According to data provided by state-run trade statistics agency Korea Trade Statistics Promotion Institute on July 4, Ramyeon exports exceeded $400 million in the first half of this year. The organization has not disclosed information regarding the export amount by region. In 2022, a total of some $765,430,000 worth of Ramyeon packs were exported, recording the largest amount ever. China was the largest importer with $188.9 million, followed by the United States ($76.1 million) and Japan ($60.6 million).
Nongshim, a major food company in South Korea, saw a sharp increase in Ramyeon sales in 2020 thanks to the popularity of "Ram-don," a mixture of two different instant noodles originally known as "Jjapaguri." The instant noodle was used to portray the rich-poor gap in Parasite.
BTS member Jimin has received immense popularity for showing himself eating "Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen," an extremely spicy Ramyeon known as fire noodles, through live streaming content. Fire noodles created by domestic food company Samyang Foods are especially popular in Southeast Asia.
Shinsegae Food, the food merchandise and service wing of South Korea's retail giant Shinsegae, released Halal-certified "Daebak" noodles to Southeast Asian countries including Indonesia and Malaysia. Halal-certified products are considered to be safe and clean under Islamic standards.
reporter
Kim Joo-heon
jhkim123@ajunews.com
