Don Quijote, the Hall of Amazing Bargains, is one of Japan's largest general discount stores, offering convenience, affordability, and fun. Even within Yamanashi Prefecture, something called "Men Quijote" has appeared at the Don Quijote Kawaguchiko Interchange store in Fujiyoshida City! What exactly is this, the first of its kind in the country?

On April 1, 2025, "Men Quijote," a store offering instant ramen from around the world, will open at the "Don Quijote Kawaguchiko Interchange Store" along the Yokocho Bypass in Fujiyoshida City. Since its launch, it has been steadily gaining attention among inbound tourists, but it seems to be virtually unknown to the locals! I'm a frequent visitor, but I first learned about it through tourists' social media accounts, so I decided to research this unknown area.

The store is located next to the game corner behind the cash register. There are three entrances to the store, and depending on which one you enter it can be difficult to find, so head for the cash register or the game corner.
When you actually go there, you'll be amazed by the huge variety of dried noodles! The biggest attraction is the fact that they have a dedicated instant ramen machine and an eat-in space, which are popular in Korea, so you can make and eat on the spot. They also have a full selection of toppings, including seasoned eggs, green onions, and soy meat for cup noodles, which is great.

They have a wide range of noodles, from famous noodles to local Japanese noodles, imported noodles, and even character-themed noodles with attractive packaging. Many of them are sold individually, so you can try them out easily. This time, we'll be experiencing "Men Quixote" with the top-selling overseas and Japanese noodles! First, we'll try making "Mie Goreng," an Indonesian fried noodle dish that's a huge hit with imported noodles.

When paying, tell the staff that you'd like to eat in, and you'll receive a machine-specific cup (+100 yen), disposable chopsticks, and a draining net if there is one. Place the noodles and ingredients in the cup according to the instructions and set it in the machine. Select the closest time (3, 6, or 7 minutes), and the water will come out and start to boil.
This new machine is starting to become popular in Japan, and it's so much more fun than making it at home. ♪ You might be wondering if it's possible to drain the water with this innovative method of placing a net over the rice, but don't worry, it does drain the water perfectly. (It's very hot, so be careful not to get burned!)

The spicy sauce is addictive when you mix it with the accompanying sauce and fried onions. The secret to its popularity is that it is a flavor that is easy for everyone to enjoy, from foreigners to Japanese people.

Next up is Japanese noodles! While the classics "Ichiran" and "Tenkaippin" are gaining attention, we decided to try the increasingly popular "Okinawa Soba." Since we were there, we decided to buy some extra green onions and pickled ginger to top off the dish. The soup, made with bonito, kelp stock, and pork ribs, paired perfectly with the chewy noodles for a refreshing taste. The green onions and pickled ginger also add a nice accent.

Other options include the "Clam Ramen" which contains large clams and costs 1,980 yen per bowl, the much-loved "Spicy Ramen" set which comes with a hotpot, and the "Ottogi Cheese Ramen" recommended for cheese lovers, so you'll be spoilt for choice. ♡ They also plan to stock noodles from Yamanashi in the future.

It can be enjoyed by students after school, people of all ages, shopping, or just out for a drive, so why not try out this new experience that you can drop in to casually?