The World's Strangest Museums
The Museum: Ramen noodles have been a staple in the Japanese diet since 1958, when the instant version was introduced. Since then, its popularity has exploded—Japan now has some 200,000 ramen restaurants. Naturally, the best way to pay homage to this prolific noodle was to create a three-floor museum showcasing the dish’s seemingly countless variations.
The Exhibits: The two underground levels of the museum are a re-creation of Tokyo’s Shitamachi neighborhood, circa 1958—the year of the Ramen. But it’s not just for viewing—eight restaurants here offer the chance to sample different takes on the classic dish (opt for the smaller portion so you can sample several flavors). On your way out, stop by the souvenir shop to pick up a package of the museum’s original chocolate ramen—cocoa-flavored fried ramen with chocolate sauce.
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