How Momofuku Ando's instant ramen created a multibillion-dollar industry Clancy Morgan,Shirley ChengJan 16, 2021, 04:27 IST In 1958 The taste and convenience made it an immediate hit. It's estimated that over 100 billion servings of instant noodles are eaten every year. Following is a transcript of the video. Clancy Morgan: In 1958, a new food was invented with the goal to help end hunger in Japan. The inventor knew it had to be delicious, nonperishable, easy to prepare, and inexpensive. That food was this 29-cent pack of instant ramen. Every day, 290 million people eat instant noodles. They've even been eaten in space. Astronaut: Roger. Clancy: Reportedly, the astronaut said, "I enjoyed it." But you don't get billions of dollars in sales and a Sanrio merch tie-in just by accident.