Instant ramen and Cup Noodles were invented by Momofuku Ando, who is probably one of the greatest men to have ever lived. Ando was originally from Taiwan, and I find it kind of ironic that one of the things this fairly xenophobic nation is most famous for was created by an immigrant to the country. Most of the museum is in Japanese and doesn't really cater to the foreign crowd, but it's still very well done and reminds me of modern art museums.
The second floor is dedicated to telling the story of Ando and instant ramen, which thankfully I already knew since we studied it in Japanese 301 (for real, we did). In the days of postwar Japan, Ando wanted to create a food product for the masses that could be prepared easily and quickly, while still being able to satisfy the everyday working man. His first creation was the brick-shaped "Chikin Ramen," and some years later on a business trip to America he witnessed some brute white guy break up the ramen noodles into chunks, put them in a cup, and add hot water. I'm sure it was the most epic light bulb moment ever. The rest is history.
Most of the second floor kinda looks like this,
but has a better white balance IRL.
but has a better white balance IRL.
Amazing projection room exhibit
So artsy~
Serious question: WHY IS THERE NO SPAM RAMEN?
We can have BACON AND CORN, BUT NO SPAM.
We can have BACON AND CORN, BUT NO SPAM.
WHY CAN'T I BUY THIS TODAY???
Eco-ramen: Porcelain cup with ramen package.
After you explore the museum and work up an appetite for noodles, you can head to the fourth floor Noodles Bazaar and eat little bowls of noodles from all over the world! All the bowls are 300yen each and the ones I sampled were delicious.
PHO!
I couldn't read the kanji but
it was spicy and beefy and WONDERFUL.
it was spicy and beefy and WONDERFUL.
I did not get a chance to make my own Cup Noodles or Chikin Ramen, since it was a holiday and there were kids everywhere, but I'm definitely going back to get the full experience!
WHERE: !!! Cup Noodles Museum
STATIONS: 10 minute walk from Minatomirai Station, 20 minute walk from JR Sakuragicho
COST: 500yen admittance, additional fees for certain activities
That second bowl of noodles looks like Taiwanese-style beef noodles. It could be anything else but that's what I think. If you get a chance to travel to Taiwan while you're on that side of the earth, you should! Good, cheap food including those noodles.
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