Ramen - Narutomaki

 

When trying different types of ramen, you may come across these small spiral circles in your soup. These are a type of fish cake called Narutomaki. At first I was apprehensive about eating them, they remind me of grandma's peppermint candies. They are not bad tasting, they are soft and compliment the broth. 

Narutomaki is made from deboned fish mixed with egg whites and salt. The paste is rolled out and then a second layer is applied that has been died red. Then the mixture is rolled up into a log and cooked/steamed. Afterwards it's sliced into thin pieces. Narutomaki's origins can be traced back to the Edo period and was used as a topping even before ramen came to Japan. Earlier versions of fish cake are shaped as small white rectangles. In modern times Narutomaki is only one type of Kamaboko fish cakes. Many other shapes, styles and flavors exist.

Restaurant - Sum Ramen

 We tried Sum Ramen in Westfield, New Jersey. When you enter you are greeted by these fun Japanese lanterns. 

The restaurant is also decorated with various anime and magna figurines. The kids and teenagers will definitely appreciate the decor. 

The menu lists ten different types of ramen most with pork/pork belly.  There is the option to add extra toppings. Regretfully i did not add the soy egg to my soup. Most ramen restaurant will include this with the standard ingredients and after getting accustomed to it i miss the flavor.  Soy eggs are boiled eggs that are marinated in soy sauce that may include rice vinegar, garlic, chili and other spices.

I tried the miso ramen with chicken.  My favorite part of the soup was the chicken which was grilled and lightly breaded. The breading, spices and scallions made the chicken superb. The nori also tasted great when soaked in the broth, but I was only given 2 small pieces.  The rest of the soup was subpar, lacking seasoning.  Half way through it asked my waiter for chili paste. That made the soup much better. 

The highlight of the meal was our appetizer, the curry korokke. Curry Korokke is fried mashed pumpkin stuffed with mozzarella or curry chicken and served with curry sauce on the side. We tried the chicken, which tasted much like Thai curry puffs.

They also have a nice selection of Japanese sodas, teas and boba teas.

 

Anime - Speed Racer

 

Speed Racer is a Japanese anime series from 1967. It was based on an original magna series. The show centered around 18 year old Go Mifune ( Speed Racer), who wants to be the best race car driver in the world.  He drives the state of the art Mach 5 designed by Pop Racer.

He faces several challenges including enemies trying to steal his father's plans for another car, rival race car drivers and teams and the mysterious Racer X. Trixie, his girlfriend, is always available to help.  The show is part serious, mainly a comedy that appeals to all ages.  

This is one of the earliest examples of Japanese Anime transitioning to the United States. The show aired in syndication also in 1967-68. It was heavily edited and dubbed for the American audience. 

The series inspired several remakes and spin offs. In 1997 a modern Japanese version was released as Mach GoGoGo on Tokoyo TV and Speed Racer X in the United States. Speed Racer: the next generation aired on nickelodeon from 2008-2013. In 2008 a female spinoff was released as "Makha Garu." In 2008 a live action version of Speed Racer was released in theaters but appears to have been a dud.

If you are interested in watching Speed Racer the original 52 episodes are available to watch for free on Pluto TV, Tubi, Sling TV, The CW.

On May 3, 2025 I was gifted a Speed Racer comic for Free Comic Book Day. This included issue #0 of Speed Racer and issue #0 of Racer X by Mad Cave. This is a new series with Speed Racer, racing the underground circuit in Palm City Florida.  

His younger brother Spirtle is along for the ride as his youtube camera man and vlogger. Speed is also on the run from the police for illegal street racing.  That makes for an interesting preview issue with Speed showing off some of Mach 5's bonus features. I give this series a thumbs up.

Kit Kat Tasting

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Flavor: Strawberry Shortcake 🍰  

Country: Japan

Comments:  When you open the package the smell is amazing.  It smells like a fresh floral bouquet. It's vanilla white chocolate with freeze dried bits of strawberry throughout.  The center waffer is filled with strawberry creme. It tastes like a vanilla pound cake with strawberries.  The flavor reminds me of the Stone Cold Creamery 's Cheescake Fantasy or Strawberry Blonde. Overall this is my favorite flavor to date.