The origins of ramen can be traced to Chinese hand-pulled noodles, which were brought to Japan in the late 19th century. The modern instant version, however, was invented in 1958 by Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Foods. Inspired by watching tempura being fried, Ando developed a method to flash-fry noodles, creating a pre-cooked product that could be prepared in minutes by adding boiling water. His goal was to provide an affordable, convenient food during Japan’s post-World War II shortages.
Instant noodles spread quickly across Asia. In 1963, Samyang Foods introduced them to South Korea by adopting Japanese technology. While initially unfamiliar to consumers, Samyang Ramen became popular after government policies promoted flour-based diets. What began as an emergency food has since become a daily staple and a major export.
Today, instant noodles are a global phenomenon, with over 100 billion servings consumed each year. While China leads in worldwide consumption, South Korea also ranks among major consumers, with instant noodles deeply embedded in its food culture.
Wendy For The Junior Times junior/1770881210/1613367831
1. Who invented the modern version of instant noodles?
2. What inspired Momofuku Ando to develop the flash-fry method?
3. When did Samyang Foods introduce instant noodles to Korea?
4. Where were the origins of ramen first traced?
1. Do you think instant noodles are a healthy choice?
2. What is your favorite way to eat instant ramen?
3. Why did instant noodles become popular across Asia?
4. How often do you eat instant noodles for lunch?
The origins of ramen can be traced to Chinese hand-pulled noodles, which were brought to Japan in the late 19th century. The modern instant version, however, was invented in 1958 by Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Foods. Inspired by watching tempura being fried, Ando developed a method to flash-fry noodles, creating a pre-cooked product that could be prepared in minutes by adding boiling water. His goal was to provide an affordable, convenient food during Japan’s post-World War II shortages.
