Ramen for Everyone

by Patricia Tanumihardja, Shiho Pate (Illustrator)

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.

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Family, Childrens, Aapi, Cooking, Asian Literature

48 pages, Hardcover

First published March 14, 2023

About the author

Born in Jakarta to Indonesian-Chinese parents, Patricia grew up in Singapore feasting on her mother’s yummy home-cooking and reading voraciously. She has been reading and writing since she was wee high and was nourished on everything from Enid Blyton to Archie comics. Fairies, magic treehouses and high school angst–what a combo right? As an immigrant twice-over, she is brimming with stories to tell and hope that children of every creed and color—including her multiracial son—will see themselves reflected in books, whether hers or other #ownvoices authors.

Patricia lives in the Washington D.C. metro region with her husband and son where she writes children’s stories with heart and works on her other passion—food and cooking.

Reviews

[Lisa Yee Swope · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the title and cover alone this book attracted me and everyone in my friend's family -- they homeschool and we were looking at a stack of kidlit over bubble tea. The verbs-with-images pages reminded me of superhero graphics, but instead of "pow" "bang" "zoom" and the like, dad cooking "steeps" "shreds" "stews", ending up with joy and anime eyes! I love the family in the kitchen story, and that it goes disastrously when Hiro first tries for himself, but knowing what individuals uniquely love allows him to tailor the perfect ramen for each in a way someone out of the household never could.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In some traditions, it is important to follow in their father’s footsteps. That is why to Hiro, he wants to learn how to make ramen like his father.

So…

He is determined to learn.

And…

He really tries.

And realizes it is not easy.

But…

That doesn’t stop him from trying.

This is a story of valuing tradition, appreciating food, family, and learning what is important in life.

And…

Not giving up.

Interest levels: Pre-school to 3rd grade – Ages 4 – 8 years

There is also a recipe at the back of the book and kitchen rules which are beneficial for learning how to be prepared before cooking.

I would like to share that this is one of six books that I won as part of the Little Free Library organization partnership with Simon & Schuster food-themed picture book bundle.

I am excited to include this beautifully illustrated book in my Little Free Library Shed and appreciate this gift to our neighborhood

[Sunny Duran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun story. Hiro's desire to make the perfect bowl of Ramen like his father gets squished after he finds out making Ramen is a lot harder than his father makes it look. Making the perfect ramen takes years and years of practice but perfect isn't always the best for everyone. Hiro finds his own way to make his families tummies happy by making the best ramen for each person. Perfect isn't always best and best isn't always perfect in this yummy tale of a love of Ramen.

The art in this book is adorable. I love the bright vibrant colors and textures and the use of panels to tell the story in a comic book/ graphic novel kind of way. Super fun and easy to follow.

[Olga Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. The story is so sweet and the illustrations are so exciting and dynamic. The book shares recipes as back matter. I love the take away message of the story. Food is more taste, it is also an act of love.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a book about ramen? (Also, be ready for the ramen craving that *will* hit you.)

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! Ramen for Everyone is written in English with Japanese translation for each sentence and word, allowing the child reading this to become familiar not only with Ramen but with the Japanese language as well. Full-page color throughout the book, from Shiho Pate, helps the storyline pop off the page. As Hiro tries to cook ramen for the first time, he finds he has to become creative at fixing a problem with it. The end of the book also has a short kitchen lesson as well as a ramen recipe. Lovely book that I would definitely recommend.

***Thank you, Patricia Tannumihardja, Shiho Pate, Bicultural Mama, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, and Simon and Schuster for a copy of this book received from a giveaway in exchange for a fair review.***

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramen for Everyone is a delight! The story follows Hiro, whose dad makes a mean bowl of ramen. He wants to learn to make ramen too and does his best, and although he ends up not making it as good as his dad (yet!), he figures out that creativity can make some of the tastiest bowls of ramen for his family. It's a very sweet story with a delicious focus (and yes, I am hungry after reading it), with illustrations that really pop and bring the characters and food to life. There's also a great looking recipe at the end for those who want to try making it themselves. Definitely recommended!

