Cup Ramen Development (2)
The most crucial aspect of cup ramen was, without a doubt, the container's durability and the noodles' ability to reconstitute properly. It had to hold its shape even when boiling water was poured in, withstand the heat without displeasing consumers, and more. Of course, it wasn't as simple as it sounded. If it was too thin, it would warp from the heat. If too thick, the cup ramen would cost a fortune. Plus, certain materials could impart their own odors, potentially ruining the ramen's flavor. It was a world of precise engineering, balancing taste, safety, and cost.
A month later, the first prototype arrived from Hansung Food. I was summoned to Grandfather's study, where two sharply dressed men awaited me—Grandfather and Dad. In the center of the study, atop a hefty solid-wood desk, sat a pristine white cup ramen container.
"So this is the cup ramen container you mentioned, Seoyeon. Hmm, what do you think of it?"
It felt like a student handing in homework to her teacher. I paused, lost in thought for a moment, then let out a soft chuckle. No one in the world knew ramen better than I did right now. I nodded, carefully pouring boiling water from a pot into the container. One minute passed, then ten.
That's when something went wrong with the container.
"Heh…."
"This is trouble."
Contrary to expectations, the two men trailed off with voices heavy with regret. The side of the container warped slightly, then the bottom sagged like it had given up. The paper layer, soaked by the hot steam, had finally lost its strength.
"Paper won't cut it."
"Shall we try layering it thicker?"
"Won't that make it too bulky?"
"Ah, you're right."
I listened to their back-and-forth, swallowing the words that had risen to my throat. Just use expanded polystyrene foam, and the problem's solved in one go. But I couldn't blurt it out. Because polystyrene would later face regulations due to environmental concerns.
A heat-resistant coating on the paper would solve it, but does this era even have the tech for that? It was a concept twenty years ahead of its time—a product of ideas that transcended the age.
"Mm…."
"What's wrong? Got a good idea?"
Grandfather's eyes sparkled as he asked. After all, whenever Hansung faced a crisis, a miracle solution appeared at just the right moment—from right here.
"Not exactly…."
Ah, how to explain this? Suddenly, I remembered a visit to the stationery store a few days ago to buy school supplies.
"Grandpa, you know that thing…."
I scampered over and climbed onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around me with a kind smile, urging me to spill it.
"A few days ago at the stationery store, I saw a kid coating a torn desk mat. And the paper got super tough."
"…!"
Grandfather looked utterly shocked. He'd never even considered coating paper. That's why being born with past-life memories felt like a total cheat code. Techniques for coating paper with wax or polyethylene were already commercialized—milk cartons, paper cups, packaging. But nothing optimized yet for enduring high heat over time like a cup ramen container. If Hansung developed it, we might snag the title of Korea's first.
"Coating for the cup ramen container… Heh heh heh, why didn't I think of that?"
"Ah, Father!"
Dad leaped from his seat, unable to contain his excitement. Hard to believe this was the same guy sighing over the collapsed prototype moments ago.
"Seongu."
"Yes, Father."
"Any domestic factories with coating equipment?"
Dad pondered briefly.
"Paper mills making milk cartons have polyethylene coaters. But for food containers, we'd need adjustments."
"Adjustments mean it's doable?"
"Yes. Develop this tech, and we could give Sam-mi's cup ramen a whole different image."
Exactly! Sam-mi's cup ramen was probably foam-based. But if Hansung pioneered paper coating, we'd solve environmental issues too, grabbing the moral high ground.
"Heh heh heh, thanks to our little lucky charm, Hansung's about to leap ahead again!"
Grandfather leaned in with adoring eyes and planted kisses on my cheek. Mwah mwah mwah!
"Eek!"
I let out a cute squeal. The prickly stubble on his unshaven chin tickled like pine needles brushing my skin. He looked just like a mother bird guarding her egg. Heh heh… It hurt a bit, but it felt good.
"Heh heh heh~"
"Haha!"
Grandfather and Dad burst into hearty laughter, facing each other. Whew… What a sight. Without me, I wonder if Hansung would even be standing.
