Weird History Food takes us on a compelling journey through the history of Cup Noodles, one of the most iconic and beloved instant ramen in the world. Cup Noodles, recognized as Japan’s most popular invention in 2000, have an intriguing history that spans continents and decades. This humble invention, born from the creative mind of a Taiwanese citizen turned Japanese entrepreneur, has captured the hearts and taste buds of people around the world.
In 2000 the Fuji Research Institute conducted a poll asking people what they thought was the greatest Japanese invention of the 20th century and the vast majority of people responded with instant noodles and nothing else even came close.
The story of Cup Noodles begins with a man named Ando Momofuku, a Taiwanese citizen who later became a Japanese citizen. Ando’s journey into the world of instant noodles began in post-war Japan when he saw the need for convenient, affordable and delicious food options. Ando, an enterprising individual, founded his instant ramen business, Nissin, in 1948.
Although instant ramen was a revolutionary concept, it was not an immediate success in Japan. Initially the Japanese public was reluctant to embrace this innovative food. However, Ando Momofuku was determined to make his product accessible and affordable.
Ando ended up introducing Cup Noodle vending machines, which made instant ramen easily available to the public. Cup Noodles reached the height of fame in an unexpected context. During a police standoff in Japan, Nissin’s Cup Noodles were used to feed officers stationed on the front lines. This event led to a sudden increase in popularity of the product. Then came the disposable cups.
While touring the United States as a potential new market, Momofuku noticed a recurring trend: Each of these offices was given its own sample of instant noodles in disposable cups. Once they finished eating, they simply threw the cups in the trash. The idea of single-use containers was foreign to Momofuku, but he decided he would have to embrace the fast-paced, maximum-convenience American culture of dumpsters if he wanted to make it big in the United States.
If you are a ramen lover, enjoy the video below!
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
