""Laughter is far more effective for good digestion than stomach acid."" "Immanuel Kant, philosopher." ""Domo!"" "Meet the hero of our story." "One of many young dreamers lured from home... by the bright lights and promise of the big city." "Cut me some slack!" "Or I'll sumo you out of here!" "He dreams of making the world laugh... and he isn't afraid to try." "But reality is a sober adversary." "It can be ruthlessly objective." "Kosuke had sallied forth into a larger world... dreaming of acquiring untold fame and fortune." "But like so many others before him, he found himself scurrying home, frustrated and empty-handed... back to the family and friends he'd left behind." "But little did he suspect... he was about to embark on a journey of discovery... one that would lead him to the "soul food" of Japan." "Our hero hails from Sanuki in Kagawa," "Japan's smallest prefecture." "Here, some 900 udon shops serve... a population of just under a million." "By contrast, 500 McDonald's outlets... serve a Tokyo population... of 12.5 million." "In short, Sanuki is "udon country."" ""Welcome to Udon Country!"" "Kosuke Matsui?" "He has returned." "Any news from your deadbeat brother-in-law?" "You mean Kosuke?" "Still in New York." "Doing standup comedy." "You think he's made it big?" "Not a chance." "He'd tell us." "Maybe he's living on the street." "Very funny." "He sent everyone New Year's cards." "He claims he's the most famous "Matsui" in New York." "What a liar." "Guess what!" "?" "Kosuke's back!" "What?" "You sure?" "Look!" "I bet he ran out of money and had nowhere to go." "Sounds like him." "But he's too embarrassed to tell anybody." "Exactly." "Excuse me." "What?" "He's here." "Who is?" "Kosuke." "He's trying to time his entry." "He does get very self-conscious." "It must be awkward for him with all of us sitting here." "Let's pretend not to notice." "Good idea." "We'll just go about our business as usual." "Okay." "Hey-hey!" "I'm back!" "Kosuke?" "It's great to see you!" "Here's a souvenir." "Hey guys!" "Mizuhara, you're alive!" "Kosuke?" "What a surprise!" "Hi, Sis." "Why didn't you tell us you were coming home?" "How are you?" "Surviving." "Why are you here?" "Father, look!" "Dad." "Why are you here?" "Why?" "Do I need a reason to come home?" ""There's nothing here."" ""Except udon."" "Excuse me?" "Your words... 6 years ago." "So?" "I have no udon for you." "What's with him?" "What have you done to my room?" "Sorry, but you said you weren't coming back." "Where do I sleep?" "How about the family altar?" "I probably should have a word with mom, shouldn't I?" "You should pay a visit to her grave." "Meet the heroine of our story, Kyoko Miyagawa." "A bookworm with a dream of someday becoming a novelist." "Hello, I'm Miyagawa from the Sanuki Clarion, a local magazine." "Wild goose chase." "No way." "My glasses." "Just let me find my glasses." "Her hands were full simply coping with the present... to say nothing of the future." "This isn't happening." "No gas?" "Which way did I come?" "According to this map..." "I go this way." "I think." ""Caution:" "Bears!"" "Now what?" "I can't see a thing." "Stop!" "Thank God you came along!" "I ran out of gas!" "I'd appreciate a lift." "I don't know if I should be picking up strangers." "What was that?" "Looks like a bear's foot." "With a bear's body... and a bear's head attached to it." "That would be a bear." "Just play dead." "I'm pretty sure..." "that doesn't work." "Shush!" "I think... he's gone." "Thank God." "Do you mind?" "Oh, sorry." "Brakes!" "Hit the brakes!" "Good... morning." "Morning." "Oh my God!" "My glasses." "It's a miracle we're even alive!" "But my car..." "Be thankful you lived." "Where are we?" "I have a map." "We've been walking for an hour." "I'm guessing we're lost." "We'll need a search party." "Where're you going?" "That's not a road." "I hate to say this but I'm afraid we may be lost." "Oh, really?" "I have a terrible sense of direction." "Sometimes, I'll go into a store..." "and not be able to find my way out." "Now you tell me." "I'm sorry." "You're bleeding." "So I am." "Thank you." "There was something about him that kind of grows on a person." "Civilization!" "Hello?" "Excuse me." "Yes?" "Here to eat?" "You want it hot or cold?" "Hot." "Hot it is." "Give me 10 minutes." "Sure." "Here you are." "Add a little soy sauce and egg." "And green onion." "Weather's nice." "Eat outside if you like." "Thinking back, that bowl of udon was the start of a small miracle." "Good morning." "You said you weren't coming back." "Until you made it big." "He meant big in debt." "Very funny." "How much in debt?" "I hear it's in the six figures." "You don't hold back, do you, Kosuke?" "Who feeds you this information?" "Just pour." "To old times!" "Cheers!" "First thing he does is spend the night with a strange woman." "A hot one, too!" "That's our Kosuke." "Who are you, CIA?" "This is a small town!" "Word travels faster than the Internet." "Shosuke!" "What's up?" "The "duo" is back!" "Why's he in a suit?" "Kahlua milk!" "Har-har." "Give me a beer!" "An advertising agency, huh?" "Just a small one." "Isn't it time you took over your dad's udon shop?" "Absolutely not." "You never