Dagashi: Baby Star Ramen Deep-Fried Noodle Snack
When I was a kid, with some pocket money I got from my parents, I used to often go to a small candy shop in my neighborhood that specialized in Dagashi snacks called Dagashiya (駄菓子屋).
For the unfamiliar, Dagashi (駄菓子) is the generic name for cheap, unique, and relatively small Japanese snacks and candies, particularly for children.
Although Dagashiya shops are generally small, over one hundred varieties of Dagashi treats are usually available there, fully stuffed on the shelves.
Among those, there are snacks favored by almost every kid and typical examples include Fugashi (麩菓子), Watagashi (綿菓子), and these ten items.
Out of them, today I will introduce my favorite deep-fried noodle snack called Baby Star Ramen (ベビースターラーメン).
Oyatsu Company Baby Star Ramen Chicken Flavor
The Dagashi I introduce here, Baby Star Ramen, is from the Japanese snack food manufacturer named Oyatsu Company (おやつカンパニー), released in 1959.
Today, it has become one of the most loved Dagashi treats, and you can buy it at many supermarkets and convenience stores.
Features
As mentioned, Baby Star Ramen is a pleasantly crispy deep-fried noodle snack. It comes in several flavors, and Chicken (チキン) is the most popular.
These fried noodles have plenty of umami from chicken extract, and one of its base flavorings, soy sauce, adds extra savoriness to the Dagashi.
Ingredients
Specifically, based on the list pictured above, the ingredients used in this Dagashi snack are as follows.
| Wheat flour, Vegetable oil/fat, Soy sauce, Sugar, Salt, Chicken extract, Protein hydrolyzate, Meat extract, Meat powder, Powdered yeast extract, Modified starch, Seasoning (including Amino acid), Calcium carbonate, Antioxidant (Vitamin E) (Paritally including Wheat, Soybean, Chicken, Pork, and Gelatin) |
Ramen Recipe
Image: oyatsu.co.jp
Lastly, let me introduce an interesting recipe from the official site of Oyatsu Company, which produces actual ramen!
| Ingrediens | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Baby Star Ramen Chicken | About 80 grams |
| Egg | 1 egg |
| Water | 300 ml |
| Salt & pepper | A little |
| Chopped green onions | As you like |
- Prepare the snack noodles beforehand in a ramen bowl.
- Bring a pot of 300 ml water to a boil, and add the beaten egg.
- Pour the boiling water and eggs into the ramen bowl.
- Let the noodles steep until soft.
- Sprinkle a dash of salt and pepper to taste.
- If desired, put chopped green onions on top and enjoy!
