What began as a seemingly routine press conference has spiraled into an international crisis, as a dispute over the origins of ramen has pitted China, Japan, and even South Korea against one another in a whirlwind of accusations, finger-pointing, and diplomatic drama.
Cultural Heritage Clash
The controversy started innocently enough. During a cultural ceremony celebrating new entries into UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, China's Cultural Preservation, Historical Glorification, and Eternal Heritage Stewardship Ministry for the Unified Prosperity and Happiness of the People’s Republic of China (CPHGESMUPHPRC) proudly announced the inclusion of ramen as part of their national heritage.
However, Hiroshi Tanaka, a representative from Japan was quick to object. “Ramen is part of our heritage,” Tanaka stated, pointing out that ramen had been an integral part of Japanese culture “before the Edo Period.”
In response, Xiao Chen, a spokesperson from China fired back, “Ramen has been a staple in China since Ancient Times. And by Ancient Times, we mean, uh... really ancient. Definitely before your Edo Period.”
The vague definition of “Ancient Times” only fueled tensions.
As the days unfolded, the disagreement devolved into a full-scale diplomatic spat:
China accused Japan of “gross interference” and “hurting the feelings of the Chinese people” by questioning their claim.
Japan retorted by accusing China of cultural appropriation, demanding clarification on "Ancient Times."
Adding to the chaos, South Korea jumped into the fray, accusing China of stealing the Hanbok. “They've been doing this for years,” said Soo-yeon Choi, a South Korean official. “First our clothes, now our food, what’s next? Our tea ceremonies?”
China, not missing a beat, fired back with a scathing remark. “South Korea is like the little brother who borrows clothes from his elder brother’s closet and forgets to return them. The Hanbok and Kimchi are ours!”
The chaos reached a boiling point when Japan tabled a resolution at The UN Security Council, seeking recognition of ramen as part of their cultural heritage. During the heated debate, Aiko Yamamoto argued passionately, “Ramen represents the soul of our people!”
China, however, dismissed the resolution as “a desperate ploy.” “Stop trying to steal our ramen,” Ying Zhao stated, rolling her eyes.
When the vote failed to pass, Japan accused China of backroom sabotage. “They clearly lobbied against us!” Yamamoto fumed. “China is lying about the origin of ramen.”
After intense debates, The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stepped in to mediate, announcing: “To preserve global unity, UNESCO has decided to temporarily remove ramen from the Intangible Cultural Heritage list while further discussions take place.”
The decision finally eased tensions, with both sides issuing statements:
China: “We respect UNESCO's decision and hope to continue discussions in the spirit of mutual understanding.”
Japan: “While we may not have achieved our desired outcome, we are committed to preserving the rich history of ramen for future generations.”
South Korea: “We hope this resolution encourages everyone to reflect on the shared cultural treasures that bind us all together—tea included.”
While the scars of the dispute may linger, cooler heads now have the chance to prevail. As the seasoned diplomat Kofi Annan noted, “At its core, ramen is a symbol of warmth and comfort. Who Ramen belongs to is a debate for another time."