My Inspiration Behind the Noodle Quest Collection
Noodle Quest was created in 2023, but it took me some time to launch my online shop, so I wasn’t able to share its story until now.
Growing up, I wasn’t really aware of Ramen as we know it today. For us, “ramen” simply meant street food mami or instant noodles—specifically Lucky Me, one of the OG brands of instant noodles back home. Instant noodles were a staple in many households because they were affordable and easy to prepare.
In our family, my dad always preferred having both a dry and wet dish in every meal. If my mom missed preparing a soup dish, her quick fix was to boil some Lucky Me noodles and add an egg—just like that, the meal was complete, and dad had no complaints. Instant noodles were our go-to comfort food, especially when we were too hungry to wait for a proper meal. It was also one of the first things we learned to cook as kids.
Street food was a big part of our daily lives in the Philippines, and it was something I could always afford with my school allowance. One of my favorites was mami—a noodle soup sold from wooden carts lined with stacks of bowls, cutlery, and a large stainless steel pot filled with boiling broth. To this day, I am grateful for all the street food vendors who fed me during my long commutes from school to home. That’s how much noodles and mami meant to me.
Fast forward to today, and I have a new Noodle Quest to tell. There’s a popular ramen house near my home in Dubai—Daikan. Every time I feel down, tired, or just unmotivated, my first instinct is to grab a hot bowl of ramen and have a conversation with Basti (my dear husband). It has become my default setting for comfort. I love how just a few sips of broth and slurps of noodles can transform my mood in an instant.
One day, I came across an illustration on Pinterest titled “How to Eat Ramen,” created by Nicolau, and it instantly sparked an idea. I wanted to create my own take on it—thus, Noodle Quest was born.
How to eat my Ramen :) hmmm basically it starts with my craving. After a long and tiring day, a hot, savory bowl of ramen is the ultimate pick-me-up. There are many ramen shops in the UAE, but my favorite will always be Daikan, especially their old location at Gate Avenue. Unfortunately, they’ve moved to a fancier spot, but nothing beats the cozy, homey vibe of their previous space, where you’d order, eat, and leave quickly because of the long queue of waiting customers.
Once my ramen arrives, I take a short moment to admire the beautiful arrangement of ingredients in the bowl. I let the steam rise, savoring the aromatic warmth as it fills my senses.
I start with a slow sip of the savory broth. Sometimes, I even close my eyes to savor the moment. Just one sip, and it feels like all the stress of the day lifts off my shoulders.
Then comes the first bite—I carefully pick up the noodles with my chopsticks, making sure not to disturb the delicate arrangement of meat, mushrooms, egg, and other toppings. Maybe it’s just me, but I love keeping the aesthetics of the bowl intact for as long as I can, knowing how much effort the chef put into its presentation. I see you, chef—I appreciate you!
Then, I slowly enjoy each bite, each sip, until I’ve finished every last drop of broth. Eating ramen is more than just a meal; it’s an experience, a ritual that brings comfort and relief no matter how tough my day has been.
Noodle Quest isn’t a complicated story—it’s a story of comfort. It’s about those nostalgic moments of sharing meals with family and friends. It’s about the joy of simple pleasures, like slurping on a bowl of noodles after a long day.
Before launching Noodle Quest online, I had already introduced it at various events. What people loved most about it was its relatability—everyone has their own way of eating ramen, their own little noodle ritual.
At its core, Noodle Quest is my story, but it’s also a story of connection. It’s a reminder that sometimes, all we need is a bowl of noodles to feel at home, no matter where we are.
