Instant noodle
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Instant noodles are dried precooked noodles fused with oil, usually eaten after being soaked in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes. A flavor packet is usually included with a packet of instant noodles. The flavor packet usually contains monosodium glutamate, although MSG-free varieties can be found. The product may also be consumed "raw" from the packet, as the noodles are already cooked, usually by frying. The brick of noodles can be broken into squarish chunks before soaking or eating.
Instant noodles originate from instant versions of the Japanese dish ramen, and retain that name in North America. However, as their popularity spread through Asia, other regional varieties that reflect the diversity of noodles available in the region have appeared, such as instant phở, instant beef noodle soup and instant rice vermicelli soup.
In terms of market volume, the People's Republic of China consumes instant noodles the most, with 44.3 billion packs sold there in 2005. Indonesia follows at 12.4 billion packs and Japan at 5.4 billion packs. South Koreans consume the most instant noodles per capita at 69 packs per year on average, followed by Indonesia at 55, and Japan at 42.[1]
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[edit] History
The idea of instant noodles can be traced back to the Chinese Qing Dynasty, when yimian noodles were deep-fried to allow them to be stored for long periods and then prepared quickly. However, modern instant noodles were invented in Japan by Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin, one of the biggest manufacturers of instant noodles today. His noodles were boiled with flavouring, deep-fried with palm oil to remove moisture, and dried into a noodle cake. Other preservation methods have been tried, including preservation with salt and smoke, but Ando concluded that palm oil is the most efficient.
In 1958, Nissin launched the world's first instant noodle product, Chikin Ramen (chicken-flavored instant ramen) in Tokyo. Another milestone was reached in 1971 when Nissin introduced the Cup Noodle, instant noodles in a waterproof styrofoam container that could be used to cook the noodles. Further innovations include adding dried vegetables to the cup, creating a complete instant soup dish.
According to a Japanese poll in the year 2000, instant noodles were the most important Japanese invention of the century. (Karaoke came second, with the compact disc only coming in fifth.) As of 2002, approximately 65 billion servings of instant noodles are eaten worldwide every year.
Instant noodles are not only popular with college students, they can also be an economic indicator. In 2005, the Mama Noodles Index was launched to reflect the sales of Mama noodles, the biggest manufacturer in Thailand. The index was steady since the recovery from the East Asian financial crisis, but sales jumped by around 15% in first seven months in 2005 on year-to-year basis, which was regarded as a sign of recession. People could not afford more expensive foods, hence the increase in the purchase of ramen.
[edit] Health concerns
Ramen and similar products are often criticized as being unhealthy or "junk food". A single serving of instant noodles is high in carbohydrates but low in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Noodles are typically fried as part of the manufacturing process, resulting in high levels of saturated fat and/or trans fat. Additionally, the broth contains the controversial ingredient monosodium glutamate (MSG) as well as a high amount of sodium, usually in excess of 60% of the U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance.
While many processed convenience foods leave much to be desired nutritionally, the particular concern over ramen is a response to its use as a dietary staple for many Americans. College students in particular consume large amounts of instant noodles; the wide availability, very low cost (often below 25¢; cost was 10¢-12¢ at Wal-Mart stores on November 18, 2006), ease and speed of preparation, and portability of the product make it appealing to young adults with little money and time to spare. A popular college urban legend states that a student gave himself scurvy by living on nothing but ramen for an entire year. [1]
The most recent controversy surrounds dioxin and other hormone-like substances that could theoretically be extracted from the packaging and glues used to pack the instant noodles. As hot water is added, it was reasoned that harmful substances could seep into the soup. After a series of studies were conducted, this concern was found to be baseless. [citation needed]
[edit] Instant noodles worldwide
Instant noodles have become a popular food in many parts of the world, though they have undergone changes in flavor to fit local tastes.
[edit] In Argentina
In Argentina instant noodles are slowly gaining popularity, and can be found in most major cities in supermarkets. The brand is usually Sapporo Ichiban. The problem is basically that the cost is still high (about 0.90 dollars). Due to the recent Chinese inmigration wave, specialized Chinese supermarkets offer a wide variety of ramen brands.
[edit] In Australia
The most popular brand of instant noodles in Australia is Maggi 2 minute noodles, which are produced by the Nestle Foodstuffs Company. As the name suggests they need to be boiled in water for only minutes and served with or without broth, as desired. A popular way to serve Maggi 2 Minute Noodles is to add the flavour sachet after the noodles have been served, without the broth.
[edit] In Brazil
Instant noodles are popular in Brazil. This is mostly due to Nissin, which offers a wide variety of ramen at reasonable prices.
[edit] In Britain
The most popular form of instant noodles in Britain is Pot Noodle (a cup noodle founded by Golden Wonder in the late-1970s). These are sold in virtually every major supermarket chain and grocery store nationwide. Packeted noodles such as Batchelors' Super Noodles are also popular and synonymous with student life (some supermarket chains offer value noodles for less than 10p).
[edit] In China
Chinese is a fast growing market for instant noodle. However, having said that, the market is concentrating - for the higher end products (those no less then 1 RMB, with or without container), the top three incumbent in this category are dominating more then 85% of the market; for the lower end (those below 1 RMB) the leading five holds around 60% of the market share.
