Hienadz Vardanyan 
Ramen is a quintessentially Japanese dish that can be recreated at home at your own leisure. While you may struggle to find handmade noodles, instant ramen noodles are relatively easy to find any use.
You can also stock up on packets in the cupboard so they are readily available whenever you need them.
Whether that’s in your own kitchen, an office, or students’ halls of residence.
Eat them alone or cook a meal for friends or a loved one.
Whether you are a true ramen connoisseur or someone wanting to try the dish for themselves, there are so many brands to choose from.
Not to mention the flavors from black bean noodles to spicy Thai and beyond, you should be able to find one for your tastes but here are the most popular instant ramen noodle brands in Japan.
Where Instant Ramen Noodles Originate From
Instant ramen noodles have developed into a convenient item you can pick up from a vending machine or in the grocery store.
However, like many convenient food items, they have developed somewhat since they were initially devised.
Their history also gives a snapshot of how instant food has developed in Japan over the years.
Instant ramen noodles were created by Momofuko Ando, the owner of the famous Nissin brand, in 1958.
Noting a food shortage engulfing Japan following the end of World War II, Ando realized that creating fresh, homemade noodles could not feed the nation.
The alternative of instant ramen noodles presented itself as an easy food to cook at home which fed the nation but the development still took time.
Noodles would remain a popular Japanese foodstuff yet getting them to families proved a challenge.
Ando took on the challenge of creating noodles in a form that could be cooked at home with a much longer shelf life.
The development took time yet once Ando had finished developing the instant noodles, they were soon available in stores and named Chikin Ramen.
Instant ramen noodles became popular throughout Japan, for their convenience and longevity.
Soon enough, packets of instant noodles became a kitchen staple and families were able to enjoy affordable ramen noodles.
Freed from the fear of food shortages, the popularity of instant ramen noodles increased as did the range of flavors and noodle styles.
While today, you can buy instant ramen noodles in an array of bewildering flavors and styles, that has not just happened overnight.
Constant development has seen instant noodles go from solving a food shortage to becoming a recognized global snack.
There is an estimated 150 billion cups of instant ramen noodles sold annually worldwide. Makes you wonder, what makes their brands so popular?
Why Instant Ramen Noodles Are So Popular Overseas?
It is perhaps relatively easy to explain the popularity of instant ramen noodles in Japan, such as the familiarity and popularity of the dish.
Many families have grown accustomed to ramen and instant noodles have been passed down between generations. However, their overseas popularity is perhaps deserving of some more explanation.
Enjoying Ramen Noodles At Home
As with most convenient foods, instant ramen noodles provide a similar product that you can enjoy at home.
A lot of people would quite like to visit more restaurants but such is life, the cost cannot always be justified. Instant ramen noodles can be enjoyed at home and are easy to prepare.
Create your own range of toppings or sauces and you can have a restaurant-worthy meal within a few minutes, without queuing for a table.
The High Quality
A lot of brands have excelled at creating a pack of noodles that only need the addition of hot water to rival those you can find in a restaurant.
Their texture, size, and overall convenience are really useful factors to consider when you speculate on a certain brand’s popularity.
Separated Toppings
Control is another aspect of instant ramen noodles that should not be overlooked.
Not only can you create a batch of noodles easily at home, but you can also control how much, or how little, of a specific topping or ingredient you want to include.
The toppings and sauces typically come in their own packaging and you only need to use as much as you want.
The plastic packaging may not be particularly environmentally friendly but it does help with quality control.
Size Variety
Instant ramen noodle brands have also understood their target market by supplying a range of sizes.
If you want a large portion of ramen in a restaurant, you may be disappointed to find that it only comes in one size.
However, instant ramen noodles can come in a variety of sizes so you can always find one to fit your appetite more readily.
What Are The Most Popular Instant Ramen Noodles In Japan?
Now you know the history of instant noodles, here are some of the very best, most popular instant ramen noodles brands in Japan.
Nissin
From being the innovators behind the initial development of instant noodles, it should not be that much of a surprise to see Nisshin remain a popular brand of instant ramen noodles to this day.
With a head start on how noodles are made to be cooked at home, Nissin has branched out to create variants of their noodles with a range of flavors.
Brand recognition is key as chances are, you will have seen their iconic cups of noodles.
Nisshin’s innovative flavor range goes well with its distinct packaging so it naturally stands out as a brand.
This is likely the first brand that comes to mind when you think of instant noodles and instant ramen noodles.
Here are some of the most popular instant noodle products currently offered by Nissin:
Cup Noodle Pro (カップヌードルプロ)
Likely to be the most iconic product offered by the company. Their cup noodles have lined grocery store aisles for decades and their popularity has spanned generations.
Amongst the range of flavors, perhaps the most iconic ones are classic and curry.
