Ramyeon or ramen?

Nongshim, the nation’s largest ramyeon maker, operates a brand zone at a shopping mall in Myeong-dong, central Seoul. —The Korea Herald/ANN

AMID soaring exports of Korean instant noodles in recent years, a renewed spotlight has been cast on a decadeslong dilemma among local food companies – whether or not the word “ramen” should be ditched from their marketing strategy.

Ramen, rooted in Japanese culinary tradition, has become a household name globally that refers to noodles in broth. The term “ramen” can also refer to instant noodle products.