RAMEN FOR EVERYONE

Get ready for ramen, handmade to order and delightful to devour!

Hiro, a Japanese boy with beige skin and straight, dark hair, loves ramen. Every Sunday night, his father makes this flavorful noodle dish using a process he learned from his father in Hawaii. Hiro carefully observes how his dad gathers ingredients and vigorously stirs, chops, slices, stews, shreds, and more—creating the perfect broth and nice, springy noodles. When Hiro turns 7, he decides to try to make ramen just like his dad does, using his notes and his memory. However, things don’t turn out as planned, and Hiro is devastated. At last, the boy finds his own talent for creating unique bowls that perfectly suit his family’s tastes. Pate’s spirited, manga-esque illustrations feature diagonal panels and dynamic text (accompanied by near-flawless Japanese translations) rendered in a vibrant palette of eye-catching yellows, blues, greens, and oranges. Tanumihardja’s simple yet evocative prose draws readers into the drama and tension of the ramen making and brings to life Hiro’s loving, understanding family; this is a rich depiction of a Japanese child offering a modern take on a traditional dish. Backmatter includes background on the dish, rules for cooking in the kitchen with young chefs, and a recipe for easy miso ramen. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A celebration of the complexity and care that go into making this Japanese staple.