Takachiho is not only famous for its gorge, it is also the creator of ‘Nagashi Soumen’ – ‘flowing noodles’ just about the most fun way to eat noodles ever! This simple and refreshing summer dish is made of super thin wheat flour noodles, plunged into ice cold water eaten with a very tasty dipping sauce and chives.
The fun part is chasing, catching and scooping the mouthful sized portions of the noodles out of the fast flowing water. In most of Japan you can only eat Nagashi Soumen during the summer, but in Takachiho, it is available all the way up to the end of November.
One bowl of cold noodles costs 500 Yen, you will be given a small pot of dipping sauce, then the noodles will be released from behind a screen tiny portion by portion, the noodles flow down the length of a piece of bamboo before dropping off the end of the table. If your chopstick skills are nothing to boast of do not worry, at the end you are presented with any noodles you have missed which have been rescued by colander! The restaurants also serve free tea and a selection of yummy hot soba and udon noodles if you need to warm up after!
Try Nagashi Soumen or other Takachiho delicacies on the Explore Kumamoto Takachiho Day Trip, click here for details!