Wanko Soba

I have been looking forward to this since I found out that Morioka had this thing called わんこそば, soba served in bite size wooden bowls until you're full. 

We all know that all you can eat establishments are scattered all across Japan since Japanese people love the fact that they can eat until satisfied and be able to leave a little bit of good behind on the table. This also rings true when it comes to alcohol especially sake, though the end results are quite the opposite. 

After arriving in Morioka I found two chains that serve Wankosoba. The one we went to was Azumaya which has a couple locations one being next to the station. 

(FYI: Wan = bowl ko=sounds cute soba 'buckwheat' =type of noodles) 

Since in the Nambu region it's quite mountainous making it hard to grow grains the people here adapted by making noodles. They made it a tradition to keep serving you food until you say 'matta' and even then keep serving you more. 

Served with side dishes, specifically shaved radish and mushrooms, raw tuna (sashimi) and shredded chicken. Soon it turned into a game/contest of how many bowls one could eat, it became popular among tourists. Which brings us to today :P

When we showed up at the restaurant we were given a traditional soba eating apron (that's right they exist) and settled on the normal set. ¥2700, this way you count your own bowls 3 bowls = 1 toothpick. 

(sorry I used the cheesy song for all the videos on this trip, they should really give me more options. Or you can watch all of them when I make an even cheeser after-movie ha ha) 

Although, you had the option to pay ¥3700 where you would get to stack the bowls on your table instead of them being sent back to the kitchen and of course photos of your soba success. 

This was the most intimidating meal I have ever experienced. I was nervous making me less hungry and even my hands weren't so steady when we started. You were unable to take long breaks and it had to be more or less a consistent waterfall of noodle refills. 

Goodbye Morioka and 48 bowls of soba, oh last but not least a lovely public indoor onsen :) 

I the average woman can eat 30-40 bowls and the average man is 50-60...