For today’s episode of foods around the world, let’s take a look at a new offering from Swedish furniture giant IKEA in Japan: the “ninja” hotdog. It’s called a “ninja” hotdog because it’s dyed pitch black.
According to the IKEA site, the inky color comes to the frankfurter and bun thanks to the addition of edible bamboo charcoal, “which is said to have detox properties.” It’s been released as part of IKEA’s celebration of ten years in Japan, and the look and name is an homage to a ninja’s scroll. So if you’re in Japan, in IKEA, and in the mood to deviate from the Swedish meatballs option, you can go for this unique new frank. At 300 yen — about $2.95 — it won’t set you back too much.
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