the ramen blog & other goodies!

China’s Xin Hua news reported that the China Branch of the International Ramen Manufactures Association (yes, there’s actually a mysterious and powerful “IRMA”, pulling the puppet strings behind every ramen-related incident worldwide…cough…or so I’ve heard…) has announced price hikes of up to 40% on some of China’s domestic brands of ramen. Of course, everyone knows the price of just about everything has gone up lately, but part of the ramen price hike is being attributed to palm oil.

I’m sure eventually, those price hikes will hit in the U.S. as well. Ramen fans and starving college students everywhere should stock up now!

There might not be any ramen reviews for a short while…my lucky charm of a wife managed to win 20 burritos at Chiptole Mexican Grill. Anyone who’s ever been to Chiptole knows that that is a LOT of burritos (they weigh around 2 lbs each)! Even after our grabby friends and relatives got their share (just kidding!), we still have enough burritos in our fridge to last us for a few days. So excuse me as I gorge on nothing but delicious burritos for a while…hmm…I wonder if a ramen burrito would be any good…

Who ever thought investigative reporting on the mortgage and housing industry would be so…wacky? The people over at blown mortgage and housing panic have been reporting on whether or not ramen sales go up as the housing market goes down. Oh, and did I mention that the nice people at Housing Panic just published an exclusive interview with yours truly? Enjoy!

Nissin Foods, makers of the ubiquitous Cup
Noodles, is issuing a voluntary recall of some shrimp-flavored noodles. Nissin Foods recently discovered that some of the seafood-flavored powder (mmm…powered seafood…) contains cod and lobster, which some people are apparently allergic to.

So if you have any seafood allergies, you may want to read all the facts before you eat that next bowl or cup of Nissin noodles with shrimp (also “Great Value,” “Thrifty Maid,” and “Jehling” instant noodles).

Otherwise, move along! There’s nothing to see here!

via that’s fit

Do you love ramen? I mean really looooove ramen? Now you can…um…be ramen! A theme park in Hakone, Japan has teamed up with a famous ramen-ya to open a “ramen bath,” complete with tonkotsu-colored, pepper-flavored “soup” that you can soak your weary bones in. The water is said to “help produce beautiful skin and aid moisture retention.” No word yet on when the shio, miso, and shoyu baths will be open. Hmm…I wonder if there’s any MSG in that water? I’m sure *that* would help preserve your skin!
via Mainichi Daily News

11:18am update: Just found more pics here.
11:29am: …and a video as well! via the official ramen page
8:46pm: yet one more video. enjoy!

Veteran readers of this blog already know that “space ramen” has already been around for a few years. Finally, ramen has been officially certified by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency for use in the International Space Station.

Astronauts of all nationalities will get to enjoy a bevy of Japanese food choices, including Japanese curry, onigiri (rice balls), green tea, and of course, ramen!

via space.com