Instant noodles facts for kids
Instant noodle in typical block form (dried)
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| Type | Noodle |
|---|---|
| Region or state | Originally South Asia and East Asia, now found in most parts of the world. |
| Created by | Momofuku Ando of Japan |
| Main ingredients | Dried or precooked noodle, seasoning |
Instant noodles are a super quick and easy meal! They come as a block of dried noodles with special flavor packets. You usually just add boiling water, wait a few minutes, and your tasty noodle soup is ready to eat. Sometimes, the noodles are already in a cup, and the flavor is mixed right in.
These noodles are made mostly from wheat flour, palm oil, and salt. The flavor packets often contain salt, sugar, and other seasonings. The dried noodle block is usually made by flash-frying cooked noodles. This method helps them last a long time.
Instant noodles were invented by a clever person named Momofuku Ando in Japan. He launched them in 1958. Later, in 1971, his company, Nissin, introduced Cup Noodles, which made instant noodles even easier to prepare. Today, you can find instant noodles all over the world under many different brand names.
In Japan, a type of noodle soup called Ramen is very popular. Sometimes, instant noodle companies use "ramen" to describe their flavors. In America, the word "ramen" has even become a common way to talk about all kinds of instant noodles.
Contents
History of Instant Noodles
Instant noodles were invented by Momofuku Ando in Japan. He first sold them on August 25, 1958. His company, Nissin, called them Chikin Ramen. Ando figured out how to flash-fry cooked noodles. This made them "instant" because they dried out and could be stored for a long time. They even lasted longer than frozen noodles!
Each block of Chikin Ramen was already seasoned. When they first came out, they cost 35 yen. This was quite expensive back then, so they were seen as a luxury item. Fresh noodles in stores were much cheaper. But even with the higher price, instant noodles became super popular. A big company called Mitsubishi Corporation helped promote them.
In 1971, Nissin came up with another great idea: Nissin Cup Noodles. These noodles came in a cup, and all you had to do was add boiling water. Later, they even added dried vegetables to the cups. This made it a complete instant meal.
In the year 2000, a poll in Japan asked people about their best inventions of the 20th century. Guess what topped the list? Instant noodles!
Today, people eat a huge amount of instant noodles. Around 96 billion servings are eaten worldwide every year! China eats the most, about 42 billion packages each year. Indonesia is next with 14 billion. People in South Korea eat the most instant noodles per person, about 69 servings each year!
What Are Instant Noodles Made Of?
The main ingredients in instant noodles are wheat flour, water, and salt. Other ingredients can include palm oil, different seasonings, and starches. These ingredients help make the noodles easy to cook and give them their unique texture.
Instant noodles are a type of dish that is cooked at the factory. They are then packaged as dried noodles. They often come with a special powder that adds lots of flavor. You can prepare this dish very quickly, usually in 5 minutes or less. Just put the noodles in hot water, add the powder, and a tasty noodle soup is ready!
Instant noodles are very popular in Asia. They are also a favorite among many students and people who need cheap food. This is because they are very inexpensive to make and buy. In some places, a package of instant noodles can cost as little as ten cents.
Many companies make instant noodles. Some well-known brands include:
- Maggi (from Nestle)
- Top Ramen
- Chings
- Tasty Treat
Are Instant Noodles Healthy?
Sometimes, people say instant noodles are not very healthy. This is because a single serving of instant noodles has a lot of carbohydrates and fat. However, they don't have much protein, fiber, vitamins, or minerals.
To make instant noodles more nutritious, you can add other ingredients. Things like fresh vegetables, a boiled egg, or some cooked chicken can make your meal more balanced and healthy.
Images for kids
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A bag of Chinese Yi pre-fried noodles
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Instant noodles on a shelf
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Recreation of Momofuku Ando's workshop, where he created instant noodles; CupNoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda
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A model of cup instant noodle composition
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Seasoning sachets on instant noodles, the content of a Japanese instant yakisoba package
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See also
In Spanish: Fideos instantáneos para niños
