Japanese food manufacturer Nissin Foods launched a new cup noodle with “mysterious eel.”

The “mysterious eel”, which comes in a frozen form and freeze-dried form, uses the same manufacturing method as their “mysterious meat” series.

The company was able to reproduce grilled eel without using any real eel but by processing soy protein. 

The move comes amid a soaring price of the fish as the global catch decreases. 

Nissin hopes to protect both eel resources and Japanese food culture by developing alternative products

A limited number of the frozen processed eel will be available in some stores in Tokyo and surrounding prefectures and online. 

The freeze-dried eel will be used in Nissin’s newest “Cup Meshi” quick meal series and be available in limited stores from July 15.