In February 1972, five members of the United Red Army took a woman hostage inside the Asama-Sansō Lodge in the mountains of Nagano, Japan. What followed was a ten-day siege broadcast live across the country, with nearly 90% of Japan tuning in to watch negotiations, psychological tactics, and the final dramatic assault.

But viewers noticed something unexpected during the long winter standoff.

Outside the lodge, police officers waiting in the snow were repeatedly shown eating Cup Noodles, a brand-new convenience food that had launched just a year earlier. Those quiet moments on live television became an accidental national introduction to instant ramen.

In this episode of True Crime Culinary, we break down the ten days of the Asama-Sansō Incident, explore the origins of ramen and the invention of Cup Noodles, and look at how a hostage crisis helped turn a simple cup of noodles into a cultural icon.

If you enjoy stories where food, history, and true crime intersect, follow True Crime Culinary so you never miss an episode.

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Sources

CupNoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda — https://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/en/osaka_ikeda/
Nissin Foods History — https://www.nissin.com/en_jp/about/history/
BBC Audio – The Asama-Sansō Incident — https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/w3cswsgt
Asama-Sansō Incident — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asama-Sans%C5%8D_incident
Unseen Japan – Red Army and Asama-Sansō — https://unseen-japan.com/red-army-asama-sanso-lodge/
Instant Noodles History — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant_noodles

What does sparkling water have to do with one of the strangest disasters in modern history?

In 1986, a quiet volcanic lake in Cameroon suddenly released a massive cloud of carbon dioxide that suffocated 1,746 people and thousands of animals overnight.

In this episode of True Crime Culinary, we explore the haunting story of Lake Nyos and the science behind the bubbles. From Henry’s Law and volcanic lakes to European mineral water spas and the invention of carbonated drinks, we follow the surprising history of sparkling water from ancient springs to modern soda bottles.

Follow True Crime Culinary on IG and YT!

https://www.instagram.com/truecrimeculinary/

https://youtube.com/@truecrimeculinary

A tuna melt in Lake Tahoe sent me down a rabbit hole. How did a fish once harvested through ancient Mediterranean trap fisheries become a cheap pantry staple — and sometimes a luxury item worth thousands?

In this episode, we trace tuna’s journey from seasonal coastal ritual to industrial global commodity, uncover a real corporate price-fixing scandal involving major canned tuna brands, and explore how one simple sandwich connects migration, manufacturing, and modern convenience.

Your lunch didn’t get cheap by accident.

References:

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (n.d.). Tuna fisheries and resources. https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/topic/14854

International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. (n.d.). Stock assessments and conservation measures. https://www.iccat.int/en/assess.htm

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. (n.d.). Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/atlantic-bluefin-tuna

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. (n.d.). Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax). https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/pacific-sardine

Smith, A. F. (Ed.). (2007). The Oxford companion to American food and drink. Oxford University Press.

Smithsonian Ocean Portal. (n.d.). Purse seine fishing. https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/fish/purse-seine-fishing

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. (2017, May 8). Bumble Bee Foods LLC agrees to plead guilty to fixing prices of canned tuna. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/bumble-bee-foods-llc-agrees-plead-guilty-fixing-prices-canned-tuna

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. (2018, September 11). StarKist Co. ordered to pay $100 million criminal fine for participating in canned tuna price-fixing conspiracy. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/starkist-co-ordered-pay-100-million-criminal-fine-participating-canned-tuna-price