  | Magic ramen : the story of Momofuku Ando Author: Wang, Andrea | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
Every day, Ando Momofuku would retire to his lab--a little shed in his backyard. For years, he'd dreamed about making a new kind of ramen noodle soup that was quick, convenient, and tasty to feed the hungry people he'd seen in line for a bowl on the black market following World War II. "Peace follows from a full stomach," he believed. Day after day, Ando experimented. Night after night, he failed. But Ando kept experimenting. With persistence, creativity, and a little inspiration, Ando succeeded. This is the true story behind one of the world's most popular foods.
| Illustrator: | Urbanowicz, Kana |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 3.30 Points: .5 Quiz: 504237 |
Reviews:
School Library Journal (00/03/19)
Booklist (02/01/19)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 02/01/2019 Momofuko Ando was distressed to see starving people struggling to find food in post-WWII Osaka. Wanting to find a quick, nutritious resource that was neither expensive nor labor-intensive, Ando became determined to create simple and delicious noodles. His first versions were not successful, as attempt after attempt turned out too crumbly, too sticky, or too lumpy. Resolute, Ando tried again. And again, and again—continually experimenting, revising, refining, adding features, eliminating complications—until he finally achieved a viable product that only needed to be stirred into hot water to create a filling meal. Ramen noodles became an instant sensation, and their popularity continues through today, as generations of college students can attest. This picture book has an appealing design, featuring manga-flavored illustrations and the occasional graphic-novel layout (and be sure to check out the endpapers). This offering goes down easily, whether used to promote diversity, encourage experimentation and perseverance, or spice up a food-themed storytime. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 03/01/2019 K-Gr 3—When Momofuku Ando sees long lines of people waiting for food near his home in Osaka, Japan, shortly after World War II, his dream is born: to create the perfect bowl of noodles to feed hungry communities around the world. Realizing that "the world is peaceful only when everyone has enough to eat," he spends months testing recipes for the ideal noodle soup: tasty, perfectly seasoned, comforting, and preparable "anytime, anywhere." Each attempt at the perfect bowl of soup yields a different result: noodles that are too soggy, too brittle, or too soft. Despite personal and financial setbacks, he keeps the needs of the hungry and disenfranchised always at the center of his mission as he aims to maximize nutrition and nourishment. After trying and failing several times over, his "magic ramen" recipe is finally born: a perfectly fried noodle-broth combination that can be made in minutes by simply adding water. His invention is a success, making ramen a worldwide sensation and recognized household favorite. The author's tribute to one of history's most important inventors is complemented by digital illustrations, which separate well-paced text and add strong visual appeal to this exceptional biography picture book. An afterword is provided, giving readers additional insight into Ando's life and legacy and its connection to food history and popular culture, especially the creation of the widely recognizable Cup Noodles. VERDICT An inspiring story of persistence and an ideal purchase for any collection.–Natalie Romano, Denver Public Library - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
