I think I’d also recommend adding some PVA glue to the ramen noodles (assuming that you’re not going to eat them at some point); this should lend them a little plasticity and extra strength, not to mention helping them adhere to the armature.
Omit the flavour sachet though, I would.
My big, round, japanese lantern covered in rice-paper had it’s armature built from the thin-bamboo stuff that craft stores sell for basket weaving.
Also the latitude lines were not parallel, they were one spiral joined by the longitudes. Check out Pier One imports or Cost Plus or World Market for inspiration.
Finagle couple of things for you to consider next time you are trying to bend a perfect sphere
#1 build yourself a mandrel
#2 the thicker the wood the less springback you will encounter
Note to #1 if you are using thin wood and springback is going to be a problem use a smaller than required mandrel.
Now to address the joint issue if you are worried enough about joint integrity to use a scarf joint you should probably look into using solids or laminates. (Please note I hate the looks of laminated wood and that is my personal hangup)
Mangetout’s idea illustrated in his linked pages is good.
It isn’t bent wood, and that’s what you asked for, but his idea would provide you with the sphere you want.
By cutting the circles, rather than bending them, the job of producing different diameter pieces for the lattitudes is simplified.
Do you insist on bent wood. If yes, his idea won’t work. Otherwise, go ahead and do it his way. He has illustrated the cheapest, easiest technique.