Nissin has announced the first cold water-only Cup Noodles in the brand’s 55-year history, introducing a new way to prepare one of Japan’s most recognizable instant meals without using boiling water.
Cup Noodles first launched in 1971 as the world’s first cup noodle product and has since become one of the world’s best-known instant food brands, spawning countless flavors over the past five decades.
The new Cold Cup Noodles were developed over five years as demand for chilled meals continues to grow during hotter summer months. Instead of requiring boiling water, the new range is designed to be prepared with refrigerated water in just five minutes.
Nissin’s new Cold Cup Noodles are designed for cold water
The new Japan-exclusive lineup uses Nissin’s patented Cold Rehydrate manufacturing process, which allows the specially developed noodles to soften in cold water while maintaining a firm, smooth texture.
Unlike traditional instant noodles, there is no need to boil water or add ice. Nissin says the new products are intended to offer an easy way to enjoy Cup Noodles during the summer.
Two flavors will be available at launch.
The Cold Cup Noodles Spicy Kimchi flavor pairs a rich chicken-based broth with the tangy heat of kimchi. It includes Cup Noodles’ signature “mystery meat” seasoned pork cubes alongside kimchi, egg, green onion, and sesame seeds.
Meanwhile, the Cold Cup Noodles Chicken Salt Lemon flavor combines chicken with bonito and dried sardine stock before finishing with a lemon aroma for a lighter flavor. It includes steamed chicken, egg, green onion, and red pepper.
Nissin says the launch represents one of the biggest changes in Cup Noodles’ history, with the packaging carrying a warning instructing customers not to use boiling water when preparing the product.
While this is the first time Nissin has developed Cup Noodles that can be prepared with cold water, it’s not the first time the company has experimented with unconventional instant meals.
In 2023, Nissin released a line of RGB-themed caffeinated “Gaming Cup Noodles” in Japan, adding caffeine, arginine, and niacin while using brothless noodles designed to help gamers avoid spilling soup on their keyboards during long gaming sessions.
