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Bulk Ramen

As much as you want!
  (+6, -7)
(+6, -7)
  [vote for,
against]

Ramen noodles are a staple of college students and young professionals throughout the USA.

I myself love Ramen but I do have a few pet peeves; First the design of the packaging for most Ramen brands is very wasteful, the portions are wrapped in plastic and include a small flavor pouch. these are then stacked in cardboard flats then wrapped in plastic again.

Second, the Ramen portions are such that you generally can only consume them in whole bag increments due to the difficulties inherent to the packing as it relates to attempting to divide the portions.

To combat these shortcomings I propose that Ramen be packaged as follows.

First the noodles will be produced in single layer plates 4 inches wide by 8 inches long, rather than in the double folded configuration that is commonly used. These plates would then be staked into a tupperware type box that can be resealed(much like those used by sliced meat companies) Inside the box is included a container of seasoning. Instructions provide information on measuring out the appropriate amount of seasoning for the amount of Ramen cooked.

If you are a light eater and just want a snack, a quarter strip of Ramen with a half a teaspoon of spice is just right, if your feeding lunch to a pack of hungry cub scouts then in goes the entire bag of noodles and the entire seasoning canister.

For Ramen Connoisseurs, an advanced Ramen system could be provided which would sell the ingredients individually (noodles, and seasonings) to allow for mixing and matching.

jhomrighaus, Nov 19 2007

Raman Spectroscopy http://en.wikipedia.../Raman_spectroscopy
That's using your noodle! [csea, Nov 19 2007]

Ramen cookbook http://www.amazon.c...kbook/dp/0962633526
[Klaatu, Nov 20 2007]

Noodles http://www.sainsbur...bmUID=1195563473588
Of all shapes and sizes [theleopard, Nov 20 2007]

[link]






       Not sure if a box, even if it contained several servings, would be less bulky than those plastic wrappers.   

       Great if could be made from paper or biodegradable plastic.
nomocrow, Nov 19 2007
  

       Let me get this striaght, there are times when you are not hungry enough to eat a whole Ramen? Are you a Hobbit? Wait, Hobbits would eat even more than humans, you can't be a Hobbit. Couldn't you just break the Ramen in half along the grain and put the rest in a zip lock? Then I guess you could reseal the "flavor" packet with some tape after only using half. I personally used to eat two at a time with a beef broth cube for flavoring, but that was back when I was a lot more active. If you want a better idea, though I'm sure it's baked, how about a college cookbook. Ramen, mac & cheese, hot dogs, making tomato soup from ketchup, etc.
MisterQED, Nov 19 2007
  

       I don't like it primaraly because of the fact that it would make the packaging for ramen noodles costing more than the noodles and "flavor" (or does it already cost more)   

       Another reason I don't like it is because I don't need it, one package of ramen is already a snack anyway
keithbrunkala, Nov 19 2007
  

       Bah, only *Roman* noodles get my vote.
Spacecoyote, Nov 19 2007
  

       sp: Ramen
Raman refers to a method of spectroscopy. [link]
csea, Nov 19 2007
  

       Faugh! Ramen noodles are so cheap and nasty that you should feel free to dump any un-used portion straight into the trash.   

       If you want bulk noodles, buy them in bulk. You can get much tastier, healthier and only slightly slower-cooking noodles at health food stores, oriental markets and even supermarkets, for not much more money.   

       You can make flavor mixtures without all the salt and MSG, buy bouillon cubes or just stick with soy sauce and spices from a shaker jar.
baconbrain, Nov 19 2007
  

       You can make lovely quick chicken soup with those noodles in the translucent packages at the asian market. Yum.
nomocrow, Nov 19 2007
  

       I've seen noodle material (not sure the name for it) in stacks of solid sheets, wrapped with loose polythene sheeting. The noodles are then sliced lengthways using a knife to use. You get to control your noodle thickness, cut just what you need, and it is massively more space efficient. Combine this with your plastic noodle box, make it refillable/returnable, and you are on to a clear winner! [+]
vincevincevince, Nov 20 2007
  

       Ramen: The square is sacred. Don't mess with perfection.
Monty6, Nov 20 2007
  

       Isn't bulk *anything* already invented?
simonj, Nov 20 2007
  

       [MisterQED] the recipe book does, indeed, exist. <link>   

       There are recipes for breakfast and dessert ramen. A quote from a reader says that the ramen nachos will "gag a maggot" so I can't vouch for the recipes.   

       I saw the author cooking up some of her recipes and some sorta looked edible.
Klaatu, Nov 20 2007
  

       I've got to bone this because it's just different quantities of a widely purchased foodstuff. [-]
theleopard, Nov 20 2007
  

       Actually it was a different way of distributing something that only appears to be available in one format.
jhomrighaus, Nov 20 2007
  

       Ah I see. And at the same time it's a new size of a product currently available in only a few sizes.   

       Furthermore, it's an invention to adjust the amount of something people can consume that otherwise they might not.   

       Plus, and herein lies my point, it's just different quantities of a widely purchased foodstuff.
theleopard, Nov 20 2007
  

       [simonj] RE: "Bulk 'anything.'" I found a website that sells used compact tractors by the shipping containerfull - about 16 tractors (wheels off and stacked for packing efficiency) in a single 40' container.   

       If that doesn't exemplify the answer to your question, I don't know what would.
elhigh, Dec 04 2007
  

       How about an On Demand Ramen Generator? You'd buy the machine, and a gallon drum of Ramen monomer. To obtain your On Demand Ramen, you just hold down the button marked "Extrude", and the machine extrudes a continuous bead of monomer, which polymerises on contact with atmospheric oxygen. One metre, ten metres, seventy-two point six metres - however much you need.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 04 2007
  

       Alas, producing existing products in different volumes, sizes or packaging formats is apparently not an idea, Sorry Maxwell!
jhomrighaus, Dec 05 2007
  

       AAAAaaaahhhhhhh! Ramen = Pot Noodle. I just figured that out. I always thought it sounded a bit high-class to be American student-fodder, but then I had some kind of authentic Japanese dish in mind. Thanks, halfbakery, you learn something obvious every day.
bibliotaphist, Dec 05 2007
  
      
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