Food is a medium for creativity. Chefs across the nation are constantly finding new ways to reinvent and reimagine staple foods that can otherwise feel boring. The Noods, Noods, Noods Fest is aiming to do exactly that — with one of the most unlikely base foods: cup o’ noodles. Foodbeast is collaborating with NISSIN to host the event in Downtown Santa Ana, CA. on January 27, and the two are planning to bring together some of the area’s most inventive chefs to remix everyone’s favorite dorm room snack.
Sure, we’ve all done some creative things to ramen in our most dire of financial situations, but this festival features full-on concoctions created by real chefs in real restaurants. Among the most notable of the I-never-would-have-thought-to-do-that creations are:
Belly Bombz Kitchen Firecracker Chicken Ramen Quesadilla:
These are ramen infused crepes, with chicken, Belly Bombz “Firecracker” Sauce, cheddar cheese, green onion, and corn. Garnished with avocado crema, radishes, and cilantro.
Bruxie’s Kickin Kimchi Ramen Waffle:
A smoked pork belly & spiced ramen noodle “waffle” sandwich.
Cali Tacos ‘s Carne Asada Cup Noodle:
A Carne Asada-style cheesy ramen with salsa, cabbage, and cotija cheese.
Creamistry’s Choco Pie Nitro Shake:
Creamistry’s signature nitrogen infused “NitroShake” garnished with classic Choco Pie treats, marshmallows, and whipped cream. It’s not noodles, but it sounds good!
Drizzle’s Sweet Sesame Funnel Cone:
Funnel cake filled with sesame ice cream topped with coconut jelly, matcha powder sprinkles, matcha wafers, fresh whipped cream, and drizzled with condensed milk
Mad Dumplings Truck’s Spicy Bulgogi Beef Dumplings:
Pan-fried bulgogi beef dumplings over spicy sesame Gochujang noodles.
Ninjas With Appetite’s Teriyaki Cheesesteak Ramen:
Teriyaki steak, ramen and cheese, topped with green onions and chives
Norigami Taco’s Seafood Ramen Egg Rolls:
Jumbo cheesy ramen eggrolls with imitation crab and shrimp tempura. Topped with green onion and avocado crema.
Trip Tip Man’s Sweet & Spicy Tri-Tip Lo Mein:
Smoked tri-tip with a sweet and spicy plum sauce served over Lo Mein noodles and vegetables. Topped with a spicy Sesame Sauce drizzle.
If those mouth-watering videos aren’t enough to get you to go, the festival will also feature an E-Sports Smash Bros. Tournament, a VIP Gaming Couch where NISSIN will supply guests with a chill spot to play video games while they let their food digest before trying more food, and a one-of-a-kind art activation created by Paul Fuentes — an artist featured in the famous Museum of Ice Cream.
