NAGOYA - A long-established noodle shop in Nagoya has become known for extraordinarily large servings, including its signature "Pitcher Koro," a 1.5-kilogram dish combining kishimen, soba and udon in a giant pitcher.
Men-dokoro Yoshinoya in Nagoya's Naka Ward is so popular that it is regularly packed during weekday lunch hours. The restaurant makes its own noodles and has built a following for generous portions offered at relatively low prices.
Even a standard serving is substantial. The shop's regular-size noodle dishes contain about 500 grams of noodles, roughly two to three times the amount served at a typical udon restaurant.
One of its staples is cold koro curry, which combines the noodles with a chilled curry broth containing plenty of vegetables. Customers describe the noodles as smooth and easy to eat despite the size of the serving.
Another unusual item is carbonated koro udon. Ice-cold carbonated water is poured over the noodles, which are then mixed with a sauce placed underneath. The fizz gives the dish a refreshing sensation while preserving the chewy texture of the noodles.
For customers wanting something considerably larger, the shop's large serving can reach extraordinary proportions. One oversized bowl contains about 3 kilograms of noodles alone and is served in a massive container that becomes extremely heavy once filled.
The restaurant's best-known oversized dish, however, is Pitcher Koro.
Kishimen is placed at the bottom of a large pitcher, followed by soba and then udon, before the container is filled almost to the brim with broth. Each type of noodle weighs about 330 grams, bringing the noodles alone to roughly 1 kilogram. Including the broth and other ingredients, the total weight reaches about 1.5 kilograms.
Because the pitcher is so deep, customers are given extra-long chopsticks capable of reaching the noodles at the bottom.
The dish's appearance can be deceptive. Customers say the noodles become compressed inside the pitcher, making it seem as though the amount is barely decreasing even after they have eaten for some time.
One appeal is the chance to eat three different types of noodles in a single dish. Some customers share the serving with young children, but others tackle the entire pitcher alone.
One woman visiting the restaurant for the first time ordered Pitcher Koro as a challenge and managed to finish it in about 45 minutes. The noodles' smooth texture is said to make the large serving easier to eat than its appearance suggests.
Some customers go even further. One man ordered two Pitcher Koro servings for himself, saying one would not be enough. He finished the two pitchers in about 30 minutes and then ordered sushi to finish the meal, estimating that he was still only around 70% to 80% full.
The shop attracts many customers who enjoy large-portion eating challenges, but the owner says the enormous servings are not simply a stunt.
His goal is to make the restaurant No. 1 in Nagoya when it comes to generous portions. He said he never wants to reduce serving sizes and would rather increase them, a philosophy that has helped establish Yoshinoya as a destination for customers seeking both value and a very full stomach.
Source: 東海テレビ ニュースONE
