What makes Ramen so delicious?

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Who Smarted?" Episode – "What Makes Ramen So Delicious?"

Release Date: April 25, 2025

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Introduction

In the episode titled "What Makes Ramen So Delicious?" of the educational podcast Who Smarted?, hosted by Atomic Entertainment and Starglow Media, listeners embark on a flavorful journey exploring the beloved noodle soup, ramen. This episode seamlessly blends humor, storytelling, and informative content to engage young minds, making learning both entertaining and memorable.

Setting the Scene: A Ramen Adventure Begins

The episode opens with the Trusty Narrator expressing excitement about trying a new ramen shop:

"[00:02] Trusty Narrator: ...it must be lunchtime..."

The anticipation builds as Trusty prepares to delve into the world of ramen, setting the stage for an informative adventure.

Understanding Ramen: Origins and Varieties

Upon arriving at the ramenya, Trusty introduces the basics of ramen, prompting listeners with a trivia question:

"[00:44] Trusty Narrator: ...is ramen A a Japanese noodle soup, B instant cup of noodles, or C Korean noodle soup? The answer is all three." [01:05]

This playful approach highlights ramen's diverse origins and variations, blending Japanese and Korean influences. The episode emphasizes that ramen is more than just a dish; it's a cultural phenomenon with rich history.

Key Discussion Points:

• Origins of Ramen:
  Mr. Noodle explains that ramen originated in China during the 1600s and was later adapted by Japan in the early 1900s. Post-World War II, ramen gained immense popularity in Japan, leading to the establishment of numerous ramen stalls known as yatai.

  "[06:59] Mr. Noodle: ...Ramen actually originated in China and made its way to Japan back in the 1600s... [07:20]"

• Varieties of Ramen:
  The conversation delves into the different types of ramen based on regional preferences in Japan, such as Sapporo's miso ramen and Hakata's tonkotsu ramen. The flexibility of ramen allows for customization in both broth and toppings, catering to various tastes.

  "[07:36] Trusty Narrator: So you're telling me that instant ramen and cup noodles was around back in the 1600s?"
  "[07:44] Mr. Noodle: Instant ramen and cup noodles was developed in Japan in the mid-1900s..."

The Magic of Ramen: A Hands-On Experience

Trusty's adventure takes a magical turn when he encounters Mr. Noodle, a talking ramen noodle, who shrinks him down to explore ramen from the inside. This imaginative segment provides a vivid illustration of ramen's components and their interactions.

"[06:50] Trusty Narrator: This is definitely in my top five weirdest lunches ever. But I'm so here for it."

Deep Dive into Ramen Components

1. Noodles:

Mr. Noodle explains that ramen noodles are made from wheat flour and incorporate an alkaline salt called kansui, which gives them their characteristic elasticity and lightness. Listeners learn about the various ways noodles can be prepared—firm, soft, straight, or wavy.

"[12:36] Trusty Narrator: So what makes a noodle a ramen noodle?"
"[12:43] Mr. Noodle: Ramen refers to a specific type of wheat-based noodle... give them their elasticity."

2. Broth:

The episode explores the different types of ramen broth, including Shoyu (soy sauce-based), Miso, Tonkotsu (pork bone), and more. Each broth type offers a unique flavor profile, contributing to the diversity of ramen experiences.

"[13:23] Mr. Noodle: ...if you finished up all your noodles and are still hungry, you can ask your server for more noodles... called Kaedama."

3. Toppings:

Listeners are introduced to standard ramen toppings such as Chashu (braised pork), Ajitama (seasoned soft-boiled egg), Menma (fermented bamboo shoots), Nori (dried seaweed), and Negi (chopped green onions). These toppings not only enhance the flavor but also add visual appeal to the dish.

"[14:42] Narrator: ...standard ramen toppings?"
"[14:48] Mr. Noodle: There's chashu, which are slices of braised pork..."

Interactive Learning and Trivia

Throughout the episode, Trusty engages listeners with interactive questions, reinforcing the educational aspect. For instance, he quizzes the audience on the Japanese term for fish cake:

"[09:24] Trusty Narrator: ...Was it A yatai, B Naruto maki, or C Tonkotsu?"
"[09:38] Mr. Noodle: If you answered B Narutomaki, then you nailed it."

