Which company launched the first instant noodle, Chicken Ramen, in 1958?

Nissin Foods launched the first instant noodle, Chicken Ramen, in 1958.

Momofuku Ando developed the product in Japan after experimenting with methods for making noodles quick to prepare. Chicken Ramen was precooked, seasoned, and dehydrated, so consumers could turn it into a meal simply by adding hot water. This convenience made it especially suitable for busy households and later helped instant noodles spread internationally.

The product’s original Japanese name was Chikin Ramen, and it was sold by Nissin Foods, the company Ando founded in 1948. Nissin later introduced Cup Noodles in 1971, packaging noodles in a disposable cup and making preparation even easier. Cup Noodles and Chicken Ramen are therefore related but different products.

Instant noodles are sometimes credited to China or other Asian food traditions because noodle dishes are much older. The specific invention of the commercially packaged, dehydrated instant noodle is associated with Ando and Nissin in postwar Japan.