Turns out, this is the reason why Japanese instant noodles have a taste that makes you crave

Illustration (Markus Winkler/Pexels)

JAKARTA - Around 5.7 billion instant cup noodles are produced every year in Japan. According to 2026 data released by the Japanese Instant Food Industry Association, there are more than 99 million instant noodles sold every year in 50 countries, not only in Japan.

This data shows that Japanese instant noodles are not only enjoyed by Japanese people. But people from various countries also love to eat Japanese instant noodles.

As reported by Japan Today, Friday, January 30, here are some reasons why Japanese instant noodles are so popular, including abroad:

Produced by a famous ramen restaurant

Several instant noodle products are produced directly by famous ramen restaurants in Japan. This is an advantage because many people can enjoy the authentic taste of ramen through a portion of instant noodles without having to come to the restaurant.

Many ramen restaurants collaborate with instant noodle manufacturers or convenience stores so that they can be mass-produced. Although the taste is not exactly the same as the dish at the restaurant, people can at least enjoy noodles with a restaurant-class taste.

Instant noodles produced by supermarkets

Several supermarkets in Japan have their own instant noodle brands, for example Conbini. There are various types and flavors of instant noodles such as tanmen which come with many vegetables, or simple ramen with soy sauce flavor. Many foreigners buy these products repeatedly because they taste good and are cheap.

Presentation of seasoning and toppings separately

Usually instant noodles in some countries present the seasoning and toppings in a mixed way. But not with instant noodles from Japan. Seasonings and various toppings are packaged separately.

In Japanese instant noodle packaging, seasonings and toppings are packaged in small packages. The purpose of this packaging is to help maintain the quality and freshness of seasonings.

Easy to find and tastes good.

According to Europeans, Japanese instant noodles are very easy to find in many places. The price is indeed higher than in Japan because instant noodles are imported products.

Available in various sizes

Japanese instant noodles come in various sizes, from small portions to jumbo portions. Everything can be adjusted to taste. If you're not too hungry, you can choose a small package of instant noodles.

For taste quality, there is no difference between large and small instant noodles. Another advantage of small packaged noodles is that it can be taken anywhere without needing a large bag. Small packaged noodles can also be a food stock at home and ready to help when hunger strikes.

Many flavor options

Japanese instant noodles generally have a distinctive taste like shoyu broth or pork broth. Of course, there are many other flavors that can only be found in Japan, such as mentaiko. This authentic taste makes Japanese instant noodles hunted by many people, including tourists.

Some instant noodle manufacturers even offer local flavors from various regions in Japan. Don't miss the yakisoba or Japanese curry-flavored instant noodles.

Only a few options of spicy instant noodles

In general, Japanese people are not very fond of spicy food. So there are not many options for spicy flavored instant noodles in the Sakura Country. So, people get around it by adding chili powder to make instant noodles spicy.

Many people say Japanese instant noodles tend to have a light savory flavored broth. When compared to instant noodles from other countries, the spiciness level of Japanese instant noodles is very low.