Senior high school students in Kagawa Prefecture, western Japan, have come up with burgers made of Sanuki udon noodles, a local delicacy, in an effort to reduce food loss.

The students of Sakaide Daiichi High School are working with a local chamber of commerce and industry to develop new tourism resources featuring Sanuki udon. Last year, they started making burger buns using udon noodles that were unused by local eateries.

The students made five kinds of udon burgers as a trial on Thursday.

They made the dough by mixing chopped udon noodles and grated potatoes, and baked or fried them to make the buns.

The udon burgers, or the buns sandwiching seasoned pork and carrot, were completed in about 90 minutes and served to members of the chamber.

One of the students said she made the buns taste like chijimi, a Korean food item popular with young people. She also said seasoning to the burgers is adjusted so that children who dislike hot spicy food can eat them.

Another student said she wants people to enjoy eating udon noodles that are different from ordinary ones.

People connected with the initiative plan to start selling udon burgers in autumn or later.