Pulmuone Launches Innovative 'Dubu Noodles' Replacing Wheat Noodles... Expands Plant-Based Protein Business

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] Pulmuone, a global leader in the tofu market, has launched a new concept "tofu noodles" that replace wheat flour with tofu and is expanding its plant-based protein business.

On the 14th, Pulmuone Foods announced that it has launched two types of "Pulmuone Healthy Tofu Noodles" (thin noodles and wide noodles), a plant-based high-protein food that can replace wheat flour noodles, a representative carbohydrate food, and is expanding its plant-based protein business.

Since introducing the first packaged tofu in Korea in 1984 and leading the global tofu market, Pulmuone is innovating the tofu market once again by launching tofu noodles that can be used like regular noodles for the first time since the start of its business.

The two types of Healthy Tofu Noodles are a new concept of plant-based protein cooking tofu, allowing young millennials who usually do not eat tofu well to enjoy the representative plant-based protein tofu deliciously through various noodle dishes.

The two widths, thin noodles at 2.5mm and wide noodles at 5mm, can be used according to preference in various noodle dishes such as pasta, bibim noodles, banquet noodles, pad thai, yakisoba, jajangmyeon, malatang, and can also be made into salads.

In China and Southeast Asia, tofu noodles have long been used in various noodle dishes under names like dried tofu or bean curd sheets, but in Korea, tofu has been consumed in relatively limited cooking methods such as stews, pancakes, and braised dishes. By launching tofu noodles made from tofu, Pulmuone has significantly increased the versatility of tofu.

Pulmuone tofu noodles are also excellent nutritionally. Koreans, who consume a lot of carbohydrates, can benefit from balanced nutrition by replacing wheat flour noodles with healthy plant-based protein tofu noodles.

One pack (100g) of tofu noodles made from carefully selected organic soybeans contains 15g of plant-based protein. It is a high-protein food that meets nearly 30% of the recommended daily protein intake for adults, similar to the protein level obtained from consuming two large eggs or 65g of chicken breast. Meanwhile, it contains 0g cholesterol and only 3g carbohydrates.

They are also convenient to prepare without boiling. After opening the package and removing the packing water, a quick rinse under running water makes them ready for use in noodle dishes. They do not become soggy even after a long time, allowing enjoyment of the original taste until the last bite.

Using Pulmuone’s unique manufacturing know-how, the natural savory flavor of tofu is preserved while achieving a soft noodle texture. In particular, by creating tiny air holes inside the tofu noodles, the broth or sauce is absorbed well, enhancing the completeness of the dish.

Goh Bong-gwan, PM of Pulmuone Foods PPM Division, said, "Tofu noodles are a product that diversifies the use of tofu, a representative plant-based protein food, in line with the plant-based diet trend that expands the intake of grains and whole grains instead of refined wheat flour and meat, allowing consumers to enjoy noodles more healthily." He added, "Going forward, Pulmuone plans to introduce differentiated plant-based protein products to meet customers’ preferences and demands in response to the increasing domestic demand for plant-based proteins."

Pulmuone plans to actively expand the domestic plant-based protein food market starting with the launch of these tofu noodles.

Since launching the first packaged tofu in Korea in 1984, Pulmuone has led the tofu market, a representative plant-based protein. Beyond traditional tofu, it has introduced convenient replacement foods such as soft tofu, Pororo soft tofu for children, tofu packs, and tofu cooking kits aligned with the meal kit trend. It also targeted the mainstream U.S. market, where the plant-based protein trend expanded earlier than in Korea, achieving a 75% market share in the U.S. tofu market last year (based on Nielsen data), firmly securing the top position.

This year, Pulmuone established the PPM Division dedicated to the development and marketing of plant-based protein foods. Based on 36 years of know-how and competitiveness leading the global tofu market beyond Korea, the PPM Division plans to expand plant-based protein foods beyond tofu-based materials and introduce various new products such as animal protein substitutes, carbohydrate substitutes, and dairy substitutes.

Recently, plant-based protein foods have rapidly become a global trend. According to global market research firm Mintel, interest in plant-based proteins as meat substitutes is increasing, with the global plant-based protein market growing at an average annual rate of 7%. Additionally, value consumption, where millennials consume environmentally friendly and ethical products, is steadily increasing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.