The savior of college students, late-night cravings, rent is due desperation, and unadulterated desire for delicious, salty noodles: ramen is rightfully sanctified. In many ways, it’s the perfect food. It’s simple enough to prepare that you can do it on zero energy, yet cheap and widely available enough to provide ultimate accessibility. It can be a snack or a meal, depending on your attitude and willingness to add toppings. Ramen is the tie that binds: from culture to culture, country to country, we can all appreciate its salty depths. It’s the common ground of prepared foods. 

Yet, for all its universality, it remains particular to its consumer. Everyone has a favorite brand, favorite flavor, and way to prepare it. Some leave it soupy, others prefer it only slightly damp, and some freaks eat it uncooked (okay, I did that when I was a kid). Almost everyone has a personal connection to ramen, so almost everyone can and will enjoy these memes that celebrate it.