The most noticiable incumbents in Chinese market are -
- Ting Yi (aka "Master Kong" or Kang-shi-fu, 康師傅), a PLC listed in Hong Kong Stock Exchange but managed mainly by Taiwanese with a Japanese strategic alliance partner Sanyo Food, the second player in Japanese market. Master Kong now is probably the largest player with a business scope extended to Beverage (RTD) and Bakeries.
- Uni-Present (aka President or Tong-Yi, 統一), a PLC listed in Taiwan. Like Master Kong, it used to have its own businesses in Beverage and Bakeries as well. However, the company recently formed a JV partnership with Hwa-Long and Nissin on beverage front. Uni-President's home market is in Taiwan but now expanding aggresively in China.
- Hwa-Long (華龍, i.e. Chinese Dragon), a local company strategically allianced with Nissin the largest player in Japan and probably in the world for instant noodle. Given that relationship, Hwa-long has long been regarded as Nissin's agent in the world's largest consumer market. Recently Hwa-long, Nissin, and Uni-President formed a partnership in Beverage business and would like to collectively competed against Master Kong, who is still considered the leading player in the industry.
- Bai-xiang (白象, i.e. White Elephant, a local company spun-off based on a former SOE and now still enjoys good relationship with home-base local authority. It is a leading player in lower-end segments in terms of volume.
[edit] In Germany
Instant noodles was relatively unknown in Germany until the 1990s, from which it has continually gained in popularity. There are two types of ramen in Germany: the first, generally called Instant-Nudeln ("instant noodles") tends to be a mild, Westernized version, in flavors such as chicken, vegetable, beef and button mushroom. The second type is actually called Ramen, and it is quite similar to traditional ramen as it is known in Asia. German Ramen was originally considered an ethnic food and was only available in specialty stores. Since the mid-1990s, however, it has become available at German supermarkets and can usually be found on the instant-food aisle. The most popular brands are Yum Yum, Nissin Cup Noodles and Maggi by Nestle.
[edit] In Korea
[edit] South Korea
South Korean ramen (or ramyeon, 라면) is typically spicy. Shin (辛, 매울 신, literally "spicy," a play on words meaning both "spicy ramen" and, in the Seoul dialect, "noodles of Shilla") is one of the most popular brands in Korea. It has also become popular in China and the United States. The leading manufacturer of ramen in Korea is the Nong Shim company, which exports many of its products overseas. In the 1960s, instant ramen was introduced to South Korea from Japan, and its quick and easy preparation, as well as its cheap price, made it soon catch on. Most South Korean food stalls make instant ramen and add toppings for their customers. Instant ramen also tends to be added to budae jjigae (literally "boot-camp stew"), a stew made with assorted ingredients which was invented in the 1950s in the vicinity of U.S. military camps stationed in South Korea.
[edit] North Korea
Instant noodles were first introduced to North Korea by way of food aid from South Korea in 1990s. In 2004, over 600,000 boxes of Shin brand Ramyeon were sent to North Korea as part of aid relief program when Yongcheon train station exploded, injuring many North Korean civillians. However, insider sources state that most ramyeon sent as part of aid relief program has been sold in North Korean black markets instead, making its way to Pyeongyang. North Korean visitors to China also frequently purchase South Korean ramyeon from Chinese stores, where Shin Ramyeon is known as "Korean Tangmi Ramyeon".
Indigenous production of Ramyeon in North Korea began in 2000. The first ramyeon brand was known as "kkoburang noodles", which literally means curved noodles in Korean. Afterwards, a joint venture by a North Korean and Hong Kong-based company began producing "Jeuksuk Noodles", which literally means "instant noodles" in Korean. Ramyeon are popular amongst North Korean elites who can afford them and live in Pyeongyang and Nampo. In contrast to hot and spicy South Korean Ramyeons, North Korean ramyeon have much more mild and broth-type flavor. [2]
[edit] In Indonesia
The first widely known instant noodle in Indonesia is "Supermie" introduced in 1970s. Later several brands of instant noodle was introduced - "Indomie" and "Sarimi". The three brands produced by Indofood Sukses Makmur, the largest instant noodle producer in the world - indirectly owned by Sudono Salim one of Indonesian wealthiest tycoons and a crony of Suharto. Indofood is also the owner of Bogasari Flour Mills, the largest flour mill company in the world.
Currently, Indofood Sukses Makmur has a market share about 70% of Indonesian instant noodle production. In 1999 the figure was about 90% market share. The recent decline in market share was triggered by the introduction of "Mie Sedaap" in 2003 - the strongest contender of Indofood market domination. "Mie Sedaap" was produced by Wings Food.
Indonesians prefer noodle with a strong flavor. The usual flavor of Indonesian instant noodle are Chicken Curry, Onion and Chicken, and Chicken Soto (Indonesian traditional soup). In the past, Indomie tried to produce 27 different flavors reflecting the various traditional dishes from all over Indonesia, but the product was discontinued after a disappointing results, which indicate that Indonesians have limited preference when it comes to noodle flavor.
