Momozono Ramen Robot Can Make 40 Million Different Types of Ramen

Sometimes it’s a steak day, sometimes it’s a ramen day.  Usually, you have more ramen days, but such is life.  At least you aren’t the Momozono Ramen Robot, because for the Momozono Ramen Robot, every day is a ramen day.

The ramen-making robot was built by 60-year-old shop owner Yoshihira Uchida, who spent about 20 million yen on its construction. Customers can place their orders on a computer in the shop, customizing various aspects such as the levels of soy sauce, salt, and richness of the soup. Uchida says there are 40 million different flavor permutations.

This may be the most Japanese thing ever invented.  For an extra dollar, the robot will tell you that your ramen is ready in the voice of a virginal schoolgirl with big blue eyes.  

The noodles themselves are cooked by a human, with the robot creating a perfectly blended soup which is then delivered to the human chef via a conveyor belt, who adds the noodles and toppings. The whole process takes only about two minutes, a minute shorter than instant cup noodles. Prices of ramen per bowl are 500 yen for regular size and 300 yen for small size.

Not so instant anymore, eh instant cup noodles?  30o yen, however, is like $3, while cup noodles are still only 59 cents.  The robot was not without its flaws.  Initially, it would fail to spice the ramen correctly and often crashed when soup was spilled on it.  It also had an early malfunction that made it make pies instead, and another that caused it to eviscerate customers who took too long to decide on what flavor to get.

Sadly, this robot sides with the Decepticons.

Source: Mainichi Daily News via Gizmodo.