I am sure I speak for every fast food fan here when I say that without Ramen Noodles, our lives wouldn’t be the same! These precooked and pre-fried noodles are just the kind of food that can satisfy our hunger when we are in a jiffy.
The story behind the invention of Ramen Noodles is as interesting as the Noodles itself!
Momofuku Ando (5th March 1910- 5th January 2007) was a Japanese businessman who invented not only instant ramen but also instant noodles and cup noodles!
Post Second World War, Japan was suffering from a shortage of food supply.
To handle matters, the Japanese government tried to encourage people to consume bread made from wheat flour.
Ando was perplexed as to why the Japanese government promoted bread instead of noodles since noodles were more popular in Japan by then, The response he got from the Ministry of Health was that noodle companies were too small to handle supply requirements.
This response would pave way for Ando to start his own noodle production.
At a mature age of 48 years, Ando marketed and sold his packet of precooked instant noodles. This wasn’t a cake walk for him. Ando experimented with flash frying for months and months, before he
perfected the technique and introduced instant noodles to the world. The original instant noodles contained chicken flavor and hence, Ando named it Chicken Ramen. Originally a luxury food item, instant ramen turned into one of the cheapest bowls of noodles as of 2016!
Momofuku Ando went on to invent cup noodles at the age of 61. This would become one of the most popular inventions of Ando alongside instant ramen.
There Are Museums Dedicated To This Thoughtful Inventor of Ramen Noodles!
If reading about this cool inventor doesn’t quench your curiosity, experiencing the history will surely do so! Visit the Cup Noodles Museum in Yokohama, Tokyo and Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum in Osaka to step into the interesting environment and witness the evolution of noodles over the centuries!
Touted as one of the best inventions of the 20th centuries, Instant Ramen Noodles is surely a boon for every one of us. And we all have only one person to thank for it- Momofuku Ando!
Read also – The popularity of Japanese Cuisine is on the rise in the City!