Instant Noodles Culture
Mama Instant Noodles and WaiWai are both top-selling brands of instant noodles in Thailand. ‘Mama’ has become the universal term for Thai people to refer to any instant noodle, no matter what brand it is. Someone might love WaiWai but still call it ‘Mama’. It is the same way Thai people use brand names for everyday things. They say ‘Fab’ for any detergent or ‘Max’ for any stapler. Mama is just the word for instant noodles.
Why Mama Is a Big Deal
Mama was launched in 1972 by Thai President Foods and quickly became a household name. The brand controls over 50% of Thailand’s instant noodle market and exports to more than 60 countries. Thai people eat roughly 49 packs per person per year. That is a lot of noodles. There is probably at least one pack of Mama in every Thai home, and many Thai travellers pack a few when they go overseas because the ones sold outside Thailand taste different. I am not sure why, but the Thai version is definitely better.
How to Eat Mama
The usual way is simple: pour hot water, empty the small sachets into the bowl, cover, wait three minutes if you can, and eat. But the other way Thai people like is to snack on it dry and uncooked. Just crush the noodles in the bag, sprinkle the seasoning inside, shake and eat. The health department probably would not approve of this, so I will not tell you how tasty that slightly salted, crunchy noodle actually is.
Thai cooks have also turned Mama into real dishes. Phad Mama is fried in a wok with vegetables, egg, pork or prawns, served as a one-plate meal. Yum Mama is a spicy Thai-style salad with lime juice, chilli, fish sauce, tomatoes, onions and fresh herbs. Larb Mama is another variation. These are popular at street stalls and late-night food spots across Thailand. The easiest place to try Yum Mama is at Yum Saap Restaurant, found at most shopping malls across Thailand, including Central Phuket.
Which Flavour to Try
The bestselling flavour is the silver pack Mama Tom Yam Goong, and it is the one most people think of when they hear ‘Mama’. The thick version, Mama Tom Yam Goong Nam Khon, has a creamier broth. Other popular options include Mama Moo Sap (minced pork), Mama Sen Mee Naam Sai (clear soup white noodle), and the glass noodle version, Mama Woon Sen. My personal favourite is the original WaiWai Moo Sub, the minced pork flavour. A single pack costs about 7 to 8 baht.
Popular Packs
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| Mama Tom Yam Goong |
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| WaiWai Moo Sub Tom Yam |
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| Mama Sen Mee Naam Sai (Clear Soup White Noodle) |
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| Mama Moo Sap |
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| Waiwai Tom Yum Mun Koong |
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| Mama Sen Lek Tom Yam |
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| Mama Woon Sen Tom Yam Goong |
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| Yum Yum Jumbo – Moo Sap |
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| Mama Tom Yam Goong Nam Khon (Thick Tom Yam Soup) |
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| WaiWai Moo Sub |
