MEDIA TEXT ANALYSIS: MAGGI NOODLES IN THE PHILIPPINES

PRODUCTION AND AUDIENCE

TOPIC: WHY MAGGI NOODLES ARE SO POPULAR IN THE PHILIPPINES

Why We Love Eating Instant Noodles

It’s hard to get bored of eating instant noodles as there are so many flavors to choose from, tasty flavors too. Which Asian person with a strong palate doesn’t like a flavor full meal? Then we have the option of costomising our instant noodle meals with anything we like – great for us Asians who like heaping food on our plates. Personally, I like plain soup instant noodles for a quick snack, and noodles with an egg and chicken slices to make it a bit more of meal.
Also, making instant noodles is fun; there are so many ways to cook the different varieties of it. Dishing up straight or curly instant noodles with broth, fried in a pan, you name it. And many Asians aren’t only big on eating, but big on cooking and cooking way more portions everyone can eat as well.

The more we eat instant noodles, the more we become lazy. Lazy to cook. Lazy to look after our health. The more we have quick meal fixes, the more we get used to feeling instant gratification from eating, feeling full after eating a tasty feed. And empty, longing for more.
These days Maggi have stopped making prawn-flavored instant noodles, so I’ve settled on eating the chicken-flavored variety on weekends – eating instant noodles never really tastes the same anymore. Still, memories come gushing back.

what does other people in the net say ;

Mabel Kwong

Yes! I remember Maggi prawn-flavored noodles came in pink packets/design. They were sold in Singapore too. I still remember eating it ten years ago there.
Being a country that loves prawn me, I’ve always thought there were many kinds of prawn-flavored instant me in Singapore?

I can imagine a look of awe on your face when you saw a whole aisle of instant noodles in the shops! I think my face looked exactly like yours when I returned to Melbourne and discovered only one shelf in my local supermarket was dedicated to instant noodles…my heart sank.
Ah, the Taiwanese love eating them when there are typhoons? Makes sense, and I suppose they like top up their instant noodles with tinned food such as tinned sardines and tuna. Come to think of it, my parents used to stock up on instant mee and canned food when the rainy season rolled around in Malaysia when we were younger. Preserved food that can last ages, quick to make, perfect for an emergency meal.
You are right. There are so many preservatives in instant noodles, and I heard that the “wax” used to hold the instant noodles in its cake form can stay in our stomachs for days. Not good at all. Sandwiches are usually the healthier option – if they have fresh vegies and lean meat. You really need to convince your husband to cut down on instant noodles :)

Constance - Foreign Sanctuary

When I first arrived in Taiwan, I was amazed that there was an entire aisle at the supermarket dedicated to instant noodles – so many kinds and varieties. And you are right – Asians love to eat them. Taiwanese love to eat them as well, especially during trips to the mountains, cold weather, and during typhoons (maybe because no stands are open).
My husband also loves instant noodles and personally, I think he eats them way too often (just think about the amount of preservatives in one pack)! As for me, I think I can count on two hands the packs of pao mian (instant noodles) I have eaten since university. To me, they are a poor student’s food and something you eat because you can’t afford anything else. I would prefer a sandwich any day!

Actually, my husband only purchases instant noodles when his mother asks him to prepare some things to ‘bai bai’ (as an offering to the gods). But unfortunately, it is not just one pack but several packs or a box. I guess he uses the opportunity to ‘stock up!’ However, he doesn’t use most of the ‘flavoring’ included and he does top it with some fresh herbs and veggies, so I guess that counts for something! :)

Sue Slaght

I haven’t eaten these in years but when our kids were younger I will admit it was a staple. Definitely economical.

I don’t think I did them any favors feeding them those noodles Mabel. Likely the chemicals in them may have caused increased growth.

morganhowland

I love getting creative with instant noodles for supper! it’s so easy to chop some vegetables, stir-fry them and toss them with some noodles and sauces. Always delicious too.
–Morgan Howland

Holistic Wayfarer

How do you come up with these topics? =) But there are always neat layers to them. That is ScARy that processed ramen is known the world over. I realize McDonald’s isn’t the only fast food to popularize itself across the globe. I grew up on them, too. Eek. =) But you’re certainly right. There’s a whole lot of culture and history (and memories of family) to noodles.

Dave

When I lived the typical “first apartment with my roomies” summer, we couldn’t pay rent, much less afford most kinds of food.
Without spaghetti and ramen, we would have starved. Even a peanut butter sandwich was a rare treat, for a while.
But Food-Booth ramen (noodles fried up while you wait, honking big bowl of the stuff) is in a different universe entirely from the sad little instant ramen….YUM!, yes please!

Sreejith Nair

Another interesting topic, Mabel :)
Noodles was not much popular in South India when we were kids, but now, it’s the fav. food for kids.
My wife prepares it as soon as she’s back from work and my daughter just loves it :)
In Bangalore, there are so many Chinese restaurants, where they serve different kinds of noodles based dishes, and we all become fans of noodles now :)

Ray H

Yummy! I love instant noodles, I’ve been surviving off them my whole life and still do. Both affordable and delicious and for an inept cook like me works well. My healthnut foodie friends look down on me though :(
Funny how in America we call them ramen noodles, funny both because there is such a thing as high-quality ramen AND if only the Chinese knew we use the Japanese word. In fact, if only the Chinese knew instant noodles were invented in Japan…

HOW ABOUT IN THE PHILIPPINES

Serving Mode:

Raw i.e. straight from the packet:
Yes you heard me right, you can hog onto it straight from the packet. Unlike your Maggi, it is pre-cooked, flavored, seasoned and fried before packaging. Just crush the noodle from outside before opening, put in the seasoning, chilli powder, the oil (if you want) and if you are feeling adventurous you can garnish it with onions, tomatoes, chili, coriander etc.

Cooked:
Just like Maggi, you can also cook it and consume. It doesn't promise the 2 mins tagline so it will take time, approx. 5 mins to be cooked properly. And in my opinion the taste is miles better than Maggi, the soup is another thing to savor.