Celebrating the Cube That Captured Japan’s Heart!

Today, and July 29th annually, is Mystery Meat Day 謎肉の日 (Nazo niku no hi) in Japan. Mystery Meat is those spotted tiny brown cubes in Cup Noodle, which aren't really that mysterious at all! The date of the commemorative day comes from a goroawase (number pun) of 7/29; "Na (7) zo ni (2) Ku (9)" meaning mystery meat.

Despite the name mystery meat isn't that mysterious at all! Those spring little cubes are seasoned pork mince, made from pork, soy and vegetables, then freeze-dried to create their iconic texture. Over the years, fans have given them affectionate nicknames, shared photos, and even debated which flavor has the best ratio of cubes to noodles. Some Cup Noodle varieties even include white mystery meat, made from chicken.

Nissin officially registered Mystery Meat Day in 2023, hoping to spread the joy of this oddly beloved ingredient. Special releases, like bowls packed with extra cubes or even products featuring only the meat, show just how far the fandom has grown. And how Mystery Meat has captured Japan's heart!