Pulmuone's Asian noodle products gain explosive popularity in US market

By Kim Joo-heon Posted : May 15, 2023, 13:43 Updated : May 15, 2023, 14:00

[Courtesy of Pulmuone]

SEOUL -- Seoul-based food company Pulmuone has recorded $72.2 million in sales of Asian noodles in 2022, up 65 percent from a year ago. Targeting American consumers, the food company has showcased various refrigerated noodle products including ramen with pork and broth, and Japchae, a Korean stir-fried noodle dish with beef and various vegetables.
 
According to data released by market research firm Research and Markets, the instant noodles market in the U.S. was estimated to be $1 billion as of 2022. Pulmuone made a foray into the U.S. noodle market through fresh noodles in 2015. The company's popular products include Teriyaki Stir-fry Udon and Tonkotsu Miso Ramen. About 1.8 million units of the two noodles were sold only in January and February 2022 at Costco stores in the U.S.  
 
Pulmuone said in a statement on May 14 annual sales of its Asian noodles, which stood at $8.2 million in 2016, have grown about nine times in six years. More than 300,000 units of Beef Japchae were sold since its release in March 2022. The stir-fried noodle dish has sesame oil sauce-based vegetables. "We will continue the growth momentum by launching products with various types of noodles made with Pulmuone's world-class noodle manufacturing technology," Pulmuone Foods USA's managing director Kim Suk-won said in a statement.  
 
"With quality taste and convenient cooking proved in the U.S. market, Pulmuone Asian noodle products have successfully entered Canada and the UK," Kim said. The food company is currently selling Teriyaki Stir-fry Udon at 108 Costco stores in Canada and 29 Costco stores in Britain.
 
Pulmuone is also known for its vegan meat products such as plant-based steak. The U.S. branch of Pulmuone currently supplies its vegan meat products to 18 American universities including the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Pulmuone's plant-based steak brand called "Plantspired" is currently being supplied to WaBa Grill, a fusion restaurant chain in the U.S. 

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