Cumulative sales of Buldak spicy ramyeon exceed 8 billion units

"Hochi" the mascot of Buldak's hot chicken ramen, stands by a boat decorated with the product's logo at a media event in central Copenhagen, Denmark, Aug. 8, 2024. Reuters-Yonhap

Samyang Foods Inc. said Wednesday cumulative sales of its popular Buldak spicy ramyeon series have surpassed 8 billion units in the first half of 2025 on rising global demand.

Sales of the Buldak brand have surged in recent years, reaching 5 billion units in 2023, 7 billion in 2024 and 8 billion in just the first six months of this year, according to the company.

Launched in 2012, the spicy instant noodles are now sold in about 100 countries, including the United States, China, Europe and Southeast Asia.

The product first gained global attention after its extreme spiciness went viral in a food-eating challenge in 2014.

Samyang Foods said Buldak's strong appeal comes not only from its intense flavor but also from the company's localization efforts tailored to regional tastes.

To meet rising overseas demand, Samyang Foods plans to complete construction of its first overseas production plant in China in 2027.

Thanks to the Buldak boom, Samyang Foods' sales jumped 33.6 percent year-on-year to 1.08 trillion won ($774.2 million) in the first half of 2025, with net profit totaling 183 billion won.