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Where do you bring a mega-famous group of British food celebrities when they come to Japan?
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To the highway service area of course!
And what season do you choose for them to ride motorcycles in?
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The rainy season of course!
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Sarcasm aside, I did actually get to help out with some production for The Hairy Bikers, a group of motorcycle-riding food celebs over from the UK. How did I help? With ramen?
Not this time. In our pre-reccee phone meeting, the crew was fascinated with Japanese SAs (service areas). Essentially highway truck stops, the ones in Japan are veritable oases of tasty snacks.
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For our bit, we walked around the SA checking out the different treats. Roast chestnuts, taiyaki, Tokyo Banana. You'll have to tune in to see what happens. (Spoiler alert: we eat a bunch of stuff)
Ramen wasn't on the menu for the show. Thank god, because in our downtime I decided to try the Ebina SA Version of Nantsuttei. Made by the nice ladies above. In a multi-purpose kitchen that makes everything from udon to fried chicken to french fries.
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A far cry from the bowl that made Nantsuttei a famous name. I have a feeling that this bowl is the same as the gift pack, with preservative-laden noodles and a dillute-able broth packet.
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Sorry guys! If your production staff had asked to be toured around for ramen specifically, I would have brought it.
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Dave seemed to prefer dipping a karepan into the soup. Well, that bowl can't get much worse, so dip away!
Not sure when this will air. They will be travelling around a few different Asia countries to sample life and food. Check it out on BBC Two someday soon!
Ebina SA is on the Tomei Expressway
Open 11am-10pm
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