Written by
Andrea Wang: Illustrated by Kana Urbanowicz
Little bee
books. 2019
All ages
Ramen noodles. Mmmm! Ever wonder who invented those yummy, inexpensive,
easy to make noodles that have become a staple for college students? Wang and
Urbanowicz have partnered on this engaging informational picture book on how the
world’s most popular food came to be.
At the end of World War II, food was still scarce for people
living in Japan. Those lucky enough to have money had to wait in long lines and pay outrages prices for a bowl of noodles that took forever to cook. The
poor survived on grass and bark or scrounged through the garbage looking for
something to eat. Taiwan-born Japanese inventor Momofuku Ando (1910-2007) saw
the hunger and long lines for the expensive ramen and was determined to create a new product that
would be nutritious and be ready to eat instantly.
Ando was constantly testing this and that, but finally,
after years of trying, he figured it out. First fry the noodles in oil, place
them into a bowl, add hot water and “Yatta!”
“That’s It!”
“In 1958, twelve years
after seeing hungry people at black market ramen stalls, Ando invented Chikin
Ramen, the first instant ramen.” His company, Nissin Foods, sells the
instant ramen all over the world. Still inventing, at age 91, Ando invented
Space Ram. Instant noodles that could be
eaten in zero gravity. Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi became the first
person to eat ramen in outer space, aboard the US space shuttle Discovery.
Back matter includes an author's note, pronunciation guide, and an afterword offering more details on Ando's life.
This book is sure to be popular with those who love reading
about people being creative.
To write this review, I borrowed the book from my local public library.
I love MAGIC RAMEN!! Andrea's my friend and crit partner, and I was fortunate to see this evolve over the years into the lovely book it is today. And Kana's art is just perfect for it!
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