Top Ramen Brands That Will Elevate Your Culinary Experience

Ramen, the quintessential comfort food with its rich broth and perfectly cooked noodles, has surged in popularity over the years, leading to a wide array of instant and gourmet options to suit every palate. From traditional Japanese brands to innovative offerings from around the world, the market is replete with choices that promise to bring the authentic taste of ramen right to your home. Whether you prefer a spicy kick, deep umami flavors, or a simple yet satisfying broth, there's a brand tailored just for you. To explore some of the best ramen brands available today, read on below.

Illustration of ramen

Best brands of ramen in 2025

Nissin

Nissin Foods is a leading producer of ramen, holding a significant 40% share of the premium instant ramen category in the U.S. market. The company reported a remarkable 41% year-over-year increase in sales during the fourth quarter of 2022, alongside a 32% year-over-year increase in overall category growth. Nissin's success is attributed to its innovative products, including Cup Noodles(r) Stir Fry(tm) and Top Ramen(r) Bowl, as well as its strong commitment to sustainability initiatives like the EARTH FOOD CHALLENGE 2030. With over 60 years of history, Nissin Foods has sold over 40 billion cups of Cup Noodles worldwide since its introduction in 1971. The company continues to innovate, recently launching exciting products like Cup Noodles Breakfast and expanding its production capacity by 15% with a multi-million dollar investment in its Lancaster plant. For more information about their innovative ramen products, visit the Nissin Foods website.

Maruchan

Maruchan, a brand under Toyo Suisan, has established itself as a leading producer of ramen noodles, particularly in the US and Mexico. Since its entry into the American market in 1972, Maruchan has seen significant growth, with its Purchase Consideration rising from 16.9% in 2019 to 22.3% by 2023. The brand boasts an impressive Awareness rate of 68.9% among US adults and converts 32% of those aware into considerers. Maruchan produces over 3.6 billion packages of ramen noodle soup annually and has manufacturing facilities in Irvine, California, Richmond, Virginia, and Bexar County, Texas. Its product range includes various flavors and formats, catering to a wide range of consumer preferences. For more information on their diverse ramen offerings, visit their products page.

Ichiran

Ichiran is a renowned ramen brand, celebrated for its rich tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen, which has gained global popularity since its inception in 1960 in Fukuoka, Japan. With over 80 branches worldwide, including in Taiwan, New York, and Hong Kong, Ichiran has achieved remarkable success, serving 1.5 million customers in Taiwan within two years and approaching 3.5 million by February 2021. The brand is known for its unique "Ramen Focus Booths" and written ordering system, contributing to its high sales and a profit ratio of 14.7%, the highest among major Japanese restaurants. Ichiran's commitment to quality and consistency has made it a staple in the ramen industry, with sales reaching approximately 28.8 billion JPY (around 270 million USD) annually. Its innovative approach and delicious offerings have played a significant role in popularizing ramen globally. For a comprehensive Ichiran ramen guide, you can explore further.

Nongshim

Nongshim, a leading South Korean instant noodle manufacturer, is renowned for its high-quality products, particularly the iconic Shin Ramyun brand. As of 2023, Nongshim controlled 25.4% of the US ramen market, trailing only Toyo Suisan's 45% share. The company has been expanding its global presence, with plans to triple its US sales to $1.5 billion by 2030 and open a new factory in the US as early as 2025. Nongshim's products gained significant attention after featuring in the Oscar-winning film "Parasite" and were named among the world's best instant noodles by The New York Times in 2020. The company operates two factories in California and is also venturing into new businesses such as smart farms, vegan foods, and health functional foods. For more information, visit their official website.

Samyang

Samyang Foods has emerged as a leading producer of ramen, driven by the global popularity of its Buldak brand, which has seen a significant surge in sales and exports. The company's stock hit an all-time high in May 2024, with a market capitalization of 2.3 trillion won, narrowing the gap with rival Nongshim. Samyang's overseas sales increased by 85% in the first quarter of 2024, with international revenue accounting for 75% of the total, largely due to the success of products like Carbo Buldak. The company's operating profit surged 101% year-on-year to 87.3 billion won in the third quarter, outperforming competitors Nongshim and Ottogi. Samyang's innovative and spicy flavors, such as Buldak Fire Noodles, have resonated particularly well with millennial and Gen Z consumers in the U.S. For more insights into their marketing strategies, visit Samyang's U.S. marketing case study.

MyKuali

MyKuali is renowned as one of the best producers of ramen, particularly noted for its high-rated varieties such as the Penang White Curry Noodles, which was rated as the Top #1 Best Instant Noodles of All Time in 2014 by The Ramen Rater. This brand has consistently featured in top ten lists, with multiple products receiving full 5-star ratings. MyKuali's Penang White Curry Noodles were also ranked Top #2 in the Instant Ramen Power Ranking by the Los Angeles Times in 2019. The brand's products have been certified Halal by Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) since 2013 and have won several awards, including the SME Best Brand Laureate Award in 2014. MyKuali's excellence is further highlighted by its multiple top rankings in various categories over the years. For more details on their acclaimed offerings, visit the MyKuali official website.

Sapporo Ichiban

Sapporo Ichiban, a brand of instant noodles manufactured by Sanyo Foods, is highly regarded for its quality and flavor, particularly in its ramen products. Introduced in 1966, Sapporo Ichiban's original flavor features a mild soy sauce taste that closely resembles fresh shoyu ramen. The brand has gained international recognition, with a strong market presence in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, and Hong Kong. In taste tests, Sapporo Ichiban has consistently outperformed competitors like Top Ramen and Maruchan, with its noodles and broth receiving high praise for their texture and flavor depth. The brand's commitment to quality is reflected in its higher price point, but it remains a popular choice for those seeking a satisfying and quick meal. For more details on the brand, visit Sapporo Ichiban's Wikipedia page.

Mama

Mama, produced by Thai President Foods, is the leading instant noodle brand in Thailand, holding a market share of over 48% as of 2021. The company, established in 1972, manufactures over 50 flavors of Mama noodles, with the tom yum flavor being the most iconic. Mama noodles are widely recognized both domestically and internationally, with annual sales exceeding $300 million. The brand's dominance is evident from its consistent market leadership, even during economic slowdowns. In 2021, the value of the instant noodle market in Thailand was around 20 billion Thai baht, with Mama accounting for a significant portion.

Paldo

Paldo, a renowned brand in the instant noodle industry, was originally established as part of Korea Yakult Company in 1969 and later separated to become an independent entity. Known for its diverse product range, including noodles, beverages, and retort processed products, Paldo has achieved significant market success, with its Dosirac product ranking as the number one market share in Russia. In 2011, Paldo produced 343,773,000 units, and by 2012, this number was expected to exceed 446,905,000, reflecting a 130% sales growth. The company's innovative approach, such as introducing liquid soup mix instead of dry, has set it apart from competitors. Paldo's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a leading player in the global instant noodles market. To learn more about Paldo’s journey and innovations, you can read their interview on The Ramen Rater.

Indomie

Indomie, a brand owned by Indofood, is one of the leading producers of instant noodles, particularly renowned for its Mi Goreng variety. Established in 1972, Indomie has become synonymous with quality and convenience, with its products being highly preferred in Indonesia and globally. In 2023, Indonesia consumed approximately 14.54 billion servings of instant noodles, with Indomie being the most popular brand. The brand's success is attributed to its diverse range of flavors and the ease of preparation, making it a favorite among consumers. Indomie's brand equity is among the highest in Indonesia, reflecting its strong market presence.