Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-1018594-20160409062530/@comment-4849011-20161007224738

Wasn't Teuchi (You know, the ramen shop owner) one of Naruto's first friends, or at least one of the first people to show kindness to him? That and Iruka sharing bowls of ramen with him could cause Naruto to associate ramen with kindness, friendship, etc. Naruto: Friendship is Ramen.