World Vignettes

Gulp! Japanese noodle soup for 100 a bowl

TOKYO: A Japanese restaurateur has turned the nations everyday comfort food,ramen or noodle soup,into a pricey,gourmet affair that costs more than 100 and takes three days to fully prepare. The Five-taste Blend Imperial Noodles offered at Tokyos Fujimaki Gekijyo restaurant is ultimately just a bowl of soup and noodles,albeit an expensive one especially as Japans economy slowly recovers from its worst recession since WWII. But owner Shoichi Fujimaki said its the soup,and the more than 20 ingredients used to make it,that elevated the dish from street food into five-star cuisine,with the price tag to match. A bowl of ramen from any of the little shops usually cost 10,at the most.