Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

English Newsroom

Learn English through news articles - complete lesson plans, including articles, listening, classroom activities, quiz questions and more!

Japan’s Viral Cold Water Cup Noodle Phenomenon

Cold water cup noodles are Japan's latest viral summer snack.
Try this article at a different level?

In a land known for its culinary delights and innovation, Japan has witnessed an unexpected sensation: cup noodles prepared with cold water. Diverging from the ubiquitous method of using hot water, this unconventional preparation caters to the sweltering summer season, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional noodle dishes. This novel product captivates with its intriguing blend of the familiar and the surprising.

Kurumi Mori, a Tokyo correspondent for the BBC, delved into this culinary curiosity by testing the cold water cup noodles firsthand. Her taste test addressed both the allure and practicality of the product, highlighting Japanโ€™s relentless pursuit for novel food experiences. Many were taken aback by how seamlessly the noodles transitioned into a cold dish while still maintaining texture and flavor.

The cold water cup noodles quickly amassed a viral following online, leading to widespread excitement and dwindling stock on store shelves. The momentum of this trend was fueled by social media shares and enthusiastic endorsements, showcasing how modern technology can propel a local curiosity into a nationwide craze. This rapid spread reflects a broader appetite for innovative food creations in Japan's dynamic culinary landscape.

This phenomenon speaks volumes about the role of cultural trends in shaping consumer behavior, especially when it comes to gastronomy in Japan. The market's keen interest in this latest trend illustrates the populaceโ€™s readiness to embrace novelty, even if built upon long-standing traditions. As Japan continues to balance tradition with modernity, such culinary experiments invite people to experience comfort foods in exhilarating new ways.

Ultimately, the success of the cold water cup noodles underscores a key facet of Japan's culinary philosophy: that the essence of food is not only in taste but also in the creativity and innovation that continually redefine it. As the trend maintains its momentum, questions naturally arise about what other transformations may await traditional foods around the world.

Original news source: Cup noodles made with cold water? BBC tries Japan's viral snack – BBC News (BBC)

๐ŸŽง Listen:

๐Ÿ“– Vocabulary:

1. culinary
2. ubiquitous
3. unconventional
4. sweltering
5. allure
6. practicality
7. seamless
8. amassed
9. endorsements
10. propel
11. phenomenon
12. gastronomy
13. populace
14. exhilarating
15. underscore

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

1. Discuss a surprising food trend you've heard about in the past year.
2. Share your favorite method of preparing noodles.
3. Have you ever adapted a dish due to seasonal changes? Share your experience.
4. In your opinion, what role does social media play in spreading food trends?
5. Talk about a culinary innovation you think could become popular.

๐Ÿค” Comprehension Questions:

1. What new noodle preparation is being explored in Japan?

2. Why is the cold water method considered appropriate for Japan's summer?

3. Which journalist investigated this food trend?

4. What impact did social media have on this noodle trend?

5. How does the new trend reflect Japan's culinary culture?

6. What has contributed to the nationwide craze of cold water cup noodles?

7. What does the trend reveal about Japanese consumer behavior?

๐ŸŽงโœ๏ธ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a land known for its culinary delights and innovation, Japan has witnessed an unexpected sensation: cup noodles with cold water. from the ubiquitous method of using hot water, this unconventional preparation caters to the sweltering summer season, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional noodle . This novel product with its intriguing blend of the familiar and the surprising. Kurumi Mori, a Tokyo correspondent for the BBC, delved into this culinary curiosity by testing the cold water cup noodles firsthand. Her taste test addressed both the allure and practicality of the product, highlighting Japanโ€™s relentless pursuit for novel food experiences. Many were taken aback by how seamlessly the noodles transitioned into a cold dish still texture and flavor. The cold water cup noodles quickly amassed a following online, leading to widespread excitement and dwindling stock on store shelves. The momentum of this trend was fueled by media and enthusiastic endorsements, showcasing how technology can propel a curiosity into a nationwide craze. This rapid spread reflects a broader appetite for innovative food creations in Japan's dynamic culinary landscape. This phenomenon speaks volumes about the role of cultural trends in shaping consumer behavior, especially when it comes to gastronomy in Japan. The market's keen interest in this latest trend illustrates the populaceโ€™s readiness to embrace novelty, even if upon long-standing traditions. As Japan continues to balance tradition with modernity, such culinary experiments invite people to experience comfort foods in exhilarating new ways. Ultimately, the of the cold water cup noodles underscores a key of Japan's culinary philosophy: that the essence of food is not only in taste but also in the creativity and innovation that continually redefine it. As the trend maintains its , questions naturally arise about what other transformations may await foods around the world.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on eating noodles prepared with cold water?
2. How do season and climate influence your eating habits?
3. Can you think of any traditional dish that has been modernized in your culture?
4. How important is innovation in food culture?
5. Do you rely on social media to discover new food trends?
6. What would your reaction be if a famous food critic endorsed a unique restaurant?
7. How do food trends affect local culinary traditions?
8. Would you try a dish if it was viral on social media? Why or why not?
9. How do you balance tradition and modernity in your own cooking?
10. Have you ever tried creating something unique from an existing dish?
11. What qualities make a food trend endure over time?
12. How do you foresee global cuisines evolving with the current pace of innovation?

