Ramyun, or ramen, is a prime barometer of diversity in Asian food cultures. Broadly speaking, this dish consists of noodles served in a hot broth, and it is commonly sold in packs or cups as an instant food product all over Korea. Instant Ramyun in particular is lauded as one of the greatest inventions in human history because anyone can serve up the same tasty meal in minutes with nothing more than the package contents, some water, and a stovetop. The fresh ramen culture of Japan, the birthplace of the dish, now boasts countless regional varieties with different specialty broths. Next door in Korea, Ramyun is transcending its status as just a convenience food and is becoming a culinary staple in Korean cuisine thanks to rapid product development and recipes that reflect consumer demand and dining culture.

2 Intro 8 Letter from F 12 Attractions Famous shops that attract big noodle lovers 28 Unexpected Scene Unexpected places to enjoy a bowl of instant noodles and the culture 34 Noodle Lovers Instant noodle stories told by enthusiasts in Korea, Japan, and Indonesia 56 Instant Noodles History of the instant noodle industry through a case study of Nongshim, a leading Korean brand 73 Academic Manual Information on the history, culture, and trends 92 Market Insight Lemonilo and KKV, new business platforms in the Indonesian instant noodle market 100 On the Table Instant noodles creep into gourmet food 116 F Cut What it takes to make a bowl of instant noodles 126 Interview Ken Aoki A designer who works on Japanese ramen-related projects, from shop logo design to content creation 134 Retail Noodle shops expanding to cover lifestyle and creating a cultural code 144 Extended A variety of instant noodle-related products and goods 146 References Books and videos recommended by instant noodle experts and lovers 153 Index