As ramyeon turns into a global comfort food, exports boil to record high : zum 뉴스

Instant noodles are displayed at an unmanned ramen convenience store in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Jan. 12. 2026. AJP You Na-hyun

SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) -Steam rose higher than ever from Korea’s export kitchens last year. Food shipments hit a record, powered by an unstoppable wave of instant noodles that now travel farther than most K-pop tours. Provisional data from the Ministry of Agriculture shows K-Food Plus exports climbing 5.1 percent to $13.62 billion, with instant noodle sales jumping nearly 22 percent to $1.52 billion — the first time they’ve crossed the $1.5 billion line.From supermarket aisles in the U.S. and China to late-night cravings in the Middle East and Europe, ramyeon is having a global moment. Fans cite the addictive pull of “K-spicy” flavors and the soft power of Korean pop culture. The ultimate sign of arrival? Ramyeon has earned a place in the Oxford English Dictionary — proof that what started as a quick meal has become a worldwide language of comfort, heat and slurp.