SEOUL: South Korea ranked second globally in per person consumption of ramyeon, or instant noodles, in 2024, just behind Vietnam, according to the Osaka-based World Instant Noodles Association (WINA) and Yonhap News Agency.
WINA reported that South Koreans consumed 4.1 billion units of ramyeon last year, placing the country eighth worldwide in total consumption.
Per capita, South Koreans ate 79.2 packets, slightly below Vietnam’s 81, which has a population of 100 million.
Thailand ranked third at 57 packets per person, followed by Nepal at 54, Indonesia 52, Japan and Malaysia 47 each, Taiwan 40, the Philippines 39, and China, including Hong Kong, at 31.
Asian nations generally show higher per-person consumption due to long-standing noodle-eating cultures, while European countries remain below 10 packets per person.
South Korea’s ramyeon consumption has risen steadily in recent years, from 3.79 billion units in 2021 to 4.04 billion in 2023.
Global consumption climbed 2.4 per cent last year to 123.07 billion units, with China, including Hong Kong, topping the list at 43.8 billion units.
The global popularity of K-pop and K-food has boosted ramyeon demand in Europe.
Nongshim’s Shin Ramyun line now features characters from the animated hit “KPop Demon Hunters,” while Samyang Foods, known for its Buldak spicy ramyeon, sees rising overseas sales.
From January to September, South Korea’s ramyeon exports surged 24.7 percent year-on-year to 1.6 trillion won (US$1.1 billion), according to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation.-BERNAMA
