Quick Bites Across the Globe: A Journey Through Asia's Instant Food Delights
The Rise of Instant Food in Asia
An instant food is any type of edible product with a preparation time of less than five minutes. There are versions that take less than a minute to prepare, and those are called ultra-instant food. They may be dehydrated, condensed, or freeze dried. To enjoy them, you typically have to perform a simple task, which ranges from adding milk or seasoning to boiling the food in hot water.
Instant foods serve as great alternatives to traditional food for busy workers and students. They also make effective rations for military forces in wartime, thanks to their portable nature. The modern instant food industry found ample footing in Asia because most countries in the region value convenience and simplicity. Countries like Japan have an intensive work culture but also appreciate the need for good nutrition. Instant food allows workers in those regions to enjoy a satisfying meal without having to spend too much time preparing it. The instant food sector in Asia has been innovated to suit the cultural tastes in the region. Hence, you’ll find an abundance of instant noodles, curry, and tea, a reflection of the local cuisine.
The Origins and Evolution of Instant Ramen in Japan
Instant ramen is a dried, pre-cooked block of noodles sold alongside seasoning oil. You may know it as instant noodles. To eat the product, consumers have to either soak the noodle block in warm water or cook it in boiling water. Instant ramen in Asia is created by flash-frying the noodles after cooking them, while Western versions are typically made by air-drying the noodles.
The story of how instant ramen was invented in Japan is a peculiar one. After the end of World War II in 1945, Japan received massive wheat flour donations from the United States. Rather than using the wheat flour for making bread, it was used mostly to make ramen noodles, a popular dish at the time. Momofuku Ando invented instant ramen in 1958. He founded Nissin Foods about a decade before, when he had the idea to make ramen noodles in an instant form. The first product was a packet of chicken-flavored instant ramen, which turned into an instant hit in Japan and the rest of Asia. A few years later, Ando brought instant ramen to the U.S. In 1971, he invented a new version called “cup noodles.” This version was better suited for the American market because it allowed consumers to eat the noodles directly from the cup. Today, there are hundreds of other instant noodles brands, including Unilever, Ottogi, Nongshim, Capital Foods, Samyang Foods, and La Choy.
South Korea’s Mastery of Instant Meals
Japan may have started the instant noodle craze but South Korea certainly caught on quickly. The country has its own version of instant ramen known as ramyeon, which is a favorite among young singles. Overall, there’s a vibrant instant food culture in South Korea, which makes the market one of the most lucrative for domestic and international food brands. The following are South Korea's range of instant food innovations:
-
Instant soup: Premade soups are very popular in South Korea. They are ideal for anyone looking to enjoy a hearty traditional meal without spending too long in the kitchen. All you have to do is heat them up in a microwave or pot. Bibigo is one of the biggest sellers of instant soup. Their flavors range from global tastes like chicken and seaweed to traditional flavors like kimchi and soybean stew.
-
Ramyeon: Samyang Foods, Ottogi, and Nongshim are the leading sellers of South Korea’s version of instant ramen. Popular releases are Shin Ramyun, Ansungtangmyun, Buldak Bokkeum Myun, and Jin Ramen.
-
Instant tteokbokki (spicy rice cake): This is the instant version of the popular Korean street food. It typically comes with dried meat and some kind of sauce. You can prepare it in a microwave or pan. Top instant tteokbokki brands include O’Food and Samyang. Their flavor options range from sweet and spicy to cheese.
China’s Diverse Instant Food Offerings
China has an extensive range of instant foods peculiar for their traditional flavors. The following are the most popular types:
-
Instant rice: This is pre-cooked white rice that has been dried and packaged. You still have to cook it like you would regular rice to eat it, but the cooking time is greatly reduced to around five minutes. Instant rice can come in the form of self-heating rice, which is sold in a can that generates heat via exothermic reaction. Instant rice brands include Mo Xiao Xian and Shuanghui.
- Instant luosifen: This is the instant food version of a Chinese noodle soup that is a specialty dish in Liuzhou, Guangxi. It’s fast becoming one of the country’s favorite instant noodles. Popular sellers are Hao Huan Luo and Luo Ba Wang.
