Food History: Ramen

The history of ramen features cameos from The Yakuza crime syndicate, the U.S. Army, and a businessman who turned a simple idea into a worldwide convenience food. Ramen is so much more than a cheap and filling meal. In this episode of Food History, we break down ramen as a cultural and historic artifact whose evolution continues today.
You’ll hear from a ramen lover who spent two years working in a Japanese ramen shop, and you’ll learn why ramen was practically outlawed in the years following World War II.
Food History is a series from Mental Floss where we dive deep into the culinary stories that lead to the food on our plates. If you have an idea for a dish, cooking technique, or cuisine that you’d like us to explore in a future episode, tell us in the comments. The history of Japanese food is the just the tip of the iceberg in fascinating food stories.
Need more ramen? Check out this video comparing ramen at different price points in Japan: • $3 Ramen Vs. $79 Ramen...
And for the origins of many other foods, check out our episode of the List Show • 24 Food Origins - ment...

[@niiii_niiii]

I love ramen❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@junweipan2494]

The earliest ramen was invented in Lanzhou, China in 1915. Modern instant noodles were invented by the Japanese.

[@annelisesanchez4461]

Same lol

[@karlk7070]

​​​@@junweipan2494 Another copium Chinese troll stealing culture. If the Japanese were as close minded as you cultural fascists, there would have been no ramen at all. 我是中国人，你这种傻卵天天把日本改良的东西称之为中国的，中国国内敢改良日本的东西吗？一群文化纳粹分子别人发扬光大中国传到他们那的文化，非说就是中国的，别人文化进中国就说什么文化入侵崇洋媚外，习近平允许你上KZbin撒野？？至少英语称呼是公平的你个喋喋不休的小基佬。

[@Eastmeetssouth81]

I'm a ramen chef of Chinese descent and there are a couple mixed up facts here. "La mein" or the Chinese grandfather of Japanese "ramen" isn't made with alkaline or kansui as it's worked by hand to tighten the glutens in order to achieve the chewy texture. The Japanese version ("ramen") uses alkaline. Outside of a couple varieties of wonton noodles, few Chinese noodle makers use alkaline kansui as many consider it cheating and are proud of the fact that they don't need it to achieve perfect texture in their egg or plain wheat noodles.

[@discoloured3492]

Yesssirrr

[@lucasplindon]

Ok but Japan is better cause I love anime

[@Eastmeetssouth81]

@@lucasplindon That is insanely nonequivalent but okay 👍

[@JustaThing]

@@lucasplindon bro really thinks Japan is an anime

[@ChrisThompson-wq6td]

Fuck yea rock on

[@littlecello6570]

I’m literally watching this while eating ramen

[@kholdking_2060]

Same

[@joelove1987]

I thought you were eating cereal 🤔

[@CJ9007]

We all are

[@boscolayne4991]

Totes same

[@rileyjuvene1883]

Genius 👍

[@tag1462]

Ramen is my goto camp food! Easy to pack and easy to cook. And as a bonus fact: you can add any of the wild edibles you collected for a nutritious meal.

[@MentalFloss]

Wow, how did I never think to bring ramen on a camp-trip before?

[@micahphilson]

Seems obvious now!

[@MrCraiging]

Yes! Including cat semen! Well said, bro!

[@Datharass]

*HIT ME WITH THOSE RAMEN FACTS BRO*

[@lordrevan57]

I casually searched 'history of ramen' while I was eating a bowl of it just for fun and got waaaaaaay more than I bargained for with this video. thanks Mental Floss! keep up the good work. My secret tip: replace half the ramen packet with sazon seasoning, thank me later

[@VWYL900802]

拉面 is la mian, or ramen. 碱水 (jian shui) is alkaline water in Chinese. I never knew how to explain this to people who want to learn about Chinese food. Thanks bud. Alkaline water is not exactly used in frying seafood, it's usually corn starch. Corn starch is often used as a thickener in braised food, sauces, and deep frying in Chinese cuisines. In ancient times, the South usually uses corn starch and rice flour in most starch based stuff. The north usually uses flour because there's just more wheat there. So in the case for noodles and buns and dumplings, alkaline water is used instead of yeast as a levener for the dough.

[@jamesnutley1456]

Man, you have a great voice and presentation style for this kind of video. My first time watching, and I'll definitely be looking for more of your videos. Thanks, and keep up the good work!

