I am simply craving a bowl of ramen. It’s been on my mind for a while: tonight I am going to watch one of my favourite foodie films. It’s part of a ‘food on film’ festival at Freeworld Design Centre, where selected gourmands are hosting their favourite food movies with a dinner to complement it.

Tonight is my turn and, of course, I chose Tampopo. Noodles are one of the most comforting dishes to eat. I love to slurp up their deliciousness, and I love them even more if they are nestling in a fragrant broth.

One of my fondest food memories is of a visit to London with my mom when we had lunch at Wagamama. We sat at a very busy long table and ordered oversized bowls of egg noodles that were so long when we slurped them that they seemed to go on forever.

On our last trip to New York we ate at Republic on Union Square. Funky girls and guys wore headphones into which your order of bright green spinach soba noodles, and fiery chilli coconut rice ones, was placed. We went more than once!

Tampopo, meaning dandelion, is a late 80s Japanese comedy about the making, cooking, serving and eating of noodles. It is the mission of a girl and truck driver to find the perfect ramen recipe. Some of the recipes are described in the film as sincere, with substance, or lacking in depth.

A bowl of ramen is analysed from the first savoured taste, noting the glistening jewels of fat on the surface, the seaweed slowly sinking and the spring onions floating. They caress the surface with their chopsticks and gently tap a piece of pork on the side of the bowl. Bring the bowl close to their mouths and sip three times – the ritual of eating ramen!

Closer to home, do try a helping of miso cha shu ramen at Yamato Japanese Restaurant in Illovo, Johannesburg. It’s a delicious miso pork broth with homemade egg noodles and sliced pork, just like in the movie. Or, in Cape Town at Takumi in Kloof Street, order the great value noodles in a broth with crisp veggies.

And try to get a copy of Tampopo to watch; you’ll love this film as it explores why it’s so important that food is judged and high standards are recognised.

Happy slurping!
Abigail

Photograph: Getty/Ann Stratton