liked being called the "udon kid" in school." "Hated it." "I'm leaving as soon as I pay off my debts." "Yeah?" "How?" "Don't know." "Need help finding a job?" "The Sanuki Clarion?" "We handle their advertising." "They're hiring part-timers." "Local rag, huh?" "Chief Editor, Otani." "Pleasure." "Deputy Chief, Mishima." "Pleasure." "Layout editor, Aoki." "5th year college student." "Excuse me." "You!" "Hello." "You know each other?" "That'll speed things up." "Now, as to your salary." "Yes, tell me." "Straight commission." "10 yen per copy sold." "10,000 copies earns you 100,000 yen." "20,000 copies?" "200,000 yen." "Excuse me, Chief?" "Sell 100,000 copies and...!" "A million yen!" "?" "Fine, I accept!" "Welcome aboard." "Really?" "Thank you." "Thank you." " You won't regret it." " Good luck." "Thank you." "Welcome." "First, I sell 100,000 copies." "Then I shoot for a million!" "Say what?" "They only sell 5,000... tops." "Lots of competition, too." "Well, say I sell 100,000." "No way." "This ain't New York." "Kagawa has a million people." "Target readers make up about 180,000." "And with about a 3% readership rate, that comes to... 6,000 copies." "That's all!" "?" "You've been suckered, man." "Not if I sell." "See ya." ""Miyawaki Books."" "Here you go." "I'm afraid town magazines are poor sellers." "I can't help you." "Yes, you can." "This is it!" "Locally published food guides!" "We are travel pros!" "So what do the local eat around here?" "In Kagawa, it's got to be udon." "There's no udon info here." "Nor here." "At that point, the miracle was but a tiny sliver of light." "But why udon?" "Remember that shop we found?" "Not even locals know it exists." "I looked at lots of back issues." "No one's done a story on Sanuki udon." "Because female readers aren't interested." "They will be if we find the right angle." "Isn't this one way?" "We'll be fine." "Too narrow!" "Watch it!" "Would you take it easy!" "?" "A magazine?" "Now, that's a first." "What's distinctive about your udon?" "Gosh, I don't know." "I've never tried anyone else's." "What's on the menu?" "We have "small", "large" and "extra large" servings." " Could you deep-fry these?" " Sure." " And some sardines, too?" " Yup." "And 3 bowls of udon." "You folks like asparagus?" "Yes." "I see." "Great asparagus!" "Always just asparagus?" "Eat up." "You've been to this next place?" "About 4, 5 years ago." "Or maybe it was 6." "Which is it?" "Who cares?" "I was taken there by a client after golf." "I wrote down the directions." "Good." "Take Highway 32... along railroad tracks..." "Go into the hills..." "Near a bend in the road." "See?" "Simple." "Yes..." "like hell it is!" "Where do I go?" "Turn left!" "I'm getting carsick reading my writing." "Hold the paper up." "A wood-burning stove!" "Broth smells great." "And what glossy noodles!" "What're we waiting for?" "Ma'am, I'm ready." "What'll you have?" "Hot udon in hot broth... small." "Large "cold in hot"!" "Large "cold in hot"!" "Come on, Kyoko." "A small "hot in hot," please." "Say "cheese"." "Turn the wheel!" "Harder!" "You'll never make it!" "Don't overdo it." "I'm okay still." "All right, then." "Any green onions?" "In the field out back." "Out back?" "Cool!" "Right into the bowl!" "Can't get fresher than that." "Wait!" "Don't pull from the roots!" "I already did." "Sanuki udon is extremely simple to make." "All you need are flour, water and salt." "Mix it all together and knead the dough with your feet." "Cut the dough up into several equal-size balls... wrap in plastic and store in a temperature-controlled room." "Bring out the dough later, stack it... and knead it again with your feet." "Then roll the dough out." "Slice into noodles of desired thickness." "Cook the noodles in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes." "Quickly rinse in cold water to firm them up." "Add soy sauce or cold broth." "Or douse the noodles in hot water again and add hot broth." "And garnish to taste." "Something's wrong." "It's kind of missing the "wow" factor." "You're right." "But this is standard for restaurant features." "Picking your own green onions isn't standard, is it?" "We need to be unusual." "Like what, then?" "How'd it taste, though?" "Incredible." "Isn't udon just udon?" "You're wrong." "Hunger is the greatest spice." "When you finally find the place you've been looking for... and the food arrives... everything tastes heavenly." "That's it!" "What?" "That's what made it great!" "Really?" "We have to let the readers experience what we experienced." "Like getting lost?" "In short, we dare them to go out and find the places themselves." "But that means..." "No shop photos!" "Right!" "It'll spoil the mystery." "Let their imaginations run wild." "Exactly." "No udon photos, either." "Yes but..." "We must be vague." "We make it hard on purpose." "It sure is a novel idea." "My article's being torn apart." ""The rustic farmhouse evoked nostalgic sentiments of home."" "Problem is the writing." "What problem?" "Would you talk like this when telling friends about the place?" "No, but..." "I'm no writer but maybe you should just talk straight to them." "Let me think about it." "If we want readers to get lost, we encrypt