Maruchan
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This article appears to be written like an advertisement. (November 2012) |
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This article relies on references to primary sources. (August 2012) |
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| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Irvine, California, Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Products | Maruchan Ramen Instant Lunch Yakisoba |
| Parent | Toyo Suisan |
| Website | Maruchan.com |
Maruchan Inc., also known as Maruchan (マルちゃん), is an American producer of ramen noodles and related products. Maruchan produces over 3.6 billion packages of Ramen Noodle Soup a year and now has three manufacturing plants, two in Irvine, California, and one in Richmond, Virginia. Because of demand Maruchan is looking to expand to a fourth facility in Texas.[1] Maruchan produces enough noodles in one year that, if stretched end to end, would reach Mars and back.[2]
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History [edit]
Toyo Suisan Kaisha, Ltd of Tokyo, Japan, founded in 1953, is a leading consumer packaged foods company in Japan. They produce a wide variety of food products, from ramen noodles to fish sausage and various marine products, as well as packaged, cooked rice. Their corporate objective is “to deliver the earth’s most wholesome bounty to the dining tables of the world.” Toyo Suisan’s effort to become an international food company brought them to the United States, where, in 1972, they established Maruchan USA. At first, Maruchan USA was only a marketing company, importing, and distributing ramen from Japan to the USA.[3] After operating for five years as a distributor of imported products, Maruchan built its own manufacturing facility in Irvine, CA and in 1977 began producing Maruchan brand ramen at the Irvine factory. Since 1977 Maruchan has grown steadily and has become the top selling ramen brand in North America[4] along side other instant noodle brands such as Nissin Top Ramen and Sapporo Ichiban.
Name [edit]
Maruchan is a Japanese word composed of two parts, Maru and chan. Maru literally means round, as in the shape of a ball or a happy child’s face. Maru also means rounded, as opposed to square or angular. In Japanese, round has a connotation of friendliness. The word chan is an Honorific suffix, used with a child’s name. “Chan” is used to show endearment and affection for a child.[5]
Products [edit]
Maruchan offers several distinct products with a wide variety of flavors.
- Ramen (instant noodles)
- Udon
- Soba
- Chilled Food
- Instant Lunch
- Yakisoba
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Japanese Maruchan Midori no.jpg
Maruchan Midori no Tanuki Soba (Japan)
Other flavors include:
- Lime Chicken
- California Vegetable
- Cheddar Cheese
- Oriental
- Roast Beef
- Roast Chicken
- Hot & Spicy Beef
- Hot & Spicy Chicken
- Cajun Shrimp
- Creamy Chicken
- Jalapeño Cheddar
- Teriyaki Beef
- Savory Soy Sauce
- Mushroom
- Picantè Beef
- Picantè Chicken
- Hot & Spicy Shrimp
- Chili
- Shrimp
- Chicken Mushroom
References [edit]
- Maruchan Company Profile (2011)
- Maruchan Company Website Maruchan USA website
External links [edit]
- Maruchan USA website
- Maruchan website (Japanese)
