Encyclopedia / Culture
Culture · Theme 44 / 50
1958: instant ramen
即席ラーメン
Momofuku Ando introduced Chicken Ramen in 1958. Making noodles convenient at home opened another chapter of ramen’s story.
What to notice
The photograph shows the actual dried Chicken Ramen noodle block, not restaurant ramen. This modern product photograph is not a record of the first 1958 release.
Try it with your next bowl
Compare the purpose of a restaurant bowl and a pantry meal. Both can be understood through the problems they solve.

Ocdp · CC0 · source & details
An actual dried Chicken Ramen noodle block, photographed in 2022. This modern product photograph is not a record of the first 1958 release.
Read further
Independent editorial explanation and tasting suggestions. These sources provide terminology or background; they do not certify the ingredients of a shop’s dish.
Edited 18 October 2026 · Subject-specific images; photographs and AI illustrations are labelled separately.