Cup Noodles Museum – Birthplace of Everyone’s Favourite Instant Noodles

When I was a little kid, the only food I knew how to “cook” was cup noodles. I still remembered running to my parents and boasting about “cooking” my own cup noodles. As I grew older, cup noodles turned into my comfort food since it was so convenient to get it from 7eleven and I could eat it at any time of the day. There are 2 brands of cup noodles that I particularly enjoy – Nissin Cup Noodles and Nongshim Kimchi Ramyum Instant Noodles. Since we’re on the topic of cup noodles, I thought of sharing my visit last November to the Cup Noodles Museum in Osaka Ikeda.

On August 25, 1958, Momofuku Ando invented the world’s first instant noodles, Chicken Ramen, after undertaking repeated research using ordinary tools in a little shed he had built in his backyard in Ikeda-shi, Osaka. Realising the need to transcend cultural boundaries to popularise instant noodles worldwide, Momofuku gathered an array of wisdom and innovative ideas to invent cup noodles, transforming “made in Japan” instant noodles into a global food. The Cup Noodles Museum delivers a message to visitors on the importance of inventiveness and discovery by introducing the history of instant noodles, a new food culture.

The museum features a faithful recreation of the work shed where the world’s first instant noodles was invented, and you’ll be able to trace Momofuku Ando’s footsteps and the history of instant noodles from the displays on the wall. There’s a colourful exhibit depicting the worldwide popularisation of instant noodles using the annual consumption figures of various countries and cup noodles packages from around the world. There’s also a tasting room where you can purchase products sold in limited areas of Japan from vending machines. You can also have fun creating your own cup noodles.

This museum is quite far from Osaka city centre, and I would advise you to visit only if you have spare time in Osaka, or if you’re travelling with children.

Cup Noodles Museum
Address: 8-25 Masumi-cho, Ikeda-shi, Osaka 563-0041 Japan
Opening Hours: 9.30am to 4.30pm daily
Website: https://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/en/osaka_ikeda/