Nissin

The company was established in Japan on September 4, 1948, by Momofuku Ando as Chuko Sosha (中交総社 Chuukou-sousha). Ten years later, the company introduced the first instant ramen noodle product, Chikin Ramen (Chicken Ramen). Soon thereafter, the company name was changed to Nissin Food Products Co., Ltd. (日清食品株式会社 Nisshin Shokuhin Kabushiki-gaisha). The company established a US subsidiary Nissin Foods in 1970 and, starting in 1972, sold instant ramen noodle products under the name Top Ramen. Instant noodles (1958) and Cup Noodles (1971) were both invented by Momofuku Ando. Nissin Foods has its headquarters in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka.