Ruthlessly persecuted by Atkins, coldly scorned by South Beach. Pity the poor noodle, fallen from grace.

Except at Eat Ramen Help Japan, a fundraiser next week that's sure to be a filling one.

Chefs from Masu and moto-i, Russell Klein of Meritage and Jack Riebel of Dakota will all be facing off in the unlikely category of Ramen.

At Create Catering Dining Studio next Thursday (7/21), bowls will overflow with each chef's reinvention of the dorm room staple. Your first bowl (and entry fee) is just $10 and you can buy more there along with beer and wine.

Funds raised will go to Second Harvest Japan to help families struggling post-tsunami. But it's the heaping noodle bowls that lure with a come-hither-and-slurp seduction, and say to hell with trendy high-protein diets.

Because you're totally carb neutral.

Eat Ramen Help Japan, 6 to 10 p.m. on July 21, Create Catering, 1121 Jackson St. NE, Mpls. $10 tickets available online or at the door.