Nisshin Men Shokunin (日清麺職人)
腹減ったー
— くま太郎//週末は毎週低浮上⤵️???? (@Kumamoto_suki4) December 21, 2021
コレ食おう‼️
↓↓↓
日清麺職人 味噌味 pic.twitter.com/9W1pVipDgS
Next, there is Nisshin Men Shokunin, which is available in several flavors including Tempura soba and other flavors that conveniently come with seasoning in little packets which is well worth a try.
Nisshin Chicken ramen(チキンラーメン)
Along with Cup Noodle Pro and Men Shokunin, Nisshin are also known for their incredibly popular chicken ramen instant noodles, which are popular throughout Japan, as well as Hong Kong.
Demae Iccho (出前一丁)
今日のランチはおしゃれに、淡路島産玉ねぎを使った出前一丁さめよー
— さめくん???? (@SaMeKunjp) July 18, 2022
初めて淡路島産玉ねぎ買ったけど、甘くておいしさめねー???? pic.twitter.com/1FBcuNRyVq
Nisshin’s Demae Iccho noodles are another popular type of instant ramen noodles available in Japan. They are known for their soy sauce flavor soup and their sesame chillio oil which gives it a fiery kick.
Rao (ラ王)
Rao is essentially their premium line of instant ramen noodles. These are sold in packs rather than the styrofoam white cup.
The noodles are also heartier than the ones contained in styrofoam with a texture closer to freshly prepared noodles.
If you find yourself in Tokyo then you could find Nissin noodles in one of the company’s branded vending machines.
A few of which can be found in the neighborhood of Ginza, where the vending machines conveniently prepare hot, fresh noodles to take away.
- Location: Ginza
- City: Tokyo
- Area code: 104-0061
Maruchan
Next up in popularity is the Maruchan brand. While it cannot be compared in size to the giant that is Nissin, Maruchan still has its own niche which is easy to appreciate.
The brand also started later than Nissin, in 1977, when it began to manufacture its own instant ramen noodle pots.
Those sales are also worth making a note of as Maruchan sells an average of about 3.6 billion packs and cups of instant ramen noodles annually.
Once you make note of their range, those sales numbers begin to make sense
Maruchan Seimen (マルちゃん正麺)
An easily recognizable part of their range, the Maruchan Seimen are for noodle soups that pack more in than the standard noodle cups from Nissin.
The noodles also seem heartier and come with a variety of toppings, from shrimp to vegetables and pork.
Maruchan Gotsumori Corn Miso (マルちゃんごつ盛り コーン味噌)
日曜日の昼ごはん。マルちゃんのごつもりコーン味噌ラーメンです。ごちそうさまでした。ステキな午後をお過ごしください(๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵) #おうちごはん #カップ麺 pic.twitter.com/WTJytCXbOF
— 尾張 信虎 (@ongakutai2006) March 21, 2021
Maruchan’s range of corn miso noodles is for those who prefer a sense of authenticity. These are exceedingly close to the traditional style of ramen noodles, even if they are instant.
You can find them in a variety of different styles and flavors including fish and seafood.
The ramen noodles are also made from Hokkaido wheat, which enhances the authentic noodle flavor.
Instant Soba/Instant Udon
If convenience trumps specialization then go for their Instant Soba and Instant Udon ranges. These remain extremely popular and bear a passing resemblance to Nissin’s Donbei range.
Such is the high quality of Maruchan’s noodles that many Japanese restaurants use them for their dishes.
If you would like to try them for yourselves in a suitable dining environment head to Nakiryu which offers soups, ramen noodles, and several other Japanese cuisine dishes.
- Location: Toshima 170-0005 Tokyo Prefecture
Peyoung
For affordability, Peyoung is one of the most popular Japanese instant noodle brands.
The brand is well-known for its iconic sweet and salty instant ramen noodles which stand out for coming in a pack rather than a cup.
As the brand has increased in popularity, so has its range of instant ramen noodle options. That includes a variety of additional flavors including yakisoba, curry, and even the somewhat divisive cilantro.
Peyoung stands apart from the crowd for its delicious taste which remains affordable for those on a budget.
These are high-quality noodles that should be cheaper than the likes of Nissin and Maruchan yet will not disappoint.
It is also worth noting that Peyoung has also stolen a march on other brands by selling some novelty branded products.
From the extremely hot flavors on offer to one pack that contains a truly impressive 2300 calories.
Alongside the brand’s regular range of noodles that can be found in many grocery stores throughout Japan, Peyoung also puts its novelty noodles in many vending machines throughout the country too.
If you are planning a vacation in Japan, keep your eye out for those vending machines in the streets of Tokyo and major cities.
Chances are you should be able to find some instant Peyoung noodles there.
However, if you’d prefer to enjoy their noodles in a restaurant, then check out Tsura Ton Tan Udon Noodle Brasserie.
