Latest news with #Kimchi
SoraNews24
6 days ago
- General
- SoraNews24
A touch of class and glass brings out the best in Japan's Hata Premium soda pop
Rumors of ramune's demise were greatly exaggerated. There was a time in Japan where ramune was the soda of choice for kids and adults, whether at festivals, cooling down after some time in a bathhouse, or while visiting candy stores. It came in a very unique glass bottle design where the opening was stopped by a vacuum-sealed glass marble which you had to pop out of place to access the sweet beverage inside. However, in the later years of the 20th century, competition in the soft drink market grew more intense. The design of ramune's recyclable glass bottles became harder to maintain, even more so with the advent of cheaper plastic bottles. Ramune also largely made the switch to plastic, but by that time, its market share had already shrunk significantly. You can probably still get it in a lot of supermarkets and traditional candy stores, but finding some in one of Japan's many convenience stores is rare. ▼ I used to buy mine in souvenir shops, back when Hata Kosen was doing inventive flavors like French Fries and Kimchi. However, leading ramune producer, Hata Kosen in Osaka, is hoping to bring the drink back to its former glory with Hata Premium. The actual drink is largely unchanged from regular ramune, because if something isn't broke, there's really no need to fix it. But the presentation is on a whole other level. The bottle has an interesting optical illusion where the top compartment that the marble sits in looks completely separate from the bottom. Also, if you're either as unlucky or as uncoordinated as I am and find popping the marble often results in soda exploding everywhere, Hata Premium can be bought with a dedicated wooden popper that appears to be more stable and should reduce the chances of messy explosions. It can also be purchased with standard plastic poppers for a lower price, but I'd say the wooden one is worth the investment. ▼ This is a typical scene when I use a plastic popper. A special launch event was held in Tokyo's upscale Omotesando area, during which a bartender from the stylish Bar_Museum in Ebisu prepared Gin Ramune and Salty Dog Ramune cocktails using Hata Premium. Currently, Hata Premium is only sold online by the case. A case of 20 bottles costs 7,776 yen (US$53) with a wooden popper and 6,480 yen ($44) with plastic ones. However, bottles will also be given out at select hotels and events from late July to early August, so if you're lucky, you might just get a taste of the soda high life while on the road this summer. But even if you can't, it's still worth it to try some regular ramune while in Japan. I only wish Hata Kosen would bring back that excellent Kimchi Ramune, or better yet: Hata Premium Kimchi! Hata Premium Sample Giveaway Locations 2 , 3, 9, 10, 11 August – Ashimizu at Tokyo Midtown Roppongi 18 July – APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Umeda Tower and Osaka Nambe Ekimae Tower 25 July – APA Hotel & Resort Roppongi East, Nishi-Shinjuku-Gochome Station Tower, Ryogoku Station Tower, and Tokyo Bay Shiomi 2 August – APA Hotel & Resort Tokyo Bay Makuhari 9 August – APA Hotel & Resort Niigata Ekimae Odori, Myoko, Sapporo, and Hakata Ekimae East Source: PR Times Featured image: PR Times Insert images: PR Times, © SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Arab News
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Where We Are Going Today: Omo Omo – Korean restaurant in Riyadh
It takes a special kind of place for me to say you can order anything off the menu and still be happy. But with Omo Omo, a Korean restaurant on Al-Thoumamah Road in Riyadh, I'll say that without hesitation. Omo Omo is a vibrant place with a bright, colorful interior decorated with Korean pop art and a casual, friendly vibe. But what's so great about it is that the food tastes just as good delivered as it does when dining in. They have a pretty large menu with a variety of different tteokbokki, noodles, fried chicken, corn dogs, kimbap, and more. If I could convince you to try one thing, though, it would be the rabokki. Their bestseller, this delicious ramen and rice cake dish (and you must add the bulgogi beef) is creamy, spicy, and tender, making it the ultimate warm comfort meal. I count down the hours to my cheat day so I can order this specific dish. Another top contender is the kimbap, available in large or mini sizes. Even if you're not usually inclined to order a vegetarian roll, their vegetarian kimbap with kimchi will change your mind. The yellow radish makes it super flavorful, and the kimchi gives it the spices it needs. Another crowd favorite is the corn dog, with a crunchy deep-fried coating and different cheese and potato options. It is flavorful enough, without relying too much on condiments. And of course, a Korean meal is not complete without sides, notably the kimchi and spicy cucumber. The kimchi has always been good, but the spicy cucumbers were subpar the first couple of times I ordered them. The next time you are in the mood for some tasty Korean bites, try Omo Omo and thank me later.
Business Insider
12-07-2025
- Business Insider
I traveled to the world's least-visited country, which may disappear by 2050. Here are 7 things I wish I knew before I went.
