How Instant Ramen Became an Overnight Success

Instant noodles may often be associated with broke college students, but the story behind their invention is far more profound. The creator of instant ramen, Momofuku Ando, embarked on a mission to address a critical issue in Japan post-World War II: a food crisis.

After the war, Japanese cities were plagued by severe food shortages, which prompted the U.S. to supply wheat flour and encourage the Japanese to produce bread. Momofuku Ando was puzzled by this initiative, as noodles were deeply embedded in the Japanese culture. Determined to create a sustainable solution, Ando decided to devise a new kind of ramen that could be stored for longer periods.

Ando spent a year experimenting with ways to preserve noodles. He aimed to develop a non-perishable, delicious, and simple recipe. The challenge was to retain the robust flavors and unique texture that people were accustomed to in traditional ramen. The breakthrough came one evening when Ando's wife was making dinner. As he watched her, he threw some noodles into a bowl of hot tempura oil, discovering that flash frying them was the key. This method not only dehydrated the noodles but also created small perforations, enabling them to recook quickly.

Ando's instant ramen quickly gained popularity after its release. Introduced in the 1950s, packaged ramen became a staple, and the introduction of cup noodles in 1978 further skyrocketed its success. Ando's company eventually sold upwards of 40 billion units annually, securing his place as a culinary icon in Japan.

So, the next time you heat up a cup of instant noodles, remember that you're not just eating a quick meal; you're enjoying a piece of history.

Keywords

Instant noodles
Momofuku Ando
Post-World War II food crisis
Japan
Wheat flour
Noodles
Flash frying
Dehydration
Packaged ramen
Cup noodles
Culinary icon

FAQ

Q: Who invented instant ramen?
A: Momofuku Ando invented instant ramen.

Q: Why did Momofuku Ando create instant ramen?
A: Ando created instant ramen to solve a food crisis in Japan after World War II.

Q: What was the key method Ando discovered to preserve noodles?
A: Ando discovered that flash frying the noodles in hot oil was the key to preserving them.

Q: When were packaged ramen and cup noodles introduced?
A: Packaged ramen was introduced in the 1950s and cup noodles in 1978.

Q: How many units of instant noodles are sold annually by Ando's company?
A: Ando's company sells upwards of 40 billion units annually.