A method for producing instant fried noodles which includes the steps of: reversing a noodle lump upside down within 15 seconds after detaching the noodle lump from oil in a fry tank in a frying treatment of the instant fried noodles； putting gelatinized noodle strings in a plurality of retainers pivotally supported by two endless parallel chains； immersing the plurality of retainers, in which the noodle strings have been put by movements of the two chains, in a fry tank to fry the noodle strings； detaching the retainers from oil in the fry tank by movements of the two chains； reversing the retainers upside down by rotating the pivotally supported retainers within 15 seconds after the detachment； conveying the retainers in a state in which the retainers are reversed upside down by movements of the chains； and separating a plurality of fried noodle lumps from the retainers.
