Cup Noodle 'Gindaco Flavor' Is So Takoyaki, It's Out of This World! And It's Not Even Sauce-Based

Greetings, I'm Nabeko, your resident food reporter. Lately, I've been dreaming of a peaceful life where, if I were reincarnated into another world, I'd simply stand at the town entrance and say, 'This is the town of [Name]!'

However, my current world is far from peaceful. Nissin Foods launched three new products in its 'Cup Noodle Isekai Gattai' (Another World Fusion) series on November 9th.

The 'Cup Noodle Isekai Gattai' series is already on shelves at convenience stores and elsewhere.

Cup Noodle has unexpectedly fused with popular products from different genres: 'Tsukiji Gindaco' takoyaki, Koikeya's spicy snack 'Karamucho,' and Momoya's rice condiment 'Gohan Desu Yo!'

I wondered, 'Why these combinations?' But after trying them, they were even more 'out of this world' than I imagined.

The 'Gindaco' Collaboration Is Shocking! Takoyaki Flavor Without the Sauce

The 'Cup Noodle Isekai Gattai' series commemorates Cup Noodle's 55th anniversary. Each product costs 284 yen.

Each comes with an additional packet to add later. By the way, the one I was most looking forward to before eating was 'Seafood Noodle & Gohan Desu Yo!'. Gohan Desu Yo! seems like a sure bet.

The classic 'Cup Noodle,' 'Seafood Noodle,' and 'Cup Noodle Curry' have each fused with Tsukiji Gindaco's takoyaki, Koikeya's spicy snack 'Karamucho,' and Momoya's rice condiment 'Gohan Desu Yo!' respectively.

Cup Noodle Isekai Gattai Series Cup Noodle & Gindaco 279 yen

Let's dig in! First up, the 'Cup Noodle & Gindaco,' based on the classic Cup Noodle.

Pour in hot water and wait 3 minutes. Finish by adding the separate 'Special Fragrant Oil' packet.

This is where I thought, 'Huh?'

The oil is clear. It's not sauce-flavored.

Since it was called 'takoyaki flavor,' I fully expected it to contain sauce, but what emerged was a clear oil.

I licked a bit that got on my hand... Oh! It's takoyaki!

It had the savory aroma of grilled batter and a concentrated aosa (green laver) flavor. Even without the taste of sauce, takoyaki came to mind.

It was a mysterious oil, like a '70% takoyaki' flavor, as if 20-30% of the elements of a finished takoyaki had been removed.

The ingredients are brightly colored.

When this mixed with the Cup Noodle, I was even more surprised.

Oh my goodness! The soy-sauce-based Cup Noodle had completely taken on the taste of takoyaki!

Unbelievable! The taste of Gindaco's essence.

What's more, it wasn't forcefully made to taste like takoyaki with sauce. It genuinely had that dashi umami and savory oil aroma reminiscent of Gindaco's batter.

Apparently, the soup itself is also a special blend, different from regular Cup Noodle, with added dashi umami, aosa, red pickled ginger, and a hint of sauce flavor.

As I continued eating, takoyaki-like elements, beyond just the soup, popped into my mouth.

The purplish bits are octopus-style balls. The brown bits are not Nazo Niku (mystery meat) (I think), but agedama (tempura bits).

Ah, these are it. The toppings.

In addition to the familiar Nazo Niku and egg, there are 'octopus-style balls' and 'agedama' (tempura bits) that enhance the Gindaco feel.

Takoyaki elements kept coming, one after another, from both the soup and the toppings.

Even though I was slurping noodles, I felt like I was eating takoyaki. Why... why...?

This must be 'Isekai Gattai'... The transformation exceeded my expectations, leaving me quite shaken.

'Gohan Desu Yo!' Adds Depth to Seafood

Cup Noodle Isekai Gattai Series Seafood Noodle & Gohan Desu Yo! 279 yen

Next, I tried the 'Seafood Noodle & Gohan Desu Yo!', which I had been looking forward to.

This one adds nori (seaweed) flavor to the Seafood Noodle soup, finished with a separate 'Special Paste with Gohan Desu Yo!'

The paste was even more intensely flavored than actual Gohan Desu Yo!

Seafood with Gohan Desu Yo!, a nori tsukudani (seaweed paste) – that's an undeniable combination, isn't it?

It's best to mix it thoroughly before eating.

By the way, while the paste looks exactly like Gohan Desu Yo!, its flavor is quite concentrated. It's very strong if you taste it directly. You'll regret it if you get a clump in your mouth, so it's best to mix it thoroughly.

Once mixed throughout, the creamy, rich Seafood Noodle soup gains the oceanic aroma of nori. Ah, delicious!

With the added oceanic flavor of nori, it's definitely on the right track!

Since Seafood Noodle is already characterized by its seafood umami, the addition of nori flavor doesn't drastically change its overall direction.

However, if I were to use a musical analogy, if regular Seafood Noodle is a soprano, this one feels like alto and tenor voices have been added. The nori flavor seemed to give the taste a deep-sea-like depth.

You're probably thinking, 'What's with the sudden talk of music?' Perhaps I, too, am stepping into another dimension.

'Karamucho' Makes for a Spicy, Junk Food-Style Curry

Cup Noodle Isekai Gattai Series Curry & Karamucho 279 yen

Finally, 'Curry & Karamucho'.

This product is based on Cup Noodle Curry, with added chili spice, garlic, and vegetable umami. It's finished by sprinkling the separate 'Hot Chili Flavor Powder'.

Comes with powder.

Speaking of which, the separate packets for all three products were different: oil, paste, and powder. You can really feel the effort put into recreating each flavor.

Sprinkle to finish.

Upon tasting, the richness of the curry, combined with Karamucho's vivid spiciness and a lingering tartness, created an incredibly addictive flavor.

Curry x Chili Flavor Powder is a sure winner! It gives it a slightly junk food feel.

The toppings include 'hot chili-flavored potato,' giving the potato a more prominent presence than in regular Curry Noodle.

It also contains chunky potatoes.

It tastes like Karamucho, yet it's still distinctly Cup Noodle Curry.

It has that junk food-like enjoyment you get from eating snacks, and it's delicious in its own way!

I Tried All Three... But 'Gindaco' Was Still the Most Out of This World!

But still... 'Gindaco' was just too 'out of this world'.

Even after absorbing a lot of broth, it still tastes like Gindaco.

'Gohan Desu Yo!' and 'Karamucho' were combinations where you could somewhat imagine the taste, and when I actually ate them, I felt a sense of 'Ah, yes, this makes sense.' Of course, both were delicious.

On the other hand, Gindaco was so shocking that my mind couldn't process it, making me think, 'Why is it like this!?'

For Cup Noodle to taste so much like takoyaki... It's amazing how they captured the Gindaco essence with dashi and savory oil, without relying on sauce. It's practically an illusion.

Speaking of Gindaco, it even has a branch at Dodger Stadium in the US, and it's popular with international customers! I really hope people overseas try this Cup Noodle. They're sure to enjoy this mysterious flavor, a true 'Oriental mystery' where Cup Noodle and takoyaki have fused. Oh, it's truly fantastic! This is 'Isekai Gattai'!

※Prices include tax.

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