Japanese Eating Inventions
the noodle eaters hair guard
This week's award for the-restaurant-we-would-never-visit-if-it-were-in-the-United States, but-since-it's in-Japan-it's-cool goes to: the Alice in Wonderland-themed restaurant in Tokyo. They claim to be a "labyrith of fantasy dining" plus they offer over 100 cocktail flavors to boot. Maybe all the cocktail option are part of the labyrith they boast of. But what really sold us was the report that the food comes accompanied with little "Eat Me" tags.
[From Cory Doctorow via boingboing.net]
And the same owners who bring you Alice in Wonderland dining also created the Vampire Cafe!
Also from the wonderful world of Japanese culture - and could come in handy should you indulge in the noodle amuse bouche dishes at Alice's Restaurant is the Noodle Eater's Hair Guard. One of many objects that are part of Chindogu.
[from the Nonist via Boingboing.net]
For more on Chindogu read on...
chindogu: the not-so-ancient Japanese art of inventing ingenious everyday gadgets that, on the face of it, seem like an ideal solution to a particular problem. However, Chindogu has a distinctive feature: anyone actually attempting to use one of these inventions, would find that it causes so many new problems, or such significant social embarrassment, that effectively it has no utility whatsoever. Thus, Chindogu are sometimes described as ‘unuseless’ - that is, they cannot be regarded as ‘useless’ in an absolute sense, since they do actually solve a problem; however, in practical terms, they cannot positively be called ‘useful’. the following are 12 examples culled from the pages of the book 101 unuseless inventions.
Comments
That might be the funniest thing I have ever seen. It made my day to see that.
My Life As A Reluctant Housewife
Posted by: Gabriella True | May 12, 2006 09:31 PM
If the japanese arnt the funniest people without trying I dont know who is. Genius takes a pretty odd form when mixed with boredom
Posted by: Charlotte Restaurant Critic | June 9, 2006 11:47 PM
Hahahahahaha that looks funny
omg i cant stop laughing
Posted by: Anonymous | March 31, 2007 12:53 AM
wtf
Posted by: Anonymous | September 13, 2007 11:28 PM
what the hell is this? OMFG! LMAO! hahaha! this so so damn stupid!
Posted by: Ruth Yesterday | September 30, 2007 12:32 PM
Dear Softpedia,
My name is Sarah Bertrand, and I am a 25 year old woman who enjoys spackle, semi professional photography, and trading recipes.
I recently came across your ingenious invention, The Noodle Eater's Hair Guard, and immediately began preparing a package of Mr. Noodle for consumption. I haven't even received my Noodle Eater's Hair Guard in the mail yet, so you can ascertain my level of excitement! Huzzah! Finally, a reason to start eating carbs again!!
You, Softpedia, would not believe the amount of money I have been needlessly dispensing on hair ties, barrettes, clips, and the like. Imagine me, a sophisticated important business woman, getting an expensive haircut or style (to be worn down), and having to go to an important elegant dinner where pasta is being served. Put my hair in a ponytail?? NO THANKS! Why, I'd rather strap a doily to my face and eat with class. No more pesky strands of hair threatening the deliciousness of my meal.
Softpedia, you have given me, and many others like myself, a new lease on life. Now meal time won't be such a stressful event. Instead of dining hour consisting of me eating popsicles while lying on my back (because really, that's the safest route to go when you don't want to be hassled with pulling your hair back into a ponytail), now I can pretty much jam whatever I want into my face, free of embarassment!
Two questions: does it come in any color other than salmon? Also, will it work for red meat, exotic fruits, and Jello?
Thank you, Softpedia. I look forward to my exciting mealtime apparatus making it's way onto my delicate face. Until then, I shall famine.
Sincerely,
Sarah Bertrand
Posted by: sarah b | June 21, 2009 04:57 AM