By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Top selling brands of instant ramen include Nissin in
the bowl and Sapporo in the package (below).

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Beyond Ichiban:
Ramen comes in 68 varieties

By Catherine Kekoa Enomoto
Star-Bulletin

Saimin is not ramen. Amen.

Saimin is an isle product, manufactured fresh, frozen and dried by Hawaii companies such as Hula, Okuhara and S&S. It's available exclusively in the islands, according to Richard Matsu, executive vice president and an owner of Marukai Wholesale Mart. He claims one can't even buy saimin in Los Angeles.

Ramen, on the other hand, is available in global markets and Marukai is the world's largest purveyor of ramen types -- 68 total packaged, fresh and frozen kinds, Matsu said. The store's most popular brands are Sapporo Ichiban in packages, and Nissin Cup Noodles, he said.

When advertising specials, Maru-kai can move 30,000 Sapporo Ichiban packages weekly, at three for 89 cents; and 15,000 Nissin Cups, at three for 99 cents.

Marukai's most expensive ramen is Glico brand of Japan, a chilled fresh product with three servings in a $7 package. Thus, Marukai brands range in price from 33 cents to $2.33 per serving -- a 700 percent difference.

Elsewhere, ramen sells at inflation-buster prices of $2.88 for a case of 24 Myojyo brand ramen, or 12 cents each, at Daiei. Also, Foodland is selling six Nissin Top Ramen for 78 cents, or 13 cents each, with Maika'i card; four for 80 cents without the card.

Matsu said once people eat the expensive chilled or frozen ramen, they won't go back to the dried packaged variety. He added that seasonal weather affects a person's desire for quality ramen.

"If you have the four seasons, then you have more appreciation for higher grade noodles," said Matsu, a Japan native who's lived more than 30 years in Hawaii. He said Japanese diners savor hot, steaming bowls of ramen in wintertime, and relish cool dishes of somen in sweet-shoyu broth during the summer.

Other ramen varieties include Myojo Chukazanmai air-dried ramen (vs. deep-fried), made in Singapore; JAS, made by House Foods Corp. of Tokyo, the most popular with Japanese people residing in Hawaii; Hokumen chilled ramen of Hokkaido; and Ringer Hut Noodles, a popular frozen brand.