Anime is an entertainment genre originating in Japan. Some may be old enough to remember Astro Boy in the 1960s and 1970s or Sailor Moon in the 1990s. Some creations, like Pokémon, have been airing since the 1990s. It’s a style of cartoon, with unique stories inspired by Japanese and Korean artists. In the past 5 years, anime has become somewhat of an obsession with pre-teens and teens and many characters have cult-like followers. Dozens of Japanese and Korean series have been aired on platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Youtube, and they are followed by millions of teens and pre-teens.
Anime spotlights eastern cuisines
Twenty years ago, Sailor Moon, Astro Boy, and Pokémon didn’t inspire youth to run out to the Asian Isle in the supermarket and buy up all the Ramen Noodles. Today’s anime fans are inspired to try new Asian dishes. Ramen in particular. Anime’s cultural influence on teens is far-reaching and has spanned from fashion to food. How is the anime youth cultural revolution impacting the Halal food sector? Youth are now demanding noodles. Oodles of noodles – as well as rice, dumplings, and red bean cookies. Here are some of the meals American youth (and youth worldwide) are demanding as a direct result of what they’ve seen heroes, heroines, and villains eat in animated programming:
- Ramen – noodles
- Onigiri – rice shaped in a triangle
- Taiyaki – red bean pastry
- Dango – grilled rice dumplings
- Bento Box – nicely arranged meat, rice, and vegetables
- Poky – a cookie stick dipped in chocolate
New trends in food service and retail
An increasing number of teens and young adults are ordering the above Anime dishes from restaurants, as well as making their own meals at home. In some larger cities, like Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago – Halal Japanese, Chinese, and Korean restaurants are rapidly emerging to meet the demand. Some restaurants produce noodles from scratch and cut noodles on-site.
Some young Anime fans want to prepare their own noodles at home. To make noodle dishes, they either purchase prepackaged Ramen Noodles, or they buy rice noodles and make their own broth/vegetable/noodle/meat combination.
There are hundreds of pre-packaged Halal Ramen Noodles on the market. Most of the products are imported from East and SE Asia. Their flavor combinations are endless. Their price points range from .50 for a small package of instant noodles with dried broth to $8.00 per package for Halal organic noodles with natural sauce.
Opportunities for growth
Momofuku Ando, who in 1958 created the instant ramen noodle pack as a solution to post-war hunger in Japan, probably never imagined the success and was even obsessed with his product 60 years later.
In fact, according to the World Instant Noodle Association, over 106 billion packages of noodles were eaten worldwide in 2019. This trend is growing worldwide. As of 2021, Instant Ramen Noodles raked in over $42 billion for the relatively few global companies in the market. There is even a Ramen Noodle Museum in Japan.
Two young American entrepreneurs launched the first high protein, low carb, healthy instant ramen noodle last year. There will likely be more innovation in this area. With demand increasing worldwide and a following of millions of Gen Z aficionados demanding Asian noodles – this is a food trend that cannot be ignored.
Teens and young adults are trying Asian meals, particularly noodles more than ever before and these adaptations in tastes and preferences will likely continue well into adulthood. New and existing USA noodle companies and restaurants can achieve wider access to the growing global Halal market by producing Halal-certified products. Contact ISA for details.
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How To Confirm Whether the Food in a Restaurant is Halal?![Islam prescribes some dietary guidelines to Muslims by forbidding certain foods (Haram) and permitting others (Halal). This has made it challenging for Muslims, living in non-Muslim majority regions to consume only Halal Food. But fortunately, there are some reliable certification organizations in America such as Islamic Services of America, who examine foods claiming to be Halal. ISA affixes a symbol of compliance on the product once the food is verified. Halal consumers can utilize those products without any concerning doubt. Foods mentioned in the holy Qur'an. From realizing the right way of worship to the right food to eat, people seek guidance from the Qur’an and Sunnah in every aspect of their life. They then formulate ways to use and share their knowledge as much as possible. For example, the Muslim & Qur’an app informs Muslims of accurate prayer times, while Halal certification guarantees that the food is free from any ingredient prohibited under Islamic law. Halal food manufacturers must know which foods are prohibited or permitted in Islam. The most reliable source which guides them in making 100 percent Halal food is the Holy Qur’an. Below we mention 10 foods that are deemed naturally Halal in the Holy Qur’an: Seafood It is lawful in Islam to catch and eat seafood for the benefit of humans. A verse in Surah Al-Maida confirms that fish and other seafood are allowed for Halal consumers. Lawful for you and those in the journey is to catch and eat water game as a provision. [5:96] Our beloved Propher Muhammad (PBUH) used to like milk very much. Milk Milk produced from Halal animals is permitted in Islam. Milk is a Sunnah food (the benefits and blessings of milk are mentioned in the Sunnah) and is mentioned multiple times in the Holy Qur’an. At one place, Allah says: Indeed, there is a lesson for you in cattle. Between their dung and blood, and inside their bellies, there is pure milk for you to drink, and that is palatable for drinkers. [16:66] Dates Dates are also strongly recommended by the Holy Qur’an as healthy and lawful food. Their consumption becomes tenfold in the month of Ramadan because Muslims break their fast by eating Dates as a Sunnah. It is mentioned 22 times in the Qur’an which shows its deep-rooted significance in Islam. Push the trunk of the palm toward you and you will find fresh, ripe dates. [19:25] Grains Grains are mentioned numerous times in Qur’an. One reference related to corn is mentioned in a verse of Surah Naba: And We send down from rainclouds pouring water, producing by it grain and various plants. [78:14-15] Garlic is Halal by nature and prescribed in herbal medicines. Herb and Root Vegetation Halal consumers can eat each green herb, edible legume, onion, garlic, and other root vegetation. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says that: So call your Lord to raise herbs, cucumbers, garlic, onions, and lentils from the earth, for us. [2:61] Figs Allah has named a whole chapter of the Qur’an on the topic of figs, named Surah At-Tin. The first verse of the Surah starts with this Halal fruit: By the fig and olive… [95:1] Grapes Halal consumers can also eat grapes and delight their taste buds because a verse of Surah Al-Mu’min states that: We produced gardens of palm trees and grapevines for you, wherein you can find ample fruits to eat. [23:19] Honey has a lot of medicinal benefits and honey itself is cure to many diseases. Honey Honey is mentioned in the Qur’an as a source of healing. Surah An-Nahl, the 16th chapter of the Qur’an, contains many instructions from Allah, related to the consumption of honey. And, from its (honeybee) belly, juice of different hues has been issued, which is a source of cure for people. [16:69] Aromatic Plants There is a variety of edible aromatic plants that are Halal in Islam. It is evident in the 55th chapter of the Qur’an (Surah Rahman). And grains that contain shells and scented plants. [55:12] And grain with husks, and aromatic plants. [55:12] Our beloved Propher Muhammad (PBUH) used to love gourd. Gourd The Gourd was the favourite vegetable of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The word](https://i0.wp.com/www.halaltimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Untitled-design.jpg?resize=80%2C80&ssl=1)
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