While on a field trip, Ethan and Emma stumble into a small restaurant serving ramen and their interest is piqued. Dao, a red panda, appears out of the blue and whisks them away on a trip back in time to learn about the history of ramen firsthand. They start their journey back in 1880 in Yokohama, Japan, when the first bowls of this savory noodle soup were sold from wooden pushcarts. They fast forward to landmarks in ramen’s history — the inventions of “instant” ramen and later, cup o’ noodles. They also visit a ramen factory and learn about the special ingredient that gives the noodles their springiness. Flavor discussion, a dishing out of fun facts and a Japanese-English glossary round out this fantastic book. It’s for ramen enthusiasts, those who love learning about food culture and anyone curious to know how food gets to their plate (or bowl in this case).
The Discovery of Ramen: The Asian Hall of Fame | Written by Phil Amara and Oliver Chin | Illustrated by Juan Calle | @immediumbooks