A household name all across America and beyond.
Momofuku Ando.
Yes. We all know Momofuku Ando.
Inventor of the very incredible Instant Noodle. I like to call him Momo.
We’ve known them at some point in our lives, most of us. If all things in life were so easy.
He was born on today’s date, March 5, 1910, in a place called Wu Baifu, Chiayi County, Taiwan.
Although born in Taiwan, he decided to move to Osaka, Japan. And that is where he founded Nissin Foods on September 4th, 1948.
After WWII, it seemed that Japan suffered from post-war food shortages. So good old Momo put his mind on noodles. He then came up with the process of automating the production of noodles.
It took quite a while before the Instant Noodle came to be. Ten years later, on August 25, 1958, Momo did it at the age of 48. For months he tried and failed in flash-frying noodles. But finally, he got it, and it wasn’t long before he marketed the first package of precooked instant noodles. Ramens.
Here’s a little thing to think about as you have a cup of. The noodle length inside an instant ramen packet is 168 feet. That’s the equivalent of two basketball courts — a lot of noodle if you ask me. And. If you dribble while you eat them, this may be the reason.
Originally, those Ramens were considered a luxury item. They were six times more expensive than the traditional soba noodles at the time. But here’s a bargain for you. Ramen Noodles are the best-selling item in Rikers Prison in New York.
What the heck? Prisoners can buy groceries at Rikers? I wonder what else. But, they love those noodles because they are given the hot water and shazam. Just like that, those incarcerates have a quick and easy meal. But mostly. They use the seasoning packets to flavor their regular meals. Three squares.
Momo died on January 5, 2007. He was 96. It might be a testament to his longevity and the goodness of the noodle. Usually, the trick in life is to stay out of hot water. But in this case, pour it on.
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How do Ramen Noodles fall in love?
Instantly.
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Noodle Head
