8 Unexpected Facts About Instant Ramen

Immerse yourself in the whirlpool of fascinating revelations about a global pantry staple with “8 Unexpected Facts About Instant Ramen.”

1. Instant ramen noodles were created as a solution to the widespread hunger in Japan post-WW2. The brain behind this innovation, Momofuku Ando, envisioned his noodles as a cure for world hunger. Over the years, Ando often infused his workforce with his philosophies, famously exclaiming, “Mankind is noodlekind,” “What are you doing now?,” and “Peace will come when people have food.” These quotes found their way into the company’s employee handbook.

2. The birth of Cup Noodles occurred after Momofuku Ando observed American supermarket executives breaking his ramen to fit into styrofoam coffee cups. They poured boiling water over the broken ramen and enjoyed their meal using forks. This observation led Ando to innovate further and invent Cup Noodles.

3. The University of Chicago Burn Center conducted a retrospective study over ten years, revealing that instant ramen accidents account for over 30% of pediatric scald burns.

4. In 1958, when instant ramen first hit the market, it was deemed a luxury product. Surprisingly, fresh noodles were sold at a price as low as one-sixth of the price of instant ramen.

5. A survey involving 2,000 Japanese participants asked them to nominate the greatest invention of the 20th Century. The top two contenders? Ramen noodles and Karaoke.

6. Did you know that instant ramen noodles undergo a deep-frying process in palm oil before they reach the packaging stage?

7. While preparing your instant noodles, heating the styrofoam cup in the microwave is discouraged. This process releases more of the BPA chemical found in styrofoam, which could pose health risks.

8. Shifting dynamics in prison currency have seen ramen noodles surpass cigarettes as the most popular form of exchange. In a creative culinary twist, prisoners concoct a snack known as a “swole.” This involves blending hot water with a mix of crushed Doritos or Cheetos and ramen. The mixture is then allowed to expand, resulting in a burrito-like delicacy. It seems that the versatility of ramen knows no bounds!