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Nongshim Manufacturer Master Profile
Manufacturer Spotlight
Nongshim
Korea’s Global Ramyun Powerhouse
Founded in 1965 in South Korea, Nongshim has grown from a local noodle company into one of the most influential instant ramen manufacturers in the world. Known for bold flavors, chewy noodles, and a constant push to innovate, Nongshim is the creator of legendary products like Shin Ramyun, Neoguri, and a wide family of bowls, cups, and premium restaurant-style ramyun.
Origin
Seoul, South Korea
Founded in 1965, Nongshim grew alongside South Korea’s modern food culture and helped define what “ramyun” means worldwide.
Signature Style
Bold Broths & Chewy Noodles
Deeply flavored soups, springy noodles, and a balance of spice, umami, and comfort in every bowl.
Best Known For
Shin Ramyun & Neoguri
Iconic instant ramyun that inspired countless home recipes, mukbangs, and ramen hacks across the globe.
The Nongshim Story
Nongshim started as a small company in 1965 under the name Lotte Industrial Company. As South Korea rapidly modernized, instant noodles became an affordable, filling comfort food that fit perfectly into the new rhythm of daily life. Nongshim leaned into that role—developing noodles that were not just quick, but deeply satisfying.
By the 1980s, Nongshim was already a household name in Korea, and in 1986 they launched what would become their flagship product: Shin Ramyun. With its spicy beef-style broth and thick, chewy noodles, Shin Ramyun redefined instant ramyun. It became a cultural icon, eaten everywhere from convenience stores and dorm rooms to office kitchens and late-night pojangmacha (street food tents).
As demand grew, Nongshim expanded internationally. The company opened factories in China, the United States, and beyond, ensuring fresher products and flavor profiles tuned to regional tastes. Today, Nongshim products are sold in over 100 countries, while still proudly rooted in the flavor DNA of Korean cuisine: chili heat, deep umami, and comforting, hearty broth.
From classic soup noodles to udon bowls, stir-fry ramyun, and premium tonkotsu-style offerings, Nongshim continues to evolve. Their lineup now spans everyday comfort food, restaurant-inspired bowls, and specialty limited editions that reward curious noodle lovers.
The Nongshim Ramyun Family
Shin • Neoguri • Udon • Bowl Noodle • Stir-Fry • Specialty
The iconic spicy beef-style ramyun that built a global fanbase.
Thick noodles in a rich, spicy seafood broth.
Creamy pork-style broth inspired by Japanese ramen shops.
Microwave-ready convenience in Hot & Spicy, Kimchi, Beef & Chicken.
Thick, chewy udon noodles in gentle, soy-based broths.
Broth-less, sauce-coated ramyun with concentrated flavor.
Flavor, Texture & the Nongshim Philosophy
Nongshim’s success comes from more than just heat. Their noodles and broths are built around three core ideas: chewy texture, layered flavor, and versatility in the kitchen.
- Chewy Noodles: Nongshim is famous for their bouncy, al dente-style texture. Whether it’s thick ramyun, straight tonkotsu noodles, or wide udon, each product is designed to hold its bite in hot broth.
- Deeply Layered Broths: Many Nongshim soups are built on a base of chili, garlic, onion, beef or seafood notes, and slow-simmered flavors. Even their milder bowls, like udon and tonkotsu, carry depth without feeling heavy.
- Customizable Canvas: Nongshim products are intentionally designed to be “hackable.” Add eggs, cheese, kimchi, dumplings, leftover meats, seafood, or fresh vegetables and you can transform a quick bowl into a full meal.
Whether you like fire-level spice, rich creamy broth, or gentle, soothing soups, there is a Nongshim noodle that fits your mood.
Nongshim at Project Ramen
At Project Ramen, we treat Nongshim as one of our core anchor brands. Their lineup gives us the ability to build mystery boxes that range from comfort-focused to full-on spicy challenges, and everything in between.
- Beginner-Friendly Picks: We often recommend udon bowls, Tempura Udon, and mild Bowl Noodle flavors for customers who want gentle heat or no heat at all.
- Classic Korean Comfort: Shin Ramyun, Neoguri, and combination bowls (like Shin x Neoguri “jjapaguri”-style mixes) are perfect for customers looking for authentic Korean ramyun flavor.
- Premium & Restaurant-Style: Tonkotsu Premium and specialty or limited Nongshim releases show up in our curated boxes when we want to recreate a restaurant-level experience at home.
- Stir-Fry & Creative Builds: Shin Stir Fry and other dry series noodles are our go-to choices for “Ramen My Way” recipes and quick skillet builds.
When you see Nongshim in a Project Ramen box, you’re getting a piece of Korean ramyun history—with enough flexibility to make it completely your own.
How to Get the Best Out of Nongshim Noodles
Pro Tips from the Project Ramen Kitchen
- Undercook by 30–45 seconds if you like a firmer chew. The noodles will continue to soften as they sit in hot broth.
- Layer your seasoning: Start with 80–90% of the soup base, then taste. You can always add more powder or chili oil, but you can’t take it away.
- Save some starchy cooking water for stir-fry noodles. A splash helps the sauce cling to the noodles and creates a glossy finish.
- Boost the bowl: Add an egg (soft-boiled, poached, or whisked in), sliced green onion, kimchi, cheese, or leftover protein to turn a snack into a full meal.
Great for Every Occasion
- Weeknight dinners: Build quick one-pot meals with vegetables and frozen dumplings.
- Late-night cravings: Shin, Neoguri, and Stir-Fry Shin are perfect “just one more episode” bowls.
- Ramen parties: Mix different Nongshim flavors so friends can sample and rank their favorites.
- Comfort days: Udon and mild bowls offer soothing, easy-to-digest comfort soup with thick, satisfying noodles.
Nongshim FAQ (Project Ramen Edition)
Is Nongshim considered “authentic” Korean ramen?
Yes. Nongshim is one of South Korea’s most influential ramyun manufacturers and helped shape modern Korean instant noodle culture. Many Koreans grow up eating Shin Ramyun, Neoguri, and other Nongshim products at home, in school, and on the go.
Are Nongshim noodles very spicy?
Some are, some aren’t. Shin Ramyun, Neoguri, and Spicy Seafood lines bring real Korean heat. Udon, Tempura Udon, some Bowl Noodle flavors, and Tonkotsu Premium offer gentler or non-spicy options. In our product descriptions and mystery boxes, we clearly label spice levels so you can choose your comfort zone.
Can I cook Nongshim noodles without a stove?
Yes. Many Nongshim bowls and cups are designed for hot water or microwave preparation. Always follow the instructions on the packaging, and adjust slightly based on how firm you like your noodles.
Which Nongshim products does Project Ramen carry?
Our lineup changes as we bring in new flavors and seasonal drops, but we regularly stock Shin, Neoguri, Bowl Noodle varieties, Udon bowls, stir-fry lines, and premium series like Tonkotsu. Check individual product pages or our mystery box descriptions to see what’s currently available.
Explore Nongshim at Project Ramen
From iconic Shin Ramyun to gentle udon bowls and rich tonkotsu-style ramen, Nongshim gives you a full spectrum of flavor and heat levels to play with. Build your own lineup or let us surprise you in a mystery box.
View All Nongshim Products
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