For those not already familiar with ramen, this seemingly simple yet complex bowl of noodles in soup could be considered Japan’s national dish, with devotees constantly in search of the perfect bowl. Typically a rich and salty pork broth with slightly chewy ramen noodles and an assortment of toppings, this is a sublime hug-from-the-inside dish for winter.

Tampopo is the perfect film for ramen newbies and the ultimate must see for ramen lovers who have an obsession with food. Affectionately called a “ramen western” this absurd, funny, food-porn film served up as comedy could only to come out of Japan. Forget the terrible 2008 Hollywood remake and watch the original first.

Directed and written by Juzo Itami, this 1985 Japanese comedy is the story of how a truck driver helps meek and passive Tampopo (meaning dandelion in Japanese) turn around her failing ramen shop to become a fearless ramen master. Scattered throughout the film are amuse-bouche vignettes that look at our relationship with food from the quirky to the outright bizarre (pass the egg yolk kissing foreplay anyone?)

But first, here’s a scene on how to eat ramen from a sensei – possibly the first example of the foodie gaze, long before Instagram. If this doesn’t make you want to eat a steaming bowl of hot ramen on a cold day, I don’t know what will!