The Spicy Comeback Of Instant Noodles
How humble mid-night snack has gone gourmet
When it comes to culinary comfort foods, a not-so-unusual name often comes up, instant noodles. For many its a thing of delight that takes you down memory lanes. While for others it's a no-no; but sometimes they don't mind it. Often found in backpackers' food pantry and relished in college dormitories, instant noodles are nevertheless a slurpable satisfaction.
A few years ago, instant noodles in India were making little noise, they were an every-day sight to many passing street stalls selling them but not perceived as a sophisticated dinner. I wouldn't recommend instant noodles to be added to your everyday meals either. It's more of a guilty pleasure, isn't it? You know, you can't have enough of it, cause it's not the healthiest. The warm hug of the bowl of noodles is unfortunately only a temporary fix, perhaps it's nothing more than the feeling of instant gratification that keeps taking us back to it.
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But things seem to have changed. A diverse set of insta ramen straight from Korean cities is bringing new flavours and wide range to the Indian supermarkets. Thanks, K-POP!
From once swimming in the soup over added preservatives to becoming a canvas of culinary creativity, instant noodles as has made the biggest comeback in the culinary pantry. Whether its Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or your sibling experimenting with their hotpot, a new wave of culinary enthusiasts is turning the low-effort, high-sodium pack of snack a full blown-gourmet experience.
But What's The Reason For This New-Found Craze?
Toppings like Nori (seaweed); sesame oil, shichimi powder and tofu and eggs are making up a slew of viral instant dorm-room noodles recipes. With a bit of imagination and other basic pantry ingredients, the snack has gotten itself a new status. Want a desi masala taste, you got it. A Thai-inspired laksa, or a Korean one? Yes and Yes!
People are experimenting with different sauce from chili oil mix to garlic butter, gochujang, to soy sauce, the quest is to find the best taste out for ready-to-eat-udons. Brands like Buldak, Ramyun Noodles, Nissin, and Maggi are offering a range of spicy to the spiciest noodle packs. And the reception? People are engaging in spicy noodle challenge- where one tests their palate for the fiery heat. (And people hilariously fail) Frankly, this new-found rise in instant-noodles market is a direct result of the rise in Korean cultural influence in India- Kpop, K-dramas, and Korean Cuisine.
From BTS members enjoying ramen during live streams to K-drama scenes featuring comforting bowls of noodles, the subliminal messaging is clear: instant ramen is cool, relatable and irresistibly delicious. And definitely instagram-worthy.