Nipponica

The shape of the popular Japanese chocolate snack "Pocky" has been registered as a three-dimensional trademark by the Japan Patent Office, snack giant Ezaki Glico Co. announced Aug. 4.

A 3D trademark is a system that allows 3D shapes with a certain degree of uniqueness to be protected as trademarks. According to Ezaki Glico, this is one of the few cases where the product can be identified solely by the shape of the item inside the packaging, even without text or logos.

No idea '3D trademarking' was a thing. But they have a point. Pocky is Pocky and will always be Pocky.

Nongshim, the South Korean food company known for its Shin Ramyun instant noodle brand, opened a Shin Ramyun Bunsik pop-up shop in June that will last for a year. "Bunsik" is Korean for "food made from flour" and commonly refers to inexpensive Korean dishes like ramen and tteokbokki simmered rice cakes.

Housed in the Okudo Dining & Cafe on trendy Takeshita-dori Street, the Korean-style noodle bar is operated by sales subsidiary Nongshim Japan and aims to attract Japanese women and visitors from abroad. In its instagrammable interior, customers can cook noodles, sold in plastic bags, using automated cookers. After setting the timers on the cookers, hot water pours into the dedicated bowls, which are being warmed at the same time.

Interested that they are focusing on 'Japanese women and visitors from abroad'. Are Japanese men too close-minded to try Korean food?

"The most attractive part is the kindness of Japanese people," Galata said, adding he has been particularly impressed by the well-maintained roads, packaging for onigiri rice balls sold at convenience stores, and how he was served at restaurants.

These kinds of puff pieces are typical, but I am fascinated that onigiri packaging is in the top three for this guy's Japan loves. Too much tuna mayo can rot the brain.