Gadling

I love ramen.

For some, it’s the heady aroma and subtle flavor of a finely aged cheese. For others, it’s the enticing sizzle and juicy goodness of a T-bone steak.

For me, it’s gotta be ramen, nature’s most perfect food.

Now, while there really is no substitute for handmade ramen noodles floating in zen-like harmony in a steaming bowl of rich and creamy miso broth, sometimes you have to settle for Cup Noodles.

An old standby that’s as cheap as it is nourishing, Cup Noodles can be enjoyed beyond your college years, especially if you know how to spice it up. On that note, if you’re an aspiring gourmand, or you’re just too poor to treat yourself to a proper meal, then today’s posting is for you.

Here are 5 ways to make a real meal out of Cup Noodles:

5) Seafood Bisque Here in Japan, the latest craze is to add steaming hot milk to seafood flavored Cup Noodles, which makes a hearty cream soup that is surprisingly filling. This is a great way to stretch your budget as milk fills the belly much better than mere water. And, if you close your eyes and savor the aroma, you can almost convince yourself that you’re dining on seafood bisque in an expensive restaurant somewhere by the sea.

Keep reading as the list goes on…

4) Curry Noodles While Cup Noodles around the world come in a variety of flavors, in North America it can be difficult to find one beyond your standard chicken, beef and shrimp. Fret not however as all it takes is a bit of curry powder, turmeric and some garam masala to really spice up your standard Cup Noodles. If you can handle the heat, some crushed red pepper really takes things up a notch.

3) Kimchi Stew While real ramen is something akin to fresh, handmade pasta, Cup Noodles often tastes stale and processed. However, you can get some much-needed fiber in your diet by simply adding kimchi to your noodles. This spicy Korean cabbage soaks up oils and softens in water, and gives you the feeling that you’re actually eating something healthy for a change.

2) Vietnamese Pho Processed ramen lacks the delicacy of rice noodles, though a squirt of lime, a dash of plum sauce and some fresh chili peppers can really mask the chemical flavors in Cup Noodles. To really liven this dish up, add some thin slices of beef, preferably tender cuts of sirloin or filet. And of course, top it all off with raw bean sprouts, Asian basil and perhaps some rocket or arugula.

1) Hot Chocolate Ramen I know, I know. This sounds completely gross and entirely inedible, but I can assure you that it’s delicious if made properly. Instead of adding the spice packet to your Cup Noodles, add a similar amount of hot chocolate or sweetened cocoa powder, and top it off with hot and foamy milk. The result is a steaming cup of chocolate soup that strangely satisfies the urge for both something salty and something sweet.

Have any tips for spicing up Cup Noodles? Leave a comment, and show off your culinary skills!

** All images are courtesy of the WikiCommons Media Project **

When you spend your days writing about Japan, it is sometimes really hard not to turn into a complete and total fanboy. Truth be told, Japan is an awesome, awesome place, and we bloggers love to write about all the weird, wacky and wonderful things that happen over here in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Of course, it’s important not to view Japan through sakura-tinted glasses, especially since the country can at times be an extremely difficult and frustrating place to live. Indeed, the prospect of assimilating into one of the world’s most homogenous societies is a difficult task (to say the least!).

We all do make mistakes from time to time, though there are certain ones that we would rather not repeat. On that note, today’s post is about the 5 things I wish had known before moving to Japan:

– You cannot get rich by teaching English in Japan.

Unless you’ve been working a menial job back home, you will be surprised by how low the teaching salaries are here in Japan. Yes, there are high-paying jobs out there if you know where to find them. And yes, the cost of living here is lower than in most major cities in North America and Europe. However, the English teaching market in Japan is saturated, and when supply outstrips demand, salaries are quick to suffer.

Keep reading as the list goes on…

If you’re planning to move to Japan at some point in the near future, or if you’ve already arrived, and are in the midst of trying to figure it all out, then this installment of Big in Japan is for you…

– Good teaching jobs require good teaching credentials.

