By Honorary Reporter Foteini Chatzoudi from Greece

Korean-style instant noodles (ramyeon) have captivated the world as a convenience food. Many experiments cook the noodles using unique or traditional ingredients.

The Korean Cultural Centre in Ottawa, Canada, on May 27 held the Korean Instant Noodle Contest with five finalists each presenting original recipes using ramyeon.

Ciara O'Donohoe, a half-Korean, half-Irish contestant, was the runner-up with her dish Kim-Cheese Alfredo.

The following are excerpts from a June 1 interview with O'Donohoe via Instagram.  

Why did you enter the contest?

Growing up, I watched food channels more than any others. As I saw mostly food competitions, I always joked about pursuing the culinary arts. When I heard that the Korean Cultural Centre was holding a contest, I thought it'd be fun. I'd always wanted to live my cooking dream so I entered.

How did you come up with Kim-Cheese Alfredo?
I ate a lot of kimchi while growing up, and it's still one of my favorite foods. I often saw people add cheese when cooking ramyeon so I thought it would be fun to combine kimchi and Alfredo sauce into a cohesive creation.

How did you respond to feedback from judges on your dish?
During my presentation, one of the judges called my dish "interesting" and honestly, I took it as a compliment. Winning wasn't my main goal. I just wanted to explore my creativity and inspire others to add their own twists to the recipe, as this is what I believe cooking is truly about.

What do you think about the rising popularity of ramyeon?

It's amusing to see its surging popularity. It was a staple of my childhood, but when other kids at school saw me eating it, they often tried to correct me to call it ramen, a Japanese term, instead of ramyeon. When the food receives attention, it'll open doors for people worldwide to explore and enjoy other cuisines. 

What specifically do you like about the dish?
I like its versatility. People can experiment with ingredients, add or substitute them as desired and create their unique versions. Even without customization, its simplicity remains appealing. In short, ramyeon is a timeless comfort meal.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.