This one seems a little unique. I never have seen something like a swastika on a bowl of noodles before – its somewhat foreboding to be honest! Taiwanese noodles with swastikas… Well, I figured I’d better look this up and got this nice piece of information from Wikipedia:
Swastikas are widely used in Buddhist temples in China, and the symbol is most commonly associated with Buddhism. Japanese maps use the swastika symbol to denote a Buddhist temple.[95] Hirosaki City in Aomori Prefecture uses this symbol as official emblem. In Korea and Taiwan, maps use the swastika symbol to denote a temple. The swastika is also a very common sight at both rural and urban Buddhist TemplesSo that pretty much clears it up for me. Now lets continue.
I must again say it is strange to see these symbols on a bowl of noodles.
From the left: veggies, seasoned oil, and finally more veggies and a powder base.
All the ingredients atop the rice noodles. The noodles are very thin and wispy.
Click image to enlarge. I also must say I really like how it comes in a froyo cup. First thoughts: I tried a bite. The noodles are nasty. Its like eating cobwebs I think – or the fake cobwebs you put on things for Halloween. Yeah that’s more like it. Veggies also get a poo-poo as they don’t taste very good and hydrated very little. The broth was this one’s only saving grace – and it wasn’t too great. I’m not going to even continue eating this and I’ve only had maybe 1/32nd of it. Gross. Not palatable by Ramen Rater standards. 0.25 out of 5.0 stars. Yuck.
A short piece about how the swastika was used as a peaceful symbol long before it was perverted by the Nazis in WWII.
Yes, Halloween is coming shortly.
I’m just going to add that these are not ramen noodles. They are rice noodles and are meant to be thin. It is a source of comfort food for many Taiwanese and they can be stir fried and delicious.
Also the swastikas as mentioned above, are a symbol that we use to know that it’s safe for vegetarians. They are rotated differently.
Emily –
Yeah ramen and instant noodle are very synonymous in the United States – rice noodles are very different – agreed!
– TRR
If I may say so, you don’t really how to make or enjoy this instant rice noodle. I grew in Taiwan. Since I had memory, I’ve had had this noodle. You know what? this one IN TAIWAN is the best sell online. It seems as if every Taiwanese DIDN’T KNOW how to taste food? Here is a simple suggest. Please add more water. Let me tell you one thing which is that the swastikas symbol means this noodle which vegetarian can eat. Buddhist is strongly forbidden to eat any meat.
First off, I am glad people enjoy those noodles. It’s my opinion and my list and my website and my mouth says it doesn’t like them Also iun the article about them, I have a video mentioning that the swastikas are about Buddhism/vegetarian ways. I wanted people not to get some funny idea that people in Taiwan were Nazis.
– TRR
I think theres some sort of difference between the one the germans used and the buddhist one? I think its backwards or has something to do with the way it faces or its rotation. I think the german one was used rotated like 45 degrees. Still, no matter how you draw it, its always going to have that bad association come along with it. At least it wasnt delicious, that way you wouldn’t have to say your #1 favorite ramen is covered in swatikas!
Something I find interesting is that the symbol is so popular, that it’s made it into the ascii alphabet even though its not really a letter but a symbol. 卐
Watch the video on the review – tells about how it has been used for eons and it was the Nazi’s who gave it a bad rap.
– The Ramen Rater
You idiot, to make good rice noodles need more hot water