Spicing Up the Americas: Korean Ramen Makers Make a Bold Move into Latin America
Shin Ramyun Nongshim: The Best-Selling Korean Ramen Worldwide
Nongshim Co. and Samyang Foods Co., South Korea’s two largest ramen makers, are increasing production to meet demand for their spicy instant noodles in new markets such as Latin America.
Nongshim, known for its Shin Ramyun instant noodle brand, is expected to open a sales branch in Mexico within the year, marking its first branch in Latin America.
“We are actively considering expanding our operation in Central and South America, including Mexico, where demand for ramen is expected to grow rapidly,” said a Nongshim official.
Samyang Foods Expands Exports to Latin America
Samyang Foods has been increasing exports to Latin America, led by its flagship brand Buldak Bokkeum Myeon, a stir-fried chicken ramen.
Ramen sales in Mexico have jumped 18% to 1.2 trillion won ($900 million) at the end of 2023 over the past three years, according to Kyobo Securities.
In comparison, the ramen market in Brazil has expanded 14% to 1.6 trillion won over the same period.
Japanese Ramen Companies in Latin America
Nissin Foods, Japan’s No. 1 ramen company, has confirmed its presence in Brazil since it entered the country in 1965. It controls 67% of the Brazilian ramen market from 2023.
Toyo Suisan, another Japanese ramen brand, has introduced cup noodles to Mexico since its arrival in the country in 1990. It has a 77% share of Mexico’s instant ramen market.
Increasing Demand for Korean Ramen
The lack of pricing regulations and very little consumer resistance to price changes in Latin America appeals to foreign food producers.
Toyo Suisan raised its product prices in Mexico in April this year, followed by Nissin Foods which raised its food prices in Brazil in July.
Nongshim’s Expansion in the US
Nongshim started exporting ramen in 1971 with shipment to Los Angeles. Since the establishment of US subsidiary Nongshim America in 1994, it operates two ramen factories in Los Angeles, built in 2005 and 2022, respectively.
Samyang Foods is increasing exports to the United States. Its Buldak Bokkeum Myeon, or Buldak Ramen, sparked a craze for spicy Korean noodles in the US thanks to spicy eating challenges from social media influencers.
Capacity Increase
Nongshim is scheduled to build an export-only factory capable of producing 500 million ramen packages annually in Busan, South Korea’s largest port city, by the end of the first half of 2026.
This will be its first new factory to be built at home in 17 years. Next month, it is expected to add new production lines to its second US factory.
Samyang Foods broke ground on its second factory in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, in March this year after completing its first facility there in 2022.
The new factory will be dedicated to the export of Buldak Ramen to the United States and Latin America.