Nagashi somen (流しそうめん)

Speaking of summer in Japan, there are a lot of events. Among them, we will introduce you to an event and popular summer food that you should try at least once in summer. Have you ever heard of the word “nagashi somen”? In Japan, many people eat this dish in the summer!

What is Nagashi somen?

Nagashi somen is a seasonal summer tradition. Just thinking about it makes you feel cool. This dish is made using a bamboo cut in half lengthwise to let water. The noodles are served uniquely: they’re carried down a bamboo flume or trough, often with flowing water, and diners try to catch them with chopsticks as they pass. It’s a fun and refreshing way to enjoy a meal, especially in hot weather. The water helps keep the noodles cool, and the whole experience is quite festive. It’s often enjoyed at summer festivals or family gatherings. In the past, it was a popular summer event for families to gather at their grandparents’ houses and play it in the garden.

Nagashi somen History

Nagashi somen began in Takachiho Town, Miyazaki Prefecture, during the hot summer of 1955. The idea originated from newspaper reporters eating boiled somen noodles in the open, dipping them into a bamboo jar of cold water from Takachiho Gorge to cool off while working in the fields. This concept was commercialized by a local company in 1959 and has since become popular nationwide. In Kyushu, there’s also “somen nagashi,” which started in Tosenkyo, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Somen nagashi involves using an oval-shaped bowl to catch the noodles. The rotating nagashisomen bowl, designed for home use, is a commercial adaptation of this traditional bowl.

World Record for Nagashi somen

On July 11, 2013, a record attempt was made for the fastest nagashi somen noodles on the large staircase of Kyoto Station Building. The previous Japanese record was 14.5 kilometers per hour, equivalent to pedaling a bicycle. However, the World Nagashi Somen Association set a new record of over 30 kilometers per hour by using a high-pressure washer to propel the water at high speed.

The world record for the longest nagashisomen is 3,328 meters, achieved by students from Kumamoto Prefectural Kikuchi High School on July 27, 2014. The event, which involved cooperation with the city, took 1 hour and 21 minutes and surpassed the previous record of 3,216.7 meters, earning a spot in the Guinness World Records.

Nagashi somen FAQ

Can you make Nagashi somen at home?

You can easily set up a nagashisomen experience at home using everyday items. Instead of bamboo, which can be hard to find, you can create a makeshift gutter from milk cartons or plastic bottles. Simply connect empty milk cartons to form a channel of the desired length. Nowadays, you can easily enjoy this dish at home or indoors with Nagashisomen specialty shops and Nagashisomen machines.

Why do we flow nagashi somen?

The best part of summer somen is eating it chilled! If you just soak the somen in tap water, the temperature of the water will rise in the summer heat and the noodles will become lukewarm. So by leaving the water running you can always enjoy cold somen.

Nagashi somen Restaurants

Hirobun (ひろ文)

From May to the end of September, they are the only restaurant in Kibune that serves Nagashi Somen noodles. Everyone, from children to adults, can enjoy themselves in the special seats on the dynamic riverbed with a drop in the water. At the end, red plum-flavored somen noodles are served down the stream. This is a popular flavor, so don’t miss out!

Address: 87 Kurama Kifune-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 601-1112
Phone number: 075-741-2147
Hours open: 11:00-15:00
Website: http://hirobun.co.jp/