Elizabeth R. (esjro) -
The Noodle Narratives is an interesting history of instant noodles, with chapters focusing on their "use" in the US, Japan, and Papua New Guinea. Although published by an academic press (with lengthy sections on notes and references), it is written in a style that is accessible to the casual reader, though it is sometimes a bit dry.
The chapters which focus on the history, production, and consumption of instant noodles are the most enjoyable. The last couple of chapters which discuss the pros and cons of processed foods cover the same topics as many other food books, including a critique of Michael Pollen's food philosophies. Here the authors seem to be stretching to make instant noodles central to the discussion.
This is a relatively short book with enough interviews and facts about instant noodles to appeal to anyone who has eaten a lot of ramen (which is pretty much anyone who has gone to college).
The chapters which focus on the history, production, and consumption of instant noodles are the most enjoyable. The last couple of chapters which discuss the pros and cons of processed foods cover the same topics as many other food books, including a critique of Michael Pollen's food philosophies. Here the authors seem to be stretching to make instant noodles central to the discussion.
This is a relatively short book with enough interviews and facts about instant noodles to appeal to anyone who has eaten a lot of ramen (which is pretty much anyone who has gone to college).
