Blog

  • A bowl of udon noodles in a brown soup with seaweed on top

    Udon Noodles: A Nakama Noodles Guide

    You all know that we love ramen, but they aren't the only noodles that Japan is famous for. In fact, there are two types of noodles that have a very long history in Japan. Those types are soba, a delicious buckwheat noodle, and today’s topic—udon!
  • A view of Okinawa with the cliffs, waters and mountains

    The Cuisine of Okinawa: Japan’s Tropical Paradise

    What makes Okinawa cuisine so special in Japan? With Chinese, Southeast Asian, and American influences, Okinawan dishes feature a range of ingredients not often found in mainland Japanese cuisine. Okinawa has the highest number of centenarians (people who are at...

  • A bowl of ramen sits with beef, snap peas, corn and egg on top

    How to Improve Your Instant Ramen Game

    One of the great things about living in Japan (or subscribing to Nakama Noodles) is the huge amount of premium instant ramen options available. However, a true ramen pro will know how to take a good cup, bowl or pack and turn it into a masterpiece with just a few additions.
  • A view of the busy food shop area with many bright signs in the Dotonbori area

    Osaka Food: A Nakama Noodles Guide to Japan’s Kitchen

    Tokyo is famous these days as one of the world’s international food capital, with many foods from all over Japan and the world collecting there. However, only one city has the nickname of ‘Japan’s Kitchen’, and that city is Osaka. People in Osaka are serious about their food, with there even being a phrase called kui-daore, which means ‘to eat yourself broke’.
  • A beef rice bowl topped with a lot of beni shoga and cayenne pepper

    Beni Shoga: Osaka's Colorful Take on Ginger

    Have you ever been to a Japanese ramen shop or beef bowl shop and seen those reddish-pinkish pickles? Have you ever thought, “What is that?” Well, we’ve got an answer for you. That is beni shoga, a Kansai creation that is all over Japanese cuisine as both a topping and as a fried treat.
  • Many people sit around Japanese street food stalls in Fukuoka

    Japanese Street Food: A Nakama Noodle's Guide

    Did you know that people generally don’t walk around and eat at the same time in Japan? For many, it’s about properly savoring the food and keeping the streets clean, making restaurants the go-to option for food. However, Japanese street...