[Janet Bruins · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s so much to love about Ramen for Everyone! At its heart, it’s a warm and thoughtful story about family traditions and the joy of passing knowledge from one generation to the next. It’s also about what happens when things don’t go quite right—and how trying, failing, and not giving up can lead to something even more meaningful. I especially love the message of taking a craft—like ramen-making—and making it your own. And of course, it’s about ramen, which makes it instantly delicious.

Shiho Pate’s artwork is a joy. Her style has a touch of manga flair that brings so much energy and charm to every page.

This book is extra special to me because it introduced me to author Pat Tanumihardja. I’ve since fallen in love with all of Pat’s children’s books and have even started cooking from her cookbooks!

I’m REALLY looking forward to her upcoming picture book Monkey’s Sweet Surprise: A Lunar New Year Mix-Up, illustrated by Bonnie Lui. I can’t wait to see what she does next!

[Kiera Beddes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hiro wants to make the perfect bowl of ramen, like his father and grandfather before him. He watches his father’s process step-by-step and takes careful notes. Can Hiro make the perfect bowl of ramen, for everyone?

This is a really adorable exploration of growth mindset, cleverly disguised as one child’s attempt to make ramen. Also, the way the illustrations work within the story, it could be a great way to introduce literary ideas like verbs, onomatopoeia, and adjectives.

[Dawn Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now, I want a bowl of ramen!!! Great picture book featuring a young Japanese boy learning to make Ramen like his dad. Bonus: "Easy Miso Ramen" recipe at the end of the book. Yum, yum!

[Sakura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m probably biased, but this was so wholesome and love that the Japanese hiragana is in the book too. Even a miso ramen recipe!

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this book is missing something. The resolution isn't clear to me. Does he make ramen from scratch or not. I guess the important take away is practice makes progress. The kids loved the book and the illustrations were effective by making us all want ramen. The description of pinching your ear to check the dough had all of us pinching our ears.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cool book. Hiro wants to make Ramen like his dad and his dad's dad before him. But he's only seven years old, and his first try doesn't go according to plan. I loved that the recipe was passed down from generation to generation, and I loved the family dynamics and encouragement.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.25

[Vicki Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hiro wants to make perfect ramen just like dad, but can't "yet!" Will he get there? "Yes, chef!" I loved this beautiful story of a young boy learning to cook from his dad, and learning to practice patience with himself and the process, while creating something delicious for the whole family. The author provides fantastic back matter on the history of ramen, kitchen safety tips, and a recipe for all to try. The illustrators bold colors and images are powerful, and add excitement to the story!

[Lalith Saie Chennam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ramen for Everyone by Patricia Tanumihardja is a informational book that explores the world of ramen, a popular Japanese noodle dish that has captured the hearts and taste buds of people all over the world. The book provides a comprehensive guide to making ramen from scratch, including the broth, noodles, and toppings. It also offers a variety of creative and easy-to-follow recipes for vegetarian and non-vegetarian ramen, as well as side dishes and desserts that complement the dish. The primary themes of Ramen for Everyone are the universality of food and the adaptability of ramen. The author emphasizes how food can unite people from diverse backgrounds and highlights the significance of using fresh and high-quality ingredients to achieve optimal results. This book can benefit children in two ways. Firstly, it can teach them about Japanese culture and cuisine, including the ingredients, techniques, and history of ramen, fostering an appreciation for diverse cultures and an open-minded approach to new foods. Secondly, the book's easy-to-follow recipes and step-by-step instructions can help children develop essential cooking skills like measuring, mixing, boiling, and even making their own noodles from scratch.

Ramen for Everyone was a WOW book for me because it combines my love for cooking and cultural exploration. The book's beautiful photography and detailed instructions made me feel confident and excited to try making ramen from scratch. The author's writing is clear and engaging, making the complex dish of ramen accessible to readers with varying levels of culinary experience. The step-by-step instructions and the explanations of different noodle types, broths, and toppings are informative yet not overwhelming. This book is an unbiased exploration of the world of ramen. The author provides historical and cultural context without an apparent agenda and acknowledges the dish's Japanese roots while exploring its adaptations to different cultures. Overall, Ramen for Everyone is an inspiring and informative cookbook that celebrates the joy and diversity of food.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The versatility of ramen comes to light in a fun tale, which will have readers wanting to dive into the dish themselves.

