Ramen Forever

Book excerpt: More than a cookbook, Ramen Forever is an illustrated love letter to this deceptively simple dish curated by San Francisco-based artist Yarrow Lazer-Smith (AKA Yarrow Slaps). The author's obsession with ramen of all kinds has taken him to shops around the world, leading to conversations with top chefs, foodies, bloggers, and the artists that have lived off of instant noodle soup packets before ramen became a trend. Interviews with ramen heroes including Moe Kuroki (Boston's Oisa Ramen), Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (Taishoken, San Mateo), Hans Lienesch aka "The Ramen Rater," Esther Choi (Mokbar - NY), and Sam White (Ramen Shop, Oakland) give an insider's view into gourmet ramen spots across the global diaspora. Ramen Forever has plenty of inspiration for creative home cooks too! Over 80 of the urban art scene's most celebrated artists, including Justin Hager and Kristen Liu-Wong, offer their own illustrated instant noodle recipes that have gotten them through struggle times. The recipes range from playful ("Hot Trash Ramen--best when you're drunk") to critical ("Opium War Lamian--a rustic and flavorful noodle soup enjoyed by belligerents during an unjust, cruel, and brutal colonial conflict") to restorative ("Radiant Recovery Ramen"), showcasing the true versatility of ramen as a dish for every occasion, for people of every background and every budget.