lingqi's Journal: March 19th, 2003

March 19th, 2003 (6:36pm)

First and foremost, the best instant noodles I have ever tasted would probably have to be the egg/BBQ-pork version from the GooTa line; Now - it is 300 yen each (compared to all the 10-cent / package ones you can get from Wal-Mart) - and for about twice the money you can get some real ramen from a variety of restaurants. However, I have found that subsisting on instant noodles during weekends is not half bad; I honestly think the good ones are better than 30% of what the cafeteria pumps out.

So when in Japan, try the super-market instant noodles (aforementioned) - you will weep because it's simply not possible to find them in the states. I have found that the "cupped" (or bowled) ones are the best, but they are still broken into various price ranges. cheap ones starts at 70yen or so, medium quality at 140, and top-of-the-line-gourmet is 250-300yen or so.

College life would have been soooo good if I had access to these; and if I was the sole provider, I think I would have became very popular. =)

Well, not that I was not, or anything; heh.

Japanese moms have a very interesting job. Since there are no school buses (and driving your kids to school does not seem to be a popular sport), kids walk. At intersections, at school hours, there would usually be armies of yellow-flag waving temporary traffic ladies to direct the kids (and to a lesser extent the drivers).

What happens is that this is completely a burdened by the children's parents - or even more specifically the mom. Every year the schedule would be made, and a japanese mom can expect such a duty about 2-7 times every year. I suppose a gai-jin mom might need to do the same, so beware.

Interestingly, this morning at one of the intersections near my home, there was this guy wearing a suit waving the same yellow flag, looking agitated. I could not help but laugh - not because I think that it's a bad thing, but rather the look on him was an unbareable consciousness of "Gosh I should not be here!"

Google Ads..

[molo]

This is very interesting. Slashdot has been using a number of ads done by google recently. Apparently it must scan the page to get keywords and use that to pick sponsored ads from the google ad system. Here's what was in the last ad:

The Pillow Company
Certified organic buckwheat pillows Therapeutic support for your neck.

Authentic Thai Cooking
Thai recipes, ingredients, cookware Online shop has everything Thai.

Buckwheat Soba Noodles
This popular noodle is used for a host of cold & hot dishes in Japa

Noodles

[chrisk]

I dont know about other parts of the US but the noodle cups you mention are available all over San Diego and are fairly cheap (.39 for the cheap stuff up to $2.00 for the really good stuff). Great journal, by the way.

Re:Noodles

[lingqi]

sure it's these [home.ne.jp]? The "Goota" line is very, very good.

btw I lived in NY, Louisiana, Chicago, and San Jose - never seen stuff like this. I expect Hawaii to have them, but never been there.

Re:Noodles

[chrisk]

Yep. They have those at the both the Japanese grocery stores I go to. I've seen tons of other brands also but I assume they are Chinese brands.