx?itemCode=ease-space:10010389
The most traditional way is using bamboo. This bamboo is made of plastic, but this machine should be closest to real flowing somen without doing the hard work.
Water park flowing somen machine
https://www.toysrus.co.jp/s/dsg-572194600
This flowing somen machine is designed like an amusement park. Surprisingly, the total length of the tube is three meters! Not only for somen, but also you can use this for tomatoes, blueberries, or small pieces of fruit.
Flowing somen is perfect for a party, family event, or even snack at a poolside.
Why don’t you try this at your next home party!
See other flowing somen machine on ZenMarket!
Have a nice somen party!