[@MentalFloss]

Thanks! We just started this series, so it means a lot to get some positive reinforcement! We're having a lot of fun making it. You can see the first couple vids here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5-ZanSPq5qkg9E

[@michyoung77]

Another fun fact, Naruto is also the name of an extremely famous anime, (one of my absolute favorites in fact!). Naruto, the main character, loves ramen and proudly declares its his favorite food. His last name is Uzumaki, which in Japanese means “Whirlpool”. Isn’t Japanese just the coolest language? Get it? Naruto is the fish cake in ramen, and it has a swirl, Naruto’s last name means whirlpool? Now I’m over-explaining but you get it.

[@davidjoelsson4929]

wowow amazing story!!1

[@alechall7082]

Counterpoint, this video was not boring. More of this please.

[@emiriebois2428]

Before it was called Ramen from.chinese La Mien , it was called Chuka Soba ( chinese soba) .

[@joenroute9646]

Well said!

[@JoaoPessoa86]

Can we get a video on empanadas? Just about every country in South America seems to have a version

[@melaniescarlet01]

Even the Philippines has its own version too; two places are famous for its take on it: Vigan and Batac

[@Marco_Onyxheart]

My favourite noodle place is basically a mix of Japanese and American styles. It is kind of like a fast food place. You select what you want (kind of like at Subway, but for noodles), and it's ready in only a few minutes. No waiters or anything. Take-out is an option. The price also reflects this in-betweenness. It's cheaper than most restaurants, but more expensive than most fast food places. Around the same price as a McDonald's menu, though. McDonald's is expensive.

[@PrayedForYou]

Thanks for the video, informative and nicely served. I love learning about the dish im eating at the same time :)

[@PrayedForYou]

The Japanese man (I assume) at the end was a nice bonification of the material as well haha.

[@MakotoKamui]

Just made myself some pork ramen (the broth takes a while, but so worth doing it from scratch) and re-watched this while eating. Big mistake, I finished the bowl but my brain is convinced I want more ramen after finishing the vid.

[@JohnnyGuitaristOfficial]

I'm eating a bowl of ramen as i watch this...lol 🙌🏻🍜

[@dosfisdo]

I'm pretty sure this is just a political move from Cthulhu against the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

[@BaronVonQuiply]

Sauce be upon him.

[@cappyjones]

May you all be touched by His noodly appendage! 🙏🏾

[@BaronVonQuiply]

@@cappyjones I have Pasta in my Heart. My doctor says I need an operation.

[@MentalFloss]

They're onto us...

[@Kero7th]

More food history please.

[@chloeleau]

authentic japanese ramen with all the toppings and homemade broth is my absolute favorite food

[@rooryan]

You’re saying... the Yakuza illegally sold ramen on the streets in the years after the war? That’s awesome

[@coolbreezeization]

Those bombs did hit hard.

[@isaBeast143]

Wooo I love when people talk about hydronium instead of H+ yay good job!! 👩‍🔬🙌

[@erica9443]

I've always loved Mental Floss (used to subscribe to the magazine, I miss it!) but it's been a while since I've watched some of your videos. I'm super excited to see a food history series -- it's one of my favorite topics. Loved this video, and I'm excited to watch more!

[@MentalFloss]

Thanks! We love making this series, so always happy to see people who are into it! You can see all the episodes (I hope...) here: kzbin.info/aero/PLYT7t0pcxEINn7R0XjGy3aj4cuLj8bn9U

[@MeleeTiger]

I don't always use the flavour packet when I make instant noodles, sometime I'll make my own broth with spices and sauces depending on my mood at the time, which helps cut down the sodium.

[@MentalFloss]

I had a friend who would *just* eat the flavor packets as one snack, and the noodles were an entirely different snack (usually made with butter and cheese).

[@RodrigoBarbosaBR]

2:06 - We need that poster like NOW!

[@MrAtrophy]

the evolution of the wide variety of citrus fruits and their impact would be fun, from lemon cello to orange chicken. citrus has so many uses in so many cultures. and all from just a few base citrus species

[@travissharpe8238]

Your food history videos are awesome! How about you do a video on rye bread? Nobody has done a video on it yet! It would be interesting to know the complete, in-depth history of rye, and its relative triticale, which is a hybrid of wheat and rye. Most people in the US either hate rye or have never had of it and aren't planning to. Yet in other countries, rye is an everyday pantry staple.

[@CaptainPIanet]

Curries would be cool. Either Indian, Thai, or both

[@leahmckeen8180]

I would love to know the history of salt licorice. It seems so culturally specific.

[@michellehamilton3254]

Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pao de Queijo) would be a neat video :D. I really enjoyed this one

[@MentalFloss]

Thanks! And oo- not familiar with pao de queijo. Is it popular in a certain part of Brazil, or nationwide?

