The original author gets double the money! /s
Sometimes the author doesn't like the manga adaptation and approves a second one. I think that's the case with Apothecary Diaries?
I used to like this version more for the extra details in the art until they started using CGI for the monsters and...
Sure it'll vary from place to place but I don't think a typical bowl of udon is going to have significantly more noodles by weight (and calorie content) than a typical bowl of ramen.
Actual gods have made their appearance in the story/world (the fox gods in "Gen"). There's a non-zero chance that they give Ludwig the elder a little help, but I don't think it's needed for the story.