Instant Noodles

food · quick meals · invented in Japan

Flash-fried invention. The original instant noodles were made by flash-frying already cooked noodles until they dried up, a method still popular in Asia today. This quick cooking process is what makes instant noodles so fast to prepare at home.

Two drying methods. Asian countries mostly use flash-fried noodle blocks, while Western countries prefer air-dried ones. Both methods help the noodles stay fresh and cook quickly when you add hot water.

Japanese ramen roots. Instant noodles are based on ramen, which is a Japanese version of Chinese noodle soup. Today in the United States, people often call all instant noodle products ramen, even though the name originally meant something specific.

Ready in minutes. The dried noodle blocks come with flavoring powder and seasoning oil packets that you just mix with boiling water. In just a few minutes, you have a hot meal ready to eat.