Nissin’s Dongitsune Fox Girl Inspires Pop-up Cafe Serving Noodles & “Fox Ear” Inari Sushi

Japan's foxy fixation with Dongitsune

If you've spent any time in Japan over the past two years, chances are you've seen "Dongitsune." Played by actress Riho Yoshioka, she's a fox girl in a highly popular ad campaign by instant noodle maker Nissin's Donbei Kitsune Udon noodles. Whether it's on TV, in newspapers and magazines, or video screens in trains, buses, and taxis, or even in her own photo book and calendar, Dongitsune has charmed her way into fan's hearts, all the while contributing to the sale of Donbei noodles.

For those who don't know it, "kitsune udon" is udon soup topped with abura-age 油揚げ (sometimes abbreviated as "o-age") a thick square of deep-fried tofu which has been seasoned in a sweet and savory broth. Nissin cleverly capitalized on the origin of the name "kitsune udon," a Japanese folk belief that kitsune (foxes) love abura-age, and created Dongitsune as a mascot character. She appears in an ongoing series of commercials for their Donbei Kitsune Udon brand of instant noodles together with actor and singer Gen Hoshino.

Here's a recent one from last month:

As you can see, Nissin prides itself on the tastiness of its abura-age, despite being an instant noodle product. In fact, it's made in the same process used by tofu makers to make fresh abura-age.

And while fans can only dream of living with Dongitsune (or perhaps, if you're a fan of Gen Hoshino, of being Dongitsune) and enjoying a soft "abura-age" kiss, a new pop-up shop which just opened in Shibuya may provide the next best thing: a cafe staffed by Dongitsune-inspired fox girls, winsomely attired in pointy ears and bushy tails, serving Donbei noodles with "fox ear" shaped inari sushi wrapped with fresh, juicy o-age.

"Dongitsune no Mimi Cafe"

Open from Thursday, December 26th to Sunday, December 29th, between the hours of 11:00 AM and 7 PM, the "Dongitsune no Mimi Cafe" is only around for a limited time, but if you're in the Tokyo area, it could be worth your while!

The shop is easy to recognize from the street:

When you step inside, you'll be greeted by the kitsunekko きつねっ娘 (fox girls) staff:

Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed

However, as you may notice from the fox-ear headbands placed on the seats and the tails sprouting from the stools, the staff members aren't the only ones playing the fox in the cafe. Customers are also invited to play along:

Photo by © Grape

Choose your noodle

The menu only costs 200 JPY and comes with a mini-bowl of noodles and two oinari. You can choose from either Nissin Donbei Kitsune Udon or Nissin Donbei Tempura Soba

Choose your charm

When you place your order, you can optionally request your kitsunekko to perform a special charm that makes your food even tastier.

Photo by © Grape

If you're into fox girls, there's a good chance you've also visited a maid cafe or two. If so, the kitsunekko's charm routine may seem oddly familiar. That's because some of the staff are actually maids from the famous @home cafe in Akihabara, and @home cafe legendary maid Hitomi was consulted in making the routine.

Take home a fox girl (on film)

Once you've enjoyed the special charm, polished off your mini bowl of Donbei, and savored the inari wrapped with delicious fresh abura-age, what better way to finish your Dongitsune cafe time than with a memento to take home with you.

For no additional charge, your kitsunekko will agree to pose together with you for a Cheki instant photo.

Guest kitsunekko: Dongitsune lookalike and idol Hitochibi

True fans of Dongitsune (or Riho Yoshioka) will want to come tomorrow, Friday, December 27th, for a chance to meet member of idol group uijin and Dongitsune lookalike Hitochibi, who will be special guest kitsunekko at the Dongitsune no mimi Cafe from 1 PM to 7 PM.