the directions." "Whoever figures it out wins cash!" " We pay?" " They pay." "You lost me." "The point is to disorient them." "Get their adrenaline flowing." "Just talk straight." "It's written as a dialogue." "Sure is." "Like a comedy act." "It's great!" "Kyoko, you did it!" "Thanks." "You won't see this in other magazines." "It's like "adventure dining"." "We'll need a pen name." "I've got one!" "How's this?" ""The Noodle Gnostics"?" ""The..." "Noodle..." "Gnostics."" "The Noodle Gnostics." "Udon shops?" "Outside the station is..." "No, I'm talking places so remote, almost nobody goes." "Why go there?" "Just tell me." "I seem to remember seeing one down river." "Take me." "Don't touch that." "It's okay." "I've got to charge." "No, you don't." "Drive!" "Kosuke's sliver of light became a beam, toward which everyone rushed." "Excuse me but is there any udon around here?" "Udon?" "Ah, yes." "Down the road about 2 or 3 kilometers, I think." "Do they have a sign?" "Definitely not." "What's it called?" "Gee, I don't remember." ""Matsu" something." "A family name." "Matsu something?" "What do you call this place?" "Matsuoka." "It's here, trust me." "Found it." "Do you serve udon here?" "Bring a bowl and chopsticks." "We have to bring our own bowls." "I call it the "pilgrim's kit." Bowls, soy sauce, garnish." "We can eat, then." "You bet." "See that?" "Hardcore." "It's glistening." "Mmm, very firm." "Full self-service." "Drain the water." "Try some of this." "I'll get the car." "That place is huge!" "It used to be a warehouse." "Want me to drive?" "No, thanks." "I second that." "People were playing "Go" in there." "The udon here is great but so is the "ramen."" "No way." "Let's go back." "What the...?" "Kyoko!" "You all right?" "Kyoko, too, followed the light, in her own inimitable way." "Return it washed." " Thanks." " Yeah." "Later." "Um, Kosuke?" "The fare?" " Don't worry about it." " But I do." "Shush, it's late." "Consider it an investment." "Good night." "Now go!" "Dang." "Always the early bird." "A machine would be so much easier." "Why am I hiding?" "New car?" "Where are we headed?" "Wherever." "Be more specific." "Where's the river?" "Officer, we heard there's an udon shop around here." "Udon?" "Without a name or a sign." "I'll let you in on a secret." "If you're looking for udon, find for a chimney." "Chimney?" "There's one!" "Some green onions." "A dash of soy sauce... good." "And a little vinegar to taste." "Eat up." "You trying to kill us!" "Who're you racing?" "And why?" "Mishima, look." "Find a chimney." "No way." "A fire?" "It is." "Uh-huh." "Look at the size of this fried squid!" "Don't let it get cold." "Look." "Here you go." "Soy sauce..." "Cold in hot..." "Hot in hot." "Impressive, huh?" "Or just hungry." "He's awesome." "2 large, 2 small, 1 squid." " "Red tempura"." " "White tempura"." "Them again." "I swear to God, you've got a DEATH WISH!" "At last, we can eat." "Your eyes are bloodshot." "I'll take a large tub, please." "12 servings?" "I'm sorry but we just ran out." "Interesting." "Why not just go ask him?" "I can't." "He's too scary." "What if he hollers at me?" "What's this?" "The "mannequin udon press, Fumi"?" ""Automated foot kneading."" "Okay, if I'm here... the udon shop should be right around this corner." ""Matsui Noodle Factory"?" ""Factory" is the operative word here." "Serving customers is merely a side business." "The mainstay of the business is delivery of noodles to schools and hospitals." "Cook the noodles quickly." "Gotcha." "Thanks as always." "Go get 'em!" "Not you again!" "Just take 10." "I told you, they won't sell!" "They will, I swear!" "Um, excuse me?" "Do you carry the "Sanuki Clarion"?" "Yes, right here!" "What did I tell you?" "Just 300 yen!" "Bring another boxful." "Perhaps the craze was all due to right timing." "But the Udon Pilgrimage idea... became an instant hit with readers." "We have two events occurring at distinctly different times." "So our diagram..." "No one's listening." "As magazine sales soared, the 5-person editorial desk... swelled into a fully-staffed bureau of its own." "Eventually, they required a larger office." "Wow, did Kosuke really write this article?" "With him, you never know." "But this is a hit." "He may have set off an udon boom." "I doubt it." "He never sticks to things for very long." "He tends to go overboard, too." "He did fly off to New York to find fame and fortune." "He has guts." "He says he's working but he's out late drinking every night." "Doesn't come home till morning." "What?" "There's something I want to discuss with you." "What is it?" "Well... maybe it can wait after all." "Father..." "Finished bathing?" "My turn, then." "Well, I'm off to bed." "Good night." "Wow, it's just like the magazine said!" "A 100-yen a bowl!" "Let's hit shop number 5!" "Aren't you full?" "But it's so cheap!" "Dare we shoot for 6?" "Or even 7?" "Possibly 8 even?" "Sure it's cheap but you spent 50,000 yen to fly here." "They're on an udon pilgrimage." "Why not?" "You all right?" "What's wrong?" "I walked for 4 hours to get here." "That's crazy." "A true pilgrim." "Why are those students here?" "To help sort the mail." "The Chief was hoping for female