-
Self-heating hot pot: This is a traditional dish of vegetables and meats sold in a packet containing quicklime. When the quicklime comes in contact with some water, it produces an exothermic reaction that heats up the food. Meng Wei, Mo Xiao Xian, and Ban Gan Bu are some of the main brands selling this type of instant meal.
Instant Miso Soup: A Staple in Japanese Quick Cuisine
Although instant miso soup is available in several countries, it remains a popular comfort food in Japan. This modern twist to the traditional soup contains freeze-dried vegetables, seasoned miso paste, and other ingredients such as seaweed, bok choy, and sesame seeds. Many varieties exist, as each brand has its own recipe. The top instant miso makers are Marukome, Nagatanien, and Amano Foods. Miso soup is very nutritious and provides all kinds of healthy benefits, such as antioxidant protection, supports gut health, provides dietary fiber, and prevents illness.
The Fusion of Flavors in Singaporean and Indonesian Instant Foods
Both Singapore and Indonesia have their fair share of instant meals. Since the two countries share a burden in Southeast Asia, a lot of their instant food products are identical, if not the same. Their instant noodles tend to blend local flavors that appeal to both countries. A good example is the Instant Laska noodles made by Prima Taste in Singapore. Others include instant Hainanese chicken rice served with chili sauce and instant fried noodles.
Thailand’s Bold Instant Food Scene
The majority of the instant noodles market in Thailand is controlled by Thai President Foods. The company makes a wide variety of pre-cooked soups, parboiled rice, confectioneries, dried vegetables, and soft drinks. However, their main products are the different flavors of pre-cooked noodles, such as chicken, Thai shrimp, Pad Thai, green curry, and Tom Yum shrimp.
Why Asian Instant Foods Captivate the Global Market
Most of the Asian instant foods we’ve mentioned so far are sold overseas as well. People all over the world can’t seem to get enough of the traditional flavors of these ready-to-eat noodles, rice, vegetables, beverages, and meats. They like the innovative way the brands blend the tastes of their products and the convenience that comes with fast preparation. Many of these brands use Asian-fusion cuisine to capture both local and international markets. Some go as far as to adapt their products and packaging to better suit foreign audiences, just like Momofuku Ando did by creating the Nissin cup noodles with the U.S. market in mind.
The Impact of Instant Foods on Traditional Asian Cuisines
Instant foods allow people in Asia to enjoy traditional dishes more conveniently. They don’t just save time on cooking but also on shopping for groceries and special ingredients for making the dishes. These meals often serve as a healthier alternative to fast food. They have also helped to improve the popularity of supermarkets and convenience stores, where they're typically sold.
Exploring the Best of Asian Instant Foods on the Market
We’ll round up with a curated list of the top-rated and most innovative instant food products from Asia. Check them out:
-
Hikari Menraku Ramen Bowl: It’s a classic, Japanese-style ramen noodle dish. Flavors include soy sauce, miso, and seafood.
-
Yopokki Instant Tteokbokki Rice Cake Cup: Spicy Korean rice cake in an instant!
-
Nongshim Shin Ramyun: There is a wide variety of Korean-style ramyeon.
Bokksu is not responsible for the accuracy of the products’ nutritional or allergen information. Warning: California’s Proposition 65 may be in effect. For more information,visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. Some Bokksu Market products are produced overseas and may have a Production Date printed on the packaging, rather than a Best Buy Date as is standard in North America. If your product appears expired, do not be alarmed! This is most likely the Production Date. All items have been double checked to ensure they are not expired and safe to eat.
Disclaimer
×
-
JML Chongqing Spicy Noodles: It comes with a separate seasoning packet of hot broth alongside chewy noodles.
The Expanding World of Instant Cuisine
With the invention of instant food innovations such as self-heating meals, Asian countries continue to innovate in the sector. Western countries look up to top brands in Asia for new ideas and many times new products as well. Asian instant foods offer a unique blend of convenience and traditional flavors, offering the best of both contemporary and long-established cooking.
-
Trending Posts
-
Author Bio
More from the blog
View all
