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

Korea's ramyeon has been garnering quite a big following on the global stage with a growing number of travelers to the country starting their travel agenda with a trip to popular ramyeon hotspots.

Our Lee Eun-hee takes a look.

Visitors from around the world have flocked to this unique spot: a 24-hour, self-service ramyeon, or South 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.

Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.