Exports of instant noodles gain 22% in 2025

Instant cup noodles featuring characters from the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" are displayed at a supermarket in Seoul, Sept. 3, 2025. Yonhap

Exports of instant noodles rose about 22 percent on-year to reach a new record in 2025 amid the global popularity of Korean cultural content, including the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," data showed Sunday.

Outbound shipments of instant noodles came to $1.52 billion last year, up 21.8 percent from $1.24 billion posted in 2024, according to the Korea Customs Service.

Exports of instant noodles have risen for 11 consecutive years since 2014, with average annual growth reaching 23 percent over the past five years.

Instant noodles, known as "ramyeon," have drawn fresh attention after Netflix's global hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" depicted its main characters eating cup noodles.