There is a common misconception out there that if you can speak English reasonably well, then you can teach English reasonably well. Sadly, this statement couldn’t be further from the truth. Admittedly, the vast majority of foreign English teachers in Japan have never taken an education class in their lives. However, it is difficult to land a high paying teaching job unless you’ve got a good resume to show potential employers.

– Guesthouses are great for travelling, not for living.

I love backpacking as much as the next person, and guesthouses are great places to meet new people, enjoy communal living and save money on rent. However, lack of space, poor hygiene and cramped living conditions can quickly take a toll on your health and sanity, especially if you’re working long hours. While a good number of foreigners in Japan do live in guesthouses, it’s worth getting a real apartment if you have the cash to spare.

– Japanese is much more difficult to learn than you think.

Even if you speak passable Spanish or French, don’t underestimate the time and energy it takes to learn proper Japanese. True, it doesn’t take long to master the basics, and most foreigners in Japan are comfortable rattling off a good number of key phrases. However, to truly penetrate the core of the language, which will be instrumental in your understanding of Japanese culture, you need to be prepared for a strenuous, up-hill battle. With that said, it’s totally worth the effort as the Japanese language really is as beautiful as it looks and sounds.

And finally…

– You will not be the only foreigner living in Japan.

While Japan may have closed its doors to foreigners for centuries, today there are parts of Tokyo that are as cosmopolitan as New York or London. Indeed, foreigners are becoming an increasingly common sight here in Japan, especially since the country is internationalizing at an astonishing rate. If you want to be immersed in Japanese culture and language, consider living outside the capital, particularly somewhere in the countryside. If you do settle in Tokyo, try to make a concerted effort to have both Japanese and foreign friends, which will really enhance your time here.

One last thing: I really love Japan, and I will confess that I do indulge in a bit of fanboy-ism on this blog from time to time. However, if you’re considering a move to Japan at some point in the near future, or if you’ve recently stepped off the plane and are unsure of what’s going on around you, then please consider taking some of my advice to heart.

For all of you long-timers out there, is there anything else you wish you knew before moving to Japan? Feel free to leave a comment and share your wisdom with the rest of us (^_^)

Quite simply, Tokyo is an amazing tourist destination…

From the manicured gardens of the Imperial Palace and the frozen tuna carcasses in Tsukiji’s markets, to the neon lights of Shibuya and the street fashions of Harajuku, Tokyo really does seem to have it all.

Of course, while tourists are quick to check off Tokyo’s top spots on their itinerary, there are plenty of other easy-to-miss spots that locals and resident ex-pats love to visit.

True, these destinations don’t have as much historical grace or cultural pizzazz as others. However, they’re still great places to soak up the ebb and flow of the city, and there is a good chance that you won’t see too many other foreign tourists milling about.

So, without further adieu, here is a quick and concise list of Tokyo’s top 5 easy-to-miss spots:

5) Shinjuku National Gardens (????????, Shinjuku-gyoen) This sprawling parkland on the western edge of the Yamanote line is arguably Tokyo’s best leafy retreat. If the weather is cooperating, grab a bento from the convenience store, and have yourself a picnic lunch under the shade of a sakura tree. When you’re done, walk it off while contemplating the Zen-inspired beauty of this classic landscape garden.

Want to know which spots made it to the top of our list? Keep reading!

4) Shinjuku Isetan (新宿伊勢丹) The mother of all department stores, Isetan’s Shinjuku flagship has one of Tokyo’s best depachika (デパ地下) or basement floors. In case you’re new to the whole Japanese department store experience, the depachika is where you can sample all manners of tasty Japanese delicacies. Pick up a few boxes of handmade Japanese sweets for your friends, or just gorge yourself on all the free samples!

3) Ameyoko (アメ横) The glitz and glamour of Ginza is justifiably famous, but you don’t have to flash huge amounts cash to enjoy shopping in Tokyo. On the contrary, Ueno’s Ameyoko Street is something of a dream destination for bargain hunters. Evoking images of pre-war Edo, Ameyoko is a bustling outdoor market where you can get equally good deals on tuna steaks and Nike running shoes.

