The Food Chain Why we love noodles
Mar 6, 2025
Varun Oberoi, the Vice President and Head of Marketing at Nissin India, dives into the fascinating world of instant noodles. He discusses the historical journey of noodles from ancient China to modern-day Japan, where ramen became iconic. Oberoi highlights the booming global demand, particularly in rural India, and addresses the shift towards healthier options in instant noodles. He also tackles the perception of instant noodles as meals vs. snacks and illuminates the balance between taste and health in a rapidly changing market.
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Thentuk's Journey to India
- Navong Dorji opened a Tibetan restaurant in Delhi's Monastery Market 20 years ago, serving dishes like Thentuk.
- Thentuk, influenced by the Silk Road, blends Tibetan noodles with Indian spices like turmeric and garam masala.
Debunking the Marco Polo Myth
- The story of Marco Polo bringing noodles from China to Italy is false, according to Jen Lin-Liu.
- This tale originated from a 1920s American marketing campaign to boost pasta sales.
Defining Noodles
- In both Chinese and Italian cultures, noodles/pasta are defined by their ingredients, flour and water.
- Salt is added in Italian pasta, but not in Chinese noodles, making dumplings a type of noodle.