A Package From My Mother-In-Law - It's From Japan!

Saturday, September 9, 2017

A Package From My Mother-In-Law - It's From Japan!

Today, I received this package which my mother-in-law sent from Japan! Since my husband and I moved to the U.S. from Japan, she has sometimes sent some Japanese foods for us. :) Today, I'm going to share what are in this package with you.

1. Umakachan Instant Ramen by House Foods - Kumamoto Tonkotsu Ramen (ハウスうまかっちゃん熊本火の国流とんこつ)

Umakachan Instant Ramen

Umakachan (うまかっちゃん) is local instant ramen which you can only purchase in Kyushu Island, Japan. Umakkachan was first released in 1979. Umakachan means, "It's delicious!" in Fukuoka dialect. Our hometown is Fukuoka prefecture, so when we were children, we sometimes had Umakachan for lunch. :)

2. Krume Tonkotsu Ramen by Sanpo (サンポー久留米とんこつラーメン)

Krume Tonkotsu Ramen by Sanpo

This is Kurume tonkotsu instant ramen. Kurume city is located in Fukuoka prefecture. As I mentioned in my previous entry, tonkotsu ramen originated in Kurume city. You can find this instant ramen at supermarkets in Kyushu Island, and you might find it in Tokyo as well. This type of instant ramen is called bou ramen or bou jyo ramen (棒状ラーメン). Bou (棒) is stick in Japanese. While most instant ramen is wavy noodle block, bo ramen is as straight as sticks. That's why this ramen is called bou ramen (棒ラーメン).

3. Takana Pickles from Setaka City, Fukuoka (瀬高たかな漬)

Takana Pickles from Setaka City, Fukuoka

I really love takana pickles, which is called takanazuke in Japanese. When I visited my mother-in-law years ago, I told her that how much I love takanazuke. Since then, she has often put takanazuke in her package for us. :) Takanazuke is Japanese mustard leaf pickles and is perfect with steamed white rice. In Fukuoka, takanazuke is famous local pickles and also popular tonkotsu ramen topping. When I was a child, my grandmother used to make takanazuke from scratch. :) You can check out my previous entry about how to prepare takanazuke.

4. Dried Bonito Flakes by Yamaki (ヤマキかつおパック)

Dried Bonito Flakes by Yamaki

Dried bonito flakes are called katsuobushi (かつおぶし) in Japanese. This is an essential topping for okonomiyaki and takoyaki. We sometimes put it over yakisoba. I also sometimes make easy lunch bowl with it. My late grandmother used to make fish broth from katsuobushi to cook miso soup.

5. Dried Wakame by Riken (リケンふえるわかめちゃん)

Dried Wakame by Riken

Wakame is an essential ingredient for making miso soup. I also love wakame udon!

6. Tororo Kombu by Kurakon (くらこん根昆布入りとろろ)

Tororo Kombu by Kurakon

Tororo kombu (とろろ昆布) is dried kelp flakes. This is a perfect topping for udon noodles.

7. Dried Shiitake Mushrooms (乾椎茸)

Dried Shitake Mushrooms

I use dried shiitake for chikuzenni. I also love cooking egg soup with shiitake mushrooms, egg, wakame and Somi Shantan.

8. Dacquoise Made from Barley (大麦のダクワーズ)