I love learning about unique cultures and spend a lot of time researching how to visit new countries in the most economical way possible. I've traveled to 140 countries, the majority as a solo traveler (though my Maltipoo dog Kimchi has accompanied me to eight countries and counting). My latest adventure was my most logistically challenging yet: I went to Tuvalu, a small South Pacific island nation roughly halfway between Hawaii and Australia, that may be completely underwater by 2050 due to climate change. Tuvalu is the least-visited country in the world, drawing only about 3,700 travelers a year. With minimal infrastructure, little tourism promotion, and rising sea levels threatening its future, it remains largely off the global travel map. I've been to other less-touristed destinations before — Bhutan, Bangladesh, Algeria — that were complex due to hard-to-get visas, limited infrastructure, or safety concerns. Tuvalu presented a new kind of challenge: It's incredibly difficult to coordinate flights, and there's limited travel information online. I stayed in Tuvalu for three days and two nights. Here's what I wish I'd known before going. 1. There's only one way in and out — and you can save on flights by being strategic An 'aha' moment on the Tuvalu trip was when I told my driver I was afraid of missing my flight, and he reminded me, "The plane hasn't landed, so don't worry." Tuvalu is the only country I've visited where, each day, there's one plane in and one plane out, so your Flight Information Display System is literally the sky. Tuvalu's only airport on the main island, Funafuti International Airport (FUN), is served exclusively by Fiji Airways. Flights are very limited and currently include from Nadi, Fiji, once a week (Monday) and from Suva, Fiji, three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday). Travelers who aim to visit all 197 countries often plan ahead for their Tuvalu trip, knowing flights are difficult to coordinate. To avoid paying thousands of dollars, my recommendation is to wait for a Fiji Airways annual sale to book a round-trip flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Nadi. I've seen fares as low as $700 round-trip, which is a steal, as they're normally $1,000+. My flights from Fiji to Tuvalu were another $700 round-trip. It's advised to add a buffer day in Fiji before connecting to Tuvalu. 2. Hotel bookings can get complicated When coordinating international travel in the South Pacific, it's important to account for the International Date Line. I departed San Francisco on a Sunday night and arrived at my destination Tuesday morning — only to realize I had mistakenly booked a hotel for Monday night. The 11.5-hour flight effectively skipped Monday entirely due to the time zone shift, a common oversight when crossing the date line. (Luckily, the hotel was kind enough to accept a late cancel for me.) Tuvalu has limited hotel rooms and — like the flights — they often sell out. In addition to tourists, construction crews from Australia and other nearby nations visit to support the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project, which pumps sand from the seabed and deposits it along the shoreline to combat rising sea levels. I had to email several hotels before I found a vacancy at NiuEti Lodge. 3. Expect a crowd at the runway — but not a taxi Tuvalu's airport runway runs straight through the center of the island, doubling as a community space when no flights are scheduled. On off days, locals gather on the airstrip to play volleyball, soccer, and other sports — making the runway as much a playground as a point of entry. When I landed, I hadn't realized there were no taxis. I asked how to get a ride, and without hesitation, a local offered to drive me, refusing any payment. Just as we were about to leave, I spotted a small sign for my hotel and a woman calling my name. It turned out to be a personalized pickup I hadn't expected — there was no mention of it in my hotel confirmation. 4. Bring cash Before we hit the road, I asked if there was an ATM. The airport staff excitedly showed me the ATM behind a red velvet curtain — they assumed I wanted to see the country's first ATM that was being unveiled and becoming operational later that month, not that I needed cash ASAP. The ATM wasn't yet working, so I had to visit the bank and Western Union myself money, as I didn't bring enough cash. Tuvalu only accepts Australian dollars (AUD), so Fiji dollars from the ATM during your layover won't work, and credit cards are rarely accepted, even at hotels. It's best to bring AUD or carry extra USD or EUR to exchange. 5. Food options are limited Tuvalu imports nearly all of its food, and prices can be quite high — comparable to New York City — so budget accordingly. I ate most of my meals at 3T's restaurant, an open-air casual Chinese restaurant by the beach that specializes in fresh fish stir fry for $11 to 15 AUD. It was filled with locals enjoying the food washed down by Fanta Maracujá, a tangy passion fruit soda that's super popular on the island. The grocery store was sparsely stocked, with one variety of many staples — Corn Flakes for $6 AUD and Ritz crackers for $6 AUD. The store was sold out of bananas, though I found a small market at the airport with a few bunches of local small bananas. 