Nongshim analyzed ramen sales data from large discount stores and super supermarkets (SSMs) in Seoul in the first half of this year and found that Shin Ramyun ranked No. 1 in sales in 15 of the 22 districts with large discount stores.
Nongshim on the 29th released the "Seoul Nongshim ramen popularity map," which analyzed Nongshim ramen POS (point-of-sale) data from the 25 districts of Seoul. The material looks at how consumer ramen preferences vary by region depending on population makeup, housing type, and commercial area characteristics.
In the ranking that combined sales volumes across all large discount stores in Seoul, Shin Ramyun topped Nongshim's ramen lineup. It was followed by Chapagetti, Spicy Neoguri, Shin Ramyun Gold, Ansungtangmyun, Yukgaejang Bowl Noodles, Baehongdong Bibimmyun, Shin Ramyun Cup, Baehongdong Makguksu, and Shin Ramyun Black.
While long-running brands such as Shin Ramyun, Chapagetti, Neoguri, and Ansungtangmyun dominated the top tier, Shin Ramyun Gold, launched in January, placed fourth. Using chicken broth, Shin Ramyun Gold surpassed 10 million packets sold just one month after launch.
The summer-season Baehongdong brand also placed two products in the top 10. Baehongdong Bibimmyun ranked seventh, and Baehongdong Makguksu, launched this year, ranked ninth. Since launching Baehongdong Bibimmyun in 2021, Nongshim has expanded the lineup to Jjoljjolmyun, Kal-bibimmyun, Makguksu, and more.
By region, in six districts—Yangcheon, Nowon, Seongbuk, Seongdong, Yongsan, and Gwangjin—Chapagetti beat Shin Ramyun to take the top sales spot at large discount stores.
Yangcheon and Nowon are areas centered on large apartment complexes with a high share of family households. According to the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS), as of 2024, the share of households with two or more people was 71.7% in Yangcheon and 67.3% in Nowon, higher than the Seoul average of 60.1%.
Seongbuk, Yongsan, Seongdong, and Gwangjin are classified as areas with a relatively high proportion of young adults due to concentrations of universities, business districts, and commercial facilities. As of June this year, the share of residents ages 20 to 39 in these four districts averaged 30.9%, above the Seoul average of 29.1%.
Nongshim said that in areas with many family households, Chapagetti is chosen as a weekend special meal, and in areas with many young adults, "modisumer" consumption—adding various ingredients to Chapagetti—appears to have influenced sales.
In Jung, which draws many foreign tourists, a differentiated sales ranking emerged from other districts. At large discount stores in Jung, Shin Ramyun Gold ranked first and Shin Toomba ranked second. Shin Ramyun Gold ranked fourth in overall Seoul sales, while Shin Toomba did not make the overall top 10.
Jung is dense with commercial areas frequented by foreign tourists, including Myeong-dong, Namdaemun, Dongdaemun, and Seoul Station. According to the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), about 4.5 million foreigners visited Myeong-dong in the first half of last year, the most among major tourist spots in Seoul.
Nongshim viewed Shin Ramyun Gold, which uses a chicken broth flavor, and Shin Toomba, which adds cream and cheese notes, as products perceived by foreign tourists as relatively familiar while still offering a Korean-style spicy taste, leading to higher sales. Nongshim has designated the two as global strategic products and is expanding overseas marketing.
Unlike large discount stores, in lifestyle-area-centered SSMs, Shin Ramyun ranked No. 1 in Nongshim ramen sales across all 25 districts of Seoul. Nongshim explained that in SSMs, where consumers tend to make small, repeated grocery purchases, there is a tendency to choose products with proven awareness and preference over new items.
A Nongshim official said, "Through sales data from the 25 districts of Seoul, we confirmed that consumers' ramen choices vary by regional population, commercial areas, and distribution channels," adding, "We plan to introduce a variety of products and brands suited to consumers' lifestyles."