Your Ramen Experience

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AOS-

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Hi everyone,

I'm working on a project for school and the goal is to Design a Better Ramen Experience. For those who don't know,
Ripped from Wikipedia
Ramen is a Japanese noodle dish. It consists of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat- or fish-based broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso, and uses toppings. There is also Instant Ramen noodles, which usually come in a disposable styrofoam cup, a plastic bowl, or tin wrapping.

The first part of my project is to collect data (i.e. interview/survey people), and what better place to ask than GTP?! The kind of data I'm collecting is your thoughts and experiences of ramen, good or bad, instant or "real" noodles, at home or at a noodle house. To get a better feeling about what I'm trying to extract from you guys, think about these questions:

"What you enjoy about ramen, what it's like in a restaurant that serves ramen noodles, how is it different from having instant at home? Would you pick convenience over authenticity? What about the feelings you have inside; any backstories you have with noodles? Do you go for a specific brand when going instant noodles? Bowl, Cup or packaged in wrapper? Buy as individual or in boxes? did you drink the soup? When you made your instant noodles, do you put in the spicy flavouring? Have you ever put in too much before and what was that like?"


First thing I'm going to ask is your name (surname is not necessary), doesn't have to be your real name, just a name I can refer to when showing off my process work to my instructor.

Now, I'm going to ask the following questions/fill in the blanks. Please fill it all out (to the best of your memory, specific dates/numbers aren't required; ballpark values will suffice :)



Name (first name only will do):

The first time I had ramen was:

It always reminds me of:

The last time I ate Ramen was:

Who introduced you to Ramen noodles?

How often do you have it?

Pick only ONE from the following 7 questions and please answer the rest of the questions based on this given situation. You can totally share a story or two at this point while answering the questions. Tell me about:
1)the last time you got to experience what it was like in a Ramen-serving restaurant.
2)the last time you picked instant noodles over something else you could have had at the time. (and what was it you picked the noodles over?)
3)the last time you had an awful serving of noodles. (can be authentic or instant)
4)the last time you ate noodles by yourself. (at a restaurant? at home? in a rush? or eating leisurely?)
5)the last time you had ramen with a group of people (friends, family, maybe even strangers at a food court or something).
6)the last time you had ramen very frequently, possibly 2-3 times a day. Is that normal for you?
7)some other ramen experience not mentioned above. Give me a brief backstory of it.

When you have chosen one of the questions, please answer the following:
-Who were you with?
-Where did this happen?
-When was it?
-What was the experience like for you? and Why?
-What were some feelings you might've had during the experience?

What do you like about Ramen/Instant? What don't you like?
If you could change one thing about ramen, could be the noodles themselves, how you eat it, or some other kind of experience, what would it be?


None of your information is going to be sold to 3rd parties or whatever, I'm only trying to understand what others feel about ramen noodles.

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to this, folks. This is very much appreciated and I look forward to reading your responses!

:cheers:
 
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Nice project concept :lol: I'll be glad to help.


Ramen Experience Form
Name:
Rather not share my real name, so I'll say Techy.

The first time I had ramen was:
2 years ago, I think.

It always reminds me of:
A comfy atmosphere.

The last time I ate Ramen was:
A day ago.


6)the last time you had ramen very frequently, possibly 2-3 times a day. Is that normal for you?
> A little, actually. Ramen runs pretty well in my family. My parents eat them, my sis eats them. But we don't serve instant noodles more than once daily. However I am a culprit. In fact I had a craving for Ramen on some days, so I only ate Ramen for Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Quite disgusting, but the craving did not cease until the next day. This sudden craving still exists, waiting to pounce randomly to avenge again. But I held back this strange diet, so I ate other more interesting things.


When you have chosen one of the questions, please answer the following:
-Who were you with?
My family.
-Where did this happen?
At home.
-When was it?
Umm.., all of my meal hours :lol:
-What was the experience like for you? and Why?
It was... enjoyable. Even though the routine was pretty gross, I couldn't stop how tasty and refreshing the noodle bowl is!

-What were some feelings you might've had during the experience?

I feel like nearly all of my problems just disappeared suddenly. Such an experience is rare for me, so that is simply miraculous.
 
Sage
3 or 4 years old?
Salt
Several weeks ago

I haven’t had instant ramen in… at least 5 years. I live near and work near a street called Convoy which is the hub of asian restaurants in San Diego, so I can get fairly authentic ramen whenever I want, and as such I’ve become a bit of a ramen snob. The broth is the most important thing to me, followed by the chashu and then the noodles. I don’t have ramen too often as I try to limit my gluten intake, but last time was with some coworkers. For me it’s a comfort food, especially since it got me through a lot of college late night outings.
 