students but..." "Kosuke thought we could make up for the lack of photos... with a fun cartoon." "I modeled the heroine after you, actually." "Who, me?" "I really wish you wouldn't." "You look flattered, though." "4 grand." "2 grand is all I'll pay!" "High-grade stuff." "This'll make some "primo" noodles." "You got that right." "He's toast." "That's far enough!" "You're under arrest!" "Am I now?" "Like a fresh bowl of udon... justice is firmly served." "Who's there?" "Captain Udon... has arrived!" ""Captain Udon"?" "What nonsense." "Get him!" "Make sashimi of him." "Uh-oh." "This time, I'll take you on myself!" "Now he's ticked." "Rev her up!" ""Two-Bowl Punch!"" ""High-Fiber Kick!"" "Kyoko!" "You were great!" "No!" "To be continued..." "To be continued?" "Tokyo." "Tokyo The country spark spread like wildfire to the cities." "The country spark spread like wildfire to the cities." "A TV station, documentary division The country spark spread like wildfire to the cities." "A TV station, documentary division." "A TV station, documentary division This way, Sir." "This way, Sir." "Tell me sooner." "Morning!" "Uh-huh." "Meeting Room Tell us, Sir..." "Meeting Room." "Meeting Room what's the next big thing?" "What's the next big thing?" "Yes well, for every big craze, you need a "holy land."" "A holy land?" "Yes, for pot stickers, it's the city of Utsunomiya." "Osaka for octopus fritters." "Exactly." "Establish that and people will come." "If people come, you create attention." "Yes." "The next noodle craze will be..." ""Udon Pilgrimage."" "Udon." "Bi-weekly?" "That's what the bosses want." "But..." "More "Pilgrimage" content." "We're at our limit." "Orders are orders." "Can we do it?" "If we increase field work." "Finding more shops will be difficult." "This column sells because we focus on the obscure." " Excuse me?" " Yes, speak up, Son." "You're free to use this, if you'd like." "What's that?" ""Udon Trekking."" "A list of Sanuki udon shops?" "We haven't visited these." "About 500." "What?" "We've spent years compiling it." "You guys?" "Our school club." "My card." "And mine." "Mine, too." ""Udon Club"?" "We can use this?" "We'd be honored." "If you let us join." "Join what?" ""The Noodle Gnostics."" "You're in." "It's a state of mind." "There are no qualifications except to profess you are one." "Welcome aboard." "There are 30 of us." "No wonder you compiled so much data." "But why do you run?" "To burn off carbs..." "so we don't get fat." "But why me?" "For the love of udon!" "Udon awaits!" "Show some spirit!" "Mizuhara!" "You'll be hitting 5 stores each today." "So pace yourself!" "No overeating." "One serving per shop!" "May I help you?" ""Kama-tama"..." "large." " Remember your warning, Chief?" " "Pace yourself?"" "Yes, but you need more noodles when there's egg." "Ah yes, the golden ratio for egg udon." "Same for me." "Me, too!" "Me, too!" "8 large egg udons." "Next!" "Someone once said that..." ""you can invent a hit, but you can't start a craze."" ""Closed."" ""Closed" What's taking them?" "They only open for 1 hour." "Well, I'm starving!" "According to rumor, this shop delivers noodles to that hospital." "Hospital?" "Oh, for patients." "So we have to get hospitalized, then." "Kosuke!" "Mizuhara!" "Great timing!" "No luck!" "Security's tough here." "Sorry!" "I knew it." "Bad acting, no doubt." "Who's next!" "?" "Wait!" "My taxi!" "Why am I the fall guy?" "A craze can only be discovered." "There's "cold-hot" and "hot-cold" but I bet you're a "hot-hot" man." "Get a load of them." "He's become a real babe magnet." "Looking good." "Sorry for the wait, guys." "Master?" "There's no broth." "Oops." "My mistake." "You feeling okay?" "I'm nervous around these cameras and young women." "The magazine's popularity fueled udon passions." "When you grate radish..." "hold it at an angle." "Look, a novice." "Soy sauce is what you use to test udon firmness." "Really?" "This right here." "That's revolting." "And very salty." "Then you just suck it down." "Is it good?" "The best." "Very firm." "Brave man." "That was the real deal." "By early summer, as a new crop of wheat turned to gold... virtually every udon shop in the prefecture had been covered." "You need to talk to Dad." "Kosuke's father had paid off all of his son's debts." "What is this!" "?" "I'm working." "Why'd you pay my debts?" "If it's not about udon, take it outside." "This was uncalled for." "What's wrong with a father paying his son's debt?" "Because they're my debts!" "With the magazine selling, I'm making money now." "I don't need your charity." "While you were away... the notices kept coming in." "These people have bills to pay, too." "It's still not your problem." "This is so like you." "You've always decided everything yourself... making life hard on mom." "Because of you, she..." "She what?" "Say it." "Get out and let me work." "I refuse this!" "Can I come in, Kosuke?" "What?" "You may feel differently but..." "I don't blame Dad for Mom's death." "No?" "Sure, he put her under a heavy burden." "And Dad wasn't able to provide the understanding she needed." "That's because udon is all he knows." "Mom knew what she was getting when she married him." "Like what?" "Like