Which company produces Cup Noodles?

Nissin produces Cup Noodles, the instant ramen brand first introduced in Japan in 1971.

The product was created by Nissin founder Momofuku Ando as a more portable version of packaged instant noodles. Instead of requiring a household bowl, Cup Noodles came in a disposable container: consumers added boiling water, waited, and ate directly from the cup. The design helped make instant noodles more convenient for travel, workplaces, and international markets.

Cup Noodles is sometimes confused with similar cup-based products from brands such as Maruchan or Samyang. Those companies make competing instant noodle products, but the Cup Noodles name is a Nissin trademark. In Japan, the brand is commonly styled in the singular as “Cup Noodle,” while “Cup Noodles” is widely used in other markets.

The product was originally marketed in the United States as “Cup O’ Noodles” and was renamed “Cup Noodles” there in 1993. Its development followed Nissin’s 1958 launch of Chikin Ramen, widely recognized as the first instant ramen.