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Shin Ramyun

Shin Ramyun
Alternative namesShin Ramen
TypeNoodle
Place of originSouth Korea
Created byNongshim
InventedOctober 1, 1986
Main ingredientsprecooked noodle, seasoning
Shin Ramyun
Hangul
신라면
Hanja
辛拉麵
Revised RomanizationSin ramyeon
McCune–ReischauerSin ramyŏn

Shin Ramyun (Korean: 신라면, styled as 辛라면 with Hanja) is a brand of instant noodle (including cup ramyeon) that has been produced by the South Korean food company Nongshim since October 1, 1986. It is now exported to over 100 countries, and is the best-selling instant noodle brand in South Korea.

Shin Ramyun, well known for its spicy flavor, is produced in at least four varieties: the original Shin Ramyun[1] and Shin Ramyun Black,[2] which was introduced in 2011 as well as Super Spicy, which was released in 2019, and, finally, a shrimp flavor that is only available in China. A standard package of Shin Ramyun consists of noodles, a packet of flavoring powder (soup base), and a packet of vegetable flakes. Shin Ramyun Black contains an extra packet of beef stock soup, which gives the soup a more intensely savory flavor.

History

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Shin Ramyun was introduced in October 1986 by Nongshim. The Nongshim R&D team was inspired by sogogi jangguk, a popular Korean spicy cabbage and beef stew.[3]

After Shin Ramyun was introduced, Nongshim's share of the instant noodle market hit 46.3% in 1987, and exceeded 50% for the first time in 1988 (53.8%).[4] With the market share of over 20% just by itself, Shin Ramyun is a leading brand of the instant noodles in Korea.

In 2007 Nongshim launched a kimchi-flavoured version of Shin Ramyun.

In August 2014, Nongshim revised its recipe for noodle blocks across its line for a chewier consistency, along with a revamped external packaging.

In 2019 Nongshim launched a non-fried version of its packet noodle which has almost half a reduction on calories.

in 2023, Shin Gold (chicken flavor) and Shin Green (tofu and mushroom flavor) were introduced in the U.S.

In 2015, Shin Ramyun achieved 28 billion units sold since it was first introduced.[5] Shin Ramyun is listed on the National Brand Consumption Index (NBCI)[6] as the number 1 brand in South Korea (2012–2016) for its brand awareness and brand power.[7]

Name and package

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Composition of Korean Shin Ramyun

"Shin Ramyun" is the English transliteration of the Korean words for "spicy instant noodles". Shin Ramyun uses red and black packaging with the emphasized calligraphic form of the Hanja character "辛", which means "spicy".[3] Additionally, the character is the surname of both the founder of Nongshim, Shin Choon-ho, and his elder brother, Shin Kyuk-ho, who started Lotte.

Products

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Shin Ramyun was first introduced in 1986. There are two types of Shin Ramyun in the U.S., one is packaged and the other cup noodle. A package of Shin Ramyun is 120g, and there are 4 sizes of Shin Ramyun cup/bowls: Shin Cup Noodle Soup (68g), Shin Bowl Noodle Soup (86g), Shin Ramyun M-Cup (75g) and Shin Big Bowl Noodle Soup (114g). In Japan, there is the Shin Ramyun mini cup.

Shin Ramyun Black was introduced in April 2011, which was 25 years after Shin Ramyun was first introduced to the market. Shin Ramyun Black is a slightly different version of Shin Ramyun with an additional seolleongtang powder on top of its flavor. Other ingredients include boiled beef slices, garlic and shiitake mushrooms.[8] In the U.S. there are two types of Shin Ramyun Black: a Package type (130g) and a cup/bowl type (Shin Black Cup Noodle, 101g). There is also a Shin Black M-Cup (75g).

Shin Ramyun Red "Super Spicy" was launched in late 2019, in both standard packet form and the smaller instant cup size, using the same noodle blocks and vegetable packet but a much spicier soup base.

A shrimp flavor is also available in China.

International distribution

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Shin Ramyun is the most popular instant noodle brand to date in South Korea. It is now accounting for one quarter of the Korean instant noodle market. Shin Ramyun is now exported to over 100 countries around the world,[9] and is produced in three countries: the United States, China and South Korea. As of 2015, accumulated sold units of Shin Ramyun in the world reached 28 billion units.[9]

Marketing and advertising

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In South Korea

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As part of the marketing strategies, Nongshim uses "사나이 울리는 신라면" (romanization: Sanai Ullineun Shin Ramyun; translation: "Shin Ramyun can make a man cry"[10]). The word sanai (사나이) is used to describe the man while emphasizing the masculinity.[11]

Most of its commercials include a famous male celebrity, frequently with his family, who is eating Shin Ramyun at home. These commercials emphasize being family friendly, being Korean, and folksiness. Psy,[12] a South Korean singer who is well known for his song "Gangnam Style," and Park Ji-Sung[13] and Son Heung-min,[14] South Korean footballers, also filmed Shin Ramyun commercials.

