The ramen king and I : how the inventor of instant noodles fixed my love life : a memoir

EDITORIAL REVIEW: For three days in January 2007, the most-emailed article in The New York Times was "Appreciations: Mr. Noodle," an editorial noting the passing, at age 96, of billionaire Momofuku Ando, the inventor of instant ramen. The very existence of the noodle inventor came as a shock to many, but not to Andy Raskin, who had spent nearly three years trying to meet Ando. Why? To fix the problems that plagued his love life. *The Ramen King and I* is Raskin's memoir about how despair-and a series of bizarre adventures at Japanese restaurants-led him to confront the truth of his romantic past, and how Ando became his unlikely spiritual guide. Through letters ostensibly penned to the culinary sage, Raskin reveals a relationship history plagued by infidelity, jealousy, and betrayal. After devouring Ando's essays (with titles such as "Peace Follows from a Full Stomach" and "Mankind is Noodlekind"), he sets out to meet the food pioneer-and to discover the secret to a committed relationship. For three days in January 2007, the most e-mailed article in The New York Times was Appreciations: Mr. Noodle, an editorial noting the passing, at age ninety-six, of Momofuku Ando, the inventor of instant ramen. The very existence of the noodle inventor came as a shock to many, but not to Andy Raskin, who had spent nearly three years trying to meet Ando. Why? To fix the problems that plagued his love life. The Ramen King and I is the true story of Raskins colossal struggle to confront the truth of his dating life, and how Momofuku Ando served as his unlikely spiritual guide. Raskins quest leads him to some unexpected placesfrom the Wharton School and Kmart headquarters to the Instant Ramen Invention Museum and a funeral in a baseball stadium and he eats a lot of Japanese food. Along the way, hes spurred on by cinematic samurai warriors, manga-based chefs, and the author Haruki Murakami. Charting Raskins pursuit of the elusive Ando, The Ramen King and I unfolds partly through frank, revealing letters addressed to the culinary sage. After devouring Andos books and essays, with titles such as Peace Follows from a Full Stomach and Mankind Is Noodlekind, Raskin ultimately discovers that he has been suffering from what Ando identifiedjust before inventing instant ramenas the Fundamental Misunderstanding of Humanity. A unique memoir of hunger in its many forms, The Ramen King and I is about how we become slaves to our desires, and how to break free. "Mankind is Noodlekind" For three days in January 2007,the most e-mailed article in The New York Times was "appreciations: Mr. noodle," an editorial noting the passing, at age ninety-six, of Momofuku Ando, the inventor of instant ramen. Ando's existence came as a shock to many, but not to Andy Raskin, who had spent three years trying to meet the noodle pioneer. The Ramen King and I is Raskin's funny and, at times, painfully honest memoir about confronting the truth of his dating life-with Ando as his spiritual guide. Can instant ramen lead one to a committed relationship? And is sushi the secret to self-acceptance? A true tale of hunger in its many forms, The Ramen King and I is about becoming slaves to our desires and learning to break free. The Ramen King And I Is Raskin's Memoir About How Despair And A Series Of Bizarre Adventures At Japanese Restaurants Led Him To Confront The Truth Of His Romantic Past, And How Billionaire Momofuku Ando, The Inventor Of Instant Ramen, Became His Unlikely Spiritual Guide. Letters To Ando -- Momofuku And Me -- The Fundamental Misunderstanding Of Humanity -- Mankind Is Noodlekind. Andy Raskin. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [289]-292).