It's Not Just Mapo Jelly Noodles That Go with Rice! 10 Delicious Options to Choose From – Nagatanien Launches New 'Men Okazu' Noodle Side Dish Series: 'Mapo Vermicelli Medium Spicy,' 'Komtan,' and 'Yukkejang' Now Available!

Nagatanien Co., Ltd. (President: Hiroshi Kakeya, Minato-ku, Tokyo) is expanding its line of instant side dish mixes featuring cellophane noodles and vermicelli, launching 'Mapo Vermicelli Medium Spicy' (retail price: ¥380, excluding tax), 'Komtan Flat Vermicelli,' and 'Yukkejang Flat Vermicelli' (retail price: ¥270, excluding tax) nationwide starting August 3, 2026. Additionally, all 10 of its cellophane noodle and vermicelli products—including the original 'Mapo Jelly Noodles'—will be unified under the 'Men Okazu' (Noodle Side Dish) series with completely refreshed packaging. Consumer dining needs are diversifying, with increasing demand for side dishes that offer both reliability ('Kakupa: Guaranteed Performance') and high cost-performance. With the 'Men Okazu' series, Nagatanien delivers satisfying, foolproof side dishes using minimal ingredients, meeting this growing consumer need.

● What is Nagatanien's 'Men Okazu'?

Since the 1981 launch of 'Mapo Jelly Noodles,' Nagatanien has promoted the idea of enjoying noodles like cellophane noodles and vermicelli as a 'side dish' paired with rice. This season, under the new 'Nagatanien Men Okazu' series, the company offers 10 flavor varieties and invites consumers to enjoy the fun of choosing not only by taste but also by texture—cellophane noodles, flat vermicelli, or rice vermicelli. Alongside 'Chururi,' the new character representing the series, Nagatanien delivers the delicious experience of topping rice with flavorful noodles.

● Development Background

In recent years, consumer criteria for meal planning have shifted significantly. Alongside 'Time Performance (Taipa)' and 'Cost Performance (Cosupa),' there is a growing emphasis on 'failure-free cooking (Kakupa: Guaranteed Performance).' Amid this trend, interest continues to rise in ingredients that enable simple, foolproof cooking and offer diverse variations, especially inspired by Asian cuisines.

Nagatanien focused on making 'noodles' the star of the side dish. Cellophane noodles and vermicelli pair exceptionally well with sauces, allowing for hearty, satisfying dishes even with minimal ingredients.

● New Product Features

【Mapo Vermicelli Medium Spicy】

・An addictive flavor combining the familiar Mapo sauce from 'Mapo Jelly Noodles' with the delicate rice noodle taste of specialty vermicelli.

・Packed with ingredients like wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, pork, and carrots—no additional ingredients needed!

【Komtan Flat Vermicelli】

・Features a milky, rich, and mellow soup base made from beef bones, with a distinctive kick of pepper.

・Includes flat vermicelli for a chewy, satisfying texture. Just simmer with vegetables like leeks and carrots and meat for 4 minutes to complete.

【Yukkejang Flat Vermicelli】

・A deeply savory flavor highlighting the richness of beef and the spicy umami of gochujang.

・Includes flat vermicelli for a chewy texture. Just simmer with vegetables like bean sprouts and garlic chives and meat for 4 minutes to complete.

● Product Overview