A Brief History Of The World's First Instant Noodles

Photo illustration (Debbie Tea / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Recently, netizens are discussing Indomie after the person who created the seasonings who was crowned in 2019 as the world's best passed away. Indeed, Indomie is very famous, especially in Indonesia.

The public has been familiar with these instant noodles made by PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk. Not only Indomie, but other brands are also close to the life of the Indonesian people.

Even when a disaster occurs, instant noodles are one of the components that are included in food aid. Seeing the closeness of society to instant noodles, do you know its origin?

Quoted from the official website of the World Instant Noodles Association, the country that first gave birth to instant noodles was Japan, namely in 1958. More or less, it is ten years after Japan lost in World War II.

Before creating instant noodles, Japan was familiar with noodles. Quoted by the BBC, in previous years Japan already had ramen. The basic ingredient is wheat.

This dish is served in a bowl with sliced meat and broth. At that time, ramen was a food that was often consumed by workers. After losing the war, Japan experienced starvation.

The person who contributed to making instant noodles is not a Japanese citizen, but a Taiwanese businessman, Momofuku Ando. About ten years after World War II, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture contacted the person whose real name was Wu Pai Fu.

The Japanese government wants their people to consume more wheat flour — the United States' (US) main aid to Japan. When he saw the long line of workers for a bowl of ramen, Ando came up with an idea to make the dish fast.

Ando then repeatedly tried to create food products from US wheat. Finally, he succeeded in making food that looked similar to instant noodles that are often found in various shops.

The first instant noodle he made was named "Chicken Ramen". At that time, he made it by dehydrating the steamed and seasoned noodles. After that, Ando created his mass production system.