Nissin launches Japan's first cold‑water cup noodle, no overseas sales planned

Japanese food company Nissin has introduced its first instant cup noodle that can be prepared with cold water. Developed over five years, the product uses Nissin's "cold rehydrate" patent and requires the noodles to soak for five minutes in water cooled to 5‑10 °C. The company stresses that hot water must not be used, as the cup could become hazardous.

The launch includes two flavours – spicy kimchi and chicken‑salt‑lemon – and is priced about 37 yen (≈HK$1.7) higher than standard hot‑water cup noodles. Although Nissin sells its products in more than 100 countries, it said the cold‑water version will remain available only in Japan, with no plans for export. The innovation comes as Japan, along with other nations, confronts increasingly severe summer heatwaves and a rise in heat‑related hospitalisations.