Instant Noodles
Trivia
Approximately 690,000 years is
spent preparing
instant noodles each year!?
Approximately 690,000 years is
spent preparing
instant noodles each year!?
In 2023, 120.2 billion servings of instant noodles were eaten around the world. Assuming it takes three minutes to prepare each serving, then the total time spent on preparing noodles last year was approximately 690,000 years.
The world was in the midst of an ice age 690,000 years ago, with early man wrapped in furs and living in caves. And imagine how far we could travel at the speed of light for 690,000 years—we would be able to reach extremely distant stars as well.
It makes us extremely happy to know that instant noodles are so loved.
Instant noodles once a week!
The top three countries for
servings per year in 2023
Instant noodles once a week!
The top three countries for
servings per year in 2023
Instant noodles are popular all over the world. Here, we list the top three countries in terms of servings eaten per person per year.
In first place is Vietnam, with an average of 81 servings eaten per person per year! In other words, Vietnamese eat one serving of instant noodles every four days.
In second place is South korea, with approximately 78 servings eaten per person per year; Thailand is in third place, with approximately 56 servings per person per year. Even in South Korea and Thailand, on average each person eats one or more servings of instant noodles per week!
As high as 87%!
The top three countries for proportion
of cup-type instant noodles in 2023
As high as 87%!
The top three countries for proportion
of cup-type instant noodles in 2023
In general, bag-type instant noodles are by far the more popular than cup-type, but in some countries cup-type noodles are overwhelmingly dominant. The country with the highest proportion of cup-type noodles sales is Mexico—there, an astonishing 87% or so of instant noodles are cup-type! Costa Rica takes second place with approximately 82%, while Chile is in third place with approximately 73% of cup-type instant noodles. It seems that, depending on the prevailing lifestyles, different regions around the world prefer different types of instant noodles!
Around the world in
just 40 years!
Around the world in
just 40 years!
Long before the invention of instant noodles, there were plain “noodles.” Made from wheat flour, noodles were invented in China around the 6th century, but it took approximately 1,300 years before they spread across the world.
Instant noodles, on the other hand, came to be eaten worldwide just 40 years after their invention. As they have evolved, instant noodles have successfully incorporated the food cultures of various regions around the world—and this is the reason they continue to be cherished by so many people.
August 25 is
Ramen Anniversary
August 25 is
Ramen Anniversary
August 25 is Ramen Anniversary—it commemorates the launch of Chicken Ramen by NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS on August 25, 1958.
Every year on August 25, we very much hope that—instant noodles at the ready—you will join us in celebrating Instant Ramen Day!
Mexico-style
instant noodles feature
lime and hot sauce!
Mexico-style
instant noodles feature
lime and hot sauce!
Instant noodles are popular worldwide, but how they are eaten and what soups and flavors they are eaten with varies from region to region. Here, we introduce a unique noodle-style from Central America.
In Mexico, it is commonplace for diners to squeeze large quantities of lime over their instant noodles, then cover them with hot sauce. Mexicans have a liking for sour and spicy flavor combinations—be sure to try Mexico-style instant noodles with lots of lime and hot sauce!
We love mini size！
We love mini size！
There is one country where mini size instant noodles are cherished. The Philippines has a culture of merienda, a light snack eaten between meals. Customs vary from person to person, but several merienda may be eaten throughout the day in addition to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In fact, some Filipinos eat as many as eight times per day, and for this reason they particularly cherish mini size instant noodles.In India, meanwhile, instant noodles are often given to children as a snack, and mini size products are preferred for this reason as well.
Supporting police officers
in the depths of winter
—a surge in popularity!
Supporting police officers
in the depths of winter
—a surge in popularity!
In February 1972, the Asama-Sanso hostage crisis made the headlines in Japan. At the time, cup-type instant noodles had only recently been launched. In the depths of winter, these cup-type instant noodles played a vital role as emergency rations, warming the bodies of police officers at the scene. The crisis was broadcast live on television for several days, and images were repeatedly shown of police officers eating steaming cups of instant noodles. These cup-type instant noodles caused a sensation among viewers, and for a period thereafter production was unable to keep up with demand.