Hiro's dad is the most amazing ramen cook and is able to meet the desires of everyone in the family. When Hiro decides he wants to cook ramen, too, he takes the recipe and gives it a go...which doesn't run as well as he'd hoped. Now, Hiro's family is hungry, and their favorite ingredients are in the garbage trash. He's not sure what to do.

Ramen takes center stage in this read as readers/listeners learn some of the various ways it can be served...and learn that there are, actually, no limits other than personal taste. It's inspiring to see how Hiro's dad flies through the kitchen with ease as Hiro watches with hunger and excitement. This alone will have readers wanting to try new combinations with the dish, but the tale doesn't stop there.

Hiro's desire to do it himself hits home, especially when his enthusiasm crumbles as things don't work out as he'd hoped...and that while he followed directions. Many listeners/readers will be able to empathize with the situation of disappointment and nervousness. It also shows there's no reason to be ashamed and that reaching out for help isn't a bad thing. There's family warmth woven in as well to make it a wholesome read. At the end, there is a recipe, which readers/listeners can use to create their own ramen dish.

The text and illustrations are both well done and fit to the intended age group. The scenes will make readers/listeners smile, while the text gives the right amount of flow without growing too heavy. It makes a nice read aloud and expands the view on how to consume ramen. I received an ARC and enjoyed the read.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hiro loves ramen, especially with nori seaweed, nitamago egg, and tender chashu pork. But even more than he loves eating it, he longs to be able to make a perfect bowl like his father, grandfather, and great grandfather before him. Hiro watches his father and makes careful notes about how to complete each part of the process as his father chops, simmers, seasons, mixes, slices, and dips. After his seventh birthday, Hiro is excited to try cooking ramen for the first time with his father as assistant. But as so often happens the first time someone tries something, the broth isn't rich and flavorful (the boy's face in the illustrations as he tests it makes that clear), the noodles are squishy rather than soft and springy, and none of the toppings work out. Hiro is heartbroken. But with some wise council from his father and some ingenuity, all is not lost, and a good meal can still be made despite not being perfect. Not only is this book adorable with the young boy imitating his father, but the themes of persistence and problem-solving are important ones for all ages. I also loved the idea of Hiro finding different toppings that match each of his family members tastes. Pate's ink, pencil, and digital media illustrations wonderfully compliment Tanumihardja's very readable text. The text and pictures blend and work together just as the noodles and toppings of ramen itself do. The inclusion of additional information about the history of ramen as well as a recipe and some basic cooking rules make this a book that can be not only a delightful reading experience but a fun family activity as well.

[Caroline Hopmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a cute read I loved it! We were taken through the process of how to make ramen by watching Hiro's dad make his perfect bowl of ramen. Once Hiro turned off age, his birthday wish was to learn how to make his own bowl of ramen. At first, he wasn't very good at making it and was very close to giving up. But after a talk to his dad and a little inspiration, Hiro was able to not only make himself a perfect bowl of ramen, but made one for his own family. My favorite creation was probably the Hawaiian ramen. I think this deserves the Caldecott prize, I could tell every illustration was hand drawn. I could tell they were drawn online and I could see some of the individual pen strokes in some of the illustrations which gave the book some warmth to me. The book stuck to the same color palette throughout the illustrations which I thought helped make the book feel comforting. I loved their storyline of this book and how the book taught the value of perseverance and patience. There were so many hidden details that I missed when first reading the book, like the first page. In the background the illustrator created a very intricate background with many shapes and designs including toppings that can be put on ramen. One of my favorite illustrations was a frame made out of ramen! Overall, this book was a great read and I could tell that a great deal of time and effort went into this book which is why I think Ramen for Everyone deserves the Caldecott Award.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was approached to do a review for "Ramen for Everyone," I was really excited! My children are just crazy for ramen and we eat ramen at least once a month. Weirdly, I had never heard of cheese ramen till I read this book... apparently, having these unconventional toppings like pineapples and cheese are the ways to eat ramen nowadays. I made my trek to my nearest Korean supermarket and I found cheese ramen to try... See, even if it's a children's picture book, adults like myself can still learn a thing or two.

The story of Hiro trying to make ramen just like his dad and his dad's dad is a tale many can relate as we try to emulate our parents and the way they do things. But Hiro realizes that the perfect ramen is not necessarily the same way his dad does it. He realizes that each person's taste is different and each ramen bowl can be just as unique as the one eating it. It is a great reminder that we can always put our own stamp on things.

