Foodies Go Ramen

19 happy foodies braved the frigid temperatures to dine at X Ramen in Southport. We each had a variety of delicious findings, bowls of ramen in homemade broths, tempuras, sushi and a wide variety of appetizers that were both Japanese classics and innovative creations. We had a semi private area which enabled us to converse and made the day.

Here are some of the most interesting facts (AI generated) about ramen:

• Space Food: In 2005, Momofuku Ando created "Space Ram," an edible, vacuum-sealed ramen designed for astronauts to eat in zero gravity.

• The Slurping Custom: In Japan, slurping your noodles is not considered rude; it is actually encouraged, as it helps cool down the hot noodles and enhances the flavor.

• Massive Consumption: Over 100 billion servings of instant noodles are consumed worldwide annually, with China, Indonesia, and Japan being top consumers.

• Luxury Origins: When instant noodles were first introduced in 1958, they were considered a luxury item, costing more than fresh udon noodles.

• Ramen Museums: Japan has a dedicated ramen museum, the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, which is designed like a 1958 Tokyo streetscape.