Pulmuone said on Apr. 1 that Buckwheat Soymilk Noodles from its plant-forward food brand Pulmuone Planetary Diet was selected as the final winner in the food and beverage (F&B) institutional sector of the 2026 Mintel's Most Innovative.
Now in its second year, Mintel's Most Innovative is an awards program hosted by the global trend research company Mintel that selects the most outstanding innovative products in the global consumer packaged goods (CPG) field. This year, targeting products newly launched in 2025, items were divided across three industries and three regions, and 72 innovative products were selected from 14 countries.
Buckwheat Soymilk Noodles was selected for Mintel's Most Innovative in the Asia-Pacific F&B institutional sector after earning high marks from the judges for functionality, flavor, and product appeal. In particular, it received high scores for identifying rapidly changing consumer needs and setting a new standard for "healthy noodle items."
Mintel said, "It perfectly fits the modern lifestyle that pursues both health and convenience, with zero wheat flour, gluten-free attributes, and the convenience of being ready to eat instantly." Amid a global trend to reduce carbohydrate intake, the combination of healthy ingredients—buckwheat and soymilk—was highly rated for balancing taste and nutrition.
Kim Tae-seok, head of the Pulmuone Institute of Technology, said, "This award is the result of Pulmuone's accumulated plant-based food technology and deep understanding of consumers," adding, "We will continue to introduce healthy, convenient, and innovative products that are competitive in the global market."