It is not just a rumour. Nay; in fact, Japan seems to be the country that has perfected the art of dining solo. How have they done this? Well, the answer lies in flavour concentration booths.
Yes, a flavour concentration booth. This is the eating experience that Japan seems to have perfected. Essentially, this such booth is one that allows you to sit alone, in a booth, with your food. While alone, You are meant to be absorbing the feeling, scents and vibe of everything around you; a truly interesting concept when you think of it.
This eating concept was actually popularized in Fukuoka by a restaurant chain called Ichiran Ramen. According to the restaurant, this sort of dining experience offers “low-interaction dining,” which lets customers order food (usually some form of noodles) with as little human connection as possible."
This restaurant, in particular, only really offers one item on the menu: Tonkotsu ramen, which uses a pork-based broth, some nice, fresh noodles, and tons of garlic and onions. Once you walk in, you simply go to one of the machines and and pay. There is only one price, seeing as this is the only item on the menu. You then direct yourself to one of these individual booths and fill out this paper, explaining your preferences for your soup. Really, all you can control is the quantity of noodles, pork, onions or garlic in your soup.
It truly is interesting, but the concept of dining solo, in a very enclosed space, is actually quite interesting. Ichiran Ramen popularized this concept as a method of fighting the stigma surrounding the idea of eating alone. They figured that, in this sort of environment, people would feel less embarrassed or ashamed to be doing so.
All of this, however, stems from the whole idea that Japan has been seriously struggling with isolation for centuries. In fact, Japan went through the "Isolation Period" for over 200 years, from 1639 to 1853. This was so serious that no individual was allowed to enter, nor exit the country, with the risk of imprisonment or even death for entering or exiting illegally. Japan eventually modernized, as men were promised lifetime employment at big companies while women were encouraged to tend to the home. Traditional family structures started faltering, and the country saw a drastic increase in single-person households, leading to more loneliness, and, well, more isolation. Many people had no family and no friends.
Thus, Ichiran cashed in on the "shame of eating solo," and provides an environment where there is virtually no human interaction at all. Diners order and pay via a machine, write down their specifications on a piece of paper, and see no more flesh other than a pair of hands serving the bowl of soup they've ordered. I suppose this makes for a truly "Japanese" experience.
Oh, and how about that soup? The bowl of ramen was one of the most delicious I had the pleasure of eating. The noodles screamed perfection, as the restaurant has a special method of preparing them. The wafting odours were incredibly enticing, and the blend of spices and pork broth provided for nothing short of a spectacular flavour.
Truly one of the most unique and intriguing, yet delicious dining experiences of my life.
Fortunately, the Ichiran Ramen chain has expanded beyond Japan. It can be found in nearby Hong Kong and Taiwan. Oh, Ichiran Ramen has TWO locations in New York City, so close to home. It won't be the same as eating at its original location in Fukuoka, but still a worthwhile dining experience.
-Daniele
