Nissin Foods

History

Founding and early years

The company was founded in Japan on 1 September 1948, by Taiwanese-Japanese immigrant Go Pek-Hok (Japanese name Momofuku Ando) (1910-2007) as Chuko Sosha. Ten years later, the company introduced its first instant ramen noodle product, Chikin Ramen (Chicken Ramen). Soon after, the company changed its name to Nissin Food Products Co., Ltd.. The company established a U.S. subsidiary, Nissin Foods, in 1970, and began selling instant ramen noodle products under the Japan Instant Noodle Bureau and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries name Top Ramen in 1972. Nissin Chikin Ramen (1958) and Cup Noodles (1971) were both invented by Momofuku Ando. Nissin Foods is headquartered in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka.

Recent years and expansion

The company moved to its current headquarters in 1977, when the construction of the building was completed.

In 2007, Myojo Foods Co., Ltd. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Nissin Foods. On January 5, 2007, Nissin founder Momofuku Ando died at the age of 96.

In May 2011, Nissin announced a capital and business alliance with confectionery producer Frente Co., Ltd. In September 2011, the Cup Noodles museum opened in Yokohama, exhibiting the full spectrum of Momofuku Ando's vision.

An agreement with Turkey's largest consumer goods manufacturing group was reached in September 2013, resulting in the creation of Nissin Yildiz Gida Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.

March 2014 saw the opening of The Wave, a new Japan-based R&D center, aimed at creating "a wave of the most advanced food technologies". The building has been honored with the Good Design Award.

Worldwide sales of Cup Noodles reached 40 billion servings in 2016; 70% of total sales were accumulated outside Japan.

Name

According to the company, the name 'Nissin' originates as an abbreviated form of the expression 「日々清らかに豊かな味をつくる」 (Hibi kiyoraka ni yutakana aji o tsukuru), coined by company founder Momofuku Ando, and representing his desire for the company. The expression can be loosely translated as "Day after day purely create great taste".

Facilities and regions

Nissin Foods has established offices and factories in various locations, such as the United States (since 1972), Brazil (since 1981), Hong Kong (since 1985), India (since 1988), Hungary (since 1993), Germany (since 1993), Thailand (since 1994), China (since 1995), the Philippines (since 1997) and Mexico (since 2000). In 2013, Makarneks, the Turkish equivalent to Cup Noodles, was introduced. Nissin's products are sold in more than 80 countries worldwide.

Products

Instant noodles

• Nissin Top Ramen
• Nissin Chikin Ramen
• Nissin Cup Noodles
• Nissin UFO Yakisoba
• Doll Brand - created by Winner Food Products Limited (est. 1968), a subsidiary of Nissin since 1984
• Chow Mein
• Chow Noodle
• Bowl Noodles, Rich and Savory, and Hot And Spicy
• Spice Route Bowl and Boxes, Sichuan, Korean, and Thai
• NuPasta Bowls and bags
• Kitsune udon
• Demae Ramen

Demae Ramen

Demae Ramen or Demae Itcho (; ) was first introduced in Japan in 1969 and entered the market in Hong Kong the next year. Since then, it has become one of the most popular instant noodle brands in Hong Kong, with a wide range of flavours.{{cite web|url=http://www.japanstyle.info/02/entry3928.html|title=Japan's Demae Ramen Rocks in Hong Kong

Criticism

Nissin Foods have been criticized for using palm oil suppliers responsible for the destruction of rainforests, peatlands and abuse of human and labor rights. A demonstration was held at Nissin Foods US Headquarters on June 29, 2015.

Non-affiliations

Nissin Foods is not affiliated with the following: Nisshin Seifun Group Inc., Nisshin OilliO Group, Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, Nisshinbo Holdings Inc., Nissin Healthcare Food Service Co., Ltd., Monde Nissin Corporation, and Nissin Kyogyo Co. Ltd. (including Nissin Brake Ohio and Nissin Brake Georgia).{{cite web |url= https://www.astemo.com/en/corporate/history/nissinkogyo/ |title= History of Nisshin Kogyo |author= |publisher= Astemo |access-date=October 23, 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20251023050850/https://www.astemo.com/en/corporate/history/nissinkogyo/ |archive-date=October 23, 2025 }}

References

References

1. (May 11, 2020). "Summary of Consolidated Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2020". Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd..
2. (9 January 2007). "Momofuku Ando, 96, Dies; Invented Instant Ramen". The New York Times.
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5. "[http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-3836016/Nissin-Food-group-net-profit.html Nissin Food group net profit up 6.6% in 1st half.]" ''Japan Weekly Monitor''. November 12, 1984. Retrieved on March 5, 2010. "On an unconsolidated basis, the Osaka-based firm recorded a 194.4% jump to 5.46."
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23. Nissin. (February 7, 2007). "Nissin Foods- Chow Mein". Nissin Foods (USA) Co., Inc.
24. Nissin. (May 15, 2009). "Nissin Foods - Chow Pasta".
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28. "makanai, demae, shidashi | Japanese-English dictionary". EUdict.
29. "Nissin, Maruchan, cut conflict palm oil from your instant noodles".
30. (November 18, 2014). "Palm Oil Industry Threatens Indonesian Biodiversity".
31. (29 June 2015). "Conflict Palm Oil Demonstration at Nissin Foods US Headquarters". Rainforest Action Network.