Raumen Museum Opened Afresh in Yokohama

Let's assume most of you known Raumen, or otherwise spelled Ramen - that popular noodles you' ve heard or tried while in Japan or locally in New York, for instance. Now, those of you in Yokohama should check it up.

The Raumen Museum in Kouhoku Ward is now remodeled and open afresh as the Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum with the exhibition corner extended 1.5 times of the conventional space.

The museum opened on July 14 with new exhibits complete with English guide boards to attract a growing number of foreign tourists. Most unique is a set of new historical documents that verify, for instance, that the Japanese knew and tasted Raumen already in the Muromachi Era (1336-1573)!. 

The museum has a "tasting corner" for the visitors to try dashi or soup stock, menma or seasoned bamboo shoots, etc.

An American Raumen connoisseur who runs a Raumen-related info says he had a lot to learn from the exhibits and wants to pass what he has found there to his readers.

A Raumen historian Masahiro Nakano of the Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum comments:

"The museum has a role to play in disseminating Raumen in the international food culture - to tell the world the charms of Raumen."

A few lines might help you get acquainted with a bit of history on Raumen. This particular type of noodle dish is said to have originated in China and found its way into Japan when she opened herself to the world in 1859 - let's set aside the Muromachi document for the argument's sake. Raumen was party to the opening of a China town in Yokohama.

Just for your info, Raumen is, in fact, taking the world by storm as some say, as it's readily found and enjoyed in France and Germany to America and even Australia. 

Be sure to drop by the Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum while you are in Japan or the next time you come over. (Nathan Shiga) 

Source: NHK