Just like "Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao", the perfect ramen will come to Hiro once he discovers that it's about the joy he is able to bring for the people eating his food.

Love the illustrations and I will definitely need to try the recipe at the back.

I received a free copy for review but the reviews are my own.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven year old Hiro loves ramen and has been studying his dad’s technique for making it for some time. He feels like he understands the secrets to making rich, flavorful broth, noodles that are springy – “…just like your earlobe!” – and delicious toppings. But Hiro’s first try, with his dad as sous chef, is a failure, and he feels like giving up. With his dad’s encouragement, Hiro tries again. His dad tells him that ramen doesn’t have to be perfect. So Hiro makes ramen that is unique – with cheese, Asian pears and pineapple – and his family loves it.

What a fun picture book about the love of ramen! Brief text explains the soup-making process and describes how Hiro’s dad learned from his father. It does a nice job of evoking the flavors of the ingredients: nori seaweed that is “…briny like the ocean…”, chashu pork that is “… so tender, it melts in your mouth.” I love that ramen is an activity shared by parent and child. The exuberant artwork with simple, manga-like images, is playful and appealing. Even the palette of bold red and yellow helps to evoke the dish. I can’t imagine finishing the book and not wanting your own bowl of ramen. Conveniently, a lovely, simplified recipe is given at the end, which I made to great acclaim at home.

[Amy Dalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramen for Everyone is a story about Hiro and his love for ramen. He studies his dad making the perfect bowl of ramen. He watches as his dad chops, rolls, and mixes to make ramen every single Sunday. Hiro's father talks about how he learned how to make Ramen from his father who learned from his father. Hiro decides for his seventh birthday to make his own perfect bowl of ramen. Unfortunately, Hiro struggles to make the ramen and decides to throw it away because it was not perfect. His dad explains that it does not need to be perfect and they decide to work together to make a great bowl of ramen. Hiro learns the power of yet and knows that someday with hard work he will make the perfect bowl of ramen. One really cool aspect of this book is that it has Japanese spelling for many different words! At the very end of the book, the author includes a brief history of Ramen as well as includes a recipe to make easy miso ramen. This book emphasizes the importance of practice and that not everything happens the first try. I love that Hiro is following his family tradition of making ramen and that he asks his father for help! This is a really wholesome book and I would recommend it for students from kindergarten to third grade!

[Yolanda (readmorethrillers) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6 year old son’s favorite food is ramen so when this book came out we literally ran to get it.

The story of Hiro trying to become a ramen chef is such an inspiring story. He’s a young boy learning from his dad who learned from his dad. We get to learn the importance of tradition as well as the joy of cooking together.

The main theme of this book is determination and perseverance. I love how the author shows the struggle of learning a new thing but also the importance of not giving up.

Now the highlight of this book is the illustrations. They’re incredible!!! The colors and the attention to detail is beyond anything I’ve ever seen. I could just flip through the pages and stare at the amazing illustrations. Actually the first time I read this book with my son, we did what we call a “picture walk” where we only looked at the pictures.

I had the pleasure of meeting the illustrator of this book, Shiho Pate. She’s incredibly talented and she shared some of the hidden secrets in this book which made it even more special.
5 ⭐️ all around!!!

[Our Weekend Is Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ramen for Everyone is a book with a message not to give up when things don't work out as planned. Hiro loves the ramen that his dad makes and when he turns 7 years old he feels he is ready to learn how to make ramen just like all of the men in his family. The ramen doesn't come out perfect and Hiro learns a great lesson in adaptability and perseverance.

What I Like: I'm drawn to books about cultural foods and I truly appreciate when a book includes the recipe of the featured food. Ramen for Everyone makes me crave ramen and having the recipe at the end of the book lets me create my own. The illustrations make the food look delicious. My son found Hiro very relatable since they both like to cook.

What Left Me Wanting More: I wish the book had the phonetic pronunciation of some of the ethnic words that I didn't know how to pronounce.

Ramen for Everyone is the perfect book for children who love food and cooking.

This review first appeared on YA Book Central and can be found here https://www.yabookscentral.com/ramen-...

