Ramen for Everyone - by Patricia Tanumihardja (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A young boy aspires to make a bowl of ramen as delicious as his dad's, and runs into some surprises--both delightful and disastrous--on his first attempt"--

Book Synopsis

In this adorable picture book for fans of Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao and Bilal Cooks Daal, Hiro aspires to make a bowl of ramen as delicious as his dad's--and runs into some surprises on his first attempt!

Hiro loves ramen. Every Sunday, Hiro's dad makes delicious, perfect ramen for dinner, using a recipe passed down from his dad. There's nori seaweed, briny like the ocean; nitamago egg, the yolk golden like the sun; and chashu pork so tender, it melts in your mouth. Yum!

Hiro's dream is to make his own perfect bowl, and he's sure he can do it after watching his dad and taking notes. But when he gets started, things don't go according to plan. The seaweed crumbles! The eggs slip through his fingers! The pork falls apart! Hiro is worried he'll never be a real ramen chef...but thanks to his father's wise advice and his own creativity, Hiro discovers that every person's perfect bowl of ramen is unique.

Review Quotes

"Tanumihardja's picture book debut encouragingly, practically shows how much hard work goes into the food's preparation, leaving room for Hiro to try, try again, and at last put a personal spin on the traditional dish. Pate's sumi ink, pencil, and digital illustrations reproduce packaged ramen's colorful, cartoony designs, establishing a cheerfully chaotic tone across action-oriented panels." -- "Publishers Weekly"

*A March/April 2023 Indie Next Pick*

"A fun and lively book about putting your own spin on traditional ramen!"--Andrea Wang, Newbery Honor-winning author of Magic Ramen and Watercress

"A story that is as warm, rich and hearty as ramen itself!"--Charlene Chua, illustrator of Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao

"A hearty serving of Japanese cuisine, resilience, and family fun."-- "Booklist"

"Get ready for ramen, handmade to order and delightful to devour! . . . 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. . . . A celebration of the complexity and care that go into making this Japanese staple."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

*A Junior Library Guild Selection*

About the Author

Patricia Tanumihardja was born in Jakarta to Chinese Indonesian parents and raised in Singapore. Ramen for Everyone is her debut picture book. She also writes cookbooks and loves to weave food-centric themes into her stories for young people. Patricia now lives in northern Virginia with her husband and son, where she enjoys drinking bubble tea, making dumplings, and hiking. Her perfect bowl of ramen is shio (salt-flavored) ramen topped with chashu, menma (fermented bamboo shoots), and corn. Visit her at EdibleWords.com or @EdibleWords on Instagram, and don't be shy about asking for her favorite recipe!

Shiho Pate was born in Hokkaido, Japan, and raised in Aichi. She received her degree in illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design and worked for indie gaming studios before she started making children's books. Shiho lives in Southern California, where she loves hunting with her daughter and husband for new ramen restaurants. Visit her at ShihoPate.com or @ShihoPate on Instagram.