Fancy some cheese-flavored spicy noodles? Judging by export sales, the rest of the world can’t get enough of South Korea’s food exports, also known as “K-Food.”
Exports of “K-Food+” — a category that includes food products and agricultural industries — surged to a record $13.62 billion in 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
That’s a 5.1% increase from a year earlier and marked the tenth consecutive year of growth.
Instant noodles, or ramyeon, were the standout. Exports jumped nearly 22% to $1.52 billion, making it the first single food category to surpass $1 billion in overseas sales.
Cheese-flavored spicy noodles and other new products resonated with consumers in China, the U.S., and emerging markets in Central Asia and the Middle East.
