Top Ramen was introduced in the United States in 1970.
The brand came from Nissin Foods, the Japanese company founded by Momofuku Ando. Nissin established its American subsidiary in 1970 as part of Ando’s effort to bring instant noodles to the U.S. market.
The year is sometimes confused with 1973, when Nissin opened its first American factory in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. That was a manufacturing milestone, not the brand’s introduction date. The product’s U.S. launch therefore belongs to 1970, while domestic production began three years later.
Top Ramen was distinct from Cup Noodles, which Nissin introduced in 1971 after observing that many Americans lacked ramen bowls and chopsticks. Ando adapted the serving format for American habits, helping instant noodles become a major convenience food in the United States.