Food · Fermented foods

Instant Ramen (Sokuseki Ramen)

即席ラーメン (Sokuseki Rāmen)

Also known as: Instant ramen, Sokuseki ramen, 即席ラーメン, インスタントラーメン

Looking for a Japanese supplier of Instant Ramen (Sokuseki Ramen)? Tell us

At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling name即席ラーメン
Common Japanese notations即席ラーメン, インスタントラーメン, 袋ラーメン
OriginInstant ramen — invented by Momofuku Ando (Nissin Foods) in 1958 with Chicken Ramen; Japan's largest packaged-food category by global export; principal Japanese producers Nissin Foods (volume leader, Chicken Ramen, Cup Noodle, Donbei series), Sanyo Foods (Sapporo Ichiban), Toyo Suisan (Maruchan), Myojo Foods, House Foods
Typical functionsVolume household and convenience-store retail, Cup-noodle and bag-noodle formats, Major Japanese food export category
Regulatory status in JapanStandard food labeling. Multiple allergens (wheat, soybean, egg, dairy) disclosure essential.

Instant ramen (即席ラーメン) — invented in 1958 by Momofuku Ando (Nissin Foods Chicken Ramen) — is Japan's largest packaged-food category and major global export. Nissin Foods, Sanyo (Sapporo Ichiban), Toyo Suisan (Maruchan), Myojo are major producers.

Classification

Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.

Functions

Regulatory tags

Used in (typical product categories)

Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.

  • Bag-noodle (5-pack format) retail
  • Cup-noodle retail
  • Premium specialty instant ramen (regional ramen-shop branded)

What it is

Instant pre-cooked dried noodles with seasoning.

Typical uses in Japanese products

Volume household retail.

Convenience-store cup ramen.

Major food export.

For OEM: instant ramen production OEM, private-label and regional-shop branded retail.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Multiple allergens disclosure essential.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUMajor established global instant ramen export.
USAMajor US instant ramen retail.
ChinaMajor global instant noodle market.
KoreaMajor Korean instant noodle market.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification.

All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.

Related ingredients

References

  1. Nissin Foods — Cup Noodle/Chicken Ramen heritage documentation

Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.

Explore more Japan-market resources

Related tools for overseas buyers, formulators, and sourcing teams.