Plain white rice can be so… plain. While that can be good for everything from digestion to how awesome it works with practically any other ingredient, it’s how it’s served that could use a little sprucing up. Especially when we’re talking about exceedingly cute hearts, stars and bears.

The Inomata Sushi Mold Rice Ball Maker transforms everyday boring sushi into exciting fun-shaped sushi you can play with. Place rice into the mold, cover, press and then push it out—your fish won’t know what hit it. Although that salmon nigiri might have an inkling when it sees that bear coming at it.

Forget about that JooJoo tablet thingy that sounds to me like Arrington wanted to hijack: if you want to consume the internet, you’re going to have to cook it first. In a microwave. Literally.

[Read more →]

Finally there is something to do while waiting those three agonizing minutes for Cup Noodle to finish rehydrating. The Cup Noodle Game takes the iconic lunch staple and transforms it into a puzzle game. Utilizing the always-in-fashion technique of having something blow up in your face if you don’t finish in time, the timed puzzle game sends ingredient-themed puzzle pieces flying if you don’t get it right. Even though it is life-sized, just don’t try it with a real Cup Noodles. Comes in three flavors–easy (Seafood), medium (Classic) and hard (Curry).

Part of Bandai Namco’s “Cook Joy” series, the Cook Joy Gyoza Maker simplifies the process for making the delicious dumplings. Looking something like a printing press or a cash register, the brightly colored box gives consistent results with a simple turn of the crank. Designed to produce perfect gyoza every time by ensuring that the precise amount of filling lands right in the center of the skin, the gyoza is sealed shut as it passes through the rollers. (An additional set of rollers is included specifically for making wontons.) Upon completion, the finished product drops into a little drawer ready to be steamed or pan-fried. It’s like getting a little prize every time.

It’s not an artist’s palette, but after using this you can pretend you are one. Developed by a restaurant in Japan, the Stemglass Tray allows for easy carrying of up to seven wine glasses at a time. Complete with thumbhole for easy steadying, the wine tray encourages responsible drinking; it looks as if one gets too tipsy the whole thing comes crashing down.

Of course, this is designed for restaurant use, so there should be no problem with the waiters drinking on the job, since they’re all starving artists anyways. I’m sure they’re getting their drink on when attacking the canvas after work. Oh wait, waiters are often struggling actors, right? We might have a problem then.

(Boing Boing via TokyoMango)

First there was PuchiPuchi, the endless bubble wrap-popping gadget, and then there came Mugen Peri Peri, for those that can’t get enough opening of shipping envelopes. Now, there is Stickpecker by MicroWorks. However, unlike those two aforementioned toys, this gadget is useful. A small magnet holds the chopsticks together, necessitating that the soon-to-be diner pulls them apart. The action is meant to be reminiscent of the separating of wooden takeout chopsticks. A clever woodpecker design reminds us all that wooden chopsticks do in fact come from trees. Nice job, MicroWorks.

(Via Serious Eats)