- Location: Ginza, Chuo 104,0061 Tokyo Prefecture
Sapporo Ichiban
Sapporo Ichiban is the final instant ramen noodle brand we will look at and the name may be familiar. The brand was created in 1966 when it entered the instant ramen noodle market.
The market already included the vastly bigger brands of Nissin and Maruchan yet, undaunted, Sapporo Ichiban gradually became one of the biggest instant ramen noodles brands in Japan and the rest of the world.
This is largely down to their affordability and a fabulous range of instant noodles.
Such is the brand’s global appeal that they have a manufacturing point in California. Here are some of Sapporo Ichiban’s most popular instant ramen noodle products:
Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen (サッポロ一番)
Miso ramen is a product that you may have seen at your local grocery store.
This is one of Sapporo Ichiban’s most popular instant noodles varieties which have only been developed over the course of three years.
Shortly after Sapporo Ichiban was launched, the founder traveled to Sapporo to visit the city’s famous Ramen Alley district.
After three years of learning how to make delicious ramen noodles, which flavors to use, and how to make affordable, authentic instant ramen noodles, they were ready to be offered to the public.
In fact, it is widely believed that Miso ramen is so popular in Japan due to the time spent by Sapporo Ichiban’s owner perfecting his recipe.
Shoyu Flavor Noodles
Another incredibly popular instant ramen noodle variety sold by the brand is its delicious and hearty shoyu flavor noodles.
These consist of authentically textured wheat noodles and a soup sauce with notes of garlic, chicken, and various vegetables.
To ensure a heartier and flavorful ramen dish, the noodles that are used are soaked in soy sauce during the production process.
This guarantees a rich and flavorful ramen dish for a fraction of the price of what you would expect if served at a restaurant.
Shio Ramen
Shio is the Japanese term for salt and is another popular variety of instant ramen noodles from the brand. This particular variety is perfect for complementing other flavor varieties.
You could even use the instant ramen noodles in various different pasta dishes too.
For sheer simplicity and versatility, these noodles can either be eaten alone as a tasty snack or used as a side dish in a main meal.
Just like the other instant ramen noodle brands mentioned above, Sapporo Ichiban’s noodles can also be found across Japan and globally.
This includes many grocery stores throughout Japan and in many of Tokyo’s street vending machines as well as those in other major cities.
If you find yourself in Tokyo and want to try some Sapporo Ichiban’s noodles, you can find them in Ginza’s vending machine district:
- Location: Ginza
- City: Tokyo
- Area code: 104-0061
Demae Ramen
今日のランチはおしゃれに、淡路島産玉ねぎを使った出前一丁さめよー
— さめくん???? (@SaMeKunjp) July 18, 2022
初めて淡路島産玉ねぎ買ったけど、甘くておいしさめねー???? pic.twitter.com/1FBcuNRyVq
The next type of instant ramen noodles that are popular in Japan are something known simply as Demae Ramen.
These noodles have been around since way back in the 1960’s, and has since gone on to become one of the most popular style of noodles not only in Japan, but the rest of the world, too.
In Japanese, “Demae” translates to “Delivery” and this name refers to the way that fresh Demae ramen noodles were delivered either by bicycle or foot in Japan.
Once they had been delivered and the customers were done eating their Demae ramen noodles, the empty bowls that were left would be picked up and taken to be cleaned and then re-used for new bowls of demae ramen.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular types of demae ramen in Japan right now below:
Umaka Chan Ramen (うまかっちゃん)
おハローございます????
— たーもり (@tamori007) December 31, 2021
今年の袋麺納めは、うまかっちゃんシリーズの最高傑作、博多からし高菜風味????
今年も色々食べたけど、100円以下ならこれが1番好きかなー???? pic.twitter.com/TLvVLUgiBM
Otherwise referred to as simply Umakacchan, we think it’s pretty safe to say that Umaka Chan Ramen is one of the most popular types of instant ramen noodles in Japan, as well as the rest of the world.
This type of instant ramen noodle was initially created in 1979 by the brand House Foods, and it was initially only sold around Kyushu.
In the modern day, Umaka Chan Tamen is available in a variety of different, delicious flavors that is sold all around Japan as well as other places.
The best part about these instant ramen noodle brands is that, due to globalization, they remain popular in Japan but you may be able to find them in your local grocery store.
If not, they may be available to purchase online and have them delivered.
Instant ramen noodles are exceedingly popular in Japan but also all around the world to create a go-to meal.
The country has built up a reputation for several instant ramen noodle brands that compete with the restaurants for their delicious, rich flavor.
You can even find instant ramen noodles in vending machines across Japan though they are conveniently found in the aisles of their grocery stores.
Find your favorite instant ramen noodles brand but do not be afraid to try a few others.
