[Matjjalal X File] The Identity of the 'Powder' Missing in Domestic Ramen but Included in Export Ramen

K-Ramen is Trending... Comparison of Weight and Ingredients for Domestic and Overseas Versions
Samyang Ramen's Domestic Version is Actually Heavier
Meat Ingredients Included Only in Domestic and Locally Produced Products
Meat Excluded from Export Products Due to Customs and Quarantine Issues

Editor's Note[Matjalal X-Files] uncovers misunderstandings and truths about food.

The photo is not related to the content of the text. [Image source=Getty Images]

Recently, Nongshim's Shin Ramyun, a leading K-ramen brand, has been embroiled in controversy over domestic market discrimination. Domestic consumers became upset after learning that the cup ramen sold in Japan contains larger and more generous toppings than the ones sold in Korea. In fact, the Shin Ramyun topping controversy has been recurring for several years, and this time it once again attracted media attention. Nongshim explained that it was a "decision to secure local competitiveness," adding that "the price in Japan is higher than in Korea." The official retail price of Shin Ramyun cup ramen in Japan is 148 yen (about 1,320 KRW), while in Korea it is 1,150 KRW.

Opinions on Nongshim's strategy were divided not only among consumers but also among competing food companies. Some say it is clear domestic market discrimination, while others view it simply as a marketing difference.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

It is the golden age of K-ramen. Last year, ramen worth 952 million USD (about 1.28 trillion KRW) was exported to 132 countries overseas. By weight, that amounts to 244,000 tons. Converted into packet ramen, it equals about 2 billion packs. K-ramen is expanding from the hands of Koreans to the world. Taking the Shin Ramyun topping controversy as a starting point, we became curious about the differences between ramen for domestic and overseas sales, and whether there is hidden discrimination, so we conducted an investigation ourselves.

The investigation targeted the 10 most popular ramen products in Korea. The main