【Evening Cooling】Spending Chill Time on the Balcony with "Chilled Cup Noodles"

Even without going far, enjoying the evening coolness at home on the balcony. While relaxing with the recently released "Chilled Cup Noodles," which piques the curiosity of those who love new things, I found it surprisingly enjoyable.

What did I prepare to make the balcony a slightly special place?

It's my home balcony, and what I prepared were a folding chair and a rechargeable lantern that doesn’t need an outlet. At night, after bringing in the laundry, I placed one chair and one light on the balcony.

Just with that, it felt like a completely different place. After a long day at work, I didn't expect that the balcony just a few steps out of my front door could change its atmosphere so easily, which made me happy.

If I was going to do it, I thought I might as well take my meal out to the balcony, which included a glass pot filled with ice water and "Cold Cup Noodles." The Cup Noodles, celebrating their 55th anniversary, are the first that can be made without using hot water, so as someone who loves new things, I decided to give them a try.

Just add cold water! For those who don't even want to boil water, perfect for lazy people.

Still, knowing that I could make it without boiling water, I was honestly a bit skeptical, thinking, "Wait, is it really tasty?" Considering it would be a different experience from the "just wait 3 minutes" Cup Noodles I’ve been familiar with for years, my curiosity about the taste simply grew.

I bought the "Spicy Kimchi Flavor" and "Chicken Salt Lemon Flavor." I peeled off the film and poured cold water up to the indicated line. Once the film was removed, the dried ingredients and soup powder were neatly arranged on top of the noodles, and without using hot water, I found I had the leisure to observe the contents more closely than usual.

The moment I poured the water, the colors of the ingredients spread out on top of the noodles, instantly lifting my spirits. Without the sound of boiling water or steam, I felt equal parts of “I wonder if this will really be okay” and “I want to eat it quickly.” Usually, I would be waiting in the kitchen while stirring the noodles, but today it was refreshing to be able to wait while sitting in a chair on the balcony.

Not having to boil water or go back and forth to the kitchen, just sitting in the chair and waiting feels like a strange experience.

I set the timer on my smartphone for 5 minutes and watch the countdown while being blown by the wind. It’s more of a light evening snack to satisfy a small hunger while enjoying the evening breeze rather than a hearty meal. I don’t have the energy to stand in the kitchen after work, but I want to eat something. It feels just right for a night like that.

The discoveries of kimchi flavor and lemon flavor

The first one I opened was the kimchi flavor. The moment I opened the lid, a strong aroma of kimchi wafted up, and I was surprised by the bold red color of the soup, which was more vibrant than I expected. Taking a sip, the umami of the chicken combined with sourness and spiciness created a lingering taste. In the slightly warm temperature, this stimulation felt just right.

The lemon flavor I opened next had the scent of lemon cutting through the chicken, bonito, and niboshi dashi, leaving a refreshing taste. The noodles had a firm yet smooth texture, and even though they were cold, a solid feeling of satisfaction from having "eaten" remained. In the night breeze on the balcony, experiencing a taste comparison that I had never done before was also enjoyable.

As I was eating, my son came over, perhaps curious about what I was doing, and started picking at the noodles with me. The quiet time I thought I had started alone unexpectedly turned into a lively scene.

Spending chill time on the balcony is enjoyable.

I sit in a chair, feeling the night breeze, and spend some time idly. Spending time without a purpose felt pleasant. In the first few minutes, my hand almost reached for my smartphone, but I paused and instead began to gaze blankly at the lantern's light. On a night when the daytime heat had slightly calmed down, I realize that normally I would have been busy tidying up or preparing for the next day during this time, and I suddenly appreciate the tranquility.

By the time I finished eating, the familiar balcony felt a little bit special. As I cleared the dishes, looking out at the night balcony with only the lantern's light remaining, I remember feeling a sense of self-appreciation for having done well today.

I discovered that even without going far, merely putting a little effort into a familiar place could change my mood so much. I wanted to try spending the next night differently on the balcony than usual.

Product name / Chilled Cup Noodles Spicy Kimchi Flavor
Content / 60g (Noodles 45g)
Price / 285 yen

Product name / Chilled Cup Noodles Chicken Salt Lemon Flavor
Content / 59g (Noodles 45g)
Price / 285 yen
● Nissin Foods

Interview & Text / SYURI

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