R.I.P. (Ramen in Perpetuity), Momofuku Ando

Six years ago, just a few months after FP transformed from a staid academic journal to a glossy magazine, we published a story called How Sushi Went Global. But long before raw fish became popular everywhere, there was a culinary trend from Japan that gathered steam all around the world: instant noodles. I'm sad to say that Momofuku Ando, the inventor of instant ramen noodles and the chairman of Japan's Nissin Food Products Company (maker of Top Ramen and Cup O' Noodles) passed away last Friday at the age of 96.

According to the New York Times, Ando wanted to make food for the people -- something that was fast and easy to prepare, inexpensive, and would provide sustenance for the poor and hungry around the world. 

Chicken was the prime ingredient in Nissin's global success. "By using chicken soup, instant ramen managed to circumvent religious taboos when it was introduced in different countries," Mr. Ando wrote [in his autobiography]. "Hindus may not eat beef and Muslims may not eat pork, but there is not a single culture, religion or country that forbids the eating of chicken."

Ramen noodles have given me comfort many a night, and not just when I was a poor college student. I'm proud to say that I've had them twice in the past week. Boil 'em up, throw in some vegetables, a few pieces of meat, perhaps an egg — and voila! — a perfect meal in just a few minutes. Thanks, Momofuku Ando! I'll remember you with every slurp.