Instant Ramen: The Physics of the SquiggleWhy instant noodles are shaped like bricks of squiggly lines.

From the show

Why it looks like that

The iconic zig-zag shape of instant noodles is a clever solution to mass manufacturing constraints. If the noodles were straight, they would clump together during the "flash frying" preservation process, leaving raw spots. The wave pattern creates essential gaps for hot oil to circulate, forms a sturdy block that resists crushing during shipping, and maximizes surface area for rapid rehydration.