Nongshim has many jingles for their products. Adding a simple yet catchy jingle at the end of their commercials is one of Nongshim's important marketing strategies.[11] They are easy to remember, and most people in South Korea are aware of them.[15]

In China

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In China, Nongshim uses a slogan: 사나이라면 매운맛을 먹을 줄 알아야지 (Traditional Chinese: 吃不了辣味非好漢; Translation: (He who cannot handle spice is not a true man).[16] This slogan is from a famous phrase in China "不到長城非好漢 (He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man)" by Mao Zedong.[16]

Being aware of the historical importance of the board game baduk (popularly known as "go") in China, Nongshim has been sponsoring an annual Baduk Championship, the Nongshim Cup, as part of their marketing strategies since 1999.[17][18]

In Japan

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In Japan, Nongshim has set 10 April as a Shin Ramyun day since 2010.[19] The date was chosen for its similarity in pronunciation with "Hot" (Japanese: ホット) when the Japanese pronunciation of the number 4 in English is combined with the Japanese word for 10.[19][20]

The Japanese word umakara (lit. 'spicy yet tasty') has been used to describe the flavor of Shin Ramyun.[21][22][23]

As part of the main marketing projects, Nongshim offers "Shin Ramyun Kitchen Car", a food truck that offers consumers a chance to taste Shin Ramyun, since 2013.[19] Every year, the truck travels across Japan for seven months, promoting Shin Ramyun to Japanese consumers. As of April 2016, the truck has hosted a total of 150 tasting sessions, and travelled more than 100,000 kilometers.[19][24]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ 브랜드관 | 농심. brand.nongshim.com. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  2. ^ 브랜드관 | 농심. brand.nongshim.com. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  3. ^ a b 신라면, 더 쫄깃해진 면발…세계인 울리는 '국가대표 라면'. The Korea Economic Daily. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  4. ^ 서른살 신라면 '辛기록'은 계속된다. news.heraldcorp.com. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  5. ^ MoneyToday (16 February 2016). 농심 신라면, 누적매출 10兆 돌파…30년간 280억개 팔렸다. www.mt.co.kr. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  6. ^ "NBCI". www.nbci.or.kr. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  7. ^ 10조원 어치 팔린 '농심 신라면'…세계입맛 사로잡다:: 공감언론 뉴시스통신사 ::. Newsis. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  8. ^ 프리미엄 신라면 나온다…'신라면 블랙' 이번주 시판. Maeil Business Newspaper. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  9. ^ a b 무단전재, Ⓒ 종합 경제정보 미디어 이데일리-상업적; 금지, 재배포 (15 February 2016). '신라면의 힘'..출시 30년, 매출 10조원 돌파. Edaily [ko]. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  10. ^ "Nongshim USA :: Our Products :: Meal Noodle". www.nongshimusa.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  11. ^ a b [제 2의 주식, 라면]세계가 먹는 바로 그 매운맛, 辛라면 변신하다. The Dong-A Ilbo. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  12. ^ 농심, 신라면블랙컵 모델 '싸이' 발탁. NewsPim. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  13. ^ 박지성，신라면 모델 데뷔. Kukmin Ilbo. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  14. ^ "Securities firms raise outlook for Nongshim amid soaring overseas sales". The Korea Times. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  15. ^ Tom Ford (11 January 2014), 신라면 박지성편 2009, archived from the original on 8 September 2023, retrieved 8 June 2016
  16. ^ a b 농심차이나 상반기 실적 40%↑. www.inu.ac.kr (in Korean). 8 July 2014. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  17. ^ 타이젬 - 대한민국 1위 바둑사이트 TYGEM.COM. www.tygem.com. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  18. ^ "[神의 한 수]'아시아 바둑 올림픽' 인기 힘입어 신라면 중국 매출 급성장". The Dong-A Ilbo. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  19. ^ a b c d "Nongshim Japan's sales rise 22.6% in Q1". The Korea Herald. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  20. ^ 농심, 1분기 일본 매출 22.6% 성장. Kukmin Ilbo. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  21. ^ fv1news (1 May 2013), 辛ラーメン修正, archived from the original on 17 December 2021, retrieved 9 June 2016{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "うまからっ新体験 スペシャルサイト トップ | NONGSHIM". www.nongshim.co.jp. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  23. ^ "うまからっ！辛ラーメンレシピ | NONGSHIM". www.nongshim.co.jp. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  24. ^ 농심 일본법인 '농심재팬' 1분기 매출900만달러 기록…전년比 22.6% 성장 - 동아경제. economy.donga.com. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
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