Unmanned Ramen Convenience Store "Noodle's24 Asakusa" Opens

A Korean-Style "Cook It Yourself" Instant Noodle Experience

"Noodle's24 Asakusa" (Asakusa 1, Taito-ku), an unmanned ramen convenience store where customers choose packaged instant noodles and cook them to eat on the spot, opened on October 31. It is operated by NICO.G (Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture), and the brand is run by the company's Vice President, Sosuke Kimura, together with a classmate. It is the second store, following the Harajuku location that also opened in October.

In South Korea, "Han River ramen," in which instant noodles are cooked and eaten at riverside shops, is popular. Kimura got the idea when he visited South Korea this August.

Simmered on an IH Cooker

The main feature is that, rather than pouring in hot water and waiting, customers put the noodles in a dedicated container, simmer them on an IH cooker, and finish them while stirring. "Simmering makes the noodles chewy, and the water is absorbed evenly," says Kimura.

Lineup and Prices

• About 20 types of instant noodles, mainly from South Korea, are on the shelves
• Besides "Gamja Noodles," "Neoguri," and "Squid Champon," Japan's "Nissin Yakisoba" is also available
• Prices are two tiers, 500 yen and 600 yen per serving, with toppings extra
• Customers choose noodles and toppings, then enter the price to pay

The shop has 6 seats and is open 24 hours. It aims to expand to 10 stores in one year.