[caption caption="Ramen"][/caption]
Is ramen from Japan? In 1859, Japan opened its port internationally and brought some Chinese and Western countries’ interpreters there. As usual, like in a lot of countries, Chinese always had their own district which is called ‘China Town’ (Can we mention it as an invasion? Hahaha......). And then, Chinese restaurants began to operate. Slow but sure, this started causing Japanese ate noodle and built the noodle selling business by carts on street.
In order to get some unique experiences in eating ramen, we walked from Shinyokohama station to reach Shinyokohama ramen museum (新横浜ラーメン博物館).Shinyokohama ramen museum was founded in 1994 as world’s first food-themed amusement park. They provide a one-stop place to enjoy ramen by presenting 9 famous ramen restaurants in Japan, also the amazing 1958 year street scape replication interior design that can be photographed freely.
Why year 1958? This was the year when instant ramen was invented. Momofuku Ando (安藤百福) from Nishin Food Products Co. Ltd. made this as the answer for lack of food stock after World War II. At that moment, Japan’s Ministry of Health were trying to persuade citizens to consume bread from wheat flour that was supplied by United States. But why not noodle? He said noodle industry was too small and surely, can’t fulfill Japanese citizens’ needs. At first, instant ramen cost 65 yen (6 times more expensive than traditional udon and soba). But after some researches and developments, the price could be cut and become one of the solutions.
First floor of the museum means present. They provide museum shop where you can buy homemade ramen, sweets or any other Japanese souvenirs and IRIS Slot (car toy’s race track).
[caption caption="Old Japanese Snack Shop"]
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Amusement park’s atmosphere shows up on Basement 1 and 2. On Basement 1, there are 2 ramen restaurants that you can enjoy, Kateko cafe and snack shop (soft drinks and alcohol beverages selection) also Dagashi-ya on Yo-yaku shoten (old-fashioned sweet shops).
[caption caption="Ramen Restaurant"]
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Next, on Basement 2, you’ll find 7 ramen restaurants which always make this floor the most crowded area.
[caption caption="Menu "]
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Feeling confused in making choices? The museum will give you a brochure that contains all recommended menus when you pay the admission fee (Adult: 310 yen). The information of vegetarian variants, non-pork menu, noodle thickness and soup richness are also written here.