How many bowls of soba could possibly be sold in a day? Find out by keeping a lookout for a new Guinness World Record challenge next month.
First-ever soba challenge
A Japanese noodle manufacturer is attempting to set the first-ever Guinness World Record for the most soba noodles with grated horse radish served.
Munechika (宗近) is based in Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture, which is situated on Japan’s west coast below Ishikawa Prefecture. The prefecture is arguably home to Japan’s best soba (蕎麦), or buckwheat noodles. Although Fukui is not traditionally among The Soba Big Three, the Japan Soba Preservation Association has recognized it for having the best-tasting soba for three years in a row. Netlab has crowned the prefecture with the same title for the past four years.
Munechika has carried on the culinary tradition of soba since its founding in 1947, and is determined to take what they call Fukui’s “soul food” to the world stage next month.
Overnight idea to reality
Tetsuya Munechika, the company’s fourth-generation senior managing director, says that soba “is an amazing soul food of the people in Fukui, so I hope to bring more attention to it in our own way.”
That way is to serve more than 2,500 bowls of oroshi-soba, which are noodles topped with grated horse radish within 8 hours––a criterion which the Guinness World Records’ global headquarters in London set.
The category for soba did not exist in the Guinness World Records until Testuya began brainstorming ways to reach Fukui residents of all ages using the dish.
“It all began early in the New Year when I was thinking out loud, ‘I wish I could organize an event that Fukui residents across generations can enjoy.’ The next day, I planned in one evening that “I am going to challenge soba at the Guinness World Records!” Tetsuya writes on the company’s website.
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Event details
Munechika will host that challenge on May 11th at Happiring, a shopping mall near Fukui Station between 9 AM to 5 PM.
The company will serve soba noodles using 100% Fukui buckwheat flour at ¥350 ($2.26) per bowl, which is half the usual price.
Tickets for five bowls at ¥1,600 and 10 bowls for ¥3,000––good value for money––will also be available.
The soba Guinness challenge will commence amid rising interest in travel to Fukui. The opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Fukui on March 16th has made the location more accessible to both domestic and inbound tourists.
Soba is underrated?
Ramen traditionally has captivated the attention of both locals and tourists alike. That remains true despite more ramen joints upping the prices of a bowl, breaking the once unbreakable ¥1,000 wall.
However, soba holds a unique place in world cuisine. Japan is the only country in which buckwheat flour was historically used to make noodles. That makes soba a must-do “authentic Japan” experience for tourists.
For those who find themselves in Fukui on May 11th, partaking in the first Guinness World Record for soba may be a travel highlight.
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Sources
おろしそばでギネス世界記録 8時間で2500杯販売なるか 来月ハピテラスで挑戦. FBCNEWS