These segments not only make the learning process fun but also ensure that key information is retained.

Customization and Cultural Significance

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the customization of ramen, emphasizing how each bowl can be tailored to individual preferences. This adaptability makes ramen a versatile dish suitable for various dietary needs and taste preferences.

"[07:55] Mr. Noodle: ...each bowl can be completely customized depending on your mood and taste that day."

Trusty reflects philosophically on how ramen mirrors individual experiences and emotions, adding depth to the conversation.

"[08:14] Trusty Narrator: Kind of like how you and I are made up of different emotions and experiences."

Conclusion: Embracing the Ramen Experience

As Trusty's magical ramen adventure concludes, he expresses gratitude to Mr. Noodle and reflects on the enriching experience. The episode wraps up by encouraging listeners to appreciate the intricacies of ramen and its cultural significance.

"[15:29] Trusty Narrator: Hey, I'm back. Thanks, Mr. Noodle. I'll never forget you."

Additional Features: Interactive Mission and Community Engagement

Beyond the main content, the episode includes an interactive mission encouraging listeners to spread the word about Who Smarted?. This engagement strategy fosters a sense of community and involvement among the audience.

"[01:50] Trusty Narrator: ...your job is to spread the word about who's smarted so we can keep growing and bringing you awesome new episodes."

Production Credits

The episode is a collaborative effort featuring:

• Written by: Taryn Schneider
• Voiced by: Jason Williams, Jenny Chan, Alan Winter, Jerry Colbert
• Technical Direction and Sound Design: Joe Josh Hahn
• Associate Producer: Max Kamasky
• Theme Song: Brian Suarez (lyrics by Adam Tex Davis)
• Created and Produced by: Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert
• Recorded and Mixed at: Relic Room Studios

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Final Thoughts

"What Makes Ramen So Delicious?" is a stellar example of Who Smarted?'s commitment to combining education with entertainment. Through engaging storytelling, interactive trivia, and insightful discussions, the episode not only educates young listeners about ramen but also fosters a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity and culinary arts. Whether enjoyed at home, in the classroom, or on the go, this episode exemplifies why Who Smarted? remains a favorite among kids, parents, and educators alike.

Transcript

[Trusty Narrator]

Psst. Hey, smarty pants. Did you hear something? Yep. There it is again. Is that you making that noise, smarty pants? Nope. It seems to be getting louder and coming from inside of me. Which can only mean one thing. It must be lunchtime. The reason my tummy's so excited is because I'm about to try out a new lunch spot that just opened in town.

[Narrator]

It's true, the trusty narrator was trying out a new restaurant. But what he doesn't know is he's about to embark on a magical taste filled journey that will change his life forever.

[Trusty Narrator]

The place I'm headed to is what's known as a ramen shop. Smarty pants, have you ever tried or heard of ramen before? Sounds like some of you have and some haven't. So is ramen A a Japanese noodle soup, B instant cup of noodles, or C Korean noodle soup? The answer is all three. Sorry for the trick question.

[Narrator]

He wasn't sorry.

[Trusty Narrator]

Ramen is a popular noodle soup dish with both Japanese and Korean influences that consists of either hot or cold broth, veggie and or meat toppings, and ramen noodles. The lunch spot I'm going to is a Japanese ramen shop or ramen Ya as it is called in Japan.

[Narrator]

That part was true.

[Trusty Narrator]

I'm so hungry I could eat three bowls.

[Narrator]

That was also true.

[Trusty Narrator]

I hope they make it extra spicy. I can handle the heat.

[Narrator]

That was not true.

[Trusty Narrator]

Okay, smarty pants. I'm at the restaurant. But I'm not just here for a meal. I want to learn everything I can about ramen. Like where did it originate from? What are the different types? And what ingredients go into a bowl of ramen?

[Narrator]

All good questions.

