Top Noodle Brands You'll Crave: A Culinary Adventure!

Noodles have become a staple in many households around the world, with their versatility and quick preparation time making them a convenient meal option for busy individuals. From classic instant ramen to gourmet artisan pasta, there's a noodle brand for every palate and price point. This article will explore some of the best noodle brands that have captured the hearts and taste buds of consumers globally. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly option or a premium culinary experience, read on to discover which brands made our top list.

Illustration of noodles

Best brands of noodles in 2025

Nissin

Nissin Foods is a leading producer of instant noodles, boasting a 40% share of the premium instant ramen category in the U.S. market. The company reported a 41% increase in sales in the fourth quarter of 2022 and a 32% year-over-year jump in overall category growth, solidifying its position as a market leader. Nissin's success is attributed to innovative products like Hot & Spicy FIRE WOK and Cup Noodles^(r) Stir Fry^(tm), and the company has invested in expanding its production capacity, including a 15% increase at the Lancaster Plant. Nissin also focuses on sustainability, such as implementing solar panels at its headquarters to provide 100% of the corporate office's electricity. The brand continues to innovate and expand globally, with significant growth in the U.S. and other markets. For more detailed insights into their strategies and initiatives, explore their 2024 strategy document.

Maruchan

Maruchan, a leading brand in the ramen noodle market, is renowned for its high-quality instant noodles and extensive product range. Owned by Toyo Suisan Kaisha, Ltd., Maruchan produces 3.6 billion packages of Ramen Noodle Soup annually, making it one of the largest suppliers of instant noodles globally. The brand is particularly popular in the American market, catering to consumer preferences with a variety of flavors, including miso, shoyu, shio, and tonkatsu ramen. Maruchan's Seimen line is notable for its chewy udon noodles and well-balanced soups, offering a premium instant ramen experience. With a strong presence in the global market, Maruchan continues to innovate and meet the growing demand for convenient and flavorful noodle products.

Nongshim

Nongshim, a leading South Korean food company, is renowned for its high-quality instant noodles, holding a significant market share globally. In the U.S., Nongshim ranks second in the instant noodle market with a 25.2% market share as of 2021, trailing behind Japan's Toyo Suisan. The company aims to triple its U.S. sales to $1.5 billion by 2030 and plans to build a new factory in the U.S. by 2025. In South Korea, Nongshim dominates the instant noodle market with a 56% market share in 2023. Its products, such as Shin Ramyun and Neoguri, have gained international recognition and popularity.

Samyang

Samyang, South Korea's pioneering instant noodle manufacturer since 1963, has emerged as a leading global player in the noodle industry, driven by the immense popularity of its Buldak brand. In the first half of 2024, Samyang recorded 810.1 billion won in sales, with 78% of these sales coming from overseas markets, and an operating profit of 169.5 billion won, marking a staggering 149.6% year-on-year increase. The company's overseas sales, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, have been instrumental in its success, with the U.S. market experiencing a remarkable 125% jump in sales in the second quarter alone. Samyang's strong performance has outpaced its rivals Nongshim and Ottogi, which have struggled with domestic sales and higher operating costs. This robust international growth has positioned Samyang as a significant contender in the global food market. For more detailed insights, visit Korea Times tech section.

Indomie

Indomie, produced by Indofood, is one of the leading instant noodle brands globally, dominating the market with a 74% share in Indonesia and a significant presence in over 90 countries. Introduced in Indonesia in June 1972, Indomie has become a staple, with approximately 14.54 billion servings consumed in Indonesia alone in 2023. The brand also has a strong presence in Nigeria, where it was introduced in 1988 and now holds a dominant market position. Indomie's popularity is further highlighted by its production of over 28 billion packets annually. Its success has been driven by innovative flavors and strategic marketing, making it a favorite comfort food for many.

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 experienced a 15% surge in sales in 2020, driven by increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, with overall 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 global recognition and popularity. For more detailed insights on their market growth, you can read the full article here.

Shin Ramyun

Shin Ramyun, a flagship product of Nongshim, has solidified its position as one of the best instant noodle brands globally, achieving 1 trillion won (approximately 750 million US dollars) in annual sales for the second consecutive year. It has sold 1.66 billion packs worldwide in the last year, with sales growing 14.2% from the previous year. Shin Ramyun dominates the domestic instant noodle market and has seen significant overseas growth, particularly in the U.S., where sales surged 19% year-on-year. The brand is available in over 100 countries and has cumulative global sales of 38.6 billion packs and 17.51 trillion won since its launch in 1986. Its success is further bolstered by the expansion of its production facilities, including a new plant in California. For more information, visit the Shin Ramyun page.

Top Ramen

Top Ramen, a brand under the umbrella of Nissin Foods, is a leading producer of ramen noodles, known for its innovative flavors and convenient packaging. The global ramen noodle market, dominated by brands like Nissin, is expected to grow from $57.92 billion in 2023 to $94.1 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 5.11%. Nissin Foods, the pioneer of instant ramen, continues to lead the market with a broad international appeal. The Asia-Pacific region, where Nissin has a significant presence, holds a 39% share of the global ramen noodle market. Top Ramen's popularity is further enhanced by its extensive distribution channels, including supermarkets, online retail, and specialty stores. For more information about their noodles, visit the official Top Ramen website.

Maggi

Maggi, a brand under Nestle, has emerged as the largest market globally for instant noodles, selling over 6 billion servings in India in the financial year 2023-24. This success is attributed to penetration, premiumisation, and innovation, along with disciplined resource allocation. Maggi holds a significant market share of over 60% in India's instant noodles segment and has been a dominant player for nearly 40 years. Despite a temporary ban in 2015 due to lead contamination allegations, Maggi has made a strong comeback and continues to expand its product line, including Oats Noodles and Korean Noodles. The brand's strategic pricing, such as the "chotu maggi" at INR 5, has further increased its penetration into lower-income households.

Sapporo Ichiban

Sapporo Ichiban, produced by Sanyo Foods, is renowned as one of the best brands for instant ramen noodles in Japan. Established in 1953, the brand was renamed Sapporo Ichiban in 1961 after its creator, Takeshi Ida, perfected the recipe by combining seven types of miso to replicate the flavor of Sapporo ramen. This brand is particularly famous for its miso-based instant ramen, which has been a staple in Japanese cuisine. Sapporo Ichiban's success is attributed to its unique flavor profile and high-quality noodles, making it a favorite among Japanese consumers. The brand's popularity has endured over the years, contributing significantly to the growth of the instant noodle market in Japan. For more insights on Japanese noodle brands, discover a comprehensive overview in this detailed article.