Our Community

(Above: Me, my love and hard work and the kids enjoying their udon in the background)

After we left the SHOGUN residence, we headed to the other side of the hill overlooking takamatsu. This is where I’m taking my udon making classes with Andy and Tamai san. When we got there, there were about 70 elementary kids who are also busy preparing their udon lunch as part of their school activity, they are visiting from a neigboring prefecture part of a school trip.

The kids were totally into it. They were rolling, dusting, cutting like pros. It must have been fun growing up in Udon land.

Our sensei wasted to no time in getting us ready for our classes. Tubs, rolling pins and flour were there as if they have been waiting for ages for someone to get them working and going. We can’t wait either.

We went through the steps as instructed and I was surprise to find out that this was the first time Andy and Tamai san were making their own udon. It’s amazing easy to make udon I learned to my surprise but a lot of effort and hard work especially if you want good texture. It can easily pass off as a good workout for most by the time we are done but the reward of slurping good udon (yes I picked that up in 2 days) is what we want. Hey why else would I be perspiring with 70 kids on a cool spring afternoon. I want to be rewarded for my hard work!

After we are done, got our certificates and graduting photo. We headed off to one of the oldest udon factory in the area “Ishimaru”, managed by the 4th generation decendants of the ishimaru family, this is an huge plant and warehousing facility, there are 4 manufacturing plants that makes and package different types of udon. 90% are for domestic consumption and 10% export markets.

The owner took us on a tour and introduced us to the Sanuki 2000 Dream concept where they are encouraging for the use of local wheat. You’ll find the Dream 2000 logo on all wheat products that are made from local wheat. After a short tour and meeting, we met their staff at the head office and they are the most polite staff I ever met. They would bow in unison as you walk pass their open office and give you the widest smile as you greet them back. Amazing corporate culture.