[Trusty Narrator]

Do you hear someone else talking? Never mind. It's time for another delicious whiff of history and science. On who's smarted, who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. But who's smart? And. Hey, smarty pants. Trusty here with a special mission for all the smarty pants listening. But unlike a top secret mission, this mission requires you to tell everyone. That's right. Your job is to spread the word about who's smarted so we can keep growing and bringing you awesome new episodes. To qualify for this mission, let's play a little game. Who who do you know that would love who smarted but doesn't listen to the show? Is it A, a friend? B a teacher? C a relative like your favorite cousin? Or D A neighbor who loves fun facts. Got someone in mind? Great. Question 2. Where and when will you tell this person about who's smarted? Is it A, on a playdate, B, B at school, C, in the car, or D on the phone? Pick one. Make a plan, stick to it, and best of all, complete this not so top secret mission. I'm counting on you, smarty pants. The more people you tell, the bigger we grow, which means a lot more smarting for you.

[Ramen Shop Server]

Konnichiwa. Please sit at the counter. I'll be right with you.

[Narrator]

Konnichiwa is a common greeting at a Japanese ramenya. It means hello. Hearing this put the trusty narrator at ease.

[Trusty Narrator]

It's so friendly and inviting in here. I think I'll grab a stool and sit at the counter. Most ramen spots are pretty small with minimal seating. This is because ramen is considered a quick, easy bite. Perfect for a fast lunch or late night snack.

[Narrator]

But if past lunches are any indication, today's meal will be anything but quick and easy.

[Ramen Shop Server]

What can I get you today, sir?

[Trusty Narrator]

Please call me Trusty. Hmm. I'm pretty new to the world of ramen. What do you recommend?

[Mr. Noodle]

See?

[Ramen Shop Server]

New to the ramen world, you say? I know the perfect bowl of ramen for you.

[Trusty Narrator]

Whoa. Did a bowl full of noodles, veggies, meats, and is that an egg with an extremely orange yolk floating in a dark broth just appear out of nowhere?

[Narrator]

And that's when the trusty narrator realized he didn't walk into just any ramen shop, but a magical one, filled with delicious mysteries and adventures.

[Trusty Narrator]

This magically appearing bowl of ramen smells yummy, but how am I supposed to eat it, smarty pants? Do you know what you use to typically eat ramen? Is it A, chopsticks and a soup spoon, B, a fork and knife, or C, your hands? If you said chopsticks and a soup spoon, you're correct.

[Ramen Shop Server]

Here you go, Trusty. Chopsticks and a spoon.

[Trusty Narrator]

Thanks. Um, but now I don't know what to eat first, this delicious smelling broth or the fun ingredients floating in it.

[Narrator]

It's soup. Just eat it.

[Ramen Shop Server]

It's your choice, trusty, but you'll want to slurp it. In Japanese culture, it's actually a sign of respect to slurp up your food. Oh, in that case, enjoy your magical ramen adventure, trusty.

[Trusty Narrator]

Magical adventure. Hmm, I wonder what she meant.

[Narrator]

Psst.

[Mr. Noodle]

Down here.

[Trusty Narrator]

Um, who said that? What is with me hearing voices today? Psst.

[Mr. Noodle]

Down here in the ramen.

[Trusty Narrator]

What the.

[Narrator]

A talking Noodle it was indeed a talking ramen noodle.

[Mr. Noodle]

Since you want to learn more about ramen, I thought I'd give you a very up close experience. Hold on to your chopsticks.

[Trusty Narrator]

Huh? What's happening?

[Narrator]

To paint you a picture of what's happening, the magical ramen noodle has shrunk the tasty, I mean, trusty narrator down to size so he can join him inside the bowl.

[Mr. Noodle]

Whoa.

[Trusty Narrator]

It sure is warm in here.

[Mr. Noodle]

Um, you can call me Mr. Noodle. Welcome to your bowl of ramen. And in case you're wondering, the thing you're floating on is a fish cake.

[Trusty Narrator]

Ah, I was wondering. It looks like a white flower with a pink swirl inside.

[Mr. Noodle]

Exactly. In Japan, a fish cake is called a narutomaki, and it's a common topping in a bowl of ramen noodle soup. Feel free to take a bite and sound slurp your way through our adventure.

[Trusty Narrator]

Delicious.

[Mr. Noodle]

Feel free to use your chopsticks as oars and follow me, smarty pants.

