Exports of instant noodles from South Korea rose about 22 percent in 2025 to hit a new record, driven by the global popularity of Korean cultural content including the Netflix animated film 'KPop Demon Hunters.' According to data from the Korea Customs Service, outbound shipments reached $1.52 billion.
South Korea's exports of instant noodles, known as 'ramyeon,' surged 21.8 percent to $1.52 billion in 2025, marking a new record and extending an 11-year upward trend since 2014. The Korea Customs Service reported this figure as a significant jump from $1.24 billion in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 23 percent over the past five years.
The boom aligns with the worldwide appeal of Korean cultural content. Netflix's hit animated film 'KPop Demon Hunters' has spotlighted instant noodles by featuring its main characters eating cup noodles, reigniting global interest. Instant cup noodles themed around the film were displayed at a supermarket in Seoul on September 3, 2025.
This sustained growth underscores the strength of South Korea's food industry within its economy, positioning instant noodles as a key export amid the Korean Wave.
