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Nissin 日清食品

The inventor of instant noodles

Momofuku Andō invented instant ramen in a shed behind his home in Ikeda, Osaka, in 1958, after watching long queues for noodles in post-war Japan. Chicken Ramen was followed in 1971 by Cup Noodle.

Founded
1948
Shōwa 23
Founder
Momofuku Andō
Started in
Osaka
Status
Still trading
Age 78 years

Timeline

  1. 1948 (Shōwa 23)

    Andō founds the company that becomes Nissin.

  2. 1958 (Shōwa 33)

    Launches Chicken Ramen, the first instant noodles.

  3. 1971 (Shōwa 46)

    Launches Cup Noodle.

  4. 2005 (Heisei 17)

    Develops Space Ram, noodles eaten on the Space Shuttle.

Years in brackets are the Japanese era year. Japanese era converter →

Did you know?

The breakthrough came from watching his wife fry tempura: frying the noodles dried them and made them quick to cook again.

Dates follow the companies' own published histories where available. Trademarks belong to their owners; this page is not affiliated with any company listed.