Entering the realm of college, students must learn ways to survive dorm life. Perhaps the most important lesson learned is that ramen noodles are a college student’s best friend. Ramen’s economic price and delectable taste are so mysteriously awesome that one must only assume that these noodles are truly a gift from God. What has been done to merit this great blessing? Though that particular question has no logical answer, one fact remains clear. When one feels that familiar rumbling in the stomach, ramen provides instant satisfaction for a mere eleven cents. Simply put, these cheap, non-perishable noodles make the perfect meal or snack for college students.

Ramen has flavors that appeal to all tastes, such as beef, shrimp, and various forms of chicken. These noodles come in packages no larger than one’s hand, and large quantities can be stored efficiently in a college dorm room. Many people are perfectly content snacking on stale potato chips, cookies, and other junk food. However, my particular choice of snack food is one that fills the stomach. What would make a better snack than a brand new, untouched pack of ramen? These noodles never have unlimited shelf life, and preparing a bowl takes less than five minutes, perfectly accommodating the schedule of a busy college student. And furthermore, one may discover grocery stores that sell ten or twelve packs for the low price of 99 cents! How could a college student on a tight budget pass up such a bargain? These magnificent noodles fill the stomach, and satisfy the ravenous appetite of even a male college student.

Enjoying a pack of wholesome noodles requires dedicated hard work, an art that many attempt, but only few master. Try as one might, this art cannot be perfected immediately. Although the process is not time consuming, achieving perfection requires much experimentation in the field. The instructions on the back of the label call for two cups of boiled water; however, two cups is by no means the perfect measurement. Those who like noodles with a soupy texture add more than two cups, while those who prefer thick noodles should add less than that. Once the water has boiled in the hot pot, one must crumble the block of dried noodles and place it in the water gently so that water does not splash and scald the skin. As the block heats in the boiling water, the individual strands must be separated with a fork. Obviously, preparing this marvelous food has many dangers that require extreme caution. When the noodles are soft and tender, one strains the water from the noodles using the fork, and then places the noodles onto a plate. The final step involves unleashing the potent-flavored powder onto the noodles and stirring vigorously. The disastrous consequences of uneven distribution are that some bites are over saturated and some bites have little or no flavor what-so-ever. Clearly, this eleven-cent package of wonder requires diligent work to acquire the magnificent results.

Many myths have been told regarding the power of ramen. One well known story actually exists in the Bible’s Old Testament. In ancient Egypt, the Israelites were enslaved by an oppressive pharoah. Under the leadership of Moses, a mass exodus occurred. However, the Israelites were left wandering in the desert without any food. Moses prayed to God for food, and as the people wandered, manna began to rain from heaven. Scholars claim that this “manna” was really ramen, and that it sustained them until they started asking for cows and gefilte fish. Another particular story involves a ship-wrecked castaway, trapped on a deserted island. Alone and hungry, this man received a windfall when an entire crate of ramen washed up along shore. Because these noodles require only heat and water to prepare, the man survived. In fact, he made a sail of wrappers and a boat from wooden crate and sailed back to civilization. Finally, historians speculate that instead of cake, Marie Antoinette suggested that her starving citizens eat ramen, a delicacy to the French. Outraged, the citizens executed her and her husband, Louis XVI.

Ramen’s extraordinary price appeals to college students, and theoretically, some people even owe their lives to these noodles. Though the preparation can be strenuous and frustrating en route to creating the perfect bowl, little time is spent cooking the noodles. Large quantities can be stored efficiently, and because ramen never perishes, packs may even be passed down from generation to generation as a family heir loom. Thus, these factors make ramen a great meal or snack for anyone.