I forgot to add them before (now added), but some vital questions for my project include:

What do you like about Ramen/Instant? What don't you like? If you could change one thing about ramen, could be the noodles themsleves, how you eat it, or some other kind of experience, what would it be?
 
There is no such thing as a Ramen shop in Florida. I can't get my Tampopo on and instant noodles kinda suck because there's no meat.
 
Have you thought about adding meat yourself when making Instant noodles?
 
No, because if I had meat I wouldn't be settling for instant ramen.
 
Well sir you have inspired me to go get some instant ramen, possibly even find somewhere that serves it.:D
 
Have you thought about adding meat yourself when making Instant noodles?
It takes quite a bit of patience to make good chashu. It’s practically less expensive to just get it at a good ramen place. I’ve bought pork belly quite often and have never managed to make it quite as good as even a mediocre ramen restaurant.
 
Name: Steve

The first time I had ramen was:Early 90's

It always reminds me of:
Good times with my wife - we share a Sushi obsession! Also reminds me of making them at home.

The last time I ate Ramen was:
Last week - I have an expensive Japanese noodle bowl and lacquered chop sticks in a draw at work. :)

Who introduced you to Ramen noodles?
A noodle bar opened up in my home town and I've never been shy to try anything.

How often do you have it?
2 or 3 times a month. We have a really good Sushi restaurant need where I live and they do the best Chilli Beef Ramen in the World. Period.

The last time you picked instant noodles over something else you could have had at the time:
For years when I worked in London I chose instant ramen over traditional lunches. It was easier in the UK as you could buy them in bulk from Chinese supermarkets - big packs which would keep you going all afternoon coast about 50p each. The smell was always amazing and I tempted a number of work colleagues over to the 'ramen-side'. I'm also a chilli addict and they're a good hit... err... man. I still buy the odd pack now and again for a quick fix, but they're more difficult to get hold of where I live now, so I just go to the local noodle bar instead.

What do you like about Ramen/Instant? What don't you like?
Pros: Speed, convenience, flavour, heat, comfort.
Cons: They always need more content (beef, prawns, dried onions, etc) - difficult in a packet though!

If you could change one thing about ramen, could be the noodles themselves, how you eat it, or some other kind of experience, what would it be?
Über-sized packets for when you're really starving!
 
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Additional Ramen Experience Form Data

What do you like about Ramen/Instant? What don't you like? If you could change one thing about ramen, could be the noodles themsleves, how you eat it, or some other kind of experience, what would it be?
> What I like about Ramen is its flavor and taste in little time, of course! Some Ramen I have eaten has that taste very little foods was able to maintain, like a Spicy Chipotle combo. And a variety of others. And the other thing: It can be made in little time, obviously. So it is a candidate for a convenient dish as a way to dissipate your appetite. Most instant noodles I have eaten requires boiled water added when all packaged ingredients were stored inside the bowl or cup, and left to sit for the noodles to spread apart.

And what I would change about Ramen is... really nothing! It's fine the way it is. But it would be glorious if actual or artificial seafood or meat was used in Ramen, like artificial shrimp or pork. I'm not sure how they'll make foods like that artificial, but it's possible. As I saw -- and ate -- a noodle cup that had fake shrimp as part of its theme.
 
It takes quite a bit of patience to make good chashu. It’s practically less expensive to just get it at a good ramen place. I’ve bought pork belly quite often and have never managed to make it quite as good as even a mediocre ramen restaurant.

You can always go out to a chinese meat shop and buy a lb of char siu instead of making it yourself. ;)

And thanks for the responses so far, everyone!
 
Name (first name only will do):
Call me Ishmael.

The first time I had ramen was:
A long time ago. Call it thirty years, give or take a decade. I think.

It always reminds me of:
It doesn't always remind me of anything. It doesn't even usually remind me of anything.

The last time I ate Ramen was:
Two days ago, maybe three.

Who introduced you to Ramen noodles?
Not a clue. Probably a family member or a co-worker.

How often do you have it?
4-5 times a week, generally.

2)the last time you picked instant noodles over something else you could have had at the time. (and what was it you picked the noodles over?)
Choices were a can of chili or can of beef stew, or a couple handfuls of cashews.

-Who were you with?
I was alone.
-Where did this happen?
In my kitchen
-When was it?
Midafternoon a couple days ago
-What was the experience like for you? and Why?
Meh. I was hungry, I ate.
-What were some feelings you might've had during the experience?
Meh. I was hungry, I ate.

