Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama

CupNoodles Museum Yokohama is an interactive food education museum themed around the “creative thinking” of Nissin Foods founder Momofuku Ando, who created the world’s first instant ramen, Chicken Ramen. Designed to inspire and nurture the creativity and curiosity that lie dormant within each child, the museum is a place that fosters future creativity through the history of invention and hands-on attractions.

■ Museum Philosophy and Origins

The museum embodies Ando’s lifelong wish to “convey the importance of invention and discovery to children.” Following the opening of the “Instant Ramen Museum” in Ikeda, Osaka, in 1999, it opened in 2011 in Yokohama’s Minato Mirai district. Art director Kashiwag Sato served as creative director, overseeing everything from the architectural design and exhibition concepts to the logo. The “!” in the logo symbolizes the surprise of invention, the joy of discovery, and the emergence of creativity.

■ Reliving Momofuku Ando’s Life and Invention Story

The museum introduces Ando’s inventions and the thinking behind them in an easy-to-understand way.

● MOMOFUKU TV

A CG animation screening of about 14 minutes, this program lets visitors learn the importance of “observation,” “imagination,” “simplification,” “trial and error,” “speed,” and “never giving up” through the story of Ando’s life.

● Recreation of the Research Shack

A faithful reconstruction of the shack Ando built in the backyard of his home in Ikeda, Osaka. It conveys his passion and perseverance as he continued his research with only four hours of sleep, ultimately developing Chicken Ramen in an environment without special tools.

● Invention History Exhibition

This exhibit presents the history of development in chronological order, from Chicken Ramen to Cup Noodles and then to the space food “Space Ram.” It also includes the anecdote that while observing conditions in the United States, Ando got the idea for Cup Noodles by seeing broken pieces of Chicken Ramen eaten from a paper cup.

■ The Evolution of Instant Ramen and Its Path to Becoming a “Global Food”

Ando generously shared the invention of the flash-frying dehydration method and his manufacturing approach, helping instant ramen spread worldwide. The exhibits introduce the mechanisms of technological innovation as well as various evolutions, including space food noodles designed for consumption in zero-gravity environments.

■ A Wide Variety of Hands-On Attractions

Learning through experience is one of the museum’s greatest attractions.

● Chicken Ramen Factory (reservation required)

Visitors can knead the flour, roll out the dough, make noodles, and deep-fry them by hand. It is open to elementary school students and older and is especially popular with families.

● My CUPNOODLES Factory

Visitors can decorate a plain cup and choose from four soup flavors and 12 toppings to create their very own, one-of-a-kind Cup Noodles. They can also observe the production process, from noodle filling and sealing to shrink wrapping, and take the finished product home in an air package.

■ “World Noodle Road,” Where You Can Taste Global Noodle Culture

At “NOODLES BAZAAR – World Noodle Road –,” inspired by an Asian night market, visitors can sample noodle dishes from around the world in small portions. Countries and menu items may change, but it is a popular spot where guests can experience diverse noodle cultures from China, Thailand, Vietnam, Italy, and more.

■ A Space Design That Lets You Experience “Creative Thinking”

The museum’s circulation, exhibit layout, and graphic design are all structured so that visitors can relive Ando’s thought process. With areas introducing turning points in his life and wall displays summarizing the history of instant ramen, there is always something new to discover with each visit.

■ A Museum That Combines Learning, Experience, and Food

The museum’s purpose is not merely to teach the history of food, but to let visitors experience the joy of “thinking for themselves and creating something on their own.” The exhibits are multilingual, making them enjoyable for visitors from Japan and abroad alike. By engaging with Ando’s invention story, enjoying a sense of accomplishment through hands-on activities, and tasting noodle cultures from around the world, visitors can experience a one-of-a-kind facility where learning and play come together.