Regarding the Aug. 26 article "Nisshin marks Chicken Ramen's first 50 years," which described Osaka as the birthplace of instant noodles: When I was a student in Hong Kong (1930-1941), together with my teenage friends, we used to frequent a small noodle house named Bak Gut ("One Hundred Good Fortunes") for a night snack. The restaurant was on a side street off Nathan Road, Kowloon, next to what was then the Majestic Theater.
One item offered was ryuko men ("travel noodles"), aimed at people on the move. The noodles were packed with two small seasoning cubes, similar to today's bouillon, and all one needed to do was add hot water to the mix. The noodles were also available during the Japanese occupation 1942-1945.
So, I would venture to say that instant noodles were first invented in the late 1930s in Hong Kong -- by the small shop proprietor who presumably did not have the savvy or the opportunity to have his noodle product mass-produced -- and not 1958 in Osaka.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.