SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) — Ramyeon, Korean instant noodles, have succeeded in captivating consumers in Taiwan, where its local brands of the food are becoming more popular in the market, South Korea’s trade agency said Thursday.
According to the Taipei office of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), Shin Ramyun, a spicy version of the food from Nongshim, ranked third in a survey in Taiwan of its netizens’ 10 favorite instant noodles. Japan’s Cup Noodle, which came in fourth, was the only other foreign brand on the list.
Sales of South Korean ramyeon in Taiwan last year were US$11.78 million, nearly triple the $4.12 million of 2011, according to KOTRA. Last year’s sales are equivalent to 43 percent of Taiwan’s imports of the instant food.
KOTRA said large retailers have started to set up special sales corners for Korean ramyeon, selling just-introduced products new even in the Korean market. Video clips showing different ways to cook the noodles and individualized recipes often record over 1 million views, it said.
“Korean food and food products have gained interest from the popularity of Korean dramas and K-pop,” KOTRA’s Taipei office said. “More Korean restaurant franchises have opened, and there are also more Korean restaurants operated by Taiwanese owners.”
(Featured Image: A YouTuber shows her way of cooking the Korean instant noodles Shin Ramyun. (Photo courtesy of KOTRA) (Yonhap))
