Ramen Has Roots That Can Be Traced Back To 400 CE, When Chinese Immigrants Arrived In Japan And Introduced Wheat Noodles, Creating The Beloved Noodle Soup That Eventually Rose To Mainstream Popularity In The U.S.

In 1958, ramen became truly mainstream, thanks to Momofuku Ando. He invented instant ramen after experimenting with different recipes.

Finally, he discovered flash-frying, which entailed frying dehydrated noodles to evaporate the water droplets trapped inside them.

The method also created tiny holes that would help the noodles cook faster. He finished his masterpiece by adding chicken flavoring.

In 1971, Ando was inspired by Americans reusing styrofoam cups for coffee and applied the practice to instant ramen, creating the well-known Cup Noodles.

Ramen has evolved beyond the status of being a cheap, working-class meal to a symbol of Japanese culture. Today, it is a beloved culinary dish in both Japan and the United States.