that he wasn't the most versatile man in the world." "The more he devoted himself to making udon... the less time and energy he had for other things." "Making udon may be all he can do." "But... he paid this back." "Can you imagine how many 65-yen bowls of udon that is?" "No one felt more disappointment than Kosuke himself... for failing to say "thank you."" ""Two-Bowl Punch!"" ""High-Fiber Kick!"" "Justice prevails!" ""Matsui Noodle Factory."" ""A famous local dish served up by a cranky udon man."" ""Careful." "He's likely to kick you out when his mood sours."" "Better not show him." ""A face steeped in soy sauce"?" "What?" "Something on my face?" "Your face?" "No." "Father, did you see this?" "An article about us!" "I bought a bunch." "Here!" "Page 96!" "Oh, the laundry!" "Here! "Matsui Noodle Factory"." "Sorry." "Next month, a major convenience store chain in the area... will carry our magazine." "Really?" "Dare we call this the start of a "boom"?" "You think?" "Count on it!" "It's coming!" "As if awaiting the arrival of summer, the udon craze exploded... creating a social phenomenon that engulfed the entire town." "Good morning!" "I just returned from Shikoku." "Welcome back." "Soba noodles or udon?" "I like soba." "How about you?" "Oh, definitely udon." "I never eat udon." "Only soba." "But Sanuki udon is all the rage right now." "Here's a local magazine..." ""The Sanuki Clarion."" "Full of information about udon." "I'm all for it, though." "Sanuki udon has a long history." "It's time it was celebrated." "And it's not like udon will suddenly disappear tomorrow." "Next shop closes at 2!" "I feel like squid!" "And fish sausage!" "And dried kelp!" "I'll take all of that with fried taro root and chicken wings on top!" "Hey!" "A line?" " I'll take a look!" " Me, too!" "You come with me." "You're kidding!" "An udon traffic jam?" "No way!" "It's true!" "Hello!" "Where are you from?" "Tokyo!" "People have been lining up since early this morning." "Good morning." "What's that?" "Oh, this?" "It's the "Sanuki Clarion."" "Famous for a column called "Udon Pilgrimage."" "Very staged." "Here, hold this." "We're talking the "soul food" of Japan!" "And it's all here!" "Ready?" "One more!" "And another." "Turn this way." "Here we go!" "Why a Polaroid?" "Looks great, guys!" "Big ear-to-ear smiles, okay?" "We're eating!" "Don't move." "This is an onion field!" "I know." "I'm Indian." "I know onions." "What's with the wide angle?" "Takamatsu Airport is thronging with people from all over the country." "Here atop a taxi cab... a steaming bowl of udon." "Udon is HOT!" "Especially here in Sanuki, where udon is king!" "Udon is everywhere!" "Did you hear that?" "What a delicious sound." "It's very delicious." "Remember to slurp with vigor." "Many come to you to receive training." "I'm happy to share this Godly treasure." "Business is up 50%." " That much?" " Yes." "Congratulations." "It's called the "udon taxi" because..." "I take customers to places not yet in guidebooks." "I sniff them out." "Fads are sustained by having a ground zero." "People are drawn to this idea of a "holy site."" "Even the new local soccer team is named for a type of udon." "When you think of Sanuki, you think of udon." "It was a natural choice." "What we have here is an udon vending machine!" "Can you believe it?" "Use a scissors to cut the green onions!" "All repeat customers." "There's coffee in it." "Udon sweets." "I serve a completely original menu." "Wow..." "I just adore green onions!" "Our customers are very demanding." "I copy the best." "Eat 12 servings in one hour and..." "you eat here free for a year." "We're championing a cause." "Udon loved by everyone." "Flavor wins." "Sanuki's home cooking." "Thinner noodles, for example." "With infrared heating, noodles cook from the center." "I just love meeting so many different customers." "I hereby inaugurate the First Sanuki Udon Festival!" "Wrong brand of flour!" "Come on now!" "Get your udon goods here!" "Bowls, cups, mugs!" "Who'll eat the most?" "It's a dead heat!" "Go, daddy!" "Okay, you noodle pros!" "Whose udon are you eating?" "Maruzen in Takinomiya!" "Sorry." "Wrong answer." "Atariya?" "Correct!" "How much is a bowl of soy sauce udon at Ogataya?" "570 yen." "Correct!" "Give me the total!" "Watanabe's tempura udon, an egg udon from Mishima's..." "Koi-koi's udon-sushi combo, a "super large" at Waraya's... and a croquette from Mabuchi's!" "2,475 yen!" "Mr. Sakashita has completed the 88-udon shop pilgrimage of Sanuki!" "Congratulations." "Please come again." "Give him a hand!" "Presenting our tourney champ with his award is..." "Noodle Gnostic, Shosuke Suzuki." "Congratulations." " Eat these slowly, all right?" " Gotcha." "A big hand, please!" "Great job today, everybody." "Ever hear the story... of a ferry that plied these waters before the bridge was built?" "Yes, often." "They haven't." "The "Uko Ferry."" "I've heard of it." "Did you know it sold udon up on deck?" "No." "Was it good?" "Far from it." "The noodles were limp." "The broth was bland." "A subpar bowl all around." "But it was unbeatable." "How's that?" "It wasn't about taste." "It was a greeting." "A greeting?" "For people leaving home or