Instant noodles

thomas · Jan 3, 2003, 20:38

"Japan's most recognizable contribution to the 20th century"...

A Uniquely Japanese Invention

Instant noodles are nothing new in Asia. They were commercially introduced to the world in Japan in 1958 by Momofuku Ando, now chairman of conglomerate Nissin Foods.

Inspired by the shelf life of Japanese tempura, or deep-fried food, Ando invented a production line that included a special one-and-a-half-minute quick-frying process. This was used to produce noodles that could be stored for six months at room temperature. Preparing a meal was a snap: Place the dehydrated noodles in boiling water for 2-3 minutes and add a flavour packet. At the time, instant noodles were seen as an easy-to-make food to feed Japan's post-war masses. Each instant-noodle package packs about 450 calories, about a quarter to a fifth of a person's daily calorific needs. (Nutritionally, however, instant noodles may fall short: They tend to be low in vitamins and minerals and high in sodium and fat.)

They weren't cheap. Instant noodles took a while to catch on because they were considered expensive by the prices of the time. Now, according to a survey by the Fuji Research Institute, instant noodles rank as one of Japan's most recognizable contributions to the 20th century, alongside karaoke, Pokemon and the Walkman.

=> http://www.feer.com/articles/2003/03...p043money.html

Nissin Food Products

=> http://www.japanreference.com/cgi-bin/jump.cgi?ID=556

Getting terribly hungry...

Shinmeiryu · Jan 4, 2003, 21:01

One of the best 30 U.S. cent/yen quick meal man could ever need.

thomas · Jan 4, 2003, 21:07

I also love instant yakisoba. Hm, I wonder why I'm always hungry...

miki · Jan 6, 2003, 13:21

japanese instant noodles aren't cheap, & i wonder why...
i've seen other cheaper oriental instant noodles... for instance, instant noodles from hong kong or taiwan... most of them cheaper than a proper meal...

thomas · Jan 6, 2003, 18:47

Unfortunately, that applies to all things imported from Japan. Very often products from China, Korea or Thailand are much cheaper, so if you're not a "culinary traditionalist" you could also resort to Korean noodles for your ramen. Btw, kimuchi ramen are excellent!

lineartube · Jan 7, 2003, 01:37

I have a cup of Koka's Instant Noodles lying around the kitchen. A few months ago I tried it out, out of curiosity and I was positively suprised. At the time I hadn't any cheap restaurants around my place of work so these cups were a life saver, not to mention, a wallet saver.

Oh, Koka's Instant noodles are from Singapore.

Ami · Aug 2, 2003, 06:29

I love instant noodles. I eat them all the time when i'm too lazy to cook anything.-.

bezz · Aug 3, 2003, 00:32

Check out this manufacturer association's site, very informative!
(this one isn't so interesting otoh)

Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum

Himura · Aug 3, 2003, 00:46

INSTANT rulez.... Iｴve ever said !!!

kirei_na_me · Aug 3, 2003, 03:22

Check out this manufacturer association's site, very informative!

Ah, this is very interesting. I especially like the "Secret Laboratory" section...

thomas · Aug 3, 2003, 05:14

Originally posted by bezz
[B]Check out this manufacturer association's site, very informative!

Great link, thanks for sharing!

Thingamabob · Aug 24, 2006, 08:46

The poorer people here live on instant noodles. All different brands take up the whole isle in the supermarket.

Namioto · Aug 29, 2006, 11:31

Instant noodles were a hit in America for basically my whole life. But then I come to Japan and find out that they have so many different kinds here. Some of the instant noodles here are very delicious as well. Contrary to the cheap but repeptitive reputation they have in the US.

bezz · Oct 29, 2006, 07:34

Some topping ideas besides "stanard" roast pork slices, naruto, memma and nori, with spinach or bean sprout:

roasted kamaboko fish cake slices

salted plum and perilla leaves

egg and grated daikon radish

Manila clams

Real ramen is still much better than instant ones.

o0littlehands0o · Nov 8, 2006, 15:48

WAIIII, FOOOODD~~~ instant noodle's the BEST~~ especially the Korean kimchi ones....*drool*

Supervin · Nov 18, 2006, 07:55

If instant noodles were as elaborate as regular ramen, I'd be so hooked.

bezz · Jan 6, 2007, 03:23

Instant Noodle Inventor Ando Dies at 96

In 1948, he founded the precursor of Nissin, before introducing "Chicken Ramen," the world's first instant noodle product, in 1958.

Jan 3, 2003, 20:38	#1
thomas Decommissioned ex-admin Join Date: Mar 14, 2002 Posts: 4,209	Instant noodles "Japan's most recognizable contribution to the 20th century"... A Uniquely Japanese Invention Instant noodles are nothing new in Asia. They were commercially introduced to the world in Japan in 1958 by Momofuku Ando, now chairman of conglomerate Nissin Foods. Inspired by the shelf life of Japanese tempura, or deep-fried food, Ando invented a production line that included a special one-and-a-half-minute quick-frying process. This was used to produce noodles that could be stored for six months at room temperature. Preparing a meal was a snap: Place the dehydrated noodles in boiling water for 2-3 minutes and add a flavour packet. At the time, instant noodles were seen as an easy-to-make food to feed Japan's post-war masses. Each instant-noodle package packs about 450 calories, about a quarter to a fifth of a person's daily calorific needs. (Nutritionally, however, instant noodles may fall short: They tend to be low in vitamins and minerals and high in sodium and fat.) They weren't cheap. Instant noodles took a while to catch on because they were considered expensive by the prices of the time. Now, according to a survey by the Fuji Research Institute, instant noodles rank as one of Japan's most recognizable contributions to the 20th century, alongside karaoke, Pokemon and the Walkman. => http://www.feer.com/articles/2003/03...p043money.html Nissin Food Products => http://www.japanreference.com/cgi-bin/jump.cgi?ID=556 Getting terribly hungry... __________________ Remember what the dormouse said, feed your head, feed your head!

