The noodles were an instant hit and before long were being exported to the Middle East and India, where the group has two factories.

FORBES: On The Cover/Top Stories

Long lines of people waited by stalls selling Namie yakisoba, the popular local dish of fried noodles that has become a symbol of the town's battle to survive.

WSJ: Displaced Japanese Town Tries to Stay Intact

They were waiting for noodles to be cooked to order in vats of boiling water, and were prepared to wait a long time.

ECONOMIST: Momofuku Ando