South Korean ramen exports hit record high amid K-culture boom

South Korea's instant noodles are exported to a total of 128 countries around the world, with China, the US and Japan being the largest importers. - PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PEXELS via The Straits Times/ANN

SEOUL (The Korea Herald/ANN): South Korea’s exports of instant noodles, or ramen, are continuing its winning streak, hitting the 1 trillion won (S$1.04 billion) mark for the first time in 2023.

Ramen exports reached US$785.25 million (S$1.05 billion) in the January to October period in 2023, a 24.7 per cent surge from the same period in 2022, according to estimates by the Korea Customs Service on Nov 20.