PETALING JAYA: Google honoured the 105th birthday of Taiwanese-Japanese inventor Momofuku Ando - the man who introduced instant ramen to the world - with a series of charming animated doodles on Thursday.
The illustrations by artist Sophie Diao showcases Ando's relentless efforts to figure out the recipe for instant noodles.
It took the life-long entrepreneur 48 years to come up with the idea that would prove to be his greatest success.
According to Google's statement, the inspiration was spurred when Ando walked through the streets of post-World War II Japan.
People were waiting in long lines for hours, just for a comforting bowl of ramen.
Ando realised hunger was Japan's most pressing issue, and felt a surging desire to help his countrymen and fill their aching bellies; "People can only be content when there is enough food. Peace will come to the world when all its people have enough to eat."
Momofuku Ando.
In 1957, the inventor-cum-humanitarian applied himself to developing a fast, cheap and tasty way to make Japan's national comfort food, ramen.
"Ando's long road to success inspired Diao to use multiple animations for the doodle, since one couldn't possibly do Momofuku justice. She also included the shed where Ando spent countless days and nights experimenting," read the statement.
Months of hard work paid off when Ando discovered flash-frying ramen noodles in tempura oil created tiny holes in the noodles that allowed them to cook nearly instantly once combined with hot water.
"It was a success, and customers were enthusiastic about the time they were saving. It was the first step to achieving Ando's goal of ending world hunger," said Google.
Ando's efforts were no flash in the pan. He never stopped working to improve instant ramen, introducing Cup Noodles to the world in 1971.
Most would have been content, but for Ando, the sky is not the limit.
He had his heart set on inventing instant noodles that could be eaten in space.
"People have to eat no matter where they go, even outer space," Ando once said.
He was in his 90s when he debuted "Space Ram."
-Reuters
Today, instant noodles have a lasting impact on people from all over the world.
You can even find upscale eateries, such as New York's Momofuku, serving gourmet renditions of the food item that was first existed for the purpose of being a delicious meal on the quick and cheap.
And yes, restaurant owner David Chang has indicated that the name is a nod to good ol' Ando.
In Malaysia, instant noodles are a national staple. Who can forget the famous tagline: "Mi Maggi, cepat dimasak, sedap dimakan (Maggi Mee, quick to cook, good to eat".
Some even treat instant noodles as important markers of life's greatest transitions.
For university student Shareen Ho, cooking her very first "student food" was the first sign of her adapting to life in high school
"Cooking them myself, and putting cheese in maggi goreng and creating a monster of yumminess," said the 22-year-old in fond recollection.
As for those who once attended boarding school, incidents involving instant noodles are the stuff of fond memories.
According to IT analyst Mohammad Firdaus Noor, his friend was once caught eating Indomie Goreng in his steel locker in boarding school.
"He was afraid of getting caught because he didn't want to share," said the 29-year-old.
Mohammad explained that instant noodles served as a delicious currency in boarding school, which was used to bribe others to do one's homework, obtain precious study notes, or trade favours.
Azwan Mat Datar, 26, once punched his friend after the classmate stole his Maggi Mee.
"I don't really care if he stole my clothes, but no one steals my Maggi from me, " said the engineer.
On her travels to Asian countries, Joanne Ho-Lee, 32, loves to visit the local grocery store and try out the local instant noodles.
"It's interesting how each country captures and distils a 'national flavour' into a cup where all you have to do is just add hot water, wait a few minutes and boom!" said the barista and cafe owner.
Programmer Grey Ang, who once survived on instant noodles for weeks when money ran low, agreed with Ho-Lee.
"People here go bonkers when I bring back instant noodles from Taiwan as souvenirs, because you need to mix together three to four sachets of different ingredients that come in the packet.
"Taiwanese people love Malaysian curry and tom yam flavoured noodles, and they say our variety is so convenient as you only need to mix one packet!" he added.
Instant noodles are also the go-to food for clubbers, gamers and other creatures of the night.
During his computer game-playing days, filmmaker and YouTuber Ho Wai Zheng used to practice a formula to ensure optimum tastiness.
"There were up to 10 of us during mamak sessions. If more than three people ordered Indomie, the rest have to order Maggi instead.
"Otherwise, they would cook it in a larger batch and water down the flavour. So you reorder after the first few plates arrive, or risk everyone having a bland batch," he laughed.
However, some like Janson Chah, 24, have good reason to dislike the food.
"I once cooked a serving and accidentally poured the boiling hot soup over myself. I still have the ugly scar to remind myself how clumsy I was," shared the software engineer.
So whether instant noodles are your comfort food or a guilty pleasure, try whipping up a delicious bowl today.
It will be in honour of the man who once embarked on a noble quest to end world hunger, and inspired many others to follow in his footsteps and care for their fellow man.
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