Frequently Asked Questions

Setup & Installation

Do I need a kitchen hood or venting?

Usually no for water-based noodles and soups. Always follow local health/fire regulations.

Does it work with a water jug or direct water line?

The NEO CUCINA ramen cooker supports both water jug and direct water line setups.

Out of the box, it can draw water from a standard external water jug, and no permanent plumbing is required. If preferred, it can also be connected to a direct water line for higher-volume or fixed installations.

This flexibility makes it easy to deploy in offices, cafés, convenience stores, hotels, and self-serve setups.

Does the machine require Wi-Fi to work?

Basic functions such as preset cooking, hot water dispensing, and induction heating operate fully offline. However, features like QR-code smart cooking, cloud menu updates, screen content sync, and remote monitoring require a Wi-Fi connection. For the best performance and real-time updates, keep the device connected.

Do I need professional installation, or can I set it up myself?

No professional installation needed. The machine ships ready to use. Place it on any counter, connect a water jug or direct water line, plug into a standard 110V outlet, and power on. Most operators are up and running within an hour of receiving the unit. No contractor, no plumber, no electrician required.

For setup tutorials, see the included manual or our YouTube channel (@NEOCUCINA). If questions remain, reach out to support@neocucina.com or WhatsApp +1 (949) 213-6301.

How do customers pay at the machine?

The machine handles cooking only. Payment is handled separately through your existing setup at the counter: your POS system, cash register, or a standalone card reader. The machine does not currently have a built-in payment processor, so no additional payment hardware is required from us.

Functionality & Features

Can the machine handle both soup-based ramen and stir-fry ramen?

Yes. From soup ramen to stir-fry ramen, everything is supported. You can customize water, time, and heat for each recipe, then launch it instantly via one-tap buttons or QR codes, giving you virtually unlimited menu flexibility.

What else can the machine make besides ramen?

The machine is designed primarily for instant noodle-based dishes. It uses precise hot water dispensing combined with controlled induction heating, so any dish that requires adding hot water and controlled cooking time can work with the right program setup. Examples include hearty soups, instant pasta, and oatmeal.

For dishes requiring different cooking methods (such as dry-heating or pan-frying), separate cookware is required.

How does it work in real-world operations?

Typically, customers choose products (ramen/soup/toppings), pay first, then cooking is done on the machine (self-serve or staff-assisted). You control products, pricing, and suppliers.

Can I customize the menus?

Yes. The machine includes 4 fully customizable one-tap cooking buttons.

You can edit menus and cooking programs directly on the touchscreen, or manage them remotely through the web-based dashboard.

In addition, you can generate QR codes for recipes, allowing staff or customers to run additional recipes beyond the four on-screen buttons, giving you virtually unlimited menu flexibility.

How does the QR code scanning work?

With NEO CUCINA, you can create custom recipes, each linked to a unique QR code. When you scan the QR code with the device, it automatically identifies the corresponding meal and downloads the preset cooking program, including the correct water volume, cooking time, heating curve and etc., to cook the dish perfectly and effortlessly.

How long and how much water for instant ramen?

Ramen is typically ready in 3–5 minutes. Water volume and heat levels are programmable per recipe.

What content can the touchscreen display, and how do I manage it?

The touchscreen can display a variety of customizable content, including cooking instructions, brand visuals, promotional banners, video ads, and idle screen messages. Whether it’s guiding the user through a cooking process or showcasing your brand during standby mode, the screen becomes a powerful communication tool.

Content is managed through our cloud-based web dashboard, where you can upload media, assign different ads to different devices, and even customize content based on time of day or cooking status.

Does the device support software updates? Are there additional fees?

The device is connected to the cloud and supports OTA (Over-the-Air) updates, so you will receive new features, recipe expansions, and system optimizations automatically at no extra cost.

Maintenance & Support

How do I clean it?

No dishwashing when using paper bowls. Wipe exterior regularly per the manual.

How do I maintain the device? Is there technical support?

Our device is designed for low-maintenance operation. Since it uses disposable induction-safe bowls, there’s no internal cleanup required after each use: just a quick wipe of the exterior and a periodic rinse of the water line and drip tray.

For peace of mind, we offer dedicated technical support, including remote diagnostics, software updates, and responsive customer service. If any issues arise, our team is ready to help.

Do you provide onboarding and setup guidance?

Yes. Support includes onboarding, setup guidance, and ongoing support; custom software features may be available for larger/specialized projects.

What happens if the device breaks?

Contact support with the error shown on screen. We do remote diagnostics first; if unresolved, we’ll arrange a swap under the standard warranty/lease terms.