Individual Activities

๐Ÿ“–๐Ÿ’ญ Vocabulary Meanings:

Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.

Words

1. culinary
2. ubiquitous
3. unconventional
4. sweltering
5. allure
6. practicality
7. seamless
8. amassed
9. endorsements
10. propel
11. phenomenon
12. gastronomy
13. populace
14. exhilarating
15. underscore

Meanings

(A) suitability for a particular purpose
(B) related to cooking
(C) emphasize
(D) thrilling
(E) found everywhere
(F) remarkable event
(G) the general public
(H) art of good eating
(I) drive or push forward
(J) not conforming to accepted conventions
(K) oppressively hot
(L) collected or accumulated
(M) smooth and continuous
(N) attraction
(O) public approval

๐Ÿ”ก Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What novel method of preparing cup noodles is described in the article?
(a) Using milk
(b) Using cold water
(c) Using broth
(d) Using tea
2. Why is this cold water preparation considered timely?
(a) It caters to the summer season
(b) It is cheaper
(c) It uses less packaging
(d) It requires less cooking time
3. Whose experience was featured in the article?
(a) A Michelin-star chef
(b) Kurumi Mori
(c) A food critic
(d) A local noodle maker
4. How was the cold water cup noodles trend spread?
(a) Through newspapers
(b) By posters
(c) By television ads
(d) Through social media
5. What does the trend illustrate about Japanese people?
(a) Their love for traditional food only
(b) Their dislike for Western influences
(c) Their interest in foreign cuisines
(d) Their readiness to embrace novelty
6. What role does social media play?
(a) Propelling trends nationally
(b) Reducing product quality
(c) Increasing store prices
(d) Limiting product variety
7. What does the success of this product highlight?
(a) The need for more restaurants
(b) The decline of traditional cooking methods
(c) The importance of innovation in cuisine
(d) The abundance of raw ingredients
8. What question arises due to the success of the cup noodles?
(a) When will the trend end?
(b) How can prices be lowered?
(c) What other transformations await traditional foods?
(d) Why are noodles popular?

๐Ÿ•ต๏ธ True or False Questions:

1. The populace is closed to traditional culinary experiences.
2. Japan has banned a method of preparing noodles using hot water.
3. Kurumi Mori tested the cold water cup noodles.
4. The success underscores Japanโ€™s focus on culinary innovation.
5. The trend provokes thoughts on traditional food transformations globally.
6. The trend lost popularity through social media.
7. Cold water preparation offers a refreshing alternative during summer.
8. Cultural trends ignore consumer behavior in Japan.

Writing Questions:

1. Write about a time you tried an unconventional food dish. What was it like?
2. Analyze how social media influences food trends and consumer behavior.
3. Compare and contrast a traditional dish before and after it was modernized.
4. Discuss the impact of climate on traditional culinary practices in your culture.
5. Predict future trends in the global food industry, considering current innovations.

How about these other Level 4 articles?

Rising Search Queries Show Women’s Climate Anxiety Increase

Search queries related to “climate anxiety” have increased 27 times in the first 10 months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2017, with women being more affected than men, according to data gathered by Google and shared exclusively with BBC 100 Women.

Online
Class
Writing
Coach

Feedback