The Wonderful Horrible Ramifications of Mama Ramen

[rooster59]

The Wonderful Horrible Ramifications of Mama Ramen

By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter



Photo: Twentyfour Students / Flickr

BANGKOK — When the biggest player in the instant noodle market said its growth had fallen to 0.4 percent, the lowest in its 44 years, the media seemed to hear things differently.

Instead of tea leaves, those reading Thailand's economic vitality have for years turned to their Mama, that beloved brand of dry instant noodles, as a kind of unofficial economic indicator, with higher sales of the inexpensive staple being pegged to bad times.

“Mama Index shows economy is recovering,” read the resulting headline from Post Today, while Matichon topped its story, “Sales of instant noodles hit worst point in 44 years; economy down; people don’t have enough money; turn to eating riceballs.”

These interpretations came despite the noodle-maker’s best effort Thursday to get ahead of the pundits and set the record straight when announcing its earnings Thursday.

“The economy has been contracting for the past two years, but the consumption of Mama, or the ‘Mama Index’ has also been decreasing,” said Vathit Chokwatana, vice president at manufacturer Saha Pathanapibul.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1453464709

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-01-23

[trogers]

Another possible ramification: rice is cheaper than wheat.

[ezzra]

And soon, petrol cheaper than bottled water, at least, now it is so in few place in the US....

[never me]

Just another noodle story.

[SoFarAndNear]

Maybe after 44 years people finally realizes what crap they are eating and it should be more called "Instant Chemical Noodle Soup"....

Lately I saw a TV ad of another Instant Noodle soup brand.... absolutely disgusting how they fake the content and showed real veggies and big shrimps in the ad.

[canuckamuck]

Are they ignoring the fact that there is a ton of competition now in the noodle market. In fact we only buy one type of Mama brand noodles now the other ones we buy are from Nissin or Yum Yum.

And also that there is a lot of talk now about the health factor of eating instant noodles. Even up in our remote village they are saying don't feed it to kids, especially not raw.

That's got to hurt the bottom line.

Also, wouldn't an economic downturn in these days spark a rise in instant noodle purchasing. It certainly is the cheapest meal you can get at a 7-11 for instance.

[huangnon]

^Correct. The over-use of MSG in instant noodles might also be filtering through to consumers.

[trogers]

^Correct. The over-use of MSG in instant noodles might also be filtering through to consumers.

I doubt these consumers care when they devour their Somtam made with 2 teaspoons of MSG for each serving...

[rakman]

The economy aspect is something to noodle over.

[Thian]

Are they ignoring the fact that there is a ton of competition now in the noodle market. In fact we only buy one type of Mama brand noodles now the other ones we buy are from Nissin or Yum Yum.

And also that there is a lot of talk now about the health factor of eating instant noodles. Even up in our remote village they are saying don't feed it to kids, especially not raw.

That's got to hurt the bottom line.

Also, wouldn't an economic downturn in these days spark a rise in instant noodle purchasing. It certainly is the cheapest meal you can get at a 7-11 for instance.

Do they eat raw (means uncooked?) noodles in your village? Eat straight out of the bag?

Never a dull day in Thailand.

[spidermike007]

A seriously mediocre product is experiencing slower sales. Could it be that people are developing better palates? Could it be that some are seeking healthier alternatives? Could it be the astonishing lack of innovation that this company represents?

[smotherb]

Another possible ramification: rice is cheaper than wheat.

Rice noodles?

[smotherb]

^Correct. The over-use of MSG in instant noodles might also be filtering through to consumers.

So, all the smokers in the world are going to worry about MSG?

[Shiver]

Wasn't there some fluster over Mama refused from being sold in 7Eleven not too long ago? I don't recall the details, but something like that might cause a glitch in the numbers and show a downturn which normally would show the economy strengthening when it's not actually the case perhaps(?).

[trogers]

Another possible ramification: rice is cheaper than wheat.

Rice noodles?

Rice noodles, or Sen Mee, is not popular among Thais, and price per pack cost more than the promotional yellow noodles.

[canuckamuck]

Are they ignoring the fact that there is a ton of competition now in the noodle market. In fact we only buy one type of Mama brand noodles now the other ones we buy are from Nissin or Yum Yum.

And also that there is a lot of talk now about the health factor of eating instant noodles. Even up in our remote village they are saying don't feed it to kids, especially not raw.

That's got to hurt the bottom line.

Also, wouldn't an economic downturn in these days spark a rise in instant noodle purchasing. It certainly is the cheapest meal you can get at a 7-11 for instance.

Do they eat raw (means uncooked?) noodles in your village? Eat straight out of the bag?

Never a dull day in Thailand.

Yes the kids eat them dry, and not only here. I have seen it in Nepal and Cambodia. I assume it is a snack all over this corner of the earth. It actually tastes pretty good.

[scorecard]

^Correct. The over-use of MSG in instant noodles might also be filtering through to consumers.

