From 24-hour self-service ramyeon shops to unique stores: S. Korea’s evolving ramyeon scene for foreign tourists

Eun-hee, South Korean instant noodles, or ramyeon, continue to grow in popularity around the world, and local markets are evolving in unique ways.

Can you tell us what you've seen?

Yes Soa.

I've noticed that special ramyeon shops are becoming more popular and are even considered must-visit spots for foreign tourists.

I visited a few places to check them out, so let's take a look and see what attracts these global customers.

Visitors from around the world have flocked to this unique spot: a 24-hour, self-service ramyeon, or S. Korean instant noodles shop located in the heart of Seoul, Jongno-gu district.

This ramyeon shop offers foreign visitors over 60 varieties of instant noodles to enjoy anytime, with options for all tastes, including mild, spicy, vegan, and Halal.

"Cooking instructions and safety guidelines are available in multiple languages, ensuring easy access for everyone. The preparation methods vary for different types of ramyeon, with special Halal-only options also provided."

"We often see tourists coming straight from the airport. Since unmanned stores are not common in many countries, people are usually surprised by our setup. Many also ask if the payment system works properly."

Another unique ramyeon spot is 'Neoguri's Ramyeon Shop,' which opened in January and serves ramyeon made by Nongshim, one of South Korea's leading food companies.

A second store opened at the Hyundai Outlet Dongdaemun, located in central Seoul, following the success of the first store, which sold an average of 12-thousand bowls per month between September and November last year.

"I came here because I had this ramyeon in Japan before. The soup was smooth and very delicious."

"It was attractive that I could choose and eat ramyeon freely, and the ramyeon I ate was also very delicious."

The ramyeon store's owner says that some milder-flavored products, which don't sell well in S. Korea, are popular among Japanese and American customers.

"We've tailored our selection to include the most popular products. Additionally, we have Muslim customers who often seek vegan options, so we've made sure to include those as well."

According to the Korean food ministry, ramyeon exports, reached a record of over 1 billion U.S. dollars, or around 1-point-5 trillion Korean won, by October 2024, marking a 30-percent increase from 2023.

"Before heading back to Japan today, I stopped by because it looked interesting. Seeing this ramyeon, which isn’t available in Japan, made me wish I could have it there too."

As Korean ramyeon gains popularity, visiting self-service ramyeon shops to cook and enjoy instant noodles on the spot has become a must-do activity for foreign visitors to Korea.

This is something new to me. I have only tried ramyeon with these ramyeon making machines at a park along the Hangang River before.

Same here.

What would you say is the driving source behind this growing popularity of Korean instant noodles?

So, I talked to Professor Lee Eun-hee, an expert in consumer science about the uniqueness of Korean instant noodles.

She said Korean ramyeon has a distinct flavor -spicy, and savory and full of flavor.

But also one driving force is social media, where images of famous K-pop idols like BTS eating ramyeon go viral, or foreign tourists watching scenes from Korean dramas and movies where ramyeon is enjoyed, sparking a desire to try it themselves.

Not only is it delicious, but the reasonable price also makes it accessible.

I love ramyeon too.

Are there any other ways to enjoy ramyeon in Korea?

Yes of course.

As you guys mentioned, there is something called 'Hangang ramyeon' which is already viral among foreign visitors. Let me expand on that a bit.

It is when you buy those instant noodles from a convenience store at one of the Hangang River parks and cook them there, which is a truly unique experience in South Korea.

I've heard enjoying the beautiful river view while eating a hot bowl of ramyeon is an unforgettable experience and it tastes even better.

It's a perfect way to relax and enjoy nature, especially in a busy city like Seoul, so I highly recommend that anyone visiting South Korea give it a try.

Yeouido Hangang Park is the biggest and one of the most popular picnic spots, alongside Banpo Hangang Park and Ttukseom Hangang Park.

However, there are many other riverside parks in Seoul where people can enjoy a pleasant outing with friends and family.

A bowl of 'Hangang Ramyeon' won't cost you more than 5 U.S. dollars.

It's been a while since I've had a picnic by the Hangang River.

Maybe I should sometime soon.

Yes, for sure.

Maybe we could all go together.

Yes, make sure to invite me too.

Of course Walter.

Thank you Eun-hee for sharing.