Ramen noodles, a Japanese adaptation of noodles originated in Southern China, have been a popular snack since their introduction in the 1880s. They were introduced to Japan by immigrants who settled in Yokohama and their popularity grew rapidly. The introduction of ramen led to a boom in the Japanese food market, with an influx of wheat flour imported to replace rice shortages after World War II. Nissan Foods introduced the first instant ramen in 1958 and later introduced "Cup Noodles" in 1971. The global market for ramen is estimated to be over $60 billion. The crunchy texture and subtle flavor of the noodles and the combination of sunflower seeds and cabbage contribute to the salad.