Nissin Foods' imitation of Samyang Foods’ Buldak Ramen misleads consumers

Nissin Foods is facing growing criticism for imitating Samyang Foods’ Korean Buldak Ramen instant noodle product, according to industry officials.

The Japanese global food company not only copied the taste and packaging design of Buldak Ramen with its Hot & Spicy Fire Wok, introduced last September but also has the Korean word "bokkeummyeon" on its packaging, which means fried noodle in Korean.

Nissin’s products cost only one-fifth of Samyang’s.

A Korean food form official noted that some consumers are already confused about which is the original and it looks like Nissin just wants to ride on the popularity of Korean instant noodle products.

Samyang Foods backtracked on taking legal action as it is difficult to hold the Japanese firm legally accountable as its product is named differently.

Instead, Samyang Foods will carry out marketing activities in Japan emphasizing the originality of their product.

The popularity of Korean instant noodles is resulting in all-time-high sales records in overseas markets.

According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation and the Korea Customs Service, exports of Korean instant noodles for this year were tentatively tallied at $208 million (274.6 billion won) as of March. It is the first time that Korean instant noodle product exports exceeded $200 million in the first quarter of a year.