The true story of a world nomad who cooked Japanese Udon noodles for 5,000 people in 24 countries
“First Book” is a new column where we ask first-time authors what inspired them to write their debut book/novel/translation.
Books on Asia: What’s your book’s “elevator pitch?”
Jon Tanimura: It’s an autobiography of a Japanese man who cooked Japanese Udon noodles for 5,000 people in 24 countries while traveling around the world as a nomad chef. It focuses on my struggles about “how to live my life” as Jon Tanimura, and how these struggles led me to become a “World-Traveling Udon Maker.” I take the reader to various scenes that I encountered while traveling around the world as a chef.
BOA: Is there really such a thing as Udon School?!
Jon: Yes! The one I attended was in Kagawa prefecture in Shikoku and it took me a good three months to finish the course. There are also other udon schools in Kagawa, a prefecture that is so famous it is known as the “Udon prefecture.” During the course, students learn how to make hand and machine-made udon using various types of wheat flour brands, soups, and side dishes like tempura. They even teach you how to run an udon restaurant or business.
BOA: In which language did you first publish your book?
Jon: I published my book in Japanese first and then I translated it into English.
BOA: What made you want to write a book? And why translate it into English?
Jon: The first thought in my head was that I wanted to share my whole experience with those who I’ve met on my udon journey. Even though we’d shared time talking about ourselves while eating my udon, there wasn’t enough time to tell what exactly I’ve gone through to become a “World-Traveling Udon Maker” and what I’ve been thinking about while traveling around the world. If I could share the whole experience, I thought, I could inspire others or connect with them in a different way rather than through just a partial experience.
The second thought was that I wanted to share the life of a “World-Traveling Udon Maker” with those who don’t know anything about me. Reading my book might make people feel like they want to try my udon and it could create an opportunity to meet each other and expand each other’s worlds. Even without being able to physically meet readers, I hope the book can have a positive impact on their lives in some way.
The people I’ve met on the road were from various countries and obviously I wanted the book to be reachable to more people, so I translated it into English.
BOA: What do you want readers to get out of reading your book?
Jon: I hope that by reading my book readers may become a bit more brave in taking a step forward in their lives. They’ll learn that there is a person like me who has been struggling with my identity and life (and I still am) but was somehow guided to a path that at least decorated my late 20’s with happiness and excitement.
BOA: What other people inspired you to do what you are doing?
Jon: I thought of the idea of becoming a “World-Traveling Udon Maker” when I saw on TV Mr. Atsushi Kogure, a Japanese chef who was invited to kitchens of various households around the world. But, I have always been inspired by Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, and Michael Jackson while wondering “How can I impact society through udon?”
BOA: What did your parents think about your idea of traveling the globe?
Jon: They were happy that I was doing what I wanted to do, but at the same time, they were worried about my future. Haha.
BOA: Have you made udon in the U.S.?
Jon: No, unfortunately. I hope I can soon!
BOA: In your book you tell a lot of stories, talk about the mistakes you made and what you learned from them, and you even give some excellent advice on how to live a good life. The book is very inspiring. What is the number one thing you learned from traveling to 24 countries teaching people about udon?
Jon: learned that there are many good people around the world who can reach out to others. When I was on the road without food or shelter, people who I didn’t know asked me to stay with them and they treated me as a part of their family. I stayed with many different families in each country for over a month and I had dinner with them countless times. In return, I cooked udon for them. In the end, when I was to leave, they said “My door is always open for you.” I learned that there are people in this world who can do such nice things for a random traveler like me, and it made me feel like I wanted to be like them. I thought how wonderful this world would be if everyone was like them.
BOA: Well, the world would be a lot more wonderful if everyone was like you! So, what are you doing now?
Jon: Honestly, I didn’t know what to do after traveling the around the world for a good three years. I had to suddenly stop traveling because of Covid-19. Now that I’ve finished writing my book, I am looking for a job where I can inspire or help other people.