Premium Healthy Food New Releases Rush... The Happy Competition of Ramen

Nongshim's Low-Calorie Dried Noodles Gain Popularity
Ottogi Launches HMR 'Ramyeon Bichek'
New Products Increase by Over 20% This Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] This year, the food industry is expanding its range by launching various new ramen products. Convenience and health are the key factors. Nongshim and Ottogi, the absolute leaders in the ramen market, have taken the lead.

Competition in Premium Ramen Focused on Taste and Nutrition

According to the food industry on the 4th, Nongshim’s Jjamppong dried noodles, released last month, are popular following Shin Ramyun dried noodles. Using non-fried dried noodles, it achieves a chewy texture reminiscent of Chinese restaurants. The broth is based on pork bone with added seafood ingredients to create a refreshing taste. The calorie count is 375 kcal, about 70% of regular ramen.

Ottogi’s premium ramen brand ‘Ramyeon Bichaek’ launched its first product, Dakgaejangmyeon, using a retort pouch. It contains rich and spicy chicken soup, delivering both taste and nutrition. The prices of the two products are around 1,600 won and 1,800 won each, more than twice the price of existing Shin Ramyun. The impact of COVID-19 was significant in launching high-priced ramen as the first product of the new year. As people spent more time at home and ate at home rather than restaurants, consumers increasingly wanted to have a proper meal even for one serving. Until now, ramen was perceived as convenient but lacking in nutrition. The food industry plans to expand the stagnant market by establishing ‘ramen = a nutritious meal’ even if it means raising prices.

Increasing New Ramen Products by 20%

Looking at the food industry’s plans for new ramen product launches, the variety has increased compared to previous years. A food industry official explained, "Last year, due to COVID-19, we focused on practicality in the domestic market and released new products conservatively. This year, we will pioneer new markets by launching products tailored to solo dining, personalized consumption, and safe food." Last year, four companies?Nongshim (8 products), Ottogi (13 products), Samyang (11 products), and Paldo (6 products)?released a total of 38 products. This year, they plan to increase new products by more than 20%.

There are also latecomers challenging the ramen market. Harim will launch a new ramen product called ‘Sun Ramyeon’ in the first half of this year. Sun Ramyeon will be produced at Harim Food Complex, a ramen factory built in Iksan, Jeonbuk, with an investment of 560 billion won.

It is not easy to surpass the ‘familiar taste’ of Nongshim and Ottogi, who have built a ‘fortress’ in the ramen market with high entry barriers. In fact, many new products released in the past three years have quietly disappeared.

On the other hand, Nongshim’s ‘Shin Ramyun’ sales steadily increased from 410 billion won in 2018 to 430 billion won in 2019 and 450 billion won in 2020. Sales of Chapagetti, which were 150 billion won in 2018, also rose to 219 billion won last year. Jin Ramyeon sales increased by more than 15% compared to 2018. Especially last year, as demand for stockpiling markets increased, consumer tastes tended to revert. As a result, Nongshim’s market share rose to 55.4% by the third quarter of last year.

The ramen market size increased from 1.99 trillion won in 2017 to 2.15 trillion won last year. A food industry official said, "Although it is difficult for new products to settle in, there is a good chance of success if they capture customers’ tastes, as consumption for ‘home-cooked meals’ is expected to increase. Premium ramen has enough competitiveness to stand out in the home meal replacement noodle market."

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