Run by convenience store chain CU, the store called "Ramyun Library," solely dedicated to instant noodles, has its shelves filled with a massive collection of these handy snacks from both home and abroad.
Visitors may have their jaws dropped in awe as they step into the store in Seoul’s trendy Hongik University neighborhood, where over 100 different types of instant noodles and noodle cups from various brands including foreign varieties from Japan, Indonesia, and Viet Nam, greet them.
According to CU, the store has sold a cumulative of 150,000 packs of instant noodles so far this year, since its opening in December 2023.
"We have seen a surge in visitors from overseas, particularly from China and Japan, who came here through word of mouth on social media," said Kang Sang-min, a staffer who has been working there for about six months. "Now, even tour buses carrying foreign tourists stop here, as the store has become a must-see spot during their stay in Seoul," he added.
To better appeal to visitors and encourage them to hang around while enjoying the atmosphere, the store plays medleys of hit K-pop songs all day long.
"From the interior design to the products on display, every aspect of our store is carefully arranged with foreign visitors in mind," said store manager Kim Un-bin. "We want them to experience a taste of the country's unique culture, not just simply enjoy instant noodles."
In fact, the store is not just a place to buy a wide variety of instant noodles. Its real draw lies in allowing visitors to cook a steaming bowl themselves, using special utensils provided on the spot. This procedure offers an inventive way to enjoy these convenient snacks, which have become a beloved meal substitute for many South Koreans.
The vast assortment of instant noodles also caters to those with dietary preferences such as vegans, vegetarians, or Muslims.
Apoorva Garigipati, a tourist in her late 20s from the U.S., recently visited the store during her week-long trip to South Korea with her parents and was delighted when a staffer helped her father find vegetarian options suitable for him.
"I learned about this place through TikTok," said Garigipati. "The library setting makes it even more unique," she exclaimed.
With the store attracting a steady influx of tourists, similar shops and copycat stores have begun mushrooming in other bustling commercial districts in Seoul.
"It's nice to have someone cook it for me," said Naomi, a tourist from Japan. She admitted that the pop-up eatery's adorable raccoon-inspired mascot outside, holding a spicy bowl of noodles, was so tempting that it lured her in.
It serves 400 to 500 customers a day, according to manager Lee Ye-lin. "I think our Neoguri character attracts many tourists because they find it really cute," she said. "And honestly, who can resist the smell of instant noodles while strolling through the shopping alleys of Myeong-dong?"
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