Ando san's birthday.
"Eating wisely will enhance beauty and health."
Enlightenment from a culinary genius.
I highly recommend Andy Raskin's, The Ramen King and I: How the Inventor of Instant Noodles Fixed My Love Life
http://www.vox.com/2015/3/5/8150929/momofuku-ando-ramen-instant-noodles
http://whartonmagazine.com/issues/springsummer-2009/mankind-is-noodlekind/
Never was much for ramen, or noodles in general, but the first "good" ramen I had was from David Chang's Momofuku in NYC and again in Toronto, and it completely changed my perception. Absolutely awesome. I like the Slurping Turtle in Chicago for a similar experience.
For the first time since college, I had a craving for ramen after seeing today's Google banner. It seemed apropos, so I went to the grocery at lunch and got me a cup.
Man, I almost forgot what a $1 lunch tasted like... noodle heaven.
Unfortunately, most gaijin's understanding of ramen is what Momofuku gave to the world. The reality is that Chinese noodles - ramen - is a sublime culinary experience. It is the Tokyo equivalent of late night Real Chili.
Perhaps the best insight into the Japanese ramen culture was articulated by Itami Juzo in Tampopo. Epic cinema that cleaves open the surreal heart of Japan's middle class values and the implicit connection between food and sex.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampopo
(http://www.impawards.com/1987/posters/tampopo.jpg)
(http://jon.porkbuns.net/photos/blog/movies/tampopo/tampopo-poster.jpg)
i could published a cookbook with all the things i did with ramen noodles(for meals that is) eggs and cheese were my favorite