Momofuku Ando - Inventor of Instant Noodles, Birthday and Personal Life
Momofuku Ando's Personal Details
Momofuku Ando was a Japanese inventor and businessman and the founder of 'Nissin Food Products Co
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | March 5, 1910 |
| Died on | January 5, 2007 |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Famous | Business People, Businessman, Inventor of Instant Noodles |
| Spouses | Masako Ando |
| Childrens | Akemi Horinouchi, Hirotoshi Ando, Koki Ando |
| Universities |
|
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Discoveries / Inventions |
|
| Birth Place | Puzi, Chiayi County, Taiwan |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Pisces |
| Born in | Puzi, Chiayi County, Taiwan |
| Famous as | Inventor of instant noodles |
| Died at Age | 96 |
Momofuku Ando's photo
Who is Momofuku Ando?
Momofuku Ando was the founder of the Japanese food product company called ‘Nissin Food Products Co. Ltd.’ He also invented the concept of instant noodles, cup noodles and instant ramen which became famous as the cheapest and most convenient food. He became concerned about the food problem existing in Japan after the Second World War and embarked on a series of experiments to bring noodles to the table of every household in Japan. After trying many things resulting in errors, he finally devised a method where noodles could be prepared instantly by pouring warm water on them. The Japanese people took to this new type of food as fish takes to water and soon every Japanese was having their familiar bowl of noodles made from the wheat flour supplied by the United Sates government instead of bread made from the same wheat flour. He was acknowledged as a great inventor by the Japanese for bringing food to the hungry people of Japan at a time when there was devastation all around the country. He was felicitated by not only the Japanese for his endeavors but also by the American government for solving food crisis in his country.
// Famous Businessman
Guccio Gucci
Guccio Gucci was a famous fashion designer from Florence, Italy, and the founder of the world-renowned fashion brand ‘Gucci.’ Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.
Santo Versace
Santo Domenico Versace is an Italian businessman and politician. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements, and fun facts about him.
Robie Uniacke
Robie Uniacke is a British businessman, who is best known as the long-time partner of English actress Rosamund Pike. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Childhood & Early Life
Momofuku Ando was born in the Taiwanese city of Kagi-cho (presently known as Chiayi) on 5th of March, 1910. The name given to him by his parents was Go Pek-Hok.
After the death of his parents, he started living with his grandparents inside the city walls of Tainan-cho which is known as Tainan today.
Career
Taking inspiration from his grandparents who were the owners of a small business store for textiles, Momofuku Ando spent about 190,000 Yen which he had received as inheritance from his parents to start a textile company in Daitotei (Taipei) at the age of twenty-two.
He went to Osaka, Japan, in 1933 to study economics at the Ritsumeikan University. While studying there he started a clothing company.
After the Second World War he became a Japanese citizen. His original Chinese name of Go Pek-Hok was changed to the Japanese name of Momofuku and the Japanese surname Ando was added to it.
A case of tax evasion was brought against him in 1948 and he was sent to jail where he spent almost two years. He had given out scholarships to needy students and this was considered a form of tax evasion then.
He lost his clothing company due to bankruptcy and started a small family-owned salt producing company in Ikeda, Osaka. This company was the fore-runner of the present day company.
Japan was reeling under food shortage after the war and the authorities requested the people to eat bread made from the wheat flour supplied by USA as there were no stable noodle producing companies big enough to meet the demand. It was in these circumstances he decided to carry out experiments to make noodles on a large scale.
After much experimentation he developed a flash-frying method and sold the first packet of instant noodles on 25th of August, 1958 when he was 48 years old. The original product was named ‘Chikin Ramen’ which cost 35 Yen at the time. It was considered a luxury as it cost almost six times more than a serving of soba or udon noodles.
He came out with the first cup noodle product packed in a waterproof container made from polystyrene on 18th September, 1971. It was an instant hit and this masterstroke converted his company into a booming business overnight.
He founded the ‘Instant Food Industry Association’ in 1964 to set guidelines for ramen production such as fair competition, printing the production date on the packet etc. He also became the chairman of the ‘International Ramen Manufacturers Association.’
In 2005, the astronauts aboard the space shuttle ‘Discovery’ had instant noodles from special containers made by him.
By 2007, chicken ramen was selling at 60 Yen a packet in Japan which was almost one third of the cost of a serving of cheap noodles in any Japanese restaurant. Awards & Achievements
The introduction of cup noodles in 1971 was probably his most important achievement. The noodles can be eaten easily by opening the lid of the Styrofoam container designed by him, pouring warm water into it and waiting till they were soft. He made a fortune by selling these simple yet convenient instant noodles at a low price all over the world.
Momofuku Ando received the ‘Medal of Honor’ with a Blue Ribbon in 1977 for his service to the poor and war-torn people of the nation.
He received the ‘Order of the Sacred Treasure, Second Class, with Gold and Silver Stars’ from the Japanese government in 1982.
The ‘Medal of Honor’ with a Purple Ribbon was awarded to him in 1983.
He was made the Director of Science and Technology Agency in Japan and received ‘Distinguished Service Award’ in 1992.
The Japanese government awarded the ‘Order of the Rising Sun, Second Class, with Gold and Silver stars’ to him in 2002.
Personal Life & Legacy
Momofuku Ando died of heart failure in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture, on 5th January, 2007 at the age of 96 leaving behind wife Masako, a daughter and two sons.
The ‘Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum’ in Japan is named after him.