What do you like about Ramen/Instant?
Cheap, quick, easy.
What don't you like?
The look on my doctor's face when I told him (he said something about "sodium intake").

If you could change one thing about ramen, could be the noodles themselves, how you eat it, or some other kind of experience, what would it be?
Meh. It's okay the way it is, I guess.
 
I eat instant ramen every now and then, it's decent to have sometimes. I don't eat it very much though, because in Canada the lazy teenager/college student food is Kraft Dinner (Kraft Mac & Cheese).
 
Name: Chris

The first time I had ramen was: ca. 1993

It always reminds me of: Raman spectroscopy/my job

The last time I ate Ramen was: 2 weeks ago

Who introduced you to Ramen noodles? First had Ramen noodles as a student, my flatmate was cooking them

How often do you have it? Once/twice a fortnight

5)the last time you had ramen with a group of people (friends, family, maybe even strangers at a food court or something). - Last summer, my Mum had to stay at my flat for a couple of nights as she was working in Glasgow. She took me out for dinner and we went to a local restaurant (Ichiban) where I had Ramen noodles.

When you have chosen one of the questions, please answer the following:
-Who were you with? My Mum
-Where did this happen? Glasgow, West End
-When was it? About 6 months ago, summer 2011
-What was the experience like for you? and Why? Great, quality food and it was free (for me!)
-What were some feelings you might've had during the experience? Satisfaction, happiness, enjoyment

What do you like about Ramen/Instant? Convenience, simplicity

What don't you like? Slimy or overcooked noodles

If you could change one thing about ramen, could be the noodles themselves, how you eat it, or some other kind of experience, what would it be? Nothing in particular - most problems with Ramen are down to human error.

Bonus answer: If you could change one thing about Raman spectroscopy, what would it be? More jobs!
 

Name (first name only will do)
: John Doe

The first time I had ramen was:
2003/4.

It always reminds me of: a jellyfish.

The last time I ate Ramen was: this afternoon.

Who introduced you to Ramen noodles?
My parents picked it up at the market. i tried some. it tasted retty good. that's when I quit eating cambell's.

How often do you have it? Usually every other week if I skip lunch and breakfast.

5)the last time you had ramen with a group of people (friends, family, maybe even strangers at a food court or something).
At home, with my family after losing a huge academic competition.

-Who were you with?
Mom, dad, brother, and sister.
-Where did this happen? home.
-When was it? a long while back, i'm talking 8th grade.
-What was the experience like for you? and Why? It was very warming and feelgoody. It's something about spicy broth and long noodles that makes me smile.
-What were some feelings you might've had during the experience?
Melancholy,relief, comfort, heartburn. :lol:


What do you like about Ramen/Instant? What don't you like?
I like the fact that it takes very little time and tastes surprisingly good. I have a kind of peeve with rehydrated veggies and meat.
If you could change one thing about ramen, could be the noodles themselves, how you eat it, or some other kind of experience, what would it be? Al Dente noodles? or at least that's how i like 'em. not too hard, not too soft.
 
Name: Aaron

The first time I had ramen was: Age 15

It always reminds me of: Rome, Italy (An old friend called it "Roman Noodles" when I was first introduced to it, and it kind of stuck).

The last time I ate Ramen was: About 2 weeks ago

Who introduced you to Ramen noodles? An old friend, same as above.

How often do you have it? Sometimes once a week to once a month.

Pick only ONE from the following 7 questions and please answer the rest of the questions based on this given situation. You can totally share a story or two at this point while answering the questions. Tell me about:

6)the last time you had ramen very frequently, possibly 2-3 times a day. Is that normal for you? I had it frequently (just about every meal) when I moved away from home with very little money and no job. I was courting my future wife, and the majority of the money was spent on lavishing her. That is not normal now, but it was for about 3 weeks.

When you have chosen one of the questions, please answer the following:
-Who were you with? My future wife
-Where did this happen? Oklahoma, US.
-When was it? 2002
-What was the experience like for you? and Why? It was a tough time, because it was a new beginning in a strange place.

What do you like about Ramen/Instant? What don't you like? It's fast, easy.
If you could change one thing about ramen, could be the noodles themselves, how you eat it, or some other kind of experience, what would it be? Change the fact that either the instant noodles taste like hell, or it has enough sodium to stop your heart. :)

Good luck with your research.
 
When I was a preteen I use to watch naruto and seeing naruto eating ramen made me want some so I tried it and now I eat it on a daily basis
 
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