Ramen retailers are feeling the pinch. As we’ve written earlier than, most retailers desperately want to lift their costs on account of the rising cost of…well, everything. Nonetheless, many are afraid to transcend the so-called “1,000 yen wall” (round USD $6.70) or worry of driving away clients.
Some retailers have discovered a Third Means: hold serving noodles …and solely noodles.
From choice to necessity?
FNN reports that some retailers are experimenting with a ramen that’s nothing however noodles and broth. As an example, MAIKAGURA in Setagaya Metropolis, Tokyo is promoting a “kake-soba” for a mere 880 yen ($5.90) that accommodates noodles and soup with out some other toppings.
The shop can also be promoting its conventional yuzu shio ramen for round 1,180 yen. That comes with typical ramen accoutrements akin to char sui, a half-boiled egg, and bamboo shoots.
The shop’s noodles, made with 5 completely different sorts of wheat flour, are apparently fairly scrumptious on their very own. So it began promoting a bowl of simply the noodles so individuals might savor their style. Nonetheless, gross sales have gone up as shopper costs in Japan have hit new heights. Proprietor Ichijo Taichi says it’s allowed the shop to lift its core costs above the 1,000 yen wall whereas nonetheless providing one thing to clients who don’t need to spend that a lot.
Not all 麺
Others have additionally gotten into the act, together with Chinese language soba chain Gyoza no Manchu with its char sui-less soy sauce ramen for a mere 400 yen ($2.70).
Not everybody’s going this route. As I mentioned in my review of Ramen Break Beats, some ramen retailers are unabashedly going high-end and sticking to it. Even Denny’s Japan is selling ramen overseen by a Kanagawa Prefecture shop for 1,400 yen.
Nonetheless, the rise of topping-less ramen at a number of areas is notable. Whereas the article paints the emergence of featureless ramen as A Selection, many commenters on Yahoo! News JP regard it extra as an indication of Japan’s falling fortunes.
“Everybody’s working as onerous as they’ll on daily basis however Japan’s getting poorer and poorer. It’s unhappy,” one lamented.
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