TOKYO — Momofuku Ando, the Japanese inventor of instant noodles — a dish that has sustained American college students for decades — has died. He was 96.

Nissin Food Products Co., the company Ando founded, said on its Web site that he died Friday after suffering a heart attack.

Born in Taiwan, Ando founded his company in 1948 from a humble family operation. Faced with food shortages in post-World War II Japan, Ando thought a quality, convenient noodle product would help feed the masses.

In 1958, his "Chicken Ramen" — the first instant noodle — was introduced after many trials. Following its success, the company added other products, such as the "Cup Noodle" in 1971.

"The Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum" opened in 1999 in Ikeda City in western Japan commemorating his inventions.

Ando gave a speech at the company's New Year ceremony and enjoyed Chicken Ramen for lunch with Nissin employees on Thursday before falling ill, Japan's largest daily Yomiuri reported.

He is survived by his wife, Masako.

Rumors that Mr. Ando would be laid to rest in a large styrofoam cup were later proven false.

;)

Reminds me of the old Saporro Ichiban commercial that would stick in your head for ever.

The one where the wife calls in the family and the one guys falls off the fence.

I am sorry to hear of his passing. At 96, all that sodium in the flavor packets obviously agreed with him.

Ramen, I absolutely love the stuff. It's cheap, delicious, easy and quick to make--and versatile.

aw, I'll eat some for him today.

tasty good. :heart:

aww i love that stuff.

I LOVE Ramen Noodles!!! :( R.I.P.!!!!

Ramen Noodles are the best! They are cheap and good! He did a good thing for those who are/were on a budget, college students and many more! May he R.I.P.

[QUOTE=TJL
Rumors that Mr. Ando would be laid to rest in a large styrofoam cup were later proven false.
;)[/QUOTE]

:rofl: at that statement above.

He lived to be 96, yet, died of a heart attack. Hmmmm, do u think he ate his own creation?:eek:

Weird. I just randomly decided to buy some Ramen Noodles a few hours ago.

Cheap, but tasty.

Am I the only one here who ABSOLUTELY CANNOT stand ramen? http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/attachment.php?s=&postid=1386905 I've never been able to develop a taste for it, etc.

Nevertheless, may he RIP.

I had like a 1000 of those sitting around here for awhile...I should be eating that instead of microwave mac and cheese.

Am I the only one here who ABSOLUTELY CANNOT stand ramen? http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/attachment.php?s=&postid=1386905 I've never been able to develop a taste for it, etc.

Nevertheless, may he RIP.
:yeahthat

Am I the only one here who ABSOLUTELY CANNOT stand ramen? http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/attachment.php?s=&postid=1386905 I've never been able to develop a taste for it, etc.

Nevertheless, may he RIP.
Nope, I hate them too. Can't stand the taste of any flavor or brand.

R.I.P., though. I know a lot of people appreciate his contribution to the culinary world.

College kids everywhere are mourning.

I love the stuff. But I just can't eat it anymore. It doesn't agree with my belly.

RIP

RIP... those noodles sustained me through quite a bit of my college days...

Love the noodles, can't do the sodium content of the flavor packs, so I cook the noodles and add soy sauce, lime juice, butter, whatever....just as easy.


RIP