Part 8/9:
The appeal of instant ramen spread far beyond Japan, with Americans alone consuming around 4.5 billion servings annually. Nowadays, instant ramen is a global phenomenon, with over 103 billion servings consumed worldwide. Notably, China dominates the market, consuming more than 40 billion servings each year.
A Legacy of Humanitarianism
Despite the commercial success, Muku Ando never lost sight of his original mission to combat hunger. In 1997, he established the World Instant Noodles Association, dedicated to distributing instant noodles to areas affected by war, poverty, and natural disasters. His commitment to humanitarian efforts was exemplified during the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami when instant noodles were provided to feed thousands of displaced citizens.