My Visit to the Cup Noodles Museum, Yokohama
Before stepping into the story of the Cup Noodles Museum, let’s pause to honour the man who changed how the world eats ,Momofuku Ando.
We all know instant cup noodles ,that magical meal ready in minutes. I’ve often carried them while travelling, a quiet source of comfort and assurance.
This thought, this comfort, this feeling of assurance all trace back to the brilliant mind of one man: Momofuku Ando of Japan.
He wasn’t a scientist, or a famous chef. He was just an ordinary man with an extraordinary dream to make sure no one in the world ever goes hungry again.
Timeline of Innovation
• 1958: Invented Chicken Ramen in his shed
• 1971: Introduced Cup Noodles
• 1999: CupNoodles Museum opened in Yokohama
• 2005: Created Space Ramen for zero gravity
Over the years since opening: expansions and renovations to add more interactive features and modern exhibits.
Today: The museum continues to evolve as both a cultural destination and a fun experiential place for families, food lovers, and kids.
About the Museum
Located in Minato Mirai, Yokohama, the museum celebrates Ando’s legacy through creativity, innovation, and food culture. Operated by Nissin Foods, it encourages visitors to experience rather than just observe.
Major Exhibitions & Attractions:
Here are some of the key features of the museum:
The Momofuku Theatre:
A 58 meter long panorama (illustrated, friendly for kids) tracing Ando’s life, thinking and inventions. screening time is 14 minutes, screened every 10 minutes.
Momofuku’s Work Shed :
A faithful recreation of the simple shed where Ando worked on Chicken Ramen. Emphasises the message: “With an idea, ordinary tools, and passion, you can make something great.”
Instant Noodles History Cube :
Exhibits over 3,000 packages of instant noodles from around the world, showing how it grew into a global culture.
My CUPNOODLES Factory :
A hands on attraction where you can design a cup, pick your soup flavour and select toppings (there are thousands of combinations).
Chicken Ramen Factory :
A more advanced workshop where you can make noodles by hand,kneading, steaming, flash frying, etc.
NOODLES BAZAAR :
World Noodles Road ,A food zone where visitors can taste various noodle dishes from around the world (reflecting Ando’s interest in global noodle culture).
CUPNOODLES Park :
A playful “factory” park where children experience the journey of a noodle in a fun way.
And finally, visiting it, is more than just seeing “instant noodles”. It is about appreciating a modern invention with cultural significance.
My Experience:
The museum is playful, inspiring, and beautifully designed. Take your time,each exhibit tells a story of creativity, perseverance, and global connection.
And finally, visiting it, is more than just seeing “instant noodles”. It is about appreciating a modern invention with cultural significance.
My last meal before flying home was, fittingly, a Cup Noodle. But this time, it wasn’t just food ,it felt like a tribute to Ando’s dream.
♿ Accessibility: Elevators provide easy access for wheelchairs and baby prams.
Nearest Stations:
• Minatomirai Station – 8 min walk
• Bashamichi Station – 8 min walk
• Sakuragicho Station – 12 min walk
This is a really cool experience for the whole family. The cost is 500Yen for adults, and children are free. There are several exhibits showcasing the history of cup noodles, and an indoor playground for kids. It’s 500Yen to create your own custom cup Noodles, which was a lot of fun for our family.
The cafeteria offers ramen/noodles from several Asian countries and they are legit delicious. There are only 2 size options here; regular for 500Y and 250Y for small. Be advised, the portions are extremely small, which is more befitting as a quick snack than an actual meal.
Centrally located, and an easy walk to several key attractions in the area.
Skipped the museum the first time we went to Japan, but did it this year! We enjoyed the museum, but definitely enjoyed designing the cup more!
This would be a perfect activity across all ages. We came a little over an hour before closing so the lines for cup noodle making was shorter. The entire museum was generally less crowd at the time we went.
The gift shop had good stuff too! We got a set of cup noodle magnets.
We had a wonderful time at the Cup Noodles Museum. It was eye-opening to learn about the history and science behind instant noodles in such an engaging way. The exhibits were interactive and well-presented, making it enjoyable for both adults and kids. The highlight was the workshop, where we got to create our own cup noodles — a fun and memorable hands-on experience, especially for the children. Highly recommended for families! The rooftop had a beautiful view of Yokohama Bay.