A dry-type instant noodle also popular in Indonesia. The dry-type noodle designed to replicate Indonesian traditional dishes of Mee Goreng or fried noodle.
The strong local preferences also contribute to the low volume of sales for Japanese and other foreign instant noodle in Indonesia. The Korean brand of hot and spicy instant noodles are the closest to Indonesian taste and has the largest market share of foreign instant noodle in Indonesia.
[edit] In Malaysia
The most popular brand is Maggi by Nestlé, and is often synonymous with instant noodles. Flavours are more oriented toward local flavors, such as chicken, curry, tom yum, and assam laksa. Besides soup-based ramen, there are also dry-type instant noodles.
Though Maggi instant noodles are usually eaten at home, some Malaysians choose to order a meal of it when eating outside. These meals are usually modified according to the chef's taste and include a minimum of MSG.
[edit] In Mexico
Instant noodle is gaining in popularity in Mexico, where it is often seen as an American food and enjoyed in typical "southwestern" flavors such as lime or chili, often combined with shrimp. These flavors are available in the United States, particularly in areas with Mexican and Mexican-American populations, and were probably introduced by migrant workers returning home.
[edit] In North America
In North America, the ubiquitous instant noodle product is known as "ramen" (after the Japanese dish it is based on) and it comes in a variety of mostly meat-based flavors, as opposed to traditional Asian ramen, which is generally flavored with vegetables. Popular flavors in the U.S. include chicken, chicken vegetable, pork, beef, creamy chicken, mushroom, shrimp, roast chicken, and roast pork. Other flavors like shoyu and miso are usually available at Asian supermarkets and convenience stores or generally in cities with large Asian communities. The two major brands are Nissin Top Ramen and Maruchan Ramen. In regions of Canada, packaged instant noodles are often referred to as Ichiban in reference to the Sapporo Ichiban brand. In some regions around eastern and central Canada they are only known as Mr. Noodles and not ramen or Ichiban.
Instant ramen is half-jokingly referred to as a staple food of typical college students. As noted above, a package of ramen is incredibly cheap for the amount of food it contains. Its low cost and easiness to make has caused instant ramen to be referred to as "Purina student chow," "ghetto noodles", "Lazy Soup", and even "crackhead soup." Despite the variety of flavors, students may find a "ramen diet" monotonous after some time; fortunately, the rather mild flavor of the noodles themselves lends the product to versatility, and kitchen experiments have resulted in ramen-based desserts, salads, main courses, and more[3].
[edit] In Russia
Russia's most popular instant ramen is the Korean brand Dosirac, which come in rectangular lunch boxes.[4]
[edit] In Thailand
The most popular instant noodle in Thailand is "Mama", with Tom Yam Shrimp being the all time favorite flavor. There are a few local players in the market, namely "Wai Wai" and "Yum Yum".
[edit] In India
Nissin recently introduced its Top Ramen brand in India. The most popular flavor is known as "Curry Smoodles"; its flavorings mimic a basic curry, including onion, garlic, coriander, and a curry masala. A package sells for 12 rupees in India; Indian markets in North America have also started selling it.
[edit] Instant noodles in pop culture
Ramen is a popular food for most hardcore gamers, due to its cheap price, and its short/easy preperation.
During the 2004 U.S. presidential election campaign, filmmaker Michael Moore visited colleges on his "Slacker Uprising Tour" and gave instant ramen and clean underwear to students who promised to vote. This resulted in a short-lived controversy, with the Republican Party accusing him of breaking federal law.
The parody religion of Pastafarianism uses the word "ramen" to end its prayers (capitalised as RAmen).
Long-distance backpackers, often referred to as "through-hikers," enjoy many variations on ramen, since it is lightweight and dense in food energy. A favorite on the Appalachian Trail is an admixture of ramen and instant potatoes.[citation needed]
Instant ramen is also well known in the North American otaku culture as the most commonly consumed food, alongside ramune, for convention-goers. This is especially true for cup ramen, as all that is needed to prepare it is hot water.
The record label, Fueled By Ramen, was named after ramen noodles.
In the T.V. series Naruto (anime) the main character always eats ramen. He says that his hobby is eating ramen, he likes ramen, and he dislikes the 3 minutes it takes to prepare the cup ramen.
In the acclaimed comic book series Y: The Last Man, the protagonist Yorick Brown informs his girlfriend that he will be "kicking it Ramen Noodle style" as a result of his reluctance to do anything with his life.
[edit] Notes
- ^ "Instant Ramen Facts - Worldwide" by Japan Convenience Foods Industry Association. (note: Only the 2005 figures were used. These figures were divided by each country's respective populations to derive "per capita" figures.)
[edit] References
- Instant Ramen's Homepage, by Japan Convenience Foods Industry Association
- (Japanese) The Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum, by Nissin Food Products
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Cooking with Nimmo - Video podcast and forums about Ramen/Instant Noodles
- An E-Fu Noodles Recipe
- Instant Ramen Home Page (by the Japan Convenience Foods Industry Association)
- Instant Noodle Production Lines
- [5] Kevin Horton's page of assorted instant ramen and other noodles.