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

A delicious story about patience, practice, perseverance, and family.

Hiro sets out to make the perfect bowl of ramen just like his dad and his dad's dad. He's watched his dad thoroughly and taken detailed notes. But once he gets started, things don't go to plan.

Adorable artwork. I especially loved the action sequences in the kitchen.

Wonderful representation of a father-son relationship where they work together and learn from one another.

A heartfelt story with great themes of accepting imperfections, learning through doing, and creative problem solving. I also love the emphasis on how ideas of perfection are subjective and everyone has their own unique tastes.

Includes a note about the history and traditions of ramen, rules for staying safe in the kitchen, and a recipe for Easy Miso Ramen.

Will definitely leave you with a craving for ramen with your own perfect toppings.

[Kendi Freelain]

Ramen for Everyone written by Patricia Tanumihardja, illustrated by Shiho Pate is a book about a little boy named Hiro who loves ramen! He loves ramen with pork and even with nori seaweed. Once a week, Hiro and his dad come together to make ramen together, continuing a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. Hiro’s father uses a secret family recipe given to them by Hiro’s grandpa. After Hiro’s 7th birthday, he decided to try to make his grandpa’s recipe all by himself. Sadly, nothing goes as planned, causing Hiro to explode and throw everything away. Hiro’s father reassures him and tells him that everything does not have to be perfect, especially not ramen, inspiring Hiro to try again. I loved this story because of the wonderful family dynamics we can see between a father and a son, where the father is present and actively encouraging his child. The message of this story is also very necessary for little ones to understand: not everything has to be perfect to be beautiful.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hiro loves ramen and with his 7th birthday, he thinks he's ready to start making the family recipe passed down to his father through several generations. But making ramen is harder than Hiro thought. Is he a family failure?

This has a great reminder for little perfectionists to give yourself grace, especially on your first try. It also celebrates unique gifts and talents, and of course, it celebrates yummy ramen. I like the action manga style series of illustrations for the making ramen montages (they even have the Japanese action words underneath the English words like in translated manga). The rest of the illustrations are splendid too! The ending is sweet and shows not only Hiro's unique talents but his care and attention for each member of his family (and the endless possibilities for ramen flavors).

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hiro is only 7, but he has been watching his dad create perfect ramen noodles every Sunday for years and now he is ready to be the chef. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned and dinner is ruined. Or is it? Great story with a theme/lesson of trying to turn a mistake or failure into something good. Don’t forget to keep reading after Hiro’s tale is done because author Patricia Tanumihardja includes non-fiction background on the ramen noodles as well as a fairly easy recipe for families to try together. Great for libraries looking to add more AAPI representation into their picture books or as a mentor text for teaching theme, even in older grades who think they may be past reading picture books! The illustrations by Shinzo Pate are excellent and rendered in semi ink, pencil and digital media.

Thanks for hosting a Twitter giveaway, Patricia!

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story we meet a kid whose father runs a ramen shop. We start the story off in the usual way you would expect - with the child observing how to make ramen as he helps his father.

The story takes a turn though when the child turns 7 and wants to make ramen for his family all by himself (with a little help from his dad. "Yes, chef!") What a delight this book is in how it shows you can't be good at something just by watching how it's done. You have to practice, and work hard to do things - even things which might seem simple like making ramen.

The best part of this book throughout was the father's expressions on his face as he made ramen and then worked with his son. What a beautiful way to show the relationship between father and child. This one is now one of my favorite picture books, and one I look forward to reading again and again.

[Sylvia Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: This picture book will *definitely* make you crave ramen! It's a totally delightful wonder how RAMEN FOR EVERYONE packs in so many drool-inducing ramen spreads, extra helpful notes, endearing character expressions, and Japanese terms and commonly used phrases. This picture book shines for its stunning illustrations and incredible writing: fun sets of threes for steps and wording throughout, shared dialogue to show father-and-son bonding, and energetic phrasing and onomatopoeia. A truly enjoyable picture book from front-to-end, RAMEN FOR EVERYONE features scrumptious ramen and ramen-making, son-and-dad (-and-granddad) relationships, cultural traditions and legacy, creative and attentive thinking, and learning at your own pace. Top stars for RAMEN FOR EVERYONE!