[@michellehamilton3254]

@@MentalFloss its all over the place. it is a cheese bread that is made with tapioca flour. Street vendors sell them about palm sized and will put beef or more cheese in them. Here in the US they sell them premade and frozen in a lot of stores. Those are generally bite-sized.

[@usernameed]

Do an episode on Ceviche I’m curious now

[@MentalFloss]

Oo yeah there's probably an interesting story there. Ceviche (as I know it) is a Peruvian dish, but they eat a very similar dish in Mexico. Also would love to know why the popular Peruivan marinade is called "leche de tigre" ("tiger's milk").

[@DeaconTaylor]

oh is that what he said? i wouldnt have spelled it that way. what is it? ive never even heard of it. the way he put it as a side note made it sound like the dish was common knowledge

[@theotakux5959]

I was never able to eat instant ramen. But I've started boiling chopped chicken and mixing that in with the noodles and I can eat it, and it's tasty.

[@juppukun]

Food History : Poutine?

[@Predator11R]

I am watching this while eating top ramen first time 😋😋😋

[@gursimranplo3084]

Sad there was no mention of Naruto near the end of the video :,)

[@jatc11yey]

The root crops poster on the back us super nice! Where to get this please 🙏

[@jab101]

I'm sitting at work eating my 1.25 Ramen lunch and I started wondering....... and here I am lol

[@mixiekins]

Funny thing, it's still a splurge item in many foreign countries. I was shocked at how much a single pack was when visiting my relatives in Argentina ($5 usd and up) and the price keeps rising because of inflation and import restrictions. It's mainly seen as a novelty item, somewhat like Pocky is here in the US, not a staple you purchase by the crate. Young folks like to splurge on ramen because they see it in anime and american media. It's worth noting that the packets in the US are actually manufactured domestically, and because of the abundant agricultural resources, the ones produced in our domestic plants are the ones that get exported to basically the entire western world. What's a downside is that US exports don't enjoy the same luxury of subsidized postage that China does, which is a contributing factor in the high cost (same situation for Japanese-made items). This also isn't anything new; when my stepmother was in college she did a foreign exchange in Sweden and couldn't find any ramen or similar quick prepare foods for her dorm, so gramma sent her a care package full of ramen.

[@YeahhhAndy]

I like this comment because Argentines are trash and I’m glad to hear that they’re suffering

[@cucaiuong4421]

Love ramen

[@sh3n3ng]

I want some ramen now

[@Mcwollybob]

I'd be interested to hear about the origins of some American dishes that aren't common outside of the country, like sloppy joes or s'mores. I'm also still curious why some countries consider soft cookies to be "American."

[@MentalFloss]

The origin of s'mores would be a great episode. Marshmallows alone have a history that goes back a few thousand years.

[@Mcwollybob]

@@MentalFloss Thanks so much for seeing and replying to my comment!! I'd love to see a video about it. If about s'mores in general, I remember being so surprised to find out that they're not common in other places. I had to explain what graham crackers were to some international students even, which blew my mind that they had never even heard of them. On a side note, I forgot to mention ranch dressing in my original comment. I was flabbergasted that ranch dressing wasn't a thing outside of America when it's such a staple condiment here.

[@MrCraiging]

True! S’mores is basically a cocksicle!

[@JimFortune]

Slurp. Definitely.

[@jonecuntapay9561]

the ramen culture in japan you can order it and tell that to the attendant in the eating table. not kidding, my first time ramen was indeed in japan. i also tried the kenbaiki style and it that was efficient (ichiran ramen at shibuya).

[@Weeping-Angel]

I eat alkaline water sticky rice all the time and it’s kinda bitter but I still love it 👍

[@scaeva2704]

Love ramen forever ❤

[@nullify.]

Do a video on Indian and Japanese Curry.

[@ChrisThompson-wq6td]

WAIT.. FLASH FRY ... IVE BEEN BOILING FOR 20+ YEARS I GOTTA TRY THIS

[@mistergrandpasbakery9941]

I discovered this delicious food when I was stationed in Misawa, Japan. I enjoyed them until November 2017 when I found out I was diabetic! Dammit! 😡

[@jlshel42]

A local ramen joint near me in Virginia is one of the few places I eat at during these COVID times. Spicy miso will blast out your sinuses in no time.

[@MentalFloss]

Ha nice! Is it in/near Richmond, by any chance?

