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What Terrible Event Made Instant Ramen Popular? episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 5, 2026 · 23 MIN

What Terrible Event Made Instant Ramen Popular?

from Seemingly Unrelated

We are tackling two, yes TWO unrelateds that have to do with the very unexpected connects of popular food stuffs.Joining Andrew this month is the season 3 crew fresh off of recording it is of course Alicia Britt and Producer Naomi!Up first we tackle the outsized influence that Scotch whiskey had on the establishment of the NHS. Along the way we get to the bottom of why Johnnie Walker has multi-coloured labels and how to best deal with snake oil salesmen...Red Dead Redemption style.Then we head over to Japan in the 70s to seek out the truly disturbing event that took instant ramen from obscurity to global dominance. The mystery has a lot to do with left wing radicals and once again the Mitsubishi corporationBibliography:Brickman, Sophie. “The History of the Ramen Noodle.” Culture Desk. The New Yorker, May 21, 2014. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-history-of-the-ramen-noodle.Bruce-Gardyne, Tom. “Dewar’s: A Brand History.” The Spirits Business, February 20, 2018. https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2018/02/dewars-a-brand-history/.“Full Record for ‘HIGHLAND DOCTOR’ (0033) - Moving Image Archive - Catalogue.” Accessed April 5, 2026. https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/0033.Master Of Malt. “Dewar’s Whisky.” Accessed April 5, 2026. https://www.masterofmalt.com/distilleries/dewars-branded-whisky/.McCrae, Morice. The National Health Service in Scotland: Origins and Ideals, 1900-1950. Tuckwell Press, 2003.McQueen, Craig. “Campaign to Celebrate Scot Who Laid Foundations of NHS 100 Years Ago.” Daily Record, July 2, 2012. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/campaign-to-celebrate-scot-who-laid-1115508.Murai, Shusuke. “Cup Noodles Slurping Strong, 45 Years On.” The Japan Times, August 22, 2016. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/08/22/reference/cup-noodles-slurping-strong-45-years/.“NRS Web Continuity Service.” Accessed April 5, 2026. https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20230324104912/http://www.ournhsscotland.com/.South China Morning Post. “What’s the Story behind Instant Ramen Noodles?” April 1, 2020. https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3077785/whats-story-behind-instant-ramen-noodles-and-how-did.Seemingly Unrelated is a podcast all about exploring how everyday things connect to major movements in history, politics and culture.🎵 Subscribe to the show everywhere 📽️ Find the videos on Youtube🎰 Want even more? Get bonus episodes for as little as $2/month and a list of sources for this episode on our Patreon Follow us on Substack Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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