returning from afar." "It was a bowl that said..." ""Welcome home", "Bon voyage."" "Traveling creates lasting memories." "Every experience along the way seems heightened." "So even bad noodles taste good." "Precisely." "The ferry is long gone." "But if you're lucky, you too may someday experience... that memorable bowl of udon." "I always seem to stray from things I set out to do." "Bad sense of direction, remember?" "Like attending an all-girl's school." "Or majoring in education when I was keen on literature." "I wanted to join a literary publisher, not a magazine." "You didn't know they had no literary section?" "Guess not." "What I really want to do is..." "write a book." "Just once... a book I wrote, with my name on it." "That's my dream." "A book, huh?" "It suits you." "You'll do it." "I mean, everyone loves the "Udon Pilgrimage" column." "You have talent." "Maybe too much for this town." "Oh, come on." "Compared to his "I want to make the world laugh" fantasy... your dream is attainable, right Kosuke?" "That's right." "I haven't got a hope in Hell of..." "Nice try, Sho!" "You walked right into that." "What do you want, Shosuke?" "It's not so much what I "want" but what I "see" ahead." "What's that?" "Farming." "Farming?" "My folks have a farm." "And I'm their eldest." "I can't sell land we've owned for generations." "Someday, I'll have to take over." "I had no idea." "Until then, I'm doing what I want." "Like advertising." "I can't leave this town." "So I look for stuff that can make it more interesting." "I guess that's what I want." "I see." "This was one great summer, though." "Your return brought a festive atmosphere to the place." "It was festive, wasn't it?" "But when this craze blows over... that'll be my cue to move on." "You mean, to the farm?" "My folks are getting old." "I should let them retire." "What is it!" "?" "It's not like us to get all sappy." "You're right." "Snap out of it!" "Let's rock!" "You mean sing?" "Mizuhara!" "Fetch Shosuke's guitar!" "Why?" "Thinking back, it was at that moment a realization set in." "The party would soon end." "Thank you, thank you!" "Listen up!" "It's been a while since we did this." "But with 24,000 of you fans all crammed into a 4,000-seat hall... we figured you deserved a treat." "Sing along if you know it!" "Because I don't." "Yeah, I'm glad that I met you." "With you by my side Now I can die happy." "Banzai!" "I'm sure glad I met you." "From now on, forever more." "We la-la-la together." "Welcome." "These noodles are thin and flimsy." "What happened to this place's "manly" udon?" "When demand is high, some places make thinner noodles to cook faster." "It boosts customer turnover, too." "I call that unethical." "Fads peak the moment they're spotted." "It's all downhill from there." "No sense in beating a dead horse." "So udon is out?" "Just between you and me... the next big thing..." "Yes?" "Next will be..." "Will be...?" "Next will be..." "I'm sorry but we're sold out beyond this point." "And I was really looking forward to this." "We drove so far." "We live nearby and can come anytime." "Take our spot." "We couldn't do that." "We insist." "Enjoy the meal." "You're very kind." "Thank you." "Suddenly, it all seemed wrong." "Too much traffic?" "Yeah, we don't have parking." "People complained about all the cars blocking the road." "And so?" "Eventually, I got reported to the police." "So I closed shop." "Over what?" "Some jealous neighbors?" "Business was booming, right?" "I was causing problems." "Why go to the trouble of making noodles for that?" "Only then did it dawn on everyone... the moment you create something new, you begin destroying something old." "Discontinued?" "Poor sales." "Everyone's switching to a "free paper" format." "It's over." "Oddly, no one raised any objection to the magazine going out of print." "Thank you." "Everyone began to go their separate ways." "Kyoko was offered a job at a big name publishing firm in Tokyo." "But she hadn't yet accepted." "Thanks, Kosuke." "It was a blast." "Later." "Kyoko..." "I was kind of hoping you'd stick around." "Kosuke's words seemed to be directed less toward Kyoko... and more to himself." "And he decided it was time to confront his father." "And for once, convey his true feelings." "Dad?" "I can talk from out here, can't I?" "I've saved up the money you paid for me." "I'd love to just toss it on the table... and walk off into the sunset." "But the truth is..." "I like udon after all." "I didn't before." "But things have changed." "I'd love to follow in your footsteps." "That is, if you don't mind." "I think I'd take to it really well." "Please... teach me." "Just my luck." "He's not even here." "Dad!" "It was a heart attack." ""Temporarily Closed."" "You closing the place?" "It's not fair to our customers to keep them hanging." "And you're okay with that?" "It wasn't exactly a money-maker." "Plus, with Dad gone, who's going to take over?" "Well, in that case..." "I'd be willing to give it a shot." "Don't be ridiculous." "You have a job." "What's more... nobody can copy Dad's udon." "Sure we could hire someone." "But what would be the point if it didn't taste like Matsui udon?" "But you're his