Next on the Menu: One-of-a-Kind Cup Noodles

At the “My Cup Noodles Factory,” another popular museum attraction, visitors can customize Cup Noodles cups to create their very own version.

Blank noodle cups let visitors create their very own Cup Noodles as a souvenir.

Visitors purchase a cup from a vending machine and design an illustration for the blank space on the cup. Next, they take the cup to the topping counter, place a noodle cake in the cup, select the soup and add-ins, and voilà—a one-of-a-kind Cup Noodles just for you. No reservations are ready for this attraction, and the process is quick and easy.

Start by designing your very own cup. There is a blank space on the back for an illustration.

There are four soup flavors: soy, seafood, curry, and chili tomato. Choose one, along with any 4 additional toppings out of the 12 offered. This yields 5,460 possible flavor combinations, making this selection something to think about seriously.

Special additional ingredients, available for a limited time only, add to the fun.
After the ingredients are selected, the cup is capped and wrapped. Visitors can observe the same production processes as at the factory.
The final touch: adding air to the packing bag to keep your Cup Noodles in good shape.

If you feel hungry after all this exposure to noodles, make your way to the tasting room on the same floor. Standard and regional versions of Cup Noodles are available and can be purchased and consumed on the spot.

This is the perfect spot for taking a photo commemorating your visit. The wall display shows the huge variety of Cup Noodles sold all over the world.

Andō’s Creativity: Hints for Living

Not to be missed is the second-floor exhibit describing the highlights of Andō’s life and his achievements. Throughout his 96 years, Andō continued to be a fount of creativity and tenaciously overcome obstacles as he created his food products. The medals and honors that Andō received for his achievements are testaments to a productive life.

This year marks 60 years since Chicken Ramen was invented. Manpuku, broadcaster NHK’s morning drama series set to be aired this fall, tells the story of Andō and his wife Masako. This makes this year a perfect opportunity to visit the Cup Noodles Museum and learn more about Andō’s passionate devotion to his work and his indomitable spirit.

Items used by Andō during his lifetime are displayed alongside the various awards and decorations he received.
A collection of calligraphy that Andō wrote each January 1 to mark the New Year.

Museum Information

Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda

  • Address: 8-25 Masumichō, Ikeda, Osaka
  • Official website: https://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/en/osaka_ikeda/
  • Telephone: 072-752-3484
  • Access: 5-minute walk from Ikeda Station on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line
  • Parking: Available (¥300 for 60 min.)
  • Hours: 9:30 AM to 4 PM (last entry 3:30 PM)
  • Closed Tuesdays (closed the following day if a public holiday falls on a Tuesday) and during the year-end and New Year period
  • Admission: Free
  • Chicken Ramen Factory: ages 6 to 12, ¥300, ages 13 and up, ¥500. Making your own Chicken Ramen takes 90 minutes; start times are 9:30 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, and 2:30 PM. By prior reservation only (online or by telephoning 072-751-0825).
  • My Cup Noodles Factory: ¥300 each.

Related article: Andō Momofuku: An Inventor Who Used His Noodle to Change Global Food Culture

(Originally published in Japanese on April 20, 2018. With thanks to Nissin Foods Holdings, Co. Ltd. for photos and interview material. Reporting and text by Yamaguchi Noriko. Photos by Yamazaki Yoshinori.)