Hands On Experience at Ramen Museum

If you’ve ever wondered what kind of displays you’d find at an Instant Ramen Museum, then you are not alone, as I was just as curious.  It turns out that this is probably one of the most fun museums I’ve ever been to.

The museum offered free admission and when you enter, you are met with a tunnel that displays every single instant noodle package that Nissan has produced since 1958. The tunnel went on and on, which is quite impressive to think of the hundreds and hundreds of flavours and packages that Nissan has perfected in 50 years.  

There was also a replica of the house where instant noodles was originally invented, and a wall full of information about the history of instant noodles. Unfortunately, the wall was all in Japanese, but you could rent audio units in Chinese or English.

Towards the middle part of the museum, were these computerized instant noodles quizzes. Up to 5 people could play at once. I was lucky enough to answer all 5 questions correctly (even though the questions were all in Japanese!) and won myself a little instant noodle notebook!

Towards the end of the museum is my favourite part!  For 300JPY, you can have the coolest experience and make your own cup noodle!  First, you inserted 300JPY into a vending machine for an empty cup.  You then take your cup to one of the many tables and start decorating it however you like.

Next, you line up at the machines and put the noodles, flavouring and toppings in before you watch the cup get sealed up in plastic wrap.  Of course, you also get to decorate your cup along the way.

If you want to participate in the instant noodle making workshop, you need to phone ahead of time and make reservations. Someone told me that that place needs to be reserved 3 months in advanced due to its popularity!

This sign basically sums it all up.  Of the top 10 “made in Japan” items, instant noodles sit at #1.

All in all, this was a great way to spend a few hours in Osaka. Unfortunately, it’s a little bit out of the way, but it only took about 20-30 minutes to get to from Osaka Ueno Station, so it is definitely worth the trip.

 

Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum
Address: 8-25 Masumichō, Ikeda-shi, Ōsaka-fu 563-0041, Japan