daughter." "And I could help." "He never showed me how to make it." "I couldn't if I tried." "It's worth a try." "I have to go to the temple." "After dad's 49th day memorial service, his equipment will be taken away." "Can you take off work early to help out?" "I'd appreciate it." "Yeah, sure." "I think it'll be okay." ""I can't wait to eat your udon again."" "The pleas of a single person so often fall on deaf ears." "But every once in a while, they become seeds... that germinate and bloom." "All it took was one, brief little message." "What's going on?" ""Matsui udon's the best!"" ""It's Matsui udon or nothing!"" ""Get well soon, Mr. Matsui!"" "Don't tell me they're closed." "Look here!" "The owner's ill or something." "Write something." "Good idea." " "Thank you." " Kyoko Miyagawa."" "He was here?" "Yes, unloading udon for school lunches." "According to the principal, he delivered elsewhere, too." "Other schools and hospitals." "I see." "Remember the Chief's story about the ferry boat?" "The bad udon people loved." "To local passengers... it was like an old friend... appreciated but taken for granted." "'Cause everyone believed... it would always be there." "Your father's udon was like an old friend from home." "No one expected it to disappear." ""To Dad"" "I'm going to be Captain Udon when I grow up." "Captain Udon, huh?" "Yeah, he fights bad guys with udon." "Sounds heroic." "What're you doing?" "Making udon." "But..." "Why?" "There are kids waiting to eat it." "It's a little late for that." "Why?" "Dad would've wanted it." "Don't you?" "Good morning." "You can't do it." "What?" "You don't know the first thing about Dad's udon." "That's not true." "I know enough." "Give me some credit." "Dad may not have been a talented man." "But he made up for it... by never compromising." "365 days a year, he adjusted for humidity and temperature... changing water volume and kneading time." "You've no idea how hard it is to get the same texture every day." "I think I do." "He could've made it easier on himself." "He could've made noodles with a machine the night before." "Nobody would've complained." "But he insisted on making them fresh before each delivery." "So they could be enjoyed at their best." "The moment he finished, he loaded up his truck." "Day in and day out." "Can you do that?" "By making it sound so easy... you insult him." "Maybe." "But I'm doing it." "What?" "I'm going to do it." "Suit yourself." "His equipment will be gone on the 14th." "Okay!" "One cup of salt water to two cups of flour." "Less water this time." "Nope." "No, no." "Why don't you help, then?" "Who, me?" "Wait a second." "Are you behind him now?" "As long as he's serious." "But..." "It's like udon." "A splash of cold water firms it up." "Right." "Kosuke!" "Yes?" "Let me help." "I've watched your dad make udon for years." "That'd be great!" "Please!" "Okay." "Start with just a little water." "About half." "So 3 cups." "Stir that for a while." "Looks great!" "It's our best so far." "We want your honest opinions." "Dig in!" "Hold on." "What's this?" "I'm done." "The noodles are too thin." "I'm sorry." "I've failed you." "No." "We'll try again." "Yes, let's." "Less bonito?" "I halved it." "Let's shorten waiting time." "Kosuke was determined to recreate his father's udon... before the business closed its doors forever." "Why's Kosuke making udon?" "He's taking over the business." "What's that date circled up there?" "Probably their opening." "But people interpreted things differently." "Smells good." "Hey, that broth doesn't smell half bad!" "Why didn't you call us?" "What would that do?" "Just give us a taste." "It's just a sample." "You don't have to finish it." "Noodle Gnostic policy." "It's better than I expected." "Really?" "Then it's close to Dad's?" "I've never eaten here." "Oh." "Shosuke has." "Something's different." "If only a subtle difference." "We know that." "How's it different?" "That's why there's this." "What?" "You've forgotten your own data?" "Our legacy continues." "So?" "The noodles here closely resemble Mr. Matsui's." "You've eaten Matsui udon?" "Yes." "Hey, the same flour!" "How much water?" "About one of ladle per kilo of flour." "You check evenness by hand?" "Yes." "If you knead too hard, you'll get uneven dough." "Your noodles have Matsui's firmness!" "May I?" "Sure." "Thanks." "I boil them between 13 and 14 minutes." "The key is to handle the noodles gently at all times." "Gentle but brisk." " Water's real cold!" " Yes, it is." "Go ahead and feel that." "Okay, we're here!" "It's a ramen shop." "I owe your father a lot." "Ask me anything." "Thank you." "Sanuki udon is all about the dried sardines you use." "It's all you need but people like a little laver these days." "Cook at high heat?" "Until it boils, yeah." "But don't boil the laver." "Keep your eyes on it." "Well?" "Close!" "Real close!" "I think so, too!" "It's good." "We're ready!" "Take a seat." "We'd like you to try it." "Your opinion matters most." "Well?" "It's good." "Yes!" "We did it!" "Right on target." "Honest?" "We've got the seal of approval!" "Thank you, everybody!" "Tell me what you think." "Dad?" "Haunting us already?" "Only until my 49th day memorial