Top Ramen: From Humble Beginnings to 50 Years of Success

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If you’re a fan of Japanese food, you’ve probably had ramen at some point. But have you ever wondered what the company behind the most popular brand of instant noodles is like?

Top Ramen is a Japanese company that manufactures instant noodles and other food products. The company was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Tokyo. The company’s most popular product is “Top Ramen”, a ramen noodle soup. Other products include “Chuuni Ramen”, “Top Ramen Man”, and “Top Ramen Girl”.

Let’s take a look at the history of the company and how it became the world’s largest manufacturer of instant noodles.

Top ramen logo

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The History of Top Ramen: From Invention to International Sale

In 1958, Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Foods, invented instant noodles in Japan. He was inspired by the convenience of American foods like chicken noodle soup and wanted to create a similar product for the Japanese market. Ando’s invention revolutionized the food industry and paved the way for the creation of Top Ramen.

The Establishment of Top Ramen

In 1970, Nissin Foods established Top Ramen as a brand and company specializing in instant noodles. The company produced Top Ramen noodles in the United States and quickly gained popularity for its convenience and affordability. Top Ramen was the first instant noodle product to be sold in a cup, making it even easier to prepare.

The Rise of Maruchan

In 1972, Maruchan was established as a division of the Japanese company Toyo Suisan. Maruchan specializes in the production and sale of instant noodles, including ramen and cup noodles. Today, Maruchan is one of the top instant noodle brands in the United States.

Also read: Top Ramen vs Maruchan, a detailed comparison

The Acquisition by Nissin Holdings

In 1991, Nissin Foods acquired Top Ramen and Maruchan, making it the largest producer of instant noodles in the world. Nissin Holdings continues to operate both brands and has expanded its product line to include other convenience foods.

Top Ramen Today

Today, Top Ramen is a popular brand of instant noodles sold worldwide. The company offers a variety of flavors, including chicken, beef, and shrimp. Top Ramen is also known for its affordability, making it a staple food for college students and budget-conscious consumers.

Read More on Wiki

For more information on Top Ramen and its history, check out the company’s Wikipedia page.

50 Years of Deliciousness: Top Ramen’s Anniversary Celebration

Top Ramen, the king of noodle packets, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in a cool way. The company has partnered with celebrity chef and winner of “Top Chef” season 16, Melissa King, to launch a nationwide search for the best Top Ramen dishes. The celebration features a menu with twists on traditional ramen dishes, such as a cheesesteak ramen with sautéed mushrooms on a baguette, and an elegant shrimp bisque with foie gras masquerading as a shio broth.

Marinated Beef and Emboldened Chicken

The celebration menu also features short rib ramen with marinated beef and a chicken ramen with emboldened flavors. The opposite of traditional ramen, the short rib ramen is slow-cooked for hours and served with a rich broth. The chicken ramen, on the other hand, is made with a kind of broth that is light and refreshing.

Answering the Call of National Noodle Day

The celebration launch coincides with National Noodle Day, which is celebrated on October 6th. Top Ramen is answering the call with a day full of news and surprises. Fans can expect different features on Top Ramen’s social media pages, including a giveaway of a year’s supply of Top Ramen.

Stars of the Celebration

The celebration menu also includes a ramen dish that is sure to be a star: the sea urchin ramen. This dish is made with a creamy broth and topped with fresh sea urchin. Another star dish is the ramen burger, which is made with a ramen bun and a juicy beef patty.

In conclusion, Top Ramen’s 50th anniversary celebration is a must-try for all ramen lovers. With its creative twists on traditional dishes, Top Ramen is proving that it is still the best in the game.

Conclusion

So there you have it- everything you need to know about Top Ramen and Nissin Foods. They’ve been around for 50 years now, and they’re not going anywhere soon. 

You can’t go wrong with a cup of Ramen when you’re hungry, and you don’t have much in the way of ingredients. So don’t be afraid to open that cup and give it a try!

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Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.