Mama Instant Noodle Soup Thailand

Mama Instant Noodle Soup is the Nr. 1 food in Thailand
and this not because the instant noodles are very tasty,
but rather they are much cheaper than a “real meal”.
Instant Noodles has been invented in Japan by Momofuku Ando of Nissin Foods
and has been primarily marketed under the brand name Chikin Ramen in 1958.
Instant noodles were the most important Japanese invention of the century,
according to a poll in 2000.
In the year 2008 94 billion servings of instant noodles
has been eaten worldwide.

In Thailand the instant noodle soups are a little bit different
to the ones sold in other asian countries.
Vitamins and minerals like iron, iodine and vitamin A
are added and the Thai instant noodles are seasoned
with chicken stock before frying.
Thai people also like to eat them uncooked as a crispy snack.

© Thai Eyes
Image: Thai instant noodle soups

Instant noodles can also be used as an economic indicator. In 2005 the Mama Noodles Index was launched in Thailand to reflect the sales of instant noodles from the biggest instant noodle manufacturer in Thailand. As the sales on Mama instant noodles increased about 15 % within the first 7 month of 2005, it has been interpreted as sign of recession, because people are buying more of the cheap instant noodles, as they don´t have enough money to afford more expensive food.