Defense Minister Woo Jaeha visited our home to inspect the Hansung Jjapaghetti slated for military supply.
"So this is the second answer you mentioned, Seoyeon…?"
"Yes. Give it a try."
Unlike the standard Hansung Jjapaghetti, this one bore the characters for Sichuan.
"Heh, Sichuan… The name alone packs a punch. I can taste the spice without even eating it."
He picked up his chopsticks and slurped a single noodle. Slurp!
"Hup!"
His eyebrows shot up with a sharp intake of breath. The heat bloomed in his mouth, enveloping his tongue, and the fiery trail down his throat amplified the burn.
"Insanely spicy. But the kind you can't stop eating."
As everyone knew, winters at military bases were brutal. Most were nestled deep in mountain valleys for defense, trapping the cold air and making it even chillier. A hot, spicy ramen like this would thaw soldiers' bodies—what a game-changer. It'd cause quite the stir.
Minister Woo Jaeha kept sighing in delight, unable to set down his chopsticks, trapped in the Sichuan swamp.
"Hits the spot. Perfect for troops stationed in the cold."
He even mixed in cold rice and polished off every last grain.
"Great for hangovers after drinking, too."
He gazed at the empty bowl with satisfaction. I grinned and played along—it was simple. A defense minister was a VIP client I'd see often.
Did I stare too obviously? He cleared his throat a few times, regaining his ministerial dignity.
"It passes. More than enough to satisfy the troops."
"Heh heh~ Not bad, right? But this isn't the end."
"Hm? More in store?"
"Yeah. Packet ramen's hard to eat outdoors. So I made this."
"Th-this…?"
Seeing the cup ramen, Minister Woo Jaeha was floored. Unlike packets, pour hot water and eat right there—perfect for soldiers training in the field to grab a quick warm meal.
"Y-you!"
He grabbed both my hands urgently, instantly grasping the value.
"Can we supply this cup ramen to the military right away?"
Nongwon headquarters. Department Head Jang Sehun staggered, barely catching himself on the hallway wall. Clutching his stomach with both hands, he gasped raggedly. Developing a ramen with 20,000 Scoville had finally given him gastritis.
"Urk!"
He grimaced fiercely. What the hell was Hansung Food aiming for with this insane ramen?
"D-department head? You okay?"
"Do I look okay to you?"
"Pardon? I mean…."
He clicked his tongue at the oblivious subordinate. He'd endured this far solely on his mantra of crushing Hansung. Day and night, he'd pushed spicy limits to topple Hansung Food. Tongue numb, guts twisting—he deemed the pain worth it to beat the rival.
Truth was, he faced his greatest crisis yet. His prized jjajang ramen project had been stolen by Hansung. No results here, and he'd be ousted as department head soon enough.
Jang Sehun gritted his teeth. Losing his position terrified him more than the abdominal agony.
"Go Seoksu… what the hell's that guy doing?"
Back in his office, barely sinking into his chair, he flipped open a binder on his desk. The Tado-myeon Project—a ramen packing 20,000 Scoville. With this, he'd reclaim the domestic market share lost to Hansung.
Gurgle!
"Heuk!"
Nothing but ramen instead of rice had sparked war in his belly. Jang Sehun shuffled to the bathroom, leaning on his heels.
The executive meeting loomed. He had to compose himself as a proper department head before then. He clenched his jaw, vowing, I'll make Hansung pay… Urk!
But he slammed his shoulder into the wall, doubling over. His guts twisted, squeezing his abdomen like a vise. In an instant, his grudge against Hansung melted away. Something more urgent had arisen.
No, not now!
A female employee passing by spotted him bent over and rushed up.
"Department head! You alright?"
"Get lost…."
"Pardon?"
"Damn it! I said get lost! Deaf or what? How many times do I have to—Heuk!"
"D-department head? Kyaaak!"
The screaming woman gasped, frantically pinching her nose. The fabric under his butt glistened wetly, a murky yellow liquid trickling down his pant leg.
"Nooooo!"
Pffft!