[@jlshel42]

@@MentalFloss It's in Fairfax in Northern Virginia, not Real Virginia (as I refer to the rest of the state). Named Marumen, has some Korean influence in the menu either from the chefs or to compete with the many Korean restaurants nearby.

[@MentalFloss]

@@jlshel42 Lol I see. More like "Virginia, Washington, D.C." Kind of funny to know there's Korean-ish ramen in northern Virginia, given that David Chang (a son of northern Virginia) is a Korean-American who played a role in popularizing the dish here in the states.

[@jlshel42]

Mental Floss oh right, he is from Mclean or another area near there. I got into ramen after being a nerd who got into anime and other Japanese media, haha.

[@cimbakahn]

Maruchan Shrimp Flavor Ramen is the greatest! And so is the Maruchan chili flavor.

[@tavriz0094]

Could you please do an episode on Hamburgers?

[@danielraiber1487]

Stroganoff I feel would have a very interesting history

[@cherylnelson3499]

I can make a mean stroganoff.

[@Zeldaschampion]

Now we need a Yakuza game where you have to sell Ramen.

[@worri3db3ar]

Man this makes want some Hong Kong street food esp curried fishballs and cheung fan. BTW its weird you prounounced it "la mian" not "lie mee-in" just curious

[@KoiKoy56]

All of the pronunciation was terrible... But this guy isn't a linguist, so it's not weird or curious that he's mispronouncing all of the foreign words. It's actually curious that you think it's weird, lol

[@Appophust]

My well water is alkaline. It also contains natural fluoride. Currently eating traditional ramen. In Southwest Missouri. 🤣🍜😍

[@bonwatcher]

It's the Hawaiian shirt that makes the explanation of the pH scale seem like it came from the Bay of B.S. on the map. 🤣

[@Lolalogo]

It's the food dude!!

[@WoxyBot]

Do a history of soba

[@Zeldaschampion]

11:14 Is that why the ninja in Naruto the cartoon has that swirl on his headband?

[@juliennepdy]

Suggestions for videos: Macarons Bahn mi

[@MentalFloss]

Oo yes! Bahn mi was already on our list (if for no other reason then IT IS SO GOOD), but macarons could be fun, too.

[@Sean-ni4qy]

I'm interested in seeing an episode in how cuts of beef and pork have shifted from being considered "poor cuts" to the "finer cuts" it seems to me everything from tenderloin to shoulder roast have gone from cheap cuts to being considered the best

[@MentalFloss]

That's a good idea, butchery in general has a very interesting history...

[@Resmungo]

Solid pronunciation.

[@rolfathan]

"Back in 2004" I'm fairly certain the ramen shops in LA were doing pretty well even in the 80s. I know of about as many ramen places that opened BEFORE 2004 as after.

[@powerist209]

I think he meant global phenomenon, rather than Japanese with some popularity in Japanese-heavy area like Hawaii and Pacific Westcoast states. Then there is Bladerunner, especially the Ramen stall, but it was only popular years later.

[@amarimartin6460]

You should do pancakes/breakfast foods

[@thefallenlime]

History of clam chowder, please.

[@MichaelQ5150]

History of Claim Chowder too !

[@georgesorossevilnose6478]

where is that vegetable poster with wooden ends from?

[@julienotsmith7068]

Hot pretzels and bagels are boiled in alkaline water before baking, that’s how we get the crunchy, shiny brown crust.

[@kdkittehmama9490]

Please do an episode about tofu.

[@MichaelQ5150]

History of Soft Drinks (as opposed to Hard Liquor) - Coke vs Dr Pepper vs Fanta vs Sprite etc.

[@davidcreely693]

Korean Raman is a variety of its own. BTW, China, Japan, and Korea each have distinct types of chopsticks!

[@ramenadventure]

Ramen is pretty good stuff.

[@muckapucka7712]

Do the pavlova, I dare ya 😁 (Just kidding, this will trigger all Aussies and New Zealanders!!😬)

[@cati2011]

You should do an episode of Tacos! You can even talk about how immigrants to Mexico influenced tacos like tacos Al Pastor is because of Lebanon immigrants!

[@MentalFloss]

Every time we have an opportunity to pitch a brand some kind of series for branded content, I try to convince our commercial team to pitch this series in Mexico. The history of food there is incredible (and I wouldn't mind if someone paid me to go eat tacos in CDMX...)

[@melferburque]

teriyaki has a fascinating history too

[@Cyge240sx]

I’ve always been afraid that I don’t know enough about the particular culture that I’m interested in. Japanese culture. Specifically my friend just came to visit from Japan and he said that I know about Japanese food 10 times more than he does. 😂😂😂

[@danbarr4942]

You should do an episode on the very non-British origins of fish & chips

[@MentalFloss]

Intriguing. As far as I understood it, while french fries and fried fish were first served elsewhere, it was first marketed as a combination in the UK.