Trivia
Till the last day before his death, Momofuku Ando used to eat chicken ramen which he claimed to be the best food for maintaining good health.
// Famous Business People
Kristina Sunshine Jung
Kristina Sunshine Jung is an American entrepreneur and actor, better known as the daughter of drug-smuggler George Jung and his ex-wife, Mirtha Jung.
Ted Turner
Ted Turner is a media tycoon who founded the cable news network CNN. This biography of Ted Turner provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Guccio Gucci
Guccio Gucci was a famous fashion designer from Florence, Italy, and the founder of the world-renowned fashion brand ‘Gucci.’ Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.
Momofuku Ando biography timelines
- // 5th Mar 1910Momofuku Ando was born in the Taiwanese city of Kagi-cho (presently known as Chiayi) on 5th of March, 1910. The name given to him by his parents was Go Pek-Hok.
- // 1933He went to Osaka, Japan, in 1933 to study economics at the Ritsumeikan University. While studying there he started a clothing company.
- // 1948A case of tax evasion was brought against him in 1948 and he was sent to jail where he spent almost two years. He had given out scholarships to needy students and this was considered a form of tax evasion then.
- // 25th Aug 1958After much experimentation he developed a flash-frying method and sold the first packet of instant noodles on 25th of August, 1958 when he was 48 years old. The original product was named ‘Chikin Ramen’ which cost 35 Yen at the time. It was considered a luxury as it cost almost six times more than a serving of soba or udon noodles.
- // 1964He founded the ‘Instant Food Industry Association’ in 1964 to set guidelines for ramen production such as fair competition, printing the production date on the packet etc. He also became the chairman of the ‘International Ramen Manufacturers Association.’
- // 1971The introduction of cup noodles in 1971 was probably his most important achievement. The noodles can be eaten easily by opening the lid of the Styrofoam container designed by him, pouring warm water into it and waiting till they were soft. He made a fortune by selling these simple yet convenient instant noodles at a low price all over the world.
- // 18th Sep 1971He came out with the first cup noodle product packed in a waterproof container made from polystyrene on 18th September, 1971. It was an instant hit and this masterstroke converted his company into a booming business overnight.
- // 1977Momofuku Ando received the ‘Medal of Honor’ with a Blue Ribbon in 1977 for his service to the poor and war-torn people of the nation.
- // 1982He received the ‘Order of the Sacred Treasure, Second Class, with Gold and Silver Stars’ from the Japanese government in 1982.
- // 1983The ‘Medal of Honor’ with a Purple Ribbon was awarded to him in 1983.
- // 1992He was made the Director of Science and Technology Agency in Japan and received ‘Distinguished Service Award’ in 1992.
- // 2002The Japanese government awarded the ‘Order of the Rising Sun, Second Class, with Gold and Silver stars’ to him in 2002.
- // 2005In 2005, the astronauts aboard the space shuttle ‘Discovery’ had instant noodles from special containers made by him.
- // 2007By 2007, chicken ramen was selling at 60 Yen a packet in Japan which was almost one third of the cost of a serving of cheap noodles in any Japanese restaurant. Awards & Achievements
- // 5th Jan 2007Momofuku Ando died of heart failure in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture, on 5th January, 2007 at the age of 96 leaving behind wife Masako, a daughter and two sons.
// Famous Pisces Celebrities peoples
Christine Baumgartner
Christine Baumgartner is an American model and the wife of famous American actor Kevin Costner. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Galina Becker
Galina Becker is a former athlete and fitness model from America. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Nikkie De Jager
Check out all that you wanted to know about Nikkie De Jager, the famous Dutch Makeup artist; her birthday, her family and personal life, her boyfriends, fun trivia facts and more.
Annie Bakes
Annie Bakes is an American adult model and the ex-wife of Dennis Rodman. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Jordyn Jones
Jordyn Jones is an American dancer. Let’s have a look at her family & personal life including age, date of birth, boyfriends, net worth, and fun facts.
Oscar Rosenstroem
Oscar Rosenstroem is a Danish Musical.ly star. Let’s have a look at his family and personal life including age, date of birth, girlfriends, net worth and fun facts.
Momofuku Ando's FAQ
What is Momofuku Ando birthday?
Momofuku Ando was born at 1910-03-05
When was Momofuku Ando died?
Momofuku Ando was died at 2007-01-05
Where was Momofuku Ando died?
Momofuku Ando was died in Ikeda
Which age was Momofuku Ando died?
Momofuku Ando was died at age 96
Where is Momofuku Ando's birth place?
Momofuku Ando was born in Puzi, Chiayi County, Taiwan
What is Momofuku Ando nationalities?
Momofuku Ando's nationalities is Japanese
Who is Momofuku Ando spouses?
Momofuku Ando's spouses is Masako Ando
Who is Momofuku Ando childrens?
Momofuku Ando's childrens is Akemi Horinouchi, Hirotoshi Ando, Koki Ando
What was Momofuku Ando universities?
Momofuku Ando studied at Ritsumeikan University
Which company or organization was founded by Momofuku Ando?
Momofuku Ando was the founder/co-founder of Nissin Foods
What is Momofuku Ando's inventions/discoveries?
Instant Noodles was invented (or discovered) by Momofuku Ando
What is Momofuku Ando's sun sign?
Momofuku Ando is Pisces
How famous is Momofuku Ando?
Momofuku Ando is famouse as Inventor of instant noodles