Corporate executive and inventor. Ando worked at clothing companies in Taipei and Osaka, and studied at Ritsumeikan University. In 1948 he founded the food company that later became Nissin, the producer of instant Ramen Noodles. Ando was inspired to develop instant noodles on a cold night shortly after World War II when he saw a long line of people waiting to buy freshly made ramen at a black market food stall. His efforts to develop a marketable pre-packaged food led to his invention of Chicken Ramen, the world's first instant noodle product, in 1958. In 1971 Nissin introduced Cup Noodle, instant noodles in a waterproof styrofoam container that can be used for cooking. In 1999, Ando opened the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum in Ikeda, and his son took over as President of Nissin, with Ando continuing as Chairman of the Board. He retired in June 2005, but continued to serve as a spokesman for the company through his honorary position as Founder-Chairman. In July 2005 Nissin introduced a vacuum packed instant noodle specially designed for Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi to eat during the US space shuttle Discovery's mission. In January 2007 Ando gave a speech at the company's New Year's ceremony, enjoying Chicken Ramen for lunch with Nissin employees before falling ill. He later died of a heart attack.
Corporate executive and inventor. Ando worked at clothing companies in Taipei and Osaka, and studied at Ritsumeikan University. In 1948 he founded the food company that later became Nissin, the producer of instant Ramen Noodles. Ando was inspired to develop instant noodles on a cold night shortly after World War II when he saw a long line of people waiting to buy freshly made ramen at a black market food stall. His efforts to develop a marketable pre-packaged food led to his invention of Chicken Ramen, the world's first instant noodle product, in 1958. In 1971 Nissin introduced Cup Noodle, instant noodles in a waterproof styrofoam container that can be used for cooking. In 1999, Ando opened the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum in Ikeda, and his son took over as President of Nissin, with Ando continuing as Chairman of the Board. He retired in June 2005, but continued to serve as a spokesman for the company through his honorary position as Founder-Chairman. In July 2005 Nissin introduced a vacuum packed instant noodle specially designed for Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi to eat during the US space shuttle Discovery's mission. In January 2007 Ando gave a speech at the company's New Year's ceremony, enjoying Chicken Ramen for lunch with Nissin employees before falling ill. He later died of a heart attack.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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