Top Noodle Brands: Flavorful Favorites Around the Globe

Noodles have become a staple in kitchens worldwide, cherished for their versatility and quick cooking time. With a variety of brands available, each offering its unique texture and flavor, choosing the best one can enhance your culinary experience significantly. From traditional Asian noodles to innovative Western adaptations, there's a brand out there that caters to every palate. Ready to explore which noodle brands top the list? Find out more about them below.

Illustration of noodle

Best brands of noodle in 2025

Nissin

Nissin Foods, a pioneering brand in the instant ramen category, has solidified its position as a U.S. market leader with a 40% share of the premium instant ramen market. The company reported a 41% increase in sales during the fourth quarter of 2022 and a 32% year-over-year jump in overall category growth. Nissin Foods has seen monumental growth over the past five years, driven by innovative products such as Hot & Spicy FIRE WOK and Cup Noodles(r) Stir Fry(tm). In 2021, the company achieved 1.48 billion noodle servings sold and a 32.0% growth in premium net sales, leading the premium category with an 82.3% share. Nissin's commitment to innovation and sustainability, including a multi-million dollar investment in its Lancaster Plant, further underscores its market dominance. For more information, visit their official website.

Maruchan

Maruchan stands as a leading producer of instant noodles, with a significant surge in popularity post-pandemic. The brand's Purchase Consideration has grown impressively, from 16.9% in 2019 to 22.3% in 2023, indicating a strong consumer preference. Maruchan boasts a high Awareness rate of 68.9% among US adults, nearly twice that of Nissin. The brand's conversion rate from Consideration to Purchase Intent is 18%, outpacing Nissin by 6 percentage points. Maruchan's extensive product range caters to the American market's taste preferences, emphasizing convenience and variety. Explore their wide selection of instant noodles to discover why they are favored by consumers.

Nongshim

Nongshim, a leading South Korean instant noodle manufacturer, aims to triple its U.S. sales to $1.5 billion by 2030, targeting the top spot in the U.S. instant noodle market. As of 2021, Nongshim held a 25.2% market share in the U.S., second only to Japan's Toyo Suisan with 47.7%. The company's sales in North America have significantly increased, from $225 million in 2018 to $490 million in the subsequent years. Nongshim's products, such as Shin Ramyun and Neoguri, have gained global recognition, including being featured in the Oscar-winning film "Parasite" and praised by The New York Times. The company operates two factories in California and plans to build another by 2025 to meet growing demand. For more detailed insights about Nongshim's growth and market strategies, you can view the full article here.

Samyang

Samyang Foods has emerged as a leading producer of instant noodles, particularly with its signature Buldak brand, which has driven a significant surge in overseas sales. In the first half of 2024, Samyang registered 810.1 billion won in sales, with 78% of these sales coming from overseas, and an operating profit of 169.5 billion won, a 149.6% year-on-year increase. The company's exports to the U.S. and Europe have been particularly robust, with U.S. sales alone seeing a 125% jump in the second quarter of 2024. Europe now accounts for about 19% of Samyang's exports, up from 6% in 2019. This success has positioned Samyang to potentially overtake its rivals, Nongshim and Ottogi, in the Korean instant noodle market. To learn more, visit their official website.

Indomie

Indomie, produced by Indofood, is a dominant force in the global instant noodle market, holding a significant 74% market share in Indonesia and Nigeria. Introduced in June 1972, Indomie has become a staple in many countries, with over 28 billion packets produced annually and exported to more than 90 countries. In Indonesia, around 60% of the population consumes one to six packs of instant noodles per week, with Indomie leading the consumption with approximately 12.64 billion servings in 2020. The brand's success is also evident in Nigeria, where it was introduced in the 1980s and has since become a household name. Indomie's popularity has been further boosted by its various flavor variants, including the highly popular Mi Goreng. You can learn more about their diverse and tasty options on the Indomie website.

Top Ramen

Top Ramen, a brand under the Nissin Foods umbrella, is a leading producer of instant noodles, contributing significantly to the global ramen market. In 2024, the global instant noodles and ramen market size is estimated at USD 58,142.2 million, with Asia-Pacific holding around 23% of the global revenue, a region where Top Ramen has a strong presence. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.20% from 2024 to 2031, driven by increasing demand for convenient and ready-to-eat food products. Top Ramen's popularity can be attributed to its wide range of flavors and the trend of consumers seeking gourmet experiences within the convenience food sector. However, health concerns regarding high sodium and preservatives in packaged ramen noodles may impact growth.

Sapporo Ichiban

Sapporo Ichiban, produced by Sanyo Foods, is one of the leading brands in the Japanese noodle market, renowned for its high-quality instant ramen. Established in 1953, the brand was formerly known as Fujiseimen and was later renamed Sapporo Ichiban in 1961 after its founder, Takeshi Ida, perfected the recipe by combining seven distinct types of miso. Sapporo Ichiban's instant version of miso old-fashioned ramen has significantly contributed to the dish's popularity in Japan. The brand's noodles are made from enriched wheat flour and are known for their bouncy texture and flavorful soup base, which includes a combination of soy sauce, chicken broth, and various spices. Sapporo Ichiban continues to be a favorite among consumers, reflecting its enduring presence in the Japanese noodle market. For more information on their products, visit their Sapporo Ichiban Original page.

Mama

Mama, produced by Thai President Foods, is a leading brand in the instant noodle market, holding a significant 53% market share in Thailand. The brand saw a 15% surge in sales in 2020, driven by increased demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with sales projected to reach 22 billion baht that year. Mama noodles are available in over 50 flavors, with the tom yum flavor being the most iconic. The company increased its production capacity by 30% in March 2020 to meet the high demand. Mama's strong market presence is further reinforced by its widespread international recognition. For more insights, check out There's No Noodle Like Mama Noodle.

Maggi

Maggi, a brand under Nestle India, has emerged as the largest market globally for Nestle's instant noodles, selling over six billion servings in the financial year 2023-24. This achievement is attributed to the brand's penetration, premiumisation, and innovation, along with disciplined resource allocation. Maggi holds a significant market share, although it has not regained its pre-2015 level of over 70% due to increased competition. The brand has introduced over 140 new products in the last eight years and continues to expand its product line, including variants like Oats Noodles and Maggi Masala-ae-Magic. India is also the second-largest market for Nestle's KitKat brand, with 4.2 billion fingers sold in FY24. For more details, you can read about how India becomes Nestle Maggi's top market globally.

Koka

KOKA Noodles, headquartered in Singapore, is a notable player in the instant noodles market, with an annual revenue ranging from $10 million to $15 million as of November 2024. The brand operates within a competitive global market valued at $57.73 billion in 2023, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.12% from 2024 to 2032. KOKA Noodles benefits from the increasing demand for convenience foods, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, which dominates the market with an 85.81% share. The brand's online presence is marked by around 13,800 visits to its top domains over the last three months. As a smaller but significant contributor, KOKA Noodles leverages its market position to offer a variety of flavors and nutritional options. For more details, visit their official website.