What is your warranty policy?

Our 1-year limited warranty covers manufacturing defects for products bought from NEO CUCINA or authorized dealers. We’ll replace defective units at no extra cost.

Paper Bowls & Consumables

Do you sell the paper bowls?

Yes. We sell our induction-safe disposable paper bowls designed to fit and work with the NEO CUCINA ramen cooker for a clean, consistent serve every time. You can buy them here.

Do you sell lids for the paper bowls?

Yes, matching lids are available and can be purchased separately. You can buy them here.

Do you sell ramen, soup, or toppings?

We do not sell ramen, soup bases, or toppings directly. The machine and the disposable paper bowls (with optional lids) are what we provide.

To make sourcing easier, we provide a curated SKU list of ramen brands and toppings that operators sell well, along with direct purchase links. This gives you a practical starting point for products that are easy to source, operator-friendly, and proven to perform.

How do the disposable bowls work?

They are induction-safe disposable bowls designed so the machine can cook noodles directly inside the bowl using induction heating.  

Can I use the paper bowls on the induction cooktop for dry heating?

No. The paper bowls are designed for water-based cooking; dry heating can scorch the bottom and produce smoke. Use induction-compatible metal cookware for dry heating.

Can I use other brands’ induction paper bowls or my own pots and containers?

You can use your own induction-safe pots and containers, but we recommend our NEO CUCINA paper bowls for optimal heat distribution and mess-free convenience. Other brands’ bowls may risk uneven cooking or damage. Stick with ours for the best results!

Safety & Certification

What certifications does NEO CUCINA have?

The NEO CUCINA machine is ETL Listed and ETL Sanitation certified, which means it has been tested for electrical safety and sanitation requirements for commercial equipment. These certifications are equivalent to UL and NSF standards for commercial use, so the machine is compliant for commercial operation in applicable settings.

Is the machine safe to use in commercial environments?

Yes. NEO CUCINA is designed for commercial deployment with built-in safety features such as smart temperature control, auto shut-off, and minimal surface heat. Combined with ETL Listed and ETL Sanitation certifications, the machine is built to operate safely in shops, retail spaces, offices, and other commercial settings.

Are the paper bowls safe? Do they have food safety certifications?

Yes. Our paper bowls are FDA-compliant for food contact use (21 CFR), heat-resistant, and free of harmful substances.

Pricing & Payment

Is there a minimum order quantity?

No. There is no minimum order quantity. You can start with a single unit. For bulk orders, volume pricing may be available. Please contact us for details.

Do you offer discounts for ordering multiple units?

Yes. We offer volume-based pricing for multi-unit orders. Contact our team for details and tailored solutions.

Do you offer payment plans or financing?

We do not offer in-house installment or financing plans. However, there are a couple of options available:

  • Shop Pay: If you purchase through our website, you may be eligible for installment payment options through Shop Pay at checkout. Eligibility is determined by Shop Pay at the time of purchase.
  • Third-party financing: We do not arrange external financing on your behalf, but you are welcome to use any third-party equipment financing provider or lender of your choice.
How can the device help my business?

NEO CUCINA helps your business by offering a smart, low-maintenance solution for serving hot meals quickly and consistently. With minimal labor and no need for a full kitchen setup, you can expand your food offerings, attract more customers, and boost revenue. Its compact design and automated cooking process allow you to maximize space, reduce overhead, and deliver a high-quality dining experience anytime, anywhere.

Orders & Shipping

Can I buy outside the U.S. & Canada?

International orders are evaluated case-by-case. Please contact us for availability, voltage compatibility, shipping, and service options for your region.

How much is shipping, and where do you ship from?

For U.S. domestic orders, shipping is free. We ship from within the U.S., and most orders arrive within about 5-7 business days, depending on your location.

How do I track/modify/cancel my order after placing it?

You can track your order in the order confirmation email. If you didn’t receive an order confirmation email, please check your spam folder and text messages and let us know if you need further assistance.

If you would like to modify or cancel your order, please reach out to us at support@neocucina.com as soon as possible. While we'll do our best to assist with your request, we can't guarantee any changes if the order has already been processed.

Why is my tracking not updating?

During peak seasons, transit hubs can be congested and tracking may pause temporarily; updates typically resume once the shipment is loaded and departs. Customs inspection can also happen as a routine procedure and may cause delays.

What is your return policy?

Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery for unused or unworn items in original packaging. Contact us for an RMA number. Full details are in our Return Policy.

To start a return, email support@neocucina.com or use our Contact page with your order number. We’ll issue an RMA number. Include it when shipping the item back.

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