Thursday, March 5, 2009

What are you doing now . . .

A birthday salute to Momofuku Ando (March 5, 1910 – January 5, 2007), inventor of the world's first instant noodles and cup noodles, many know him as Mr. Noodle, The Noodle Papa, and/or The Ramen King.

Momofuku Ando was inspired to develop the instant noodle after coming upon a long line of people on a cold night shortly after World War II waiting to buy freshly made ramen at a black market food stall, according to Nissin. The experience convinced him that "Peace will come to the world when the people have enough to eat".

He developed his first instant noodles, Chicken Ramen, in 1958. His most famous product, Cup Noodle, was released in 1971. In 1999, Mr Ando opened the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum in Osaka devoted to instant noodles - admission is free. The museum has an instant ramen workshop allowing visitors to make their own "fresh" instant noodles (fresh as in just made). There is also a noodle factory where visitors can assemble their own Cup Noodles from pre-made ingredients.

Happy Birthday!

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