Guest Author - Taisha Turner

Some of the best cheap eats in Japan are in noodle shops. Noodle shops are on street corners all over Japan. Noodles are part of the traditional Japanese cuisine. There are ramen, udon, somen and soba noodle dishes for the traveler to eat while in Japan.

In noodle shops, the traveler places an order for the noodles of choice: somen, ramen, soba or udon. Be aware many shops specialize in one type of noodle. Read the menu. Decide on the garnish(es). Place the order. Eat and enjoy the traditional Japanese food.

Many garnishes are available in the noodle shops. Garnishes are vegetables, seafood, tofu, or meat or any combination. Slivers of pork, beef or chicken are served on top of the noodles and broth. Vegetables like cabbage, seaweed or daikon top the bowl of noodles. Shrimp, oysters, squid plus other seafood grace the cheap eats.

Noodle shops are located in department stores. Go to the basement. Follow the aromatic scents to the food court. Again, choose between the soba, somen, ramen and udon noodle dishes. Request your favorite garnishes or experiment with a new combination. Take the traditional food outside and have an impromptu picnic in an area park.

The traditional Japanese noodle dishes are in the 7 Eleven stores. There are street food stalls, too. Of course, if not on a budget, try an upscale restaurant. Noodle shops are everywhere for all budgets. Do yourself a favor and try the traditional Japanese cuisine in noodle shops while in Japan.

Not going to Japan, prepare some noodles at home. Boil the noodles until al dente. Prepare the meat, vegetables and/or seafood garnish(es) of choice. Place a serving of noodles in a bowl. Ladle broth from the cooked garnish(es) over the noodles. Add garnishes to the bowl.

The traditional Japanese noodles are for sale in local Asian markets and grocery stores. If they are not available, purchase them from Amazon.com.


Eat the bowl of noodles with chopsticks. This set of chopsticks are wooden which have a surface with texture. Metal chopsticks do not have texture and noodles slip off them. The placemats are of wood, too.


We can do anthing we want, if we stick to it long enough. - Helen Keller