No More Chopsticks For Ramen?

[Mulboyne]

Nagoya ramen chain Sugakiya have finally redesigned their famous ramen fork. The old design is shown above on the right, the new design is in the centre with a child's version on the left. It looks even more like a spork now although it is a little deeper and the prongs are longer than other models on the market. It is the first redesign in 29 years for the chain and they aim to roll it out over their 329 stores by September. Sugakiya claims that this new version is easier to use and the big news is that they believe it will become so popular that they will be able to do away with disposable chopsticks almost entirely by March of next year. Disposable chopsticks have become more expensive since China restricted exports with the possibility of a complete halt in 2008.

[kurohinge1]

. . . Sugakiya claims that this new version is easier to use and . . . they believe it will become so popular that they will be able to do away with disposable chopsticks almost entirely by March of next year. Disposable chopsticks have become more expensive since China restricted exports with the possibility of a complete halt in 2008.

I'm afraid "old habits die hard".

I think I'll still use chopsticks, even if I have to BYO . . . or perhaps borrow them from the nearest bijin.

[GomiGirl]

I am often seen with chopsticks in my hair... true story.

[gomichild]

I am often seen with chopsticks in my hair... true story.

This is true.

I prefer however to carry around these nifty fold away ones I picked up in Singapore.

[GomiGirl]

I prefer however to carry around these nifty fold away ones I picked up in Singapore.

I carry a pair around with me too.. you bought them for me!!

[kurohinge1]

I am often seen with chopsticks in my hair... true story.

That explains why, when you sit downwind from GG, there's a faint smell of nattou.

[Greji]

That explains why, when you sit downwind from GG, there's a faint smell of nattou.

And just a touch of an essence of misou for that exotic touch!

[baka tono]

Ugh ramen at this time of year forget it! I am not going near a bowl of hot steaming ramen armed with a spork or chopsticks until the weather itself isnt hot and steaming.

[xenomorph42]

Ugh ramen at this time of year forget it! I am not going near a bowl of hot steaming ramen armed with a spork or chopsticks until the weather itself isnt hot and steaming.

A big Aaaamen on that one!

[GomiGirl]

Sorry to hijack the thread - but what is going on with hairstyles these days? Walking around kabukicho as I do, the hostesses hair styles are just bigger and more teased version than the style shown here. It is just dreadful and looks like a small rodent has set up a large village on these girls heads.

I can almost bear the styles shown here, but other chicks I see around Harajuku are just monstorous.

[Oradea]

Ugh ramen at this time of year forget it! I am not going near a bowl of hot steaming ramen armed with a spork or chopsticks until the weather itself isnt hot and steaming.

At least not till 4am in the morning 3 sheets to the wind......................

[succubusqueen]

Sorry to hijack the thread - but what is going on with hairstyles these days? Walking around kabukicho as I do, the hostesses hair styles are just bigger and more teased version than the style shown here. It is just dreadful and looks like a small rodent has set up a large village on these girls heads.

I can almost bear the styles shown here, but other chicks I see around Harajuku are just monstorous.

That is so true!... it does look like a nest!

[Mulboyne]

You have to start young:

[succubusqueen]

And I used to complain about frizzy hair!!...

[lolhahaha]

Thats some hardcore bedhead.

[Mulboyne]

J-Cast: Waribashi to be replaced with eco-friendly chopsticks at 2,500 Skylark restaurants

The family-restaurant operator Skylark Co. will stop using the disposable waribashi chopsticks at about 2,500 restaurants across Japan and replace them with "eco-friendly chopsticks" made of resin by July 2008. Matsuya Foods Co., another restaurant chain operator, has almost completed its changing of disposable to non-disposable chopsticks at its all restaurants across the country. The use of "eco-friendly chopsticks" is likely to expand in the food service industry. Among the restaurants operated by Skylark, chopsticks were changed from the disposable to non-disposable chopsticks within 2006 at "Jonathan" restaurants, within 2007 at "Skylark" restaurants and by May 2008 at "Gusto" restaurants. Preparations are being made to complete such change by June at "Muan" restaurants and by July at "Bamyan restaurants...The disposable chopsticks at the restaurants are replaced with the two types of non-disposable chopsticks - one made of PBT polybutylene terephthalate) resin and the other one made of PS (polystyrene) resin. An average of 200 or 350 pairs of such chopsticks are expected to be used at each of the Skylark restaurants. By the change, the total garbage disposal by the restaurants operated by Skylark Co. is expected to be reduced by up to 650 tons per year...more...

[kurohinge1]

J-Cast: Waribashi to be replaced with eco-friendly chopsticks at 2,500 Skylark restaurants

...The disposable chopsticks at the restaurants are replaced with the two types of non-disposable chopsticks - one made of PBT polybutylene terephthalate) resin and the other one made of PS (polystyrene) resin...

PBT polybutylene terephthalate sounds really eco-friendly.

But a good move - as long as they don't start trying to save water by just leaving them on the table for the next diner.

[IkemenTommy]

[quote="kurohinge1"]PBT polybutylene terephthalate sounds really eco-friendly. ]
Who cares about Eco.
Is that even safe to put in your mouth?