Review: Yokohama Cup Noodles & Ramen Museum – Is It Worth It?

Okay, so you’re thinking about checking out the Cup Noodles Museum and the Ramen Museum in Yokohama? Perhaps you are plotting out your trip to Japan and wonder if these food-themed spots ought to be on your list. Well, you’ve come to the perfect place! I want to walk you through what each museum offers, talk about what I enjoyed (and what I maybe didn’t), and help you decide if they deserve a spot on your travel schedule. Let’s get started!

First Stop: The Cup Noodles Museum

Alright, let’s talk about the Cup Noodles Museum, also sometimes referred to as the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum. That is quite a name, is that right? This place celebrates the, very long story of instant ramen and its inventor, Momofuku Ando. Ando is a total legend, too it’s almost unbelievable! He invented instant ramen in his shed after World War II, aiming to fight food shortages. He really made a massive difference. Anyway, at the museum, you can see all kinds of exhibits that walk you through the history of instant noodles, starting with the Chicken Ramen that started it all. It’s amazing, seriously! What I really liked was learning about how ramen became such a global phenomenon.

Making Your Own Cup Noodles!

The highlight for tons of folks, and probably for you, is the “My Cup Noodles Factory.” So, here you get to very, very much create your very own, personalized cup of noodles. How about that? You buy an empty cup from a vending machine and then decorate the outside with markers. After that, you get to pick your soup base and ingredients from a bunch of options. Watching the factory workers put everything together is actually a sight to see, honestly. I chose a seafood base with shrimp, corn, and some mystery meat (don’t ask!). It was a blast and such a super cool and one-of-a-kind souvenir.

What Else is There?

Well, besides the My Cup Noodles Factory, there is the Noodles Bazaar, which is a food court that serves different types of noodles from around the world, which is quite something, yes? You can try ramen, pasta, and even some noodle dishes that maybe you have never heard of, really. It’s really like taking a trip around the globe without even leaving Yokohama. Also, there is a recreation of Ando’s shed, which is pretty neat to see. You get this, you see, for this area! So, you are able to learn about where it all began, actually.

Is It Worth It? The Cup Noodles Museum Verdict

Absolutely! If you are looking for something that is both fun and, you get this, informative, this is such a nice pick! Creating your custom cup noodles is so much fun, really. Plus, you’ll leave knowing a thing or two about the history of instant ramen. I am serious. It’s really an entertaining way to spend an afternoon, wouldn’t you agree?

Next Up: The Ramen Museum

Now, let’s talk about the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, a totally different, a bit nostalgic, noodle experience. When you enter, it kind of feels like you are stepping back in time. Like seriously. The museum is designed to look like streets of Tokyo in 1958, which was the year instant ramen was invented. How awesome is that?

A Step Back in Time

Seriously, the detail that is there in this place is wild. Old storefronts, vintage signs, you know. All that. As a matter of fact, all of this creates a very cool backdrop as you make your way to the real star of the show, that is the ramen shops, isn’t that right? You almost believe the experience so much. Trust me. There are about eight to ten ramen shops, give or take, and all of them represent different regions of Japan.

Ramen, Ramen Everywhere!

Alright, so here’s the cool thing about the Ramen Museum. That said, you can sample ramen from different parts of Japan without actually having to travel all over the country, really. Each restaurant specializes in a different kind of ramen. You can find everything, you know, from the thick, porky tonkotsu ramen of Kyushu to the lighter, soy-sauce based ramen of Tokyo, you probably get it! Portions are, actually, on the smaller side, so you can try a couple of different varieties without getting too full, which is so much fun. You might as well have it all, alright?

Beyond the Bowls

Besides just eating, you might just find yourself having a lot of fun with looking at the exhibits that detail the history of ramen. They are so informative, believe me! You can learn about the different types of noodles, broths, and toppings that go into making ramen. Plus, there are some cool displays of ramen bowls and utensils from different periods in history, too, it’s almost like, you get this, a totally cultural experience with noodles at its heart!

Is It Worth It? The Ramen Museum Verdict

For ramen lovers, the Ramen Museum is an absolute must-visit, which is why so many love this place, is that right? Being able to sample different regional varieties of ramen in one spot is amazing. The museum gives a cool peek at Japanese food history, as well. It is really a place that is for the foodies and the history buffs. You can just come in and find a thing or two that you will come to like.

So, Which Museum Should You Pick?

If you have time, definitely visit both museums. However, in case you only have time to see just one, here’s what I think you should keep in mind: Pick the Cup Noodles Museum if you’re after an interactive, super fun, and hands-on experience, which tends to be the main draw to these kinds of attractions anyway, right? Making your own cup of noodles is worth the trip on its own, and honestly, it really appeals to all ages.

Go to the Ramen Museum, though, if you want to seriously try out different types of regional ramen. I mean, for most people it is enough. The setting of the streets in old Tokyo adds to the whole feel of things. All things considered, you do not want to miss out.

Tips For Your Visit

• Get there early: These museums can get busy, you know, particularly on weekends and holidays. You may want to arrive early to beat the crowds.
• Bring cash: While some places take cards, it’s always helpful to have some yen on hand, more or less for the smaller shops and food stalls, believe me.
• Pace yourself: It’s really easy to want to try everything. Yet, you’ve really got to take your time and not eat too much at once. Trust me.
• Check for events: Keep an eye out, and see if these places have some going on. That is cool, right? They may have these sometimes, and, it can really give some, like, added zest to the place.

In Summary

• Both the Cup Noodles Museum and the Ramen Museum are nice places, actually, to spend a day if you love noodles. I mean it.
• The Cup Noodles Museum is such a cool spot to get hands-on with ramen history and, more or less, make a very custom creation of yours. I’m pretty sure it has its niche audience.
• The Ramen Museum brings, to you, so many tastes. Trust me. You can just spend a while trying them all. The vintage vibes, too, it’s almost magical, wouldn’t you say?
• If you had to pick just one, think about what you would enjoy, more or less, based off of the vibes that have been shown, and based off of that I am confident that you will get the time that you want.