[@danbarr4942]

@@MentalFloss That is probably true but (not that these things are ever 100% definitive), from what I've read on the subject, the fish/chips combo was created by Sephardic Jewish immigrants from Portugal who moved to England, bringing their food preparation techniques (frying fish in oil) with them, thus accidentally creating an essential British food.

[@davidjoelsson4929]

@@danbarr4942 Chips are from belgium and and frying fish in oil is a very known technique

[@hannahcpk]

I'm a simple person. I see ramen, I click.

[@MentalFloss]

A great rule to live by.

[@HamburgerMolester]

This guy really knows his shit 👍

[@likenem]

This would explain why my ramen made would water from the Water cooler at work would taste better then the Ramen I made at home with tap water

[@Happilyperfect]

"Medical Bills" Lol US

[@midnightphilosophies3904]

Make a vid on tandoori

[@MentalFloss]

Great suggestion! We might touch on the tandoor itself for an upcoming video about notable cooking technologies/devices throughout history.

[@jordanjamesarmstrong]

Should do a video on pizza

[@fireaza]

I ate home-made raman for dinner tonight! Ah, but this isn't your standard instant ramen! In supermarkets in Japan, you can find the ingredients for proper ramen, (noodles, soup, ramen egg, braised pork etc) all pre-packaged, cheap and ready to go! Just boil your noodles, add some boiling water to the soup paste, then assemble! A step-up from instant ramen and not that much more expensive!

[@MentalFloss]

I need to try this ASAP.

[@fireaza]

@@MentalFloss Pretty much any supermarket in Japan sells this stuff, so if you're ever in the country on holiday, you could probably make it using just the kettle in your hotel room. Another option is frozen ramen. It's proper ramen, but frozen into a block, which can be prepared by heating it in a microwave/stovetop. For some of them, that's all you need to do, but some require you to add water. Again, stuff you should be able to do with a hotel room's microwave and kettle! Or you know, you could just buy the microwave-ready ramen they sell at convenience stores. I guess what I'm saying is there's a lot of options for at-home ramen in Japan!

[@joewilson3393]

I wish I could give this series one hundred thumbs up.

[@MentalFloss]

And we wish we could shake all fifty of your hands.

[@HpError]

when you ask for history but get science

[@shaunabeebeefrontyardgarde4574]

Dumplings (oh man is this subject complicated )!

[@delyar]

I love gingers

[@leeburkett9906]

What's the story on Worcestershire Sauce?

[@MentalFloss]

The first question we would have to address is... what's the OFFICIAL pronunciation??

[@walkinez1]

Mental Floss I think official pronunciation is something like wer-sher-sher 😂😳🤪

[@joelove1987]

Making some soy flavored ramen right now 😋 ramen is just a snack for me

[@ChopTheViking]

Pretzels!

[@jonflowers8823]

I honestly believe that ramen was a Japanese king food that the emperor kings have ate beside their throne around the Mongolian japanese century.

[@psudodrake]

Explains why the Anime Character Naruto (Nar-oh-toe) loves ramen :)

[@MeleeTiger]

Dude, a black-market for food vendors during World War 2? Why hasn't someone made an anime about that!?

[@AnoNymInvestor]

The Manchurian Candidate likes this!

[@valzalel5203]

im eating ramen right now

[@MentalFloss]

That's so meta.

[@Lolalogo]

Peanut butter!

[@vkmanunubos2577]

An american named jessica corrected me and stated that I am wrong regarding the chinese origins of ramen and its word.😂😂😂

[@kyrudo]

0:09 and Naruto

[@MentalFloss]

Ok, but which Naruto do you mean?

[@kyrudo]

Mental Floss Boruto’s dad of course

[@MentalFloss]

kyrudo ​ Haha that's what I assumed, but if you watched til the end of the video you'll know what I mean. 😉👦🔵💥

[@ducanh2858]

Vietnamese banhmi history pls

[@MentalFloss]

That's definitely on our list. As is pho. Vietnam has such an interesting (and delicious) culinary history.

[@daphnerodriguez9980]

THANKS YOU GOODNESS 🌟❤️🖤💚🤎 FAMILY DAPHNE COTTON ALWAYS 💜 AWESOME,

[@SuryaBudimansyah]

How about history about junk food, like burger, pizza, french fries etc, and how they now seen as "junk"