On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about the fascinating history and culture of soba noodles.

About Dr. Lorie Brau

Dr. Lorie Brau is an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico where she teaches courses on Japanese literature and culture. Dr. Brau has conducted research on a variety of topics, including rakugo and the history and culture of soba noodles. Her research on soba noodles resulted in Soba, Edo Style: Food, Aesthetics, and Cultural Identity, an article which appeared in the book Devouring Japan: Global Perspectives on Japanese Culinary Identity. Currently, Dr. Brau is working on a book called Gourmanga, which focuses on food manga..

Topics Discussed

• What soba is
• Soba's usage as a general word meaning "noodles"
• What distinguishes soba noodles from udon and ramen
• What an Edokko is
• Some of the places soba is closely tied to
• A brief history of soba noodles
• Okinawa soba
• Izuomo soba
• Nishin soba
• Soba's emergence as street food during the Edo period
• Soba's ties to the pleasure quarters of Edo
• The "proper" way to eat soba noodles
• Soba's evolution from street food to refined Japanese cuisine
• What a sobalier (sobarie) is
• What it was like dining at a members-only soba restaurant in Tokyo
• Soba's ties to kabuki
• What iki is
• Soba's link to the concept of iki
• Dr. Brau's research on manga centered around food
• Whether there is a difference between chūka soba and ramen
• Why the word soba can be used to refer to ramen but not udon
• And much more!

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Special Thanks

Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.

Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.

Image: Japankyo.com

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Full Show Notes

• Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com