Discover the Birth of Instant Ramen
A Recreation of Momofuku Ando’s Workshop
One of the museum’s highlights is a recreation of the small workshop where Momofuku Ando conducted his experiments while developing Chicken Ramen.
Exhibits introduce the history of instant ramen and explain how manufacturing methods evolved over the years. Models and displays help visitors understand the development of instant noodles, while packages of instant ramen sold around the world demonstrate how widely the idea spread beyond Japan.
The exhibits offer an engaging introduction to the history, technology, and food culture behind one of Japan’s most familiar foods.
My CUPNOODLES Factory
Create Your Own Original Cup Noodles
The My CUPNOODLES Factory is one of the museum’s most popular hands-on attractions. Visitors can create their own original cup of noodles by choosing a soup flavor and selecting their preferred toppings.
Participants can also design the outside of their cup, turning it into a personalized souvenir. The experience continues through the final shrink-wrapping stage, allowing visitors to take home a cup of noodles that they have designed themselves.
This activity is particularly popular with families and groups of friends and provides a fun souvenir as well as a memorable experience. An additional fee is required for this activity.
Chicken Ramen Factory
Make Chicken Ramen from Scratch
At the Chicken Ramen Factory, visitors can experience the basic process of making Chicken Ramen themselves.
The workshop begins with flour and follows the noodle-making and seasoning processes, allowing participants to experience how the product is made rather than simply viewing it in a display case.
Advance reservations are required, and the workshop is available to participants aged six and older. Designed around the concept of food education, the experience offers an enjoyable way for both children and adults to learn about food production.
A Museum Designed for Learning and Experience
The museum is designed around a balance of learning and hands-on experience. The exhibition areas and activity areas are arranged at approximately a two-to-one ratio, allowing visitors to move naturally from discovering the history of instant ramen to experiencing aspects of its production themselves.
The interior is designed to be approachable and engaging rather than formal. Through displays, models, and workshops, visitors can discover not only how instant noodles are made but also how a seemingly simple food became an important part of modern Japanese food culture.
The History of the Museum
The museum originally opened in 1999 as the Instant Ramen Invention Memorial Museum.
Over the years, its exhibitions have been expanded and the facilities renovated to provide new ways for visitors to learn about instant ramen and Momofuku Ando’s achievements.
A statue of Momofuku Ando was installed at the museum in 2008. As visitor numbers continued to grow, the museum was given its current name, Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum, Osaka Ikeda, in 2017.
Ramen Memorial Day Festival
Celebrating August 25
The museum also takes part in the annual Ramen Memorial Day Festival, which commemorates the first commercial release of Chicken Ramen on August 25, 1958.
Nissin Foods Holdings designates August 25 as Ramen Memorial Day and organizes various commemorative activities around the date each year.
As part of these celebrations, the museum has offered special activities for visitors, including free tasting events. The festival provides an especially lively opportunity to learn about the history of instant ramen while enjoying the food itself.
Access to the Museum
From Osaka-Umeda to Ikeda
The museum is conveniently accessible by the Hankyu Takarazuka Line.
From Osaka-Umeda Station, take an express train to Ikeda Station. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes.
From Ikeda Station, leave via the Masumi-cho exit and walk for approximately 5 minutes to reach the museum.
Its convenient location makes it easy to visit as part of a day trip from central Osaka, particularly for travelers interested in Japanese food, technology, popular culture, or family-friendly attractions.
Experience the Story Behind a Global Food
Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum, Osaka Ikeda offers a fascinating look at how an invention created in a small workshop in Ikeda became a food enjoyed around the world.
Visitors can explore the history of instant ramen, see a recreation of the workshop where Chicken Ramen was developed, and take part in hands-on activities such as creating their own cup noodles or making Chicken Ramen from scratch.
For international visitors, the museum is also an engaging introduction to an important aspect of modern Japanese food culture. Rather than simply telling the story of instant noodles, it invites visitors to see, create, taste, and experience the story for themselves.