[Trusty Narrator]

This is definitely in my top five weirdest lunches ever. But I'm so here for it. Mr. Noodle, where did ramen come from?

[Mr. Noodle]

The dish Ramen actually originated in China and made its way to Japan back in the 1600s. But it wasn't until the 1900s that the Japanese really shaped the dish to be its own. After World War II, many Japanese people returned to Japan after having lived in China. This caused an influx of people to start setting up small ramen stalls and markets called yatai.

[Trusty Narrator]

True or false? Yatai means food cart in Japanese. If you said true, you're right.

[Mr. Noodle]

Since then, the Japanese adopted the dish and created an entire ramen culture that is blown up into a cultural phenomenon around the world.

[Trusty Narrator]

So you're telling me that instant ramen and cup noodles was around back in the 1600s?

[Narrator]

No, that was not what Mr. Noodle was saying.

[Mr. Noodle]

Instant ramen and cup noodles was developed in Japan in the mid-1900s while the trend of ramen was exploding around the world.

[Trusty Narrator]

I see. And are there lots of different kinds of ramen?

[Mr. Noodle]

The short answer is yes. In fact, one of my favorite things about ramen is is that each bowl can be completely customized depending on your mood and taste. That day. You could go through life never having the exact same bowl twice. Unless you want to.

[Narrator]

It was then that the trusty narrator became philosophical.

[Trusty Narrator]

Kind of like how you and I are made up of different emotions and experiences.

[Mr. Noodle]

Exactly. Every bowl of ramen is filled with many different elements of flavors that build upon each other. Each bowl is a reflection of not only who you are, but what you are.

[Narrator]

It was a beautiful moment. Until now.

[Mr. Noodle]

Depending on what region of Japan the ramen is from, the style of soup they serve can vary. For instance, Sapporo ramen from the Sapporo region of Japan is most known for miso ramen with corn and veggies. Whereas ramen from Hakuta is usually tonkotsu, which means pork bone broth with very thin noodles.

[Trusty Narrator]

My mouth is watering just thinking about the different variations.

[Mr. Noodle]

And on top of that, you can customize the broth. Whether you want it strong, regular or lightly flavored, or hot or cold, or mild or spicy.

[Trusty Narrator]

Ah, I love it spicy.

[Narrator]

No, he didn't.

[Mr. Noodle]

But the broth is just one part of it. The other component is the toppings.

[Trusty Narrator]

Ah, like the fish cake. I've been nibbling this whole time. Psst. Smarty pants. Do you remember the Japanese name for fish cake that we learned earlier? Was it A yatai, B Naruto maki, or C Tonkotsu?

[Mr. Noodle]

If you answered B Narutomaki, then you nailed it. Yatai means food cart and tonkotsu refers to pork bone broth.

[Trusty Narrator]

Wonderful. But ramen isn't named after the broth now, is it? It's named after what, smarty pants? Did you say the ramen noodle? Nice job if you got that. But what makes a ramen noodle different than a regular long pasta noodle like spaghetti or linguine?

[Narrator]

A great question. The answer is right after this break.

[Trusty Narrator]

I'm definitely hearing another voice. Okay, let's be honest. Life is a lot right now. Between school drop offs, back to back meetings, half folded laundry, and texts you forgot to reply to, who has time to launch that business idea that's been living in your Notes app since 2021? Especially with that one thing standing between you and finally getting your business out into the world. A website. That part always feels like a brick wall. You want it to look professional. You want it to work. And you don't want to spend a lot of money on it. That's why I'm telling you, use squarespace. With squarespace, it's as easy as tell it what your idea is. Pick a style you love. Boom. Website. They've got tools for selling, scheduling, newsletters, online stores, all of it. And it looks beautiful and it works perfectly. And the whole thing happens in minutes in the middle of your real, messy, overloaded life three months from now. Don't let the reason you still haven't launched your business be. But the website I built my first squarespace site in less than a half hour. This is the sign for you. To build yours. Go to squarespace.com smarted and use code smarted for a free trial and 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. You don't need more time, you just need the right tool. That's Squarespace.

