There has never been a time when ramyun was this popular. According to the Korea Customs Service's trade statistics in November last year, the export value of ramyun from January to October 2023 increased by 24.7% compared to the previous year, reaching $785.25 million, the highest amount in the 60-year history of ramyun releases.
코메디닷컴
This figure only measures the amount produced domestically and exported to foreign countries. If the quantity produced directly in foreign factories and sold locally is also taken into account, the scale of global export value is much larger. The unprecedented export value of ramyun serves as an indicator of how popular Korean ramyun is overseas. Korean ramyun producers have factories in the United States, China, Russia, and other countries. So, why have Korean ramyun suddenly become so popular worldwide?
This figure only measures the amount produced domestically and exported to foreign countries. If the quantity produced directly in foreign factories and sold locally is also taken into account, the scale of global export value is much larger. The unprecedented export value of ramyun serves as an indicator of how popular Korean ramyun is overseas. Korean ramyun producers have factories in the United States, China, Russia, and other countries. So, why have Korean ramyun suddenly become so popular worldwide?
초록마을
The ramyun industry reportedly gained attention as emergency rations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the appearance of "jjapaguri," based on "jjapaghetti" in the movie "Parasite," made it familiar, and along with the growing interest in K-pop and K-beauty, there was also interest in K-food. In other words, not only ramyun but Korean culture as a whole began to be known overseas.
The ramyun industry reportedly gained attention as emergency rations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the appearance of "jjapaguri," based on "jjapaghetti" in the movie "Parasite," made it familiar, and along with the growing interest in K-pop and K-beauty, there was also interest in K-food. In other words, not only ramyun but Korean culture as a whole began to be known overseas.
<Parasite> CJ ENM
Looking at the ranking of countries exporting ramyun, China topped the list with $174.45 million, followed by the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Australia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan also made it into the top 10, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recorded the 15th highest export value. It can be seen that ramyun was sold evenly across various countries and continents.
Looking at the ranking of countries exporting ramyun, China topped the list with $174.45 million, followed by the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Australia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan also made it into the top 10, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recorded the 15th highest export value. It can be seen that ramyun was sold evenly across various countries and continents.
연합뉴스
In Korea, when people mention "ramyun" without any additional qualifier, they mostly think of instant noodles, such as well-known packet instant noodles like "Shin Ramyun" and "Jjapaghetti." There is also "Cup ramyun" which are packaged in cup form, allowing for easy cooking by adding hot water.
In Korea, when people mention "ramyun" without any additional qualifier, they mostly think of instant noodles, such as well-known packet instant noodles like "Shin Ramyun" and "Jjapaghetti." There is also "Cup ramyun" which are packaged in cup form, allowing for easy cooking by adding hot water.
The noodles are typically made from wheat flour dough that is fried in oil and then dried, resulting in a curly shape. Occasionally, there are also health-oriented products that use different types of noodles for diet or health purposes. Typically, additional ingredients like eggs, garlic, scallions, rice cakes, cheese, or sausages are added to ramyun.
There are various stories about the origin of instant noodles, but one prevalent story is that the prototype originated in China. After being imported to Japan, it was pronounced as "ramen," which was further adapted to "ramyun" in Korea. One notable difference between Korean and Japanese noodles is that while ramen is often perceived as a formal dish in Japan, Korean ramyun, it's more commonly associated with a quick meal replacement.
Japanese ramen
The first instant noodles in Korea were released in 1963 by Samyang Ramyun. The chairman of Samyang Foods brought instant noodles to Korea, believing they would suit the difficult economic circumstances where there was not much to eat. Initially, the noodles were made following the recipe of Japanese chicken ramen, which was not well-received due to its rich taste. However, later iterations catered to the preferences of Koreans, who enjoy spicy and savory flavors, resulting in the distinctively spicy taste of Korean ramyun. Following Samyang, many other companies entered the instant noodle market, and in 1986, Nongshim, the most famous Korean instant noodle brand, released "Shin Ramyun." (The first cup noodle in Korea was introduced by Samyang Foods in 1972.)
The first instant noodles in Korea were released in 1963 by Samyang Ramyun. The chairman of Samyang Foods brought instant noodles to Korea, believing they would suit the difficult economic circumstances where there was not much to eat. Initially, the noodles were made following the recipe of Japanese chicken ramen, which was not well-received due to its rich taste. However, later iterations catered to the preferences of Koreans, who enjoy spicy and savory flavors, resulting in the distinctively spicy taste of Korean ramyun. Following Samyang, many other companies entered the instant noodle market, and in 1986, Nongshim, the most famous Korean instant noodle brand, released "Shin Ramyun." (The first cup noodle in Korea was introduced by Samyang Foods in 1972.)
삼양식품
삼양식품
농심
When instant noodles were first introduced, they were relatively expensive compared to the cost of living at the time. However, as the economy developed and production increased, they became quite affordable, firmly establishing themselves as representative of Korean working-class cuisine. In Korea, there's an expression "surviving on ramyun," reflecting its image as a food consumed during tough times. In movies and dramas, one can often see poor, single-living individuals consuming instant noodles. Successful individuals sometimes mention their past when they were poor, recalling their daily consumption of instant noodles.
When instant noodles were first introduced, they were relatively expensive compared to the cost of living at the time. However, as the economy developed and production increased, they became quite affordable, firmly establishing themselves as representative of Korean working-class cuisine. In Korea, there's an expression "surviving on ramyun," reflecting its image as a food consumed during tough times. In movies and dramas, one can often see poor, single-living individuals consuming instant noodles. Successful individuals sometimes mention their past when they were poor, recalling their daily consumption of instant noodles.
이상한 변호사 우영우(ENA)
However, instant noodles are not solely consumed by those facing financial difficulties. While they are undoubtedly inexpensive, their moderately spicy taste, chewy noodles, rich flavor, and refreshing broth are incomparable. Rather than restricting it to a "poor man's food," it's more appropriate to call it a soul food of Korea. Furthermore, through strategies of premiumization, higher quality instant noodles are also being produced.
However, instant noodles are not solely consumed by those facing financial difficulties. While they are undoubtedly inexpensive, their moderately spicy taste, chewy noodles, rich flavor, and refreshing broth are incomparable. Rather than restricting it to a "poor man's food," it's more appropriate to call it a soul food of Korea. Furthermore, through strategies of premiumization, higher quality instant noodles are also being produced.
The 미식(하림)
Instant noodles have become a cherished food among Koreans, embodying various images such as nostalgia for the past, memories of cooking with childhood friends, reminders of difficult times, deliciousness, and a comforting food for hungry nights.
Instant noodles have become a cherished food among Koreans, embodying various images such as nostalgia for the past, memories of cooking with childhood friends, reminders of difficult times, deliciousness, and a comforting food for hungry nights.