Apparently, prompt noodles are clearly not prompt sufficient for Nissin.
After a protracted day at work, you’re too drained to cook dinner, however consuming out seems like an excessive amount of effort and cash. So, you flip to the last word lifesavers: comfort retailer meals, prompt noodles, and rice balls. Amongst these staples, Nissin’s Donbei Saikyo noodle sequence stands out as a beloved winter consolation meals, with gross sales practically doubling in December 2023 in comparison with the earlier month. With gross sales figures like that, it’s tough to dispute the declare of being “saikyo” (the strongest). Now, Nissin and Household Mart are teaming as much as carry prospects an improved model of their Donbei-style rice balls from December 3.
When early samples of the 2 new creations arrived at our editorial workplace, we knew what needed to be carried out: a showdown. Do these new rice balls dwell as much as the usual of their prompt noodle inspirations?
Let’s welcome the challengers. The primary contender is the Saikyo Donbei Kitsune Musubi, impressed by Nissin’s Saikyo Donbei Kitsune Udon.
The second: Kakiage Musubi, which goes up in opposition to the Saikyo Donbei Kakiage Soba.
Nonetheless, as we look forward to the noodles to complete their warmups, let’s talk about the standard dishes that impressed these new rice balls.
Kitsune udon is a Japanese basic, that includes thick, chewy noodles topped with a juicy, deep-fried tofu pouch. The title “kitsune” (fox) has some fascinating theories: legends say foxes in Japanese folklore cherished deep-fried tofu, or maybe the golden-brown tofu resembles the colour of a fox’s fur. Regardless of the true origin of the title, this dish is filled with historical past and taste.
▼ After all, for true aficionados, one slice of juicy deep-fried tofu isn’t sufficient.
Kakiage soba, then again, is a dish of buckwheat noodles topped with kakiage—a deep-fried fritter of thinly sliced greens or seafood. The phrase “kakiage” comes from kaku (to scrape or combine) and age (to fry), reflecting its preparation model: mixing substances earlier than frying them into one scrumptious, crispy concoction.
▼ Once more, why restrict your self to 1? Actual followers eat three!
For these accustomed to Japan, you would possibly know rice balls as onigiri, stemming from nigiru (to squeeze or form), since they’re molded by hand. Nonetheless, in western Japan, you would possibly hear musubi as an alternative, which suggests “to tie” or “bind”. The time period carries a deeper cultural resonance, typically symbolizing connection and unity. Corporations typically lean into this nuance of “musubi” to give their merchandise a extra premium-sounding really feel.
With our noodles now prepared and our stomachs empty, the problem commences.
Beginning with the Kitsune Musubi (238 yen [US$1.60]), naturally the very first thing we checked for was the star of kitsune udon: deep-fried tofu.
The rice ball didn’t disappoint. The tofu takes heart stage, overlaying many of the musubi, and whereas it regarded thinner than its noodle counterpart, one chunk made it clear that measurement wasn’t all the pieces. Filled with broth, the tofu burst with juiciness, making it no much less delectable than the unique.
Hidden contained in the rice, we had been additionally handled to fish cake, the identical broth taste because the noodles, and a touch of aromatic yuzu shichimi spice. This addition from the standard Nagano-based Yawataya Isogoro, a Japanese spice producer, gave a pleasant citrus kick to the musubi. General, the rice ball managed to seize the essence of the unique very properly.
Subsequent up, it was the flip of the Kakiage Musubi (228 yen).
The spotlight of kakiage soba is its deep-fried fritter, which begins off crispy and turns into juicy because it soaks within the broth.
The Kakiage Musubi wasted no time impressing, sporting a generously sized kakiage proper on prime, making up what felt like half of the whole rice ball.
In distinction to the preliminary crunchiness of the soba model, the musubi’s kakiage is mushy and fluffy, making the primary impression rather less satisfying.
Nonetheless, the abundance of substances, flavorful broth, and the addition of a particular shichimi spice mix from Tokyo’s historic spice store Yagenbori Shichimi Togarashi Honpo greater than made up for the missing crispiness. The rice ball did a powerful job of replicating the genuine kakiage soba.
Stuffed and happy, we mirrored on the 2 opponents. Each showcased nice craftsmanship that did a tremendous job of recreating the spirit of the unique Saikyo Donbei. Whereas not similar, we’re satisfied that that is as shut as it will get to a Saikyo Donbei rice ball reincarnation. If you happen to’ve tried one in all these musubi earlier than, you may be in for a pleasing shock, because the Kitsune Musubi is now 1.4 occasions heavier, and the kakiage within the Kakiage Musubi is 1.5 occasions bigger than the earlier launch. These two upgraded snacks are obtainable in Household Mart shops nationwide and, as an additional perk, should you purchase one of many rice balls earlier than December 9 then you obtain a coupon for 100 yen off your subsequent buy of Saikyo Donbei prompt noodles (legitimate till December 16).
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