Few things are more comforting than the nostalgia of home cooked food and food that you have grown up eating. And if you are living away from home, one of the things that you miss the most apart from your family and friends is home cooked meals. The latter is a great source of comfort, familiarity and fosters an intrinsic connection with your native place and culture. The experience of finding your favourite food abroad is pure joy to say the least. And if you are from Nepal, Wai Wai noodles is one food that is a source of tremendous happiness. “During my first days in the US, Wai Wai was my comfort blanket. In a new country, uncertain about whether the cafeteria food would meet my dietary needs, having a packet of Wai Wai meant one thing—I would not go hungry. For a homesick, hungry student navigating unfamiliar territory, Wai Wai was a reliable, familiar lifeline” says Sangita Malla Rana from Texas.
Intrinsic to Nepali Culture
It is often said that pointing to a packet of Wai Wai noodles in your pantry is one of the best ways to say you are Nepali without actually saying it! A brand that was launched over three decades ago by Binod Chaudhary, the president of the Chaudhary Group, Wai Wai is today sold in over 35 countries. A chance spotting at the airport where Chaudhary saw people from Nepal lugging Wai Wai noodle packets to Dubai served inspiration for him to export the snack to different countries. The journey of how Wai Wai was born at a time when more and more Nepalis were moving abroad and experimenting with new foods forms for an insightful read in Chaudhary’s memoir Making It Big. The group’s manufacturing, marketing and advertising strategy is to stay ahead of the competition and turn Wai Wai into a market leader, as detailed in the book, is truly inspiring.
A cultural icon and a staple of hundreds of households, Wai Wai is hugely popular given its delectable flavour and versatility. “As far as I can recall I always had Wai Wai in my tuck box in boarding school. Wai Wai was a trade missile for me as I always got to pick the other goodies from people’s tuck box in exchange for a packet of Wai Wai. Moving to the US some 28 years ago I would always ask my family for Wai Wai from Nepal until it was available here and now, I enjoy Wai Wai which is soul food for me. My son, a second- generation Nepali here always craves for a bowl of Wai Wai soup on days he wants a break from bland food” says Tripti Chand from Virginia.
Versatile and Recipes Galore
It is key to note that Wai Wai is available in a variety of flavours catering to all kinds of tastes and palates. This includes not only the standard vegetarian and chicken flavoured options but even offerings like oriental, ramen style and rice vermicelli noodles. They come in both regular and quick cook varieties and are easily available in Asian supermarkets, grocery stores and even large chains like Amazon and Walmart. And one reason for its soaring popularity is the fact that it can be cooked and eaten in umpteen ways. From eating it raw by crushing the noodles in the pack and mixing it with the seasoning to drinking it like a soup or even cooking it on a pan like conventional noodles, the options are endless. Adding vegetables and spices of your choice is a great way to create unique recipes.
If you are up for adventure mixing the raw and cooked version is another way to savour the noodles. The raw noodles are generally mixed with seasoning and finely chopped raw onions, tomatoes and green chillies. It is given a good stir and then mixed with a packet of noodles cooked with the seasoning. “My favorite way of eating is this delicious recipe that can be consumed without cooking. We eat after mixing it with boiled potato, diced onion, diced tomato, chopped green chili, a dash of lemon juice and garnished with cilantro. I can eat it this way anytime, any day and anywhere” says Sita Shrestha from Maryland.
If you are looking to eat something filling, cook Wai Wai along with loads of veggies like tomatoes, onions, carrots and bell peppers. Seasoning is enhanced with the use of garam masala and red chilli powder. Fans of oriental flavours can add Schezwan sauce coupled with vegetables like beans, spring onions and even broccoli. Other die-hard Wai Wai fans also cook the noodles with potatoes and eggs. Dice potatoes, onions and green chillies and fry till golden brown, add seasoning, chilli powder and then an egg yolk. Mix well and stir in the noodles. A perfect meal that gives you the warm feeling of home away from home!
