From Laughter to Concentration: Today’s Ramen Story

Today’s ramen class was a perfect reminder of how cooking brings people together. Even when we meet for the first time, once we start making food side by side, we become friends almost instantly—regardless of country, age, or background.

Our group of six guests was wonderfully diverse: a lovely couple from France, a warm and open-minded traveler from Australia who is exploring Japan with her husband but joined the class on her own today, and three cheerful friends from Italy who filled the kitchen with endless jokes and laughter. The room was bright and lively from the very beginning.

Yet the moment everyone began cutting their handmade noodles, the atmosphere shifted—suddenly serious faces, full concentration, and almost no laughter. That contrast between fun and focus was both amusing and heartwarming.

Cutting thin noodles is one of the most challenging parts, but everyone did an amazing job. The soup was packed with natural flavors, and even at the tasting stage, the guests were already smiling with satisfaction. After boiling the noodles and adding toppings in their own style, it was finally time to eat.

Watching everyone’s happy expressions was the highlight of my day. The Italian group even said that the ramen they made themselves tasted far better than the one they had at a restaurant yesterday. Every bowl was completely empty—including the very last drop of soup—which was such a beautiful sight.

Today’s class reminded me once again that cooking has the power to connect people. Moments like these make every lesson truly special.