The Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum

This past Thursday, I met with Emai-san and Mizu-san, who are good friends with my host mother. We went out and spent the whole day visiting various places around Osaka! I will cover this in two different posts.

The first place that we visited was the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum. Obviously by the name, it is an amazing museum devoted entirely to the history of instant ramen, Cup Noodle ramen to be specific.

Now I should give you a little background story.

In 1958, Momofuku Ando invented instant ramen while frying noodles in a small shack in his backyard. He saw it as a way to solve the hunger problems that were plagueing post-war Japan, since his instant ramen could be eaten "anytime, anywhere, just by adding hot water." Momofuku Ando later became the owner of Nissin, and since then, Japan's domestic annual consumption of ramen has reached over 5.1 BILLION servings!

Time for pictures!

Outside the museum, there's a statue of Momofuku Ando perched atop a giant Cup Noodle.

A replica of the shack where Mr. Ando invented instant ramen.

Space ramen! Used on the Space Shuttle.

The Instant Ramen Tunnel. Ooooooh...

So much ramen!

Cup Noodle *BIG*

GUNDAM Cup Noodle!

The original "Chikin' Ramen."

This is the "My Cup Noodle Factory," where you can pay 300 yen to make your own custom Cup Noodle.

At this counter, you can choose the ingredients to put in your Cup Noodle.

Me with Emai-san and Mizu-san.

The museum's own ramen kitchen.

My day with Emai-san and Mizu-san will be continued in my next blog post. Look forward to it!