2) Shimokitazawa (下北沢) Foreigners in Tokyo tend to stick to ex-pat enclaves such as Roppongi for their beer-soaked nightlife, though you don’t have to follow the herd to get your drink on. If you want to be the only foreigner in the bar, then head to this trendy and up-and-coming hipster enclave just west of Shibuya. Shimokitazawa is famous for its tiny hole-in-the wall watering holes, a good number of which only have space for a handful of clients.

1) La Qua (ラクーア) This self-described ‘super spa,’ which is adjacent to the Tokyo Dome in Suidabashi, is an actual Japanese onsen (温泉) or hot spring. While central Tokyo isn’t the first place you’d expect to find hot water bubbling up from the ground, La Qua actually pipes in thermally heated water from the bottom of Tokyo Bay.

You can soak your travel-worn bones in any of La Qua’s luxurious indoor and outdoor baths, which should soften up your skin nicely for the shiatsu massage to follow. Finally, wind down your day on the relaxation floor, where you can drink mango smoothies, sooth your muscles by lying on hot stones, or just read the paper while sipping an herbal tea.

Did we miss anything? Of course we did!

Tokyo is the world’s largest metropolis, so apologies if we left out your favorite destination. On that note, feel free to chime in with your own lists of easy-to-miss spots around Japan’s capital…

On October 1, 2008, ZED will premier at the brand new Cirque du Soleil Theatre Tokyo at the Tokyo Disney Resort.

According to the official press release: “ZED is a living poem, a timeless evocation that draws on the Tarot and its arcana, an imaginary world that conjures the vitality of the human condition and holds up a mirror to our true selves. The central, larger-than-life character Zed represents all of humanity in all its guises, from wisdom to folly, from discovery to adventure.”

While Japan has previously hosted a number of Cirque du Soleil traveling shows, ZED is an original production that will have its world premier at Tokyo Disney. The show will also highlight the capabilities of the purpose-built Cirque du Soleil Theatre Tokyo, the first dedicated venue for Cirque du Soleil productions in Japan.

Tickets are currently on sale in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and range in price from ¥9,800 (US$90) for regular seats to ¥18,000 (US$160) for center stage floor seats. Keep reading for more info…

Despite its humble beginnings as a performing troupe in Montreal, Canada, Cirque du Soleil or the ‘Circus of the Sun’ is currently a global entertainment phenomenon that draws in crowds of theatergoers from New York to Sapporo. Of course, the stage troupe’s premier billings are mostly located in Las Vegas, which is home to multiple permanent venues that open up to almost 10,000 people every night.

After the opening of ZED on October 1st however, the Cirque du Soleil Theatre Tokyo will be able to give Sin City a run for its money. The purpose built auditorium, which is an architectural wonder in and of itself, will host an estimated 380 shows per year.

True to the Cirque du Soleil franchise, ZED will be characterized by its breathtaking stage antics, colorful costumes and orchestral performance, and will follow an abstract storyline incorporating both Western and Asian elements.

The show will focus on the title character of Zed, who turns to the world of the arcane for inspiration and connection. Throughout his magical journey, he comes across a cast of mythological characters from sphinxes to satyrs.

If you’re living and working in Japan, or you have plans to pass through Tokyo in the near future, don’t miss out on ZED.

Tokyo Disney Resort, which is actually located in Chiba city at Maihama station, is just a short ride from central Tokyo on the JR Keiyo Line. Come out for a dinner and a show, or grab a room at the adjacent Disney Ambassador Hotel and have yourself a holiday!

For ticketing information, you can contact the Cirque du Soleil Theatre Tokyo Information Desk between the hours of 10:00am and 5:00pm at 0570-02-8777, or check out their English-language website at http://www.zed.co.jp/home_en.php.

(Special thanks to my Mom and Dad for scoring me a pair of highly coveted ‘O’ tickets – looking forward to the show!!)

** Images are courtesy of the WikiCommons Media Project **