Instant Noodles

Most Asians grew up with Instant Noodles.  Instant noodles are a precooked and usually dried noodle block, sold with flavoring powder and/or seasoning oil, usually in a separate packet.

Instant noodle
Instant noodle in typical block-like form – Image credit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant_noodle

Maggi instant noodles marketed by Nestle are very popular in Malaysia, where “Maggi” is synonymous with instant noodles.  They are convenient meals advertised as 2 minute noodles since 1982.

In 1958, Momofuku Ando invented “CHICKEN RAMEN ™”, the world’s first instant noodle product. His achievement brought a revolution in culinary culture. In 1971, he developed “CUP NOODLE ®”, the world’s first cup-type noodle product.

Promoted by Momofuku Ando, the inventor of instant noodles, and agreed to by a number of instant noodle manufacturers around the world, IRMA (International Ramen Manufacturers Association) was launched in 1997. The purpose of the Association is to improve the quality of instant noodles and increase its consumption through the mutual exchange of information by manufacturers around the world, to discuss environmental and technical issues, and to promote mutual friendship, thereby enhancing diets worldwide and contributing to the development of the industry.

IRMA changed its name in February 2007 to “WINA (World Instant Noodles Association)” to comply with the category name “Instant Noodles,” certified as the authentic name under CODEX International Standards for Instant Noodles, which was adopted in the previous year.

Below is graph showing the Global Demand for Instant Noodles

– extracted from http://instantnoodles.org/noodles/expanding-market.html

Global Demand for Instant Noodles

Updated on May 7, 2014

	Country / Region	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
	Total	92,220	95,820	98,170	101,470	105,590
1	China / Hong Kong	40,860	42,300	42,470	44,030	46,220
2	Indonesia	13,930	14,400	14,530	14,750	14,900
3	Japan	5,340	5,290	5,510	5,410	5,520
4	Vietnam	4,300	4,820	4,900	5,060	5,200
5	India	2,280	2,940	3,530	4,360	4,980
6	USA	4,290	4,180	4,270	4,340	4,350
7	Republic of Korea	3,480	3,410	3,590	3,520	3,630
8	Thailand	2,350	2,710	2,880	2,960	3,020
9	Philippines	2,550	2,700	2,840	2,720	2,720
10	Brazil	1,870	2,000	2,140	2,320	2,480
11	Russia	2,140	1,900	2,060	2,090	2,120
12	Nigeria	1,130	1,180	1,260	1,340	1,440
13	Malaysia	1,200	1,220	1,320	1,300	1,350
14	Nepal	590	730	820	890	1,020
15	Taiwan	1,070	1,020	1,010	1,010	980
16	Mexico	860	830	850	890	920
17	Ukraine	520	540	540	560	580
18	Saudi Arabia	N/A	430	460	490	460
19	UK	310	320	340	350	370
20	Australia	330	340	340	350	350
21	Myanmar	210	240	240	300	340
22	Poland	300	300	300	300	300
23	Cambodia	240	330	260	260	240
24	Bangladesh	60	90	100	160	220
25	Canada	200	210	210	210	210
26	Germany	180	180	180	180	180
27	Kazakhstan	120	120	130	130	140
28	Pakistan	110	110	120	130	130
28	Singapore	120	120	130	130	130
28	Egypt	60	70	90	110	130
31	South Africa	60	90	90	100	110
31	Uzbekistan	90	100	100	110	110
33	Guatemala	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	80
33	Peru	N/A	50	60	70	80
35	New Zealand	70	70	70	80	70
36	Czech	50	50	50	60	60
36	France	40	40	50	50	60
38	Chile	N/A	10	20	20	30
38	Sweeden	0	0	20	20	30
40	Denmark	10	20	20	20	20
40	Finland	20	20	20	20	20
40	Hungary	20	20	20	20	20
40	Netherlands	20	20	20	20	20
–	Others	840	310	220	230	250

Unit: 1 Million Packets (Bags/Cups)
Estimated by World Instant Noodles Association (WINA)

[Notes]
*Numbers may not add up due to rounding.
*Catch-up adjustment was made in some countries and region.

Instant noodles may have little nutritional value but adding an egg, meat or vegetables can make the meal pretty wholesome. They come in all flavours, to be cooked either as soup or dry.   For soup instant noodles, my secret recipe is to add a little milk mixed with water for the nice creamy taste.

Some instant noodles do not even need cooking.  Just add hot water and leave for two minutes and you go from hungry to happy in record time. It’s the portable, hot meal that’s ideal for camping, a quick lunch at your desk, or serving up as an easy after-school snack.

There is even an instant snack noodle.  Mamee a household name that is known to many in Malaysia, the perfect snack for hungry little monsters !

There is just so much to write about this simple convenient food.  More to come ……..

Don’t tell me you have never eaten Instant Noodles.

What is your favourite?