The Coolest Machine I've Ever Seen

South Korea is a technological wonderland.

With the world’s fastest Internet, a smart phone in every hand and satellite dishes on rural rooftops, it seems like everyone in South Korea has the latest gadgets.

Yet, I found this Raymun noodle soup assembly line at a highway rest stop to be the most fascinating gadget of all!

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Who Knew a Soup Assembly Line Could be So Fascinating!

Yes. I’m actually writing a post about a machine that makes soup.

A woman works on the raymun noodle assembly line

I must have stood there watching the machine work for a solid five minutes during a rest stop while filming Lost in Korea.

It was one of the most mesmerizing and industrial things I’ve ever witnessed.

Drop the bowl, move the bowl. Drop the dry noodles in; move the bowl.

Pour the water. Spin the bowl. Move the bowl.

Drop in spices, spin the bowl. Surround the bowl with fire, move the bowl down the line, allow time for boiling.

Stop for a human to toss assorted veggies, dumplings and other things into the bowl.

Continue cooking.

Finally, the boiling bowl of Raymun soup slides out onto a counter-top where it is picked up by an employee and put on a tray for you to pick up and eat.

The Raymun assembly line at South Korea's Yeoju Service Area — The Raymun assembly line at South Korea’s Yeoju Service Area

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Where Does a Highway Rest Stop Look Like in Korea?

Honestly, a highway rest stop in South Korea looks just its counterpart in the USA.

There are food courts, various other restaurants, food stalls, coffee shops, vending machines, gas stations and restrooms.

One thing South Korea has that we don’t is a batting cage at every rest stop. Nothing hitting a few baseballs to wake you up during a long drive.

The Yeoju Service Area food court where I found the raymun assembly line

If bland Korean food isn’t your thing, might I interest you in horrible Western food?

ATMs and soda machines at the Yeoju Service Area in South Korea — Need money or carbonated sugar?

South Korean rest stops - Making potty fun for kids! — South Korean rest stops – Making potty fun for kids!

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What do you look for when stopping for gas or food on the highway?

GET LOST IN KOREA

In 2013, I was hired by National Geographic to film a TV show in South Korea … following my adventures as a travel blogger and photographic storyteller.

The single-episode show offered a mix of humor, tradition, adventure and stunning imagery; as I teamed up with Jesse Day: a Canadian entertainer who lives in Seoul and raps in Korean.

Here are the highlights from filming Get Lost in Korea …