“CUPNOODLES MUSEUM” where you can learn the secret of the world first instant noodles

Approximately 100 billion servings of instant noodles are eaten annually worldwide. In the other words, it is calculated that one person eats around 45 servings per year in Japan. It seems difficult to find a person who has not had instant noodles.

Its origin of this globally great invention goes back to 1958. “Chicken ramen” came to the world in Ikeda, Osaka, as the world first instant noodles.

Also, the world first noodles in the cup called “Cupnoodles” was created for instant noodles to be accepted and popularized overseas.

I went to “CUPNOODLES MUSEUM OSAKA IKEDA” where you can learn the difficulties “Mr. ANDO Momofuku,” the father of those noodles, had faced, and ingenuity he had exercised, through to the invention, as well as making process of those noodles.

Approximately 20 minutes from Osaka Umeda, you will arrive at the nearest “Ikeda station” on Hankyu Takarazuka line.

It is about 5-minute walk from the station to the museum. With the sign boards on the way, I managed to reach there without getting lost.

On arriving, just on the right hand side you will find the exhibit room where you can learn the history of how instant noodles was invented.

Such as a replica of his little research shed of the time, where the invention was made, traces of instant noodles, as well as the drama theater to learn the secret stories up till the birth of cupnoodles, here you can find things behind this great invention.

Proceeding further, you will reach “My CUPNOODLES Factory,” impressing with a variety of cup noodles from the world all over the wall. Many visitors were taking photos in front of the colorful wall.

At one of popular experience corners, “My CUPNOODLES Factory,” you can buy a cup from the vending machine, design it, and then choose the soup flavor and other ingredients to create your original cupnoodles. After completion, you can take it home in the specially prepared air package.

Design,
choose soup flavor and ingredients,
then finished!

Since you can design the cup as you like, some people make it as a special memory of birthday, anniversary, etc. How about you try making your only one cupnoodles in the world?

My CUPNOODLES Factory
※it is not necessary to make reservation. However, please noted that, when congested, there would be some waiting time.

Also, depending on the condition, sales of cups could be finished earlier.

Opening Hours	AM9:30～PM4:30(Last admission PM3:30)
Fee	¥300 (tax included)

Going upstairs, you would find Chicken Ramen Factory as well as displays of the reference materials regarding Mr. ANDO Momofuku and of the goods he loved to use.

Learning about his hobbies, items, etc., I could sense his personality and character, what kind of person he was.

At Chicken Ramen Factory, you can make “Chicken Ramen”, with the first step of kneading flour. Wearing a bandanna with the design of its character, hiyoko-chan the chick, you can try chicken ramen making.

Knead flour,

roll the dough with a rolling pin,

stretch it out, using a noodle-making machine

Design a package,

cut the dough into noodles,

untangle them and add seasoning,

form them in the mold,

and fry in oil

Done!

I received the chicken ramen I made there, the one on the market, as well as the bandanna I was wearing during cooking, as souvenirs!

You can compare eating your original and commercially available ones. For me, mine was more aromatic and tastier because it had just freshly made.

■Chicken Ramen Factory
※Please check up availability in advance since each session tends to be fully booked very quickly.

A reservation can be made three months in advance by telephone or on their website.

Schedule	AM9:30 / AM11:00 / PM1:15 / PM2:45
Fee	Junior high school students or older : ¥500 / elementary students : ¥300 (tax included)

To take time to enjoy this museum, you need at least half a day to stay there. As for me, I came out to Ikeda City in the morning this time and enjoyed sightseeing and local dishes first before visiting the museum.

There is a tourist information near the station where you can inquire recommended spots. You can also enjoy local dishes in which “chicken ramen” was arranged, or buy some Ikeda City souvenirs.

A variety of food items in which chicken ramen is used are found at the souvenir shop attached to the information.

I visited there on the way back from the museum, so, I felt like having chicken ramen and actually I did. “ike-kara” was aromatic and tasty, and was great with “chikichiki-cider.”

”Chikichiki-soft,” a soft ice cream with a good match of sweet caramel sauce and salty chicken ramen, was good.Next time I would like to try korokke or a croquette made with chicken ramen.

Other than those above mentioned, there are also many restaurants to enjoy chicken ramen dishes. Moreover, eating guide maps in Japanese are available.

In fact, I was visiting this museum when I was an elementary student. Coming here again as an adult, I had new discoveries.

I believe it is a hands-on experience museum of food education where both small kids and adults can find lots of fun. Please try making chicken ramen and your original cupnoodles. ☆

I’m introducing a manner of noodle-making and surrounding sightseeing spots with videos on Instagram and Facebook.

Facility Name	CUPNOODLES MUSEUM OSAKA IKEDA
TEL	+81-72-752-3484
Address	8-25 Masumi-cho, Ikeda-shi, Osaka-fu
Map
Opening Hours	AM9:30 – PM4:30 (Last admission PM3:30)
Regular closing days	Tuesday (in case Tuesday is a National Holiday, the following day will be a non-business day), Year-end through New Year Holidays

More details

*The information herein is as of January 2020.