the story behind Japanese instant noodles
According to the World Instant Noodles Association, over 120 billion servings of instant noodles were eaten globally last year [that's more than 14 servings per person!]. It's easy to understand why Japanese instant noodles repeatedly get voted Japan's most successful invention, beating the Walkman, bullet train and karaoke.
In Japan and across the globe, instant noodles are a major part of convenience food culture, from a quick lunch, a Japanese ramen dinner or an umami-rich snack for busy professionals, students and families alike. So let's walk through the story of Japanese instant noodles, starting with ramen.
the mighty ramen
The inspiration behind instant noodles was the mighty ramen, a dish so popular in Japan that there are thousands of ramen restaurants in Tokyo alone. If you walk into any of these restaurants and ask what makes the noodle dish so special, they'll say it's the broth. Japanese ramen and instant ramen are prized for deep umami taste, with rich, flavourful soup often inspired by regional styles such as shoyu or tonkotsu.
A ramen's broth is a work of art, and chefs tirelessly craft broths so complex they transform the ramen noodles that swim in them. Japanese instant noodles now span quick convenience foods and premium ramen adaptations, with far more variation in noodle texture, from thin to thick, than many Western options.
the cup noodle was born
Instant noodles have been taken seriously in Japan since they were invented in 1958, and now there’s a whole culture of appreciation dedicated to them. The popular reviewer Toshio Yamamoto has reviewed a whopping 6,200 varieties, and he says he won’t stop reviewing instant noodles until he finds one that deserves a perfect 5 out of 5!
In the UK, noodle pots have sometimes had a bit of a bad reputation, bringing back memories of student days and quick meals on the sofa. But for busy professionals and health-conscious eaters looking for something convenient, fresh and hygienic, Japanese instant noodles offer a different take. With real flavour and quality ingredients, Japanese instant noodles bring a fresh perspective to instant meals.
itsu noodles & broth pots
We've been working with Yoshihiro, Japan's highly respected food entrepreneur, to create broths inspired by the ramen chefs of Tokyo. Japanese brands are known for deeper, more savoury complexity and that's the standard we've aimed for here. We've blended miso with natural flavours, seasonings, herbs and spices. We have 6 flavours available, all gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan-friendly.
Many Japanese instant noodle products use air-dried rather than flash-fried noodles, along with dehydrated toppings such as green onions. You’ll find the same approach in our noodle pots, with gluten-free rice noodles, no MSG and no more than 230 calories per pot. For a more filling option, try our big pots.
build the perfect ramen bowl
Our noodle pots are great on their own, but can become an important part of a balanced diet when topped with traditional ingredients like a jammy soft-boiled egg, chicken for a classic chicken ramen or tofu and mushrooms for a plant-based bowl. For some top-your-pot inspiration, try these recipes for every occasion.
the best instant noodles for every craving
tasty toppers to boost your noodle pot
build a nourishing desk lunch with itsu noodle pots