Jan 7, 2003, 01:37	#6
lineartube free spirit Join Date: Oct 29, 2002 Location: Vila Franca de Xira/Portugal Age: 33 Posts: 389	I have a cup of Koka's Instant Noodles lying around the kitchen. A few months ago I tried it out, out of curiosity and I was positively suprised. At the time I hadn't any cheap restaurants around my place of work so these cups were a life saver, not to mention, a wallet saver. Oh, Koka's Instant noodles are from Singapore. __________________ Ln.

Aug 3, 2003, 00:32	#8
bezz Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2, 2003 Posts: 397	Check out this manufacturer association's site, very informative! (this one isn't so interesting otoh) Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum Last edited by bezz; Aug 3, 2003 at 06:14.

Aug 3, 2003, 00:46	#9
Himura Hadoken!!!!! Join Date: Jun 19, 2003 Location: German Age: 22 Posts: 278	INSTANT rulez.... Iｴve ever said !!! __________________ Sushi & Instant Soups 4 ever!!! -- Miyamoto Musashi rulez!!! -==> Hayabusa & Hayate (DoA3) / Dante (Devil may Cry) <==- ---====> Hiko Seijuro -- The best Swordsman ever <====---

Aug 3, 2003, 03:22	#10
kirei_na_me Where I'm Supposed to Be Join Date: Jan 31, 2003 Location: Virginia Age: 33 Posts: 3,922	Check out this manufacturer association's site, very informative! Ah, this is very interesting. I especially like the "Secret Laboratory" section... __________________ *i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)*

Jan 4, 2003, 21:01	#2
Shinmeiryu SCAR Join Date: Jul 30, 2002 Location: Southern CA Age: 28 Posts: 201	One of the best 30 U.S. cent/yen quick meal man could ever need.

Jan 4, 2003, 21:07	#3
thomas Decommissioned ex-admin Join Date: Mar 14, 2002 Posts: 4,209	I also love instant yakisoba. Hm, I wonder why I'm always hungry...

Jan 6, 2003, 13:21	#4
miki Regular Member Join Date: Oct 31, 2002 Location: Kuala Lumpur, M'sia Posts: 30	japanese instant noodles aren't cheap, & i wonder why... i've seen other cheaper oriental instant noodles... for instance, instant noodles from hong kong or taiwan... most of them cheaper than a proper meal...

Jan 6, 2003, 18:47	#5
thomas Decommissioned ex-admin Join Date: Mar 14, 2002 Posts: 4,209	Unfortunately, that applies to all things imported from Japan. Very often products from China, Korea or Thailand are much cheaper, so if you're not a "culinary traditionalist" you could also resort to Korean noodles for your ramen. Btw, kimuchi ramen are excellent!

Aug 2, 2003, 06:29	#7
Ami iami5o4 Join Date: Jul 7, 2003 Location: California Age: 22 Posts: 334	I love instant noodles. I eat them all the time when i'm too lazy to cook anything.-.

Aug 3, 2003, 05:14	#11
thomas Decommissioned ex-admin Join Date: Mar 14, 2002 Posts: 4,209	Originally posted by bezz [B]Check out this manufacturer association's site, very informative! Great link, thanks for sharing!

Aug 24, 2006, 08:46	#12
Thingamabob 愛くるしい Join Date: Aug 23, 2006 Location: La La Land Posts: 39	The poorer people here live on instant noodles. All different brands take up the whole isle in the supermarket.

Aug 29, 2006, 11:31	#13
Namioto Junior Member Join Date: Aug 23, 2006 Location: Fukuoka, Japan Posts: 10	Instant noodles were a hit in America for basically my whole life. But then I come to Japan and find out that they have so many different kinds here. Some of the instant noodles here are very delicious as well. Contrary to the cheap but repeptitive reputation they have in the US. __________________ ”一期一会であればこそ。。。” 波音 Namioto

Oct 29, 2006, 07:34	#14
bezz Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2, 2003 Posts: 397	即席ラーメン Some topping ideas besides "stanard" roast pork slices, naruto, memma and nori, with spinach or bean sprout: roasted kamaboko fish cake slices salted plum and perilla leaves egg and grated daikon radish Manila clams Real ramen is still much better than instant ones.

Nov 8, 2006, 15:48	#15
o0littlehands0o Regular Member Join Date: Nov 8, 2006 Posts: 25	WAIIII, FOOOODD~~~ instant noodle's the BEST~~ especially the Korean kimchi ones....drool

Nov 18, 2006, 07:55	#16
Supervin Regular Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2006 Location: London Posts: 333	If instant noodles were as elaborate as regular ramen, I'd be so hooked.

Jan 6, 2007, 03:23	#17
bezz Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2, 2003 Posts: 397	Instant Noodle Inventor Ando Dies at 96 In 1948, he founded the precursor of Nissin, before introducing "Chicken Ramen," the world's first instant noodle product, in 1958.

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