Momofuku Ando, the Man Who Fed the World

Just a couple of minutes ago, I received my daily dose of junk email from my all time favourite junker. Out of the three emails, one of the subject caught my attention immediately. It says, "Re: The correct way of cooking instant noodles".


Rows of Instant noodles at the supermarkets.

I am a big fan of instant noodles and have been consuming it since the 70s. I think I have mastered all the methods of cooking instant noodles. Generally, I think Malaysians are one of the biggest champions of instant noodles. We even manufacture "Instant Noodle Snacks", called Mamee. Yes, it is a 100% Malaysia Boleh invention.




The Mamee snacks that requires you to add seasoning to the noodle before you eat, just like the instant noodles. Like what the Americans like to say about their snacks, "Crunchy!" LOL.

Unfortunately, being a true blue believer that instant noodles should be cooked before consumption, I avoid eating Mamee and discourages everyone to do likewise.... personal bias... LOL. If you really want to know, I am fighting a loosing battle as my wife and kids, and friends love the stuff. Sigh.

Anyway, getting back to that email, I have the feeling that it is a hoax, because it just does not make sense. If MSG boiled at high temperature turns toxic, I think many people would have died from eating at all Chinese restaurants, which almost always use MSG and high pressure flame to cook their dishes.

Further research via the old reliable Google turns out these results:

• http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/noodles.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_glutamate
  
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutamic_acid_(flavor)#Health_concerns
  

There are tons of information on the subject of MSG, but enough to say that UN, EC and American food safety related organisation have labelled it under "safest category of food ingredients".

While still on the topic of instant noodles, it's inventor, Mr Momofuku Ando passed away on January 2007. He lived up to 96 years old!


Mr Momofuku Ando.


The Chikin Ramen invented by Momofuku. Introduced to the market in 1958.

After the second World War, Japan was suffering from food shortage. Momofuku saw the need and the opportunity and so he

... decided to develop the production of noodles by himself. The experience convinced him that "Peace will come to the world when the people have enough to eat." - Wikipedia.

Btw, Momofuku Ando was a Taiwanese before he became a Japanese citizen some time in 1933. His instant noodle legacy lives on. To me, he is the man that fed the World!

Viva Instant Noodles!

Some Instant Noodle Patents :-)

• Method of producing instant cupped noodles
• Process of preparing instant noodles
• Process for producing rapid-cooking noodles