Momofuku Ando's post-war invention of instant ramen fed the world one cup at a time
QUICK FACTS
Est. 1948 — best known for instant ramen, inventor of Cup Noodles.
HISTORY
Nissin was founded in 1948 by Momofuku Ando. Amid the food shortages of post-war Japan, Ando spent years experimenting in a backyard shed to create a noodle that was cheap, shelf-stable, and quick to prepare. In 1958 he launched Chikin Ramen, flash-frying pre-cooked noodles to remove moisture — the world's first mass-produced instant noodle, ready in just a few minutes with boiling water.
In 1971 Nissin took the idea further with Cup Noodles, packaging instant noodles in a sealed, waterproof foam cup that could be eaten with nothing but hot water, no bowl or chopsticks needed. Launched in the US in 1972 (later renamed Cup Noodles there in 1993), it turned instant noodles into a global category, and Nissin remains one of the world's largest instant noodle makers today.
PRODUCTS
The world's first mass-produced instant noodle, launched 1958
Instant noodles in a sealed cup, launched 1971, now a global icon
TIMELINE
This page is compiled from publicly available company history and is provided for general reference only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult the brand's official website.