service." "Couldn't miss the chance, huh?" "I've eaten enough udon for one lifetime." "Sorry." "Hey, Dad?" "What?" "What drove you to make udon?" "Beats me." "'Cause it was there." "Like Mt." "Everest?" "Truth be told..." "it's all I could do." "I'm not very social." "I don't relate well to people." "That's why." "Just to flour and water." "Why did you want to become a comedian?" "That's easy..." "from looking at you." "What?" "Your face." "I never saw you laugh." "You always looked surly." "I guess it was an opposite reaction." "I was born with this face." "What's your excuse?" "You flopped in America, right?" "Who told you that?" "It's easy to make someone smile." "How would you know?" "One good bowl of udon is all it takes." "What?" "Don't you smile when you eat something good?" "Is this your pearl of wisdom?" "Go to bed." "You've got an early start tomorrow." "Wait, Dad!" "I..." "Kosuke... don't force yourself to stay." "Excuse me?" "There's nothing here for you." "Just udon." "Take care, Son." "Wait!" "Dad!" "Another dream." "Thank you for letting us do this." "Don't be silly." "We've served Matsui udon for ages!" "Even when I was here?" "Of course!" "Everyone in these parts has." "Clasp hands!" "Enjoy your meal!" "Thank you!" "Good work." "All this time... and I... never knew." "Kosuke... thanks." "Kyoko knew, however... that Kosuke would leave to chase his dream again." "Well, I'm off." "Take care." "Sorry for being such a pain in the butt." "I'm used to it." "I know." "Take care of the family business!" "Leave it to me." "It's just the two of you now." "Be happy, okay?" "Don't worry." "We've got each other..." "and udon." "See ya." "Take care!" "Good luck!" " Where is he?" " There!" "Thank you!" "What took you?" " Of all the times!" " Sorry!" "You have no flair for drama!" "He left without hardly a good-bye!" "You know Kosuke." "You don't mind?" "If I were Kosuke, I probably would've done the same." "You've changed, Kyoko." "I have?" "You turned down the job in Tokyo." "No sense of direction." "You could argue that I'll just feel lost by staying here." "But being lost is how I found udon." "True." "And let's not forget..." "Kosuke." "Stop trying to kill me!" "I'm your Chief Editor now!" "Hey, Chief." "What?" "Thanks for everything, buddy." "Hey, my pleasure." "Here." "Dividends." "Later." "This won't cover it!" "His plane should be leaving soon." "What's up?" "It's the Matsui Noodle Factory." "I've decided..." "I want to make udon." "I make a poor salesman, anyway." "I tendered my resignation." "Please!" "Let me inherit the business!" "With pleasure." "I'd be honored!" "That's why I love you." "We can't keep customers waiting." "Right." "Time for work." "Would you look at that!" "What's going on?" "What began as a misunderstanding... grew into swarms of people descending on the Matsui Noodle Factory... in the belief that today was its grand reopening." "Big opening crowd." "Finally!" "Matsui udon!" "Kosuke stiffed me!" "What's going on?" "Here in the countryside... word travels faster than the Internet." "A new craze?" "This is no craze." "What then?" "More like... a miracle." "One that has always been here." "No one could say what lay beyond the udon craze." "But one thing was for sure." "For every place under the sun that people can call "home"... there is a "soul food."" "Food that can elicit laughter and tears... food that satiates both stomachs and spirits... food that makes people happy." "What is your "soul food"?" ""Who never ate his bread in sorrow..." "he knows ye not..."" "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, poet." "Three years passed quickly." "For Kosuke's sister and brother-in-law, Ryoichi business is booming." ""Matsui Udon" New customers!" "Welcome!" "Ryoichi's motto is "Let the past shed light on the future"." "Welcome!" "And he's never short on new creations." "Meanwhile, they had a baby boy... the spitting image of his granddad." "Former Chief Editor Otani opened a jazz bar." "Popular among locals for good music and udon." "Ever hear of the Uko ferry?" "But apparently not popular for his storytelling." "Mishima became Chief Editor of a "free paper"." "But he's still stuck on udon." "Aoki graduated from college and joined a food maker... where he did research." "Thickness, 3..." "Length, 4." "The golden ratio." "He's stuck on udon, too." "The udon club found new life in college." "And no one's close to graduating." "Oh yes, and Shosuke... didn't venture far from udon either." "Someday, this'll all be udon." "As for our heroine?" "She finally wrote her book." "Your book's arrived!" "It's a love story." ""UDON By Kyoko Miyagawa."" "Yusuke Santa Maria." "Manami Konishi." "Tortoise Matsumoto (ULFULS)" "Kyoka Suzuki." "Takeshi Masu." "Jin Katagiri (RAHMENS)" "Jun Kaname." "Fumiyo Kohinata." "Katsumi Kiba." "Executive Producer:" "Chihiro Kameyama." "Producers:" "Masahiko Oda, Kuga Maeda, Chikahiro Ando, Koichi Murakami." "Screenplay by Masashi Todayama." "Music by Toshiyuki Watanabe." "Production:" "Fuji Television Network, ROBOT, Toho." "Production Company:" "ROBOT." "Directed by Katsuyuki Motohiro." "So how did things turn out for us?" "I didn't get lost!" "Captain Udon... has arrived."