Sometimes when I can’t be bothered to cook I buy pot noodles. They’re quick, they’re easy. But, buy good-quality packet noodles; I have it on good authority that the best instant noodles are made by the Koreans. They are ‘bouncier’. I chuck out the little packets of powdered vegetable/MSG and sesame oil, make a quick stock and do my own toppings. Here are a few ideas.
Ramen originally derived from Chinese cooking, but took off in Japan after the First World War only after being made less Chinese and more Japanese, adding miso and making it less greasy, more delicate. Ramen is almost like a religion in Japan; everybody has their favourite noodle shop. Check out a very funny 1980s Japanese film called Tampopo to find out more. Today, ramen are called ‘doll’ noodles by many Chinese, as the first manufacturers had a picture of a Japanese doll on the packet. In Japan, they are now bringing out ‘feminine’ ramen with less salt and MSG, as the biggest consumers are men aged between 20 and 40. Lazy so-and-sos!