Magic Ramen

Starred review from March 1, 2019

K-Gr 3-When Momofuku Ando sees long lines of people waiting for food near his home in Osaka, Japan, shortly after World War II, his dream is born: to create the perfect bowl of noodles to feed hungry communities around the world. Realizing that "the world is peaceful only when everyone has enough to eat," he spends months testing recipes for the ideal noodle soup: tasty, perfectly seasoned, comforting, and preparable "anytime, anywhere." Each attempt at the perfect bowl of soup yields a different result: noodles that are too soggy, too brittle, or too soft. Despite personal and financial setbacks, he keeps the needs of the hungry and disenfranchised always at the center of his mission as he aims to maximize nutrition and nourishment. After trying and failing several times over, his "magic ramen" recipe is finally born: a perfectly fried noodle-broth combination that can be made in minutes by simply adding water. His invention is a success, making ramen a worldwide sensation and recognized household favorite. The author's tribute to one of history's most important inventors is complemented by digital illustrations, which separate well-paced text and add strong visual appeal to this exceptional biography picture book. An afterword is provided, giving readers additional insight into Ando's life and legacy and its connection to food history and popular culture, especially the creation of the widely recognizable Cup Noodles. VERDICT An inspiring story of persistence and an ideal purchase for any collection.-Natalie Romano, Denver Public Library

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2019
Grades K-2 Momofuko Ando was distressed to see starving people struggling to find food in post-WWII Osaka. Wanting to find a quick, nutritious resource that was neither expensive nor labor-intensive, Ando became determined to create simple and delicious noodles. His first versions were not successful, as attempt after attempt turned out too crumbly, too sticky, or too lumpy. Resolute, Ando tried again. And again, and again?�continually experimenting, revising, refining, adding features, eliminating complications?until he finally achieved a viable product that only needed to be stirred into hot water to create a filling meal. Ramen noodles became an instant sensation, and their popularity continues through today, as generations of college students can attest. This picture book has an appealing design, featuring manga-flavored illustrations and the occasional graphic-novel layout (and be sure to check out the endpapers). This offering goes down easily, whether used to promote diversity, encourage experimentation and perseverance, or spice up a food-themed storytime.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2019
The true story of Momofuku Ando, who persevered to invent a speedy, nutritious, and tasty ramen to help feed the hungry in post-World War II Japan.A year after the war ended, people were still starving for food. Realizing that the "world is peaceful only when everyone has enough to eat," Ando decided to make food his life's work. In a backyard shed, Ando attempted to realize his dream of a more nutritious ramen. He experimented by adding different ingredients to a basic recipe of flour, salt, and water: eggs, powdered milk, and even spinach! He invented a way to infuse the noodles with flavor, but the noodles were still too tough. Then, watching his wife make tempura gave him a brilliant idea--fry the noodles! Frying creates tiny holes in the noodles, causing them to soften after just a few minutes in hot water. Voil� tender, chewy noodles in hot, tasty soup that was ready in two minutes! With an aesthetic that's straight out of a Hayao Miyazaki animated film, Urbanowicz's illustrations pair deliciously with Wang's concise, conversational text. Clever use of lighting, white space, and comic-book compositions moderate pacing in all the right places. The illustrator earns brownie points for accurate cultural details: geta (wooden sandals), cascading cherry blossoms, kanji characters, etc.Eaters of all ages will enjoy learning about the history of this popular food gone global. (biographical note) (Informational picture book. 4-10)

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