Instant noodles and method for producing the same

A method for producing instant noodles, comprising:

• (a) cutting a noodle belt to obtain raw noodle strings, the noodle belt being rolled out once or more at a rolling rate of 60% or higher;
• (b) spraying superheated steam to the obtained raw noodle strings, wherein a temperature of the superheated steam is 125 to 220° C. as the temperature to which surfaces of the noodle strings are exposed;
• (c) performing gelatinization of the noodle strings after (b), wherein gelatinization comprises one of:
• supplying moisture in liquid form to the noodle strings after (b) to increase a moisture content of the noodle strings, and heating the noodle strings by saturated steam to realize the gelatinization;
• and
• supplying the moisture in liquid form to the noodle strings after (b) to increase the moisture content of the noodle strings, and heating the noodle strings by the superheated steam, and repeating one or more treatments, in which the moisture in liquid form is supplied to the noodle strings to increase the moisture content of the noodle strings and the noodle strings are heated by the superheated steam or the saturated steam, to realize the gelatinization;
• and
• (d) drying the noodle strings after the gelatinization.