#2371: Daikoku Tanuki Soba Cup

This is second of two cups I found at Uwajimaya. Similar graphics on them, the other is Kitsune Udon, this one is Tanuki Soba. So, what is a tanuki anyways? Here, we have some info from Wikipedia:

While tanuki are prominent in Japanese folklore and proverbs, they were not always clearly distinguished from other animals with a similar appearance. In local dialects, tanuki and mujina (狢, kyujitai: 貉) can refer to raccoon dogs or badgers. An animal known as tanuki in one region may be known as mujina in another region. In modern Tokyo standard dialect, tanuki refers to raccoon dogs and anaguma refers to badgers. Regional dishes known as tanuki-jiru (“tanuki soup”) do not contain actual tanuki. Some northern, very rural communities may eat tanuki stew (tanuki shichuu).^[1]

So there’s no tanuki in this cup either. What you will find in tanuki soba is tempura in some way shape or form. Let’s look inside and see what we have here.

#2371: Daikoku Tanuki Soba – Japan

This is a distributor’s sticker (click to enlarge).

Detail of the side panels (click to enlarge). Porbably contains fish. To prepare, add boiling water to fill line. Let steep covered for 3 minutes. Finally, stir and enjoy!

Detail of the lid (click to enlarge).

The noodle block.

Here we have some of the seasoning and garnish from inside the cup. As you can see, it’s quite granular.

Here we have a tempura coated piece of seaweed.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added spring onion and Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts. First, the noodles are this and flat. Also, there’s quite a quantity of them. Second, the broth has an interesting taste. For example, it’s got a kind of sweetness as well as a saltiness that bounces back and forth with a fish taste. Finally, the tempura is a different kind of deal in this one. It is stuck to a piece of seaweed, so there’s seaweed taste. Overall, it works pretty well. In conclusion, I enjoyed this one much more than the kitsune udon by the same brand. 3.5 out of 5.0 stars. JAN bar code 4904511006079.