On what exact date did Chikin Ramen first go on sale?

Chikin Ramen first went on sale on August 25, 1958.

Momofuku Ando launched the product through his company, Nissin, after months of experimentation. His key breakthrough was flash-frying cooked noodles, which removed moisture and made them quick to rehydrate in boiling water while preserving a long shelf life.

The original product was chicken-flavored, hence the name Chikin Ramen. It was the first commercially marketed package of modern instant noodles and helped transform ramen from a restaurant meal into a convenient household food.

At ¥35, Chikin Ramen initially cost far more than ordinary fresh noodles, so it was considered a luxury item rather than cheap everyday food. The later success of instant noodles—and especially Nissin’s Cup Noodles, introduced in 1971—made Ando’s invention a global staple.