Interesting point.

Six months ago some Thai bachelor level students in my class asked 2 German exchange students which instant noodles they prefer (for a lunch event).

Answer: 'NONE, it's full of chemicals and MSG'.

Reaction: Not true there are no chemicals or MSG in instant noodles, just real food.

One of the German female students came back next lesson with photos of the pack, a total list of ingredients she got from the manufacturer written in both Thai and English.

Included: numerous chemicals which are not good for human health and a sizable % of MSG.

Thai students initially didn't believe it, then on more reflection were shocked. Have they stopped eating instant noodles? NO!

[trogers]

^Correct. The over-use of MSG in instant noodles might also be filtering through to consumers.

Interesting point.

Six months ago some Thai bachelor level students in my class asked 2 German exchange students which instant noodles they prefer (for a lunch event).

Answer: 'NONE, it's full of chemicals and MSG'.

Reaction: Not true there are no chemicals or MSG in instant noodles, just real food.

One of the German female students came back next lesson with photos of the pack, a total list of ingredients she got from the manufacturer written in both Thai and English.

Included: numerous chemicals which are not good for human health and a sizable % of MSG.

Thai students initially didn't believe it, then on more reflection were shocked. Have they stopped eating instant noodles? NO!

The chemicals are in those flavouring packets and not in the dehydrated noodles.

[fullcave]

^Correct. The over-use of MSG in instant noodles might also be filtering through to consumers.

I doubt these consumers care when they devour their Somtam made with 2 teaspoons of MSG for each serving...

The Thais love their MSG...

[MaiChai]

Ingredients in noodles are not as good as before. There was a time when seafood instant noodles had, well seafood. Now you get very smaĺl chopped bits of carrot and other vegetables. I suppose if u look carefully it does now say seafood flavour. Just saying if they are not delicious anymore people are not going to eat them.

[Thian]

Are they ignoring the fact that there is a ton of competition now in the noodle market. In fact we only buy one type of Mama brand noodles now the other ones we buy are from Nissin or Yum Yum.

And also that there is a lot of talk now about the health factor of eating instant noodles. Even up in our remote village they are saying don't feed it to kids, especially not raw.

That's got to hurt the bottom line.

Also, wouldn't an economic downturn in these days spark a rise in instant noodle purchasing. It certainly is the cheapest meal you can get at a 7-11 for instance.

Do they eat raw (means uncooked?) noodles in your village? Eat straight out of the bag?

Never a dull day in Thailand.

Yes the kids eat them dry, and not only here. I have seen it in Nepal and Cambodia. I assume it is a snack all over this corner of the earth. It actually tastes pretty good.

So Thai mothers are even too lazy to boil water for their kids' noodles? Oh boy...

My wife has kidneyproblems because her mum fed her loads of condensed sweetened milk while she was young. They didn't have enough money for real milk she told me.

The lack of education among thai is really stunning. They all have tv now, why not make tv-programs where they learn something usefull instead of men hitting women.

Today i was in Emporium and i noticed all the saleslady's were smiling when they saw a customer walking...then my wife saw him as well and got very excited....it was a supta....ohhhhh wowwwww, that's all they learn from tv.

[canuckamuck]

Not lazy, it is a dry snack like potato chips. They eat it that way instead of a meal. Have you never seen moms give kids dry cereal as a snack? Same idea. The noodles are are salty and crunchy.

[tominbkk]

Better they fail. One of the most unhealthy things you can eat.

[Thian]

Not lazy, it is a dry snack like potato chips. They eat it that way instead of a meal. Have you never seen moms give kids dry cereal as a snack? Same idea. The noodles are are salty and crunchy.

My wife said she also ate them as a kid. Very cheap ones from 1 baht, they called them chang noi.

I see moms give kids everything they want to eat, hotdogs, eggs, rice, soup but it's never anything healthy. They also can order food whenever they want, mum or yai will make it for them...if they don't get it they will cry so loud.

In the malls kids can cry very loud and refuse to move on if they don't get what they want. My mum would have hit me if i did that and bring me outside.

[smotherb]

Another possible ramification: rice is cheaper than wheat.

Rice noodles?

Rice noodles, or Sen Mee, is not popular among Thais, and price per pack cost more than the promotional yellow noodles.

I was referring to making mama noodles with rice, if rice were cheaper than wheat

[coulson]

Whtf is the sense in this beloved mama noodle brand hitting the news every year with woes of losses, when any amount of koi teow stand down the road gives you a seat, serves you a choice, it's cheaper and the money goes directly into a locals pocket!

[coulson]

Not lazy, it is a dry snack like potato chips. They eat it that way instead of a meal. Have you never seen moms give kids dry cereal as a snack? Same idea. The noodles are are salty and crunchy.

Had the nepalese variation, bit of a ritual. Chopped onions, garlic, fresh chilli, and a dash of lime. Great with a beer!