Korea’s ramyeon exports hit record $1.5bn on global popularity of K-culture

(Yonhap)

South Korea’s exports of ramyeon, or instant noodles, have surpassed the $1.5 billion mark for the first time last year, fueled by the global popularity of Korean culture.

According to data from the Korea Customs Service on Sunday, Korea’s ramyeon exports rose 21.8 percent on year to $1.5 billion in 2025.

In 2023, ramyeon exports totaled $952 million, still below the $1 billion threshold. In just two years, exports have increased by more than $500 million, leading the overall growth of K-food exports.

Compared with 2022, ramyeon exports have doubled in three years, and have increased sevenfold over the past decade since 2015.

The surge in demand follows the high-profile inclusion of ramyeon in the Oxford English Dictionary and its frequent appearances in global media, including Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” and the Oscar-winning film “Parasite.”

(Yonhap)

Major ramyeon manufacturers are expanding their production capacity to capitalize on the momentum.

Nongshim has launched collaborative ramyeon products in key markets such as the United States, and appointed girl group aespa as Shin Ramyun’s first global ambassador.

After establishing a European sales subsidiary last year, Nongshim plans to aggressively target global markets by completing a dedicated export factory in Noksan, Busan, in the second half of this year.

Samyang Foods Co. completed its second factory in Miryang last year and is building its first overseas plant in Jiaxing, China, where it plans to install eight production lines, two more than originally planned.

However, the U.S. Trump administration’s tariff war has had a noticeable impact on ramyeon exports.

Last year, ramyeon exports to the United States grew 18.1 percent, falling short of the overall export growth rate.

While exports to the U.S. posted an average annual increase of 68 percent from 2022 to 2024, growth plunged last year due to the Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs of 15 percent.

By contrast, shipments to China – a key alternative market following the U.S. tariffs – surged 47.9 percent last year.