Home Somen Shop (Huh?)

Sometimes we're in awe of Japanese products because they're crazy cute, but this looks just a bit...well, crazy. We've never heard of "nagashimen" - trying to catch somen noodles with chopsticks as they fly down a bamboo pipe at a restaurant, but if you're intrigued you can buy the home version.

This is an actual product for sale through Japan Trend Shop ($118). It seems like quite a production just for noodles, but we suppose kids could find more uses and perhaps incorporate it into an elaborate water table set-up or, better yet, a Six Flags water park for G.I. Joe.

Please, someone out there tell us they've eaten somen noodles nagashimen style?

(Via Ooh Shiny!)

Comments (4)

I'm guessing that this is a clever way to keep the art of using chop sticks alive by making it a game. I've read it's becoming more rare for kids to learn in recent years.

Our friend's little girl did it at school in Japan... it was with a big bamboo pole.

Awesome! My nephew's do this at school (in Japan), and there are some places, like temples and shrines, that also do this (with bamboo, as Jenzoe says).

Yes, nagashi men is normal in Japan. I wouldn't say it's common, but they have restaurants set up with real bamboo and run noodles with water down them, and you have to catch what you eat. I'm not at all surprised they've come up with a home version.