Instant Noodles

    Think about those cold rainy days when you are stuck at home with nothing to do. You’re getting bored and hungry so you pick a good book and start rummaging in the depths of the kitchen cupboard for something delectable. Then you found it.

Instant noodles were first marketed on August 25, 1958 by Nissin under the brand of Chikin Ramen. The inventor of this wonderful delicacy, Taiwan-born Momofuku Ando, developed the technique of flash frying the noodles after they have been made. Thus, creating “instant” noodles. The dried noodles gave them a longer shelf life. Initially, instant noodles were considered a novelty and luxury, they were priced six times higher than typically sold fresh noodles. Despite this, instant noodles gained immense popularity.

In 1971, Nissin introduced the Cup Noodles, instant noodles in a waterproof polystyrene cup, to which boiling water is added to cook the noodles. A further innovation added dried vegetables to the cup, creating a complete instant soup dish. Instant noodles are an all time favourite because of how easy and convenient they are to prepare. However, when they come out piping hot and aromatic, you cannot resist the temptation of slurping up the springy noodles and downing the salty broth.

According to a Japanese poll in the year 2000, “the Japanese believe that their best invention of the twentieth century was instant noodles.” As of 2010, approximately 95 billion servings of instant noodles are eaten worldwide every year. China consumes 42 billion packages of instant noodles per year – 44% of world consumption – Indonesia, 14 billion; Japan, 5.3 billion, Vietnam 4.8 billion, USA 4 billion.

Here is a list of the top ten instant noodles of all time:

1.Mama Shrimp Creamy Tom Yum Flavour Oriental Style Instant Noodles – Thailand

2.Paldo Kokomen Spicy Chicken Flavour – South Korea

3.Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black Premium Noodle Soup – United States

4.Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein – United States

5.Myojo Ippeichan Yakisoba Japanese Style Noodles – Japan

6.Indomie Curly Noodle With Grilled Chicken Flavour Special Quality Instant Noodles – Indonesia

7.Nongshim Jinjja Jinjja Flamin’ Hot & Nutty Noodle Soup – United States

8.Indomie Mi Instan Mi Goreng Rendang – Indonesia

9.Prima Taste Singapore Curry La Mian – Singapore

10.Prima Taste Singapore Laksa La Mian – Singapore

Nothing beats you snuggling under the covers with a good book and a steaming bowl of instant noodles on a cold rainy day. Instant noodles has come a long way from being a simple convenient meal made for the poor to a worldwide delicacy. Many consider instant noodles a guilty pleasure, some treat it like fast good food. However, now that I know about its history and story, I consider it an invention to make life simpler. How about you?

-Sarah Lam(1P)