[Advertisement Voice]

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[Mr. Noodle]

Prepare for launch.

[Trusty Narrator]

Ready? Everybody ready?

[Mr. Noodle]

Okay.

[Trusty Narrator]

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[Mr. Noodle]

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[Ramen Shop Server]

Mom, dad, this island.

[Mr. Noodle]

It's not on the map.

[Trusty Narrator]

Now back to who smarted. So what makes a noodle a ramen noodle?

[Mr. Noodle]

Ramen refers to a specific type of wheat based noodle. And the dough will typically include an alkaline salt or 2 in the form of kansui, which basically means alkaline water or or water that contains special salts. This makes ramen noodles very light and gives them their elasticity.

[Trusty Narrator]

I see. And you can order your noodles firm, soft, straight or wavy.

[Mr. Noodle]

That's right. Fun fact, smarty pants. If you finished up all your noodles and are still hungry, you can ask your server for more noodles to be added to your bowl. This is a very common order in a ramen shop referred to as Kaedama.

[Trusty Narrator]

Sorry.

[Narrator]

He wasn't sorry.

[Trusty Narrator]

Ah, this broth is so tasty. What flavors do ramen broths come in?

[Mr. Noodle]

The most common broths you'll find at your local ramen noodle shops is Shoyu, which is soy sauce based miso, or spicy miso, which is a richer, fuller broth. There's tonkotsu, which you know is pork broth. Then you have your classics. Chicken bone stock, be beef bone stock, seafood bone stock, or curry. You're currently floating in a delicious miso broth.

[Trusty Narrator]

Delicious. My belly is enjoying this very much.

[Narrator]

And so was his chin.

[Trusty Narrator]

We talked about the broth and the noodles. Now let's talk toppings.

[Mr. Noodle]

Ramen toppings can include, well, basically anything you want.

[Trusty Narrator]

I'm sensing a theme here.

[Mr. Noodle]

Individualize, customize ramen eyes it's the way of life.

[Trusty Narrator]

Sounds like a great option for picky eaters too, since you can choose the exact things you like.

[Mr. Noodle]

Very true. Ramen is loved by picky eaters, adventurous eaters, meat eaters and vegetarians. Of course, there are some standard toppings you should familiarize yourself with if you really want to be a ramen pro.

[Trusty Narrator]

Ooh, I'd love to be a ramen pro.

[Narrator]

And by that, he meant he'd love to be paid to eat ramen.

[Trusty Narrator]

Mr. Noodle, I swear I can hear another voice talking. Never mind. What are the standard ramen toppings?

[Mr. Noodle]

There's chashu, which are slices of braised pork, usually pork belly, Ajitama, which is a seasoned hard boiled egg, Menma, which are fermented bamboo shoots, nori, which is dried seaweed, and negi, which is chopped green onions.

[Trusty Narrator]

Wow. I think I'm ready to give it a try. I'd like a six spicy miso broth with hard wavy noodles, Chashu, hajitama, narutomaki, corn, garlic, ginger, chili oil and bok choy.

[Mr. Noodle]

Your wish is my command.

[Narrator]

And with that command, trusty narrator grew back to his normal size and his magical ramen adventure came to an end.

[Trusty Narrator]

Hey, I'm back. Thanks, Mr. Noodle. I'll never forget you.

[Ramen Shop Server]

Um, are you talking to your bowl of ramen?

[Trusty Narrator]

Huh? Oh, I. Sorry. Today's been a weird day.

[Ramen Shop Server]

That's cool. Ramen's a great treat on a weird day, but slurp up quick. Like I said, it's best eaten right away.

[Trusty Narrator]

You don't gotta tell me twice.

[Narrator]

No, she didn't.

[Trusty Narrator]

Take a minute now and leave us a five star Apple review. You might hear your name on the show and it helps us grow. And don't forget, you can listen to who's Smarted anywhere, including Apple podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music, including Hands Free Listening, powered by Alexa on all Apple, Android and Echo devices. This episode Ramen was written by Taryn Schneider and voiced by Jason Williams, Jenny Chan, Alan Winter and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Joe Josh Hahn. Who's Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room Studios. Our associate producer is Max Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis, who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.