Wai Wai (food)
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| Origin | |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Nepal and Thailand |
| Region or state | Sikkim, West Bengal, Nepal |
| Creator(s) | Chaudhary Groups (Nepal), Thai Foods Industries |
| Details | |
| Course | Snack |
| Variations | regular, tom yom, chicken, vegetarian |
Wai Wai (Nepali: वाई वाई) is a brand of instant noodles produced by Chaudhary Group under CG FOODS (Nepal) Pvt. Ltd in Nepal and India.[1]
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[edit] History
Wai Wai was launched in Nepal initially with the collaboration of Thai Foods Industries, and has led to establishment of a huge market for instant noodles in Nepal. After about 2 decades, there are over 20 different brands of instant noodles in Nepal, providing various seasoning, flavors and diets. Nirvana Chaudhary is currently the company's Managing Director and overseeing its rapid expansion plan.
[edit] Serving Styles
Wai Wai can be eaten straight from the package or cooked in soup form. Unlike ordinary noodles, wai wai is pre-cooked, flavoured, seasoned and fried before packaging. It comes in various seasoning flavours. A pack of Wai Wai includes chili powder, masala (mixed spices) and onion oil which can be used to prepare the soup. Wai Wais are rich in carbohydrates, minerals and proteins. Chicken and vegetarian flavored Wai Wai are the most popular flavours. Wai Wai is most Nepalese office's lunch
[edit] Flavors
Maruchan offers three distinct products with a wide variety of popular flavors in cup and 'quick' variants.
[edit] Popularity
Wai Wai is perhaps the most common brand of dry foods in Nepal.[2] Instant noodles consist of a major part of the dry foods sold in Nepal and are claimed to be available in any part of the country.It is a brown noodle available in both chicken and vegetable flavour.
Wai Wai produced in Nepal used to be exported to India. The rising popularity of Wai Wai in India led CG Foods to open factories in India. Currently there are 3 factories of Wai Wai in India. Wai Wai has gained popularity in about thirty countries around Asia and Europe, with most foreign tourists taking a liking to it and importing it into their respective countries.[citation needed]
[edit] Health concern and criticism
Wai Wai is often criticised for the presence of Monosodium glutamate in it, although it is said to be present in less than 1%. A warning mentioned on the packet clearly forbids infants below 1 year age to eat Wai Wai (in extremely small print, behind the flap). Being very popular among kids in Nepal, its a major health concern. A case of bone malfunction of a 12 year old child due to heavy consumption of Wai Wai was once reported in the national channel, NTV, of Nepal.[citation needed]
[edit] Ingredients
Ingredients used to prepare vegetarian Wai Wai:
- Wheat flour
- Vegetable oil
- Salt
- Chilli
- Onion
- Garlic
- Soya sauce
- Spices
- Hydrolysed vegetable protein
- Edible gum
- Black Pepper
- Monosodium glutamate (1%)
[edit] Advertising
Wai Wai Vividta ma ekta was a multi-lingual, TV Commercial communicating that whatever be the caste, creed, language or geography all Nepalis enjoy Wai Wai.
[edit] Wai Wai Quick
Wai Wai has also recently released a new version subtitled "quick", which is available in many different flavours. Despite the name, its not really any quicker.
[edit] See also
- IndoMie Mi Goreng
- Indomie Nigeria
- Koka noodles
- Maggi noodles
- Mr. Noodles
- Pot Noodle
- Sapporo Ichiban
- Shin Cup
- Shin ramyun
- Super Noodles