6. Locals are incredibly welcoming, and it's fun to explore on foot Tuvaluans are kind, close-knit, and eager to help. You can walk nearly everywhere; the main island of Funafuti is only 0.93 square miles of land area. Crime is rare. I always felt safe, although there aren't many street lamps on the island, so plan ahead for a ride when coming back to your hotel at night. I was offered rides from locals more than once, even if I told them my destination was close by. Exploring on foot gives you a front row seat to locals fishing, playing with their dogs, and taking a dip in the ocean. Fun facts I learned when exploring the island: Tuvalu owns the .tv country code top-level domain, meaning it sells .tv to companies such as or and one of the church services they offer is held in the water. A local told me that Simon Kofe, Minister for Transport, Energy, Communications, and Innovation, was on my return flight to Fiji. He's well known for his advocacy work on climate change, including Tuvalu's project to make a digital clone of the country in the metaverse to preserve its culture. We took a photo and chatted about Tuvalu's new passenger and cargo vessel, the Manu Sina. 7. Visitors are expected to respect and protect the environment To help preserve Tuvalu's environment and culture, visitors are encouraged to follow local practices that respect preservation, wildlife protection, and environmental care. That means recycling and conserving energy — no blasting air conditioning or lighting up LED displays like we do in New York. Of all the countries I've visited — including Mongolia, Madagascar, and Suriname — Tuvalu stands out as one of the most culturally fascinating. If you value sustainable and responsible tourism, it deserves a spot on your list.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Too Yumm signs Ananya Panday as the face of K-Bomb
Too Yumm ! K-Bomb has joined hands with actor Ananya Panday to further elevate its appeal. 'Panday's vibrant personality and strong youth connect perfectly with Too Yumm ! K-Bomb's identity as a fun and tasty noodles brand. Her influence and relatability make her an ideal fit to drive brand appeal to modern, mindful consumers,' said Yogesh Tewari , chief marketing officer, Too Yumm! Simultaneously, its popular K-Bomb range along with the already hit flavours like Hot n Spicy and Tom Yum has expanded with three exciting new flavours Kimchi, Korean Chicken and Sichuan Pepper Corn. It has also launched an innovative OTG (On-The-Go) cup noodles pack, making the brand even more accessible and convenient for a wider, on-the-move audience. The association kicks off with the high-energy content series 'Slurp n Spill', a rapid-fire style podcast where Panday brings her signature sass, spontaneity, and snack obsession to the forefront. The campaign positions K-Bomb as the go-to snack for India's youth – fiery, flavourful and unapologetically bold. The campaign is designed to cut through ad fatigue with snackable, high-entertainment value content that resonates with Gen Z's appetite for experiences over advertisements. The campaign rollout also included high-impact QR code activations across key metros - Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata - that drive on-ground intrigue and direct consumers to engaging digital content. Eye-catching OOH installations with first of a kind Manga inspired designs added to the momentum, 'A celebrity podcast delivers on all fronts, seamlessly blending storytelling and star power. Our goal isn't just for consumers to see our ad—it's for them to enjoy the experience,' said Tewari. The campaign is amplified through a digital-first strategy, supported by culture platforms, Bollywood paparazzi pages, and meme communities, as well as Panday's active fan communities. This campaign also marks' Too Yumm!'s strategy to stir up the noodles category, driven by evolving consumer needs. 'Too Yumm! has earned its place as a trusted snack brand,' said Tewari, 'K-Bomb is our answer to the growing demand for meals that are indulgent, flavorful, and satisfying. It's a ramen bomb that doesn't just fill you up, but fires up your taste buds.' With Panday on board, the brand isn't pivoting but doubling down on its Gen Z-first identity. Watch the video here:
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Not having dahi or kimchi? Doctor reveals why you must have natural probiotics; shares 4 facts about gut health
Dr Kunal Sood, a physician in anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine, took to Instagram on May 26 to share a list of foods that can support gut health, boost immunity, and potentially alleviate symptoms of certain digestive disorders. Also read | Should you eat traditional Indian dahi or Greek yoghurt? Dietician shares which is better for vegetarians According to him, incorporating fermented foods into your diet – from Kimchi, Korean fermented vegetable dish containing probiotics to curd (dahi) or yoghurt that contains live cultures of beneficial bacteria – can be a delicious way to promote overall well-being. Dr Sood said, 'Your gut is home to trillions of microbes — and the choices you make every day shape how well they work for you.' He went on to list four things you should know to maintain good gut health: A post shared by Kunal Sood, MD (@doctorsoood) Dr Sood said: 'Sweeteners like sucralose and saccharin have been shown to disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, sometimes reducing diversity or promoting glucose intolerance. Not everyone is affected the same way, but it's something to watch if you're using them daily.' 'Yoghurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut deliver live cultures that can support microbial diversity, ease digestion, and even help reduce gut inflammation. They're a powerful complement to a fibre-rich diet,' Dr Sood said. He added, 'Soluble fibre from foods like avocados and chia seeds fuel beneficial bacteria increases short-chain fatty acids (like butyrate), and supports gut barrier integrity. More fiber = more resilience.' Dr Sood said, 'Going less than 3 times per week and straining or passing hard, dry stools fits the clinical criteria. If you're always pushing, or things feel incomplete, your gut might be telling you something.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
