Katsutare Zara Soy Sauce Plate

There's no better way to bring on a burst of full-flavored sushi then to dunk it into a little dish of well-mixed soy sauce and wasabi. But now you can have fun with sushi, too. The engraved plates from fantasuteki take on different fishy shapes, depending on the amount of soy sauce you pour in. As you add more drops, the shape morphs. Dip your rice nugget into the condiment, and the shape changes again. Now all you need is a pair of Sushi specs with your meal, and life is complete. Ahhh...

Click to see the changing shapes: Heart to crab | small to big fish | squid to tuna

Price: 700 yen (US$6.60)
Availability: fantasuteki
Device: Novelty dipping plate
Basic specs: Choice of three different plates

USB Noodle Strainer

We love our noodles here in Asia, but why on earth would anyone need a USB-powered noodle strainer? Japanese instructions being what they are (or aren't), we're still baffled by how this cook pot strains your noodles. Or why it even requires USB power. Conjecture from fellow surfers is that it's a water bath to keep your ramen or soba cold and moist. For those who feel their life isn't complete without a USB Noodle Strainer, we strongly recommend the Sushi Specs to go with your next USB-powered meal.

Click to see close-up . Picture by Impress Corp.

Price: US$120
Availability: Japan
Device: USB-powered cookware
Basic specs: Original USB, bus powered, 5m USB cable

Sun Oven

Here's another oven with a healthy twist. This one cooks using the energy of the sun, which is great for sunny Singapore. That is if you're willing to wean yourself off the wok and psych yourself to eat all your meals baked, boiled or steamed. There's also the rather space-needy shape of the oven to contend with, with its flaring panels of polished metal designed to direct the sun's rays into the oven chamber. But, hey, your arteries and monthly PUB bill will soon thank you for it.

Click for enlarged image | get the recipes here

Price: US$229
Availability: Sun Oven International
Device: Solar-powered oven
Basic specs: Easy-to-clean fiberglass case, reflectors, tempered glass door, carry handle, reaches temp of 180 to 205 degrees Celsius within 20 mins, 19 x 19 inches, 9.5kg

Talkin' First Aid Kit

Fancy a First Aid kit that gives you lip? No, not mouth-to-mouth resuscitation--although if it came in the shape of Italian goddess Monica Bellucci, the CNETAsia guys have said they are volunteering. But a medicine box implanted with a Johnny Mneumonic-like audio chip, which enables it to verbalize step-by-step instructions to users on how to manage common injuries. Developed by Intelligent First Aid Kit in partnership with the US National Safety Council, this Talkin' First Aid Kit will even pause and repeat when necessary for accurate response. Hopefully, the makers have also included a panic button for good measure.

Price: US$149.95
Availability: Late fall, sold online
Device: Intelligent first aid kit
Basic specs: Supplies and visual instruction cards in both audio and written forms, for the most common injuries--separated into individually labeled and color-coded packs

Camper's Dream Ice Cream Maker

Here's a sweet gear you could pack along in your next commune with nature on Pulau Ubin or St John's Island. With the Camper's Dream, you can have your cake, er, ice cream, and eat it. Outdoor gear store REI says you just add ice and rock salt in one end, and cream, sugar and ingredients in the other end of the blue plastic ball. Kick it around for 20 minutes. And voila, one pint of ice cream. There are just two itsy problems with this: Ice and lugging nearly 1kg of ingredients.

Price: US$24.95.
Availability: www.rei.com
Device: Cookware
Basic specs: 0.5kg, diameter of 8 inches, plastic material, recipes

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