ごつ盛り 塩焼そば
(Gotsumori Shio Yakisoba)
Gotsumori Cup Noodles is a cup noodle series produced by Toyo Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. (東洋水産株式会社), a comprehensive food manufacturer well known for its “Maruchan(マルちゃん)” brand, which began with marine product processing.
Toyo Suisan is also famous for its popular cup noodle brands such as “Akai Kitsune Udon (赤いきつねうどん)”, “Midori no Tanuki Ten Soba (緑のたぬき天そば)”, and “Yakisoba Bento (やきそば弁当)”. In addition to cup noodles, the company offers a wide range of food products, including frozen foods, fish-based ham and sausages, seasonings, and retort (ready-to-eat) foods.
Meanwhile, Gotsumori (ごつ盛り) comes from the concept of “Gottsui Ōmori (ごっつい大盛り),” meaning a hearty, filling meal. In Japanese, “Gottsui(ごっつい)” is a Kansai dialect word meaning “amazing” or “massive,” equivalent to “Sugoi (すごい),” and “Ōmori (大盛り)” means “large serving” or “extra portion.” Therefore, “Gottsui Ōmori” can be literally translated as “an extra-large portion,” reflecting the brand’s image of generous volume and satisfying taste.
Among the Maruchan Gotsumori cup noodle series by Toyo Suisan Kaisha, Ltd., this Shio Yakisoba is the only cup noodle I’ve consistently kept on hand for nearly ten years living in Osaka — purely for its taste.
Gotsumori Shio Yakisoba – How to Prepare
When you remove the outer wrapping of Maruchan Gotsumori Shio Yakisoba from Toyo Suisan Kaisha, Ltd., you’ll find detailed cooking instructions with illustrations printed on the lid of the cup.
Although a simplified version of the instructions is also printed on the bottom of the outer package, in practice, most people check the lid after unwrapping the cup just before preparing it.
Use 650 ml of hot water, and the total cooking time is about 3 minutes. Microwave cooking is not possible.
1. Open the lid from point A to point B, and take out the three small packets.
Please note that some packets, such as the spice sachet, may be located under the noodles. The purple packet contains the liquid sauce, the blue one contains the dried ingredients, and the red one contains the peppered spice mix.
2. Pour the dried ingredients (kayaku) over the noodles, add hot water up to the inner line, and close the lid.
The lid may not stay closed on its own, so fold down the corner marked “A” to keep it in place.
3. After 3 minutes, slowly peel back the drain spout labeled “C” in the direction of the arrow.
When you open the drain spout, hot water inside the cup may flow out, so be sure to place the cup on a flat surface and peel it back slowly while being careful not to burn yourself.
4. Hold the cup firmly and slowly tilt it to drain the hot water through the spout.
Since the hot water should be discarded in the sink, it’s recommended to prepare the cup noodles in the kitchen.
Also, when pouring out the hot water, some noodles or ingredients may come out through the drain spout, so tilt the cup gradually and pour slowly.
5. Peel off the lid completely, add the liquid sauce and mix lightly. Then add the spice packet and mix well to finish.
Since it may require a bit of force to remove the lid, hold the cup firmly and peel it off carefully.
You can adjust the amount of liquid sauce and spice according to your personal taste.
Gotsumori Shio Yakisoba – Ready to Serve
The Maruchan Gotsumori Shio Yakisoba by Toyo Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. is now ready.
The noodles, made with wheat flour, vegetable oil, lard, and egg white, have a chewy texture and a glossy appearance. The liquid sauce combines chicken extract, flavored oil, and spices such as basil, garlic, and chili, giving it a rich and savory aroma. The cabbage adds a unique texture, and its vibrant green color contrasts beautifully with the noodles, making it even more appetizing.
Overall, it offers a well-balanced mix of saltiness and oiliness — simple yet deeply satisfying.
I tried arranging the Gotsumori Shio Yakisoba to suit my personal taste.
Although the spice packet already contains pepper, as someone who especially loves pepper, I find it a bit lacking, so I like to add a little extra pepper that I always keep in my kitchen.
If you’d like to add more vegetables, try pairing it with warm veggies or adding your favorite seasonings or spices — it will bring you a different kind of enjoyment.
Since Gotsumori Shio Yakisoba, true to its name, comes in a generous portion, sharing one cup between two people will make it twice as enjoyable.
Ever since I first tried it on the recommendation of a Japanese friend, Maruchan’s Gotsumori Shio Yakisoba by Toyo Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. has been with me ever since — and I highly recommend giving it a try.
■Gotsumori Shio Yakisoba
Comments