What is Japan’s “Despair Pasta”

[gooseyjuice]

From what I can find online, the pasta is made with sardines and peperoncino, which "taste good even in times of despair". So the dish was likely a common, cheap meal made during difficult times in Japan. Similar to "depression food" that was common during the great depression

[apophisstr]

I have a feeling this dish was created by the chef who had once went through a period of despair in life, and this is what he made (and probably only eat) during that time that somehow inspired himself to get better.

[OoberyBlueberry]

Hooo I was so worried he wasn't gonna make a Danganronpa reference, but then the last millisecond... thank you, soldier 🫡

[_Erogaki]

The messy plating is very in-character for the despair pasta. 😂

[WandererMaxym]

That “DANGANRON-“ fucking hit me out of left field…which it shouldn’t have as a fan of the series but it still did.

[-Raylight]

If you listen really closely, you can hear the despair noises of Italians xD
That Danganronpa reference is perfection. Just missing Zetsubou-sensei 🤣🤣

[Danap-mykaykat]

As a Louisianan, hearing you butcher Cajun French hurt my bones maybe that was the despair pasta secret ingredient all along 😭😂

[erossenpai]

Its hard not to despair when stuck in a school with a bunch of other students and someone keeps dying mysteriously every other day..

[youknowme.]

I was eagerly waiting for a Danganronpa reference 😂

[lasershow]

That Danganronpa really got me at the end 😂

[MrBibbah]

Dang it.. He caught me off guard again with "DANGANRON-"..

[fraziercrawford]

"I'm Zetsubo Billy, and I'm ready to eat it." This is not the first time Japaneat has said this I bet

[Belladonna-xc]

I'm in despair! The plating of my pasta has left me in despair!

[jebdunkins]

I think it's called Despair Pasta because it cures Despair.
Just like this channel ❤

[Zeracan]

I think it's called despair because of being a basic tomato garlic mushroom pasta.

Kind of has vibes of "this is all that was left in the fridge, so I'm cooking it for you."

[GingerSid]

Mushroom and garlic is always a goated combo, the despair comes later once its all settled though.

Also I had a feeling you would sneak Danganronpa in here somewhere

[Draconyx]

Zetsubou Billy reference? ✅
Danganronpa reference? ✅
Goodbye, Mr. Despair reference? ❌

For shame JE, for shame...
And now I have fallen into despair! 😱

[TomKenAwa]

Had a similar dish called "pasta in despair" in Japan a few years back. The Japanese name was actually pasta OF despair (絶望のパスタ). Asked the chef why it was called that, and he very passionately explained how in Italy during times of extreme hardship, you could still count on pasta, olive oil, and a few basic ingredients to feed a whole family. You could really tell he loved Italian food and the stories his food told. I didn't have the heart to tell him the English translation in his menu suggested that the pasta itself was having an emotional meltdown.

[fungigal]

"Shall I show you.... Despair?" —Pastaroth, from Final Feast 7

[ValkyrieTiara]

Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei fans lining up with pitchforks and torches over the lack of references in this lol