Momofuku Ando, Inventor of Ramen Cup Noodles, Dead at 96

Momofuku Ando, founder of Nissin Food Products and the inventor of the “Cup Noodles” and instant ramen eaten around the world, is dead at age 96.

He was inspired to develop the world’s first instant noodle product after coming across a long line of people waiting to buy fresh “ramen” noodles from a black market stall during the food shortages after World War Two, Japanese media said.

After his Chicken Ramen product became hugely popular in 1958, despite a luxury price-tag of 35 yen, he went on to bring out the Cup Noodle in 1971.

Rumors that Momofuku will be dessicated, seasoned, and buried in a shrink-wrapped Styrofoam coffin for later reconstitution are tasteless and rubbery.

Japan’s “Cup Noodle” king dies aged 96 [Yahoo/Reuters]

See Also: Sriracha: The Hot Sauce That Doesn’t Suck [Dethroner]
The Official Ramen Homepage [MattFischer]