Narrative

Success is most rewarding when it's followed after failure.

It has been two weeks of college, and according to my friends I already fill the description of (what they think of as) a college student; cheap and strapped for cash. When a combination like this comes across an everyday necessity, such as food, the outcome is Ramen noodles. Even before college, I have had enough experience cooking these noodles, that I have actually experimenting with them.

For example: after making so many servings of Ramen the traditional way as described in the instructions on the back of the package, I always felt it could be better. I identified that the flaw with traditional noodles is that there's a lot of water (this is just my opinion, of course). So, after multiple failures of creating better noodles, I finally figured it out.

The noodles have to be cooked as instructed, but you do not put the seasoning in the pot; instead put in the bowl you will be putting your noodles in. After the noodles have been thoroughly cooked, transfer the noodles from the pot to the bowl using a staining spoon (do not use a strainer, because you will need that water you cooked the noodles in). Now, start to pour the water into the bowl until you see the water start to pool (this should be around a quarter cup, to a half a cup). Mix noodles until seasoning is evenly mixed. When all is said and done, you should get what I believe is the perfect Ramen noodles; not too wet, not too dry, but carries a lot of flavor.

So, now I'm in college. As I scroll through Facebook I come across my best friend's new post featuring a picture of a Ramen sandwich. I posted a comment saying, "I want to ask why, but I actual want to try this for myself...send me the recipe.” He tells me that I have to put the two halves of the Ramen layers and put it in the toaster until golden brown, and then use the two layers in absent of bread. This didn't make sense to me, because in my mind I would imagine that the Ramen layers would be brittle and would fall apart the second I bite it. I think about this, and then I got an idea to boil the Ramen for thirty seconds, as opposed to the full three minutes. I tried this, but unfortunately when I took the noodles out, they fell apart. After accepting failure, I put the noodles in a flour tortilla, added some meat & cheese, and made a wrap out of it. I figured, just because I failed, does not mean I have to be wasteful.

I went back to the post to see if I missed something. It turned out that I was supposed to soak the Ramen in room temperature water (not hot water). This makes sense as to why he would put it in the toaster afterward; seeing how the Ramen layers would be soft now. So for my second attempt  I do this by breaking the Ramen into two layers, and soaking them for five minutes. After I finish soaking the Ramen, I then put it in the toaster for two minutes. The toaster was done, but I was having trouble getting the Ramen layer out. Just like the first attempt, the noodles started to fall apart; I was lucky enough to get the noodles out of the toaster. And just like the first attempt, I didn't let the noodles go to waste, just because of another failure.

Frustrated, I contact my friend so I can find out what's wrong. Eventually, we come across the conclusion that I should soak the Ramen in less time and in the toaster for a longer time. So I do that. I recreate the second attempt, but with a short soak time, and a longer toast time. And it worked, it finally worked! The Ramen layers finally had the feel of bread. Excited with victory and success, I finish the sandwich and take the first bite. It was everything I expected of it and more. The meat & cheese combined with the texture and crunch of the Ramen was (in my opinion) perfect. I did it. I finally made the Ramen sandwich. Where do I go from here? Well, I could improve the recipe by cooking the Ramen with something safer, as opposed to using a toaster. Maybe I could fry the Ramen. I would have to do a lot more experimenting, and there would be a lot more failures to come. But, that would mean an even greater victory.