Top Korean Ramen Brands for Flavorful Noodle Experiences

Korean ramen has become a global sensation, with its rich flavors and diverse varieties captivating taste buds worldwide. Numerous brands have emerged from Korea, each offering a unique take on this beloved dish, often blending traditional recipes with modern culinary twists. Some of the most acclaimed Korean ramen brands are known for their spicy kicks, umami depths, and satisfying textures, making them a staple in kitchens around the globe. If you're curious to find out which brands have made the top of the list and why they stand out, read on below.

Illustration of korean ramen

Best brands of korean ramen in 2025

Nongshim

Nongshim is a leading producer of Korean ramen, holding a significant market share of 56% in the Korean instant noodle market as of 2023. The company has consistently maintained its dominance, with a slight decrease from 56.3% in the previous year. In the U.S., Nongshim's market share stood at 25.2% in 2021, positioning it as the second-largest player in the market. Nongshim's sales revenue from noodles in 2023 amounted to approximately 2.7 trillion South Korean won, reflecting a notable increase in global popularity. The company aims to triple its U.S. sales by 2030, targeting $1.5 billion in annual sales. For detailed insights, you can explore further market statistics on Nongshim's market share.

Samyang

Samyang Foods has emerged as a leading producer of Korean ramen, driven by the global popularity of its flagship product, Buldak Ramen. The company's stock has hit all-time highs, with its market capitalization exceeding 4 trillion won, surpassing rivals Nongshim and Ottogi. In the first half of 2024, Samyang Foods posted 810 billion won in sales and 169.5 billion won in operating profit, with overseas sales accounting for 78% of its total sales. The company's annual maximum instant noodle production capacity is set to increase from 1.8 billion to 2.5 billion with the expansion of its Miryang factory. Samyang's Buldak Ramen has particularly thrived in the U.S. and European markets, with sales in the U.S. alone jumping by 125% in the second quarter of 2024. For more information, visit the Samyang Foods website.

Ottogi

Ottogi is a leading producer of Korean ramen, holding a significant market share in South Korea. As of December 2023, Ottogi's share of the South Korean instant noodle market was 23.9%, with its market share fluctuating between 24.4% and 28% over the years. Ottogi's flagship product, Jin Ramen, has outperformed Nongshim's Shin Ramyun, capturing 28.9% of the market in certain periods. The company also dominates in the category of spicy noodles without broth packages, with a share of 22.2%. Ottogi's balanced product mix, including instant noodles, sauces, and home meal replacements, contributes to its strong market position. More detailed insights can be found on this Ottogi instant noodle brand market share report.

Paldo

Paldo is a prominent Korean brand renowned for its high-quality ramen products, with its Dosirac brand of cup ramen dominating 60% of the Russian market. In 2020, Paldo's ramen sales reached 297.1 billion won (US$266.78 million), marking a year-on-year increase of 9.2%. This growth underscores the brand's popularity and influence in the global instant noodle market. Paldo's products are part of the broader Korean ramen culture, which saw significant exports in 2020, with Korea's ramen exports valued at US$636.2 million, a 29.3% increase from the previous year. Paldo's success reflects the rising demand for convenient and flavorful instant noodles globally.

Neoguri

Neoguri, produced by Nongshim, is a leading brand in the Korean ramen industry, known for its thick noodles and spicy seafood flavor. Introduced in 1982, Neoguri has become a power brand with annual sales exceeding 100 billion won (approximately $87.37 million) and has sold over 5.2 billion packets worldwide. It is the fourth highest selling brand of noodles in South Korea and is exported to over 80 countries. Neoguri's popularity extends globally, particularly in the U.S. market, where it has gained a significant following among both Korean Americans and local consumers. The brand's success is attributed to its unique flavor and chewy noodles. For more information, visit the Neoguri Wikipedia page.

Jin Ramen

Jin Ramen, a flagship product of Ottogi, has emerged as a significant competitor in the Korean instant noodle market, surpassing Nongshim's Shin Ramyun in sales for several weeks in 2022. During the period of September 19-25, 2022, Jin Ramen accounted for 28.9% of the instant noodle brands sold, while Shin Ramyun held a 24.6% share. Ottogi's success with Jin Ramen was further boosted by commercial endorsements, including one by BTS member Jin, contributing to the company's historic sales of $2.43 billion in 2023. Jin Ramen's market share was tallied at 13.9% in the first half of the previous year, narrowing the gap with Shin Ramyun's 16.9% share. This growth reflects Ottogi's strong presence and competitive strategies in the instant noodle market.

Buldak

Buldak, the flagship brand of Samyang Foods, has cemented its position as one of the leading producers of Korean ramen globally. Launched in April 2012, Buldak Ramen has achieved remarkable success, surpassing 5 billion cumulative sales and generating $2.3 billion in total revenue. The brand's annual sales have consistently exceeded 1 billion units since 2017, driven by its global popularity and variants like Buldak Ramen Carbonara. The viral "Fire Noodle Challenge" on YouTube has significantly contributed to its worldwide recognition, with the brand accounting for over 85% of Samyang Foods' total exports and 55% of total sales in 2017. Samyang Foods plans to further expand its production lines to meet the increasing global demand, aiming to increase annual production capacity from 1.8 billion to 2.5 billion units.

Shin Ramyun

Shin Ramyun, produced by Nongshim, is the leading brand of Korean ramen, dominating the market for over 33 years since 1991. It accounts for one quarter of the Korean instant noodle market and has been exported to over 100 countries. Introduced in 1986, Shin Ramyun has sold 28 billion units worldwide as of 2015. The brand holds a significant market share, with 60% of its sales coming from overseas, and it is the second-largest player in the U.S. ramen market with a 25.4% market share.

K-Army Stew

Nongshim's K-Army Stew is a highly acclaimed instant ramen that captures the essence of Korean army stew, or Budae Jjigae, combining gochujang, kimchi, and processed American foods like hot dogs, SPAM, and baked beans. With Nongshim holding a 25.2% market share in the U.S. instant noodle market as of 2021, it is a leading brand in the industry. This product is part of Nongshim's successful lineup, which has seen significant growth, including a plan to triple U.S. sales to $1.5 billion by 2030. The K-Army Stew instant ramen is praised for its rich, spicy flavor and thick, chewy noodles, making it a favorite among ramen enthusiasts. For more about this delicious ramen, check out Nongshim K-Army Stew instant ramen.

Jajangmyeon

Jajangmyeon, particularly from brands like Nongshim and Ottogi, has emerged as a significant player in the Korean ramen market. Nongshim's Jjawang, with its 3-millimeter-wide noodles, saw a 54% increase in sales in June 2015 compared to the previous month, highlighting the preference for thicker noodles. Ottogi's Jin Jjajang, introduced with a liquid black bean sauce, also contributed to a 12.5% increase in the instant jajangmyeon market size during the first half of 2015. These products have capitalized on the trend of richer, more authentic tastes, making jajangmyeon a popular choice among consumers. The market share of traditional ramen slightly declined, but jajangmyeon's growth indicates its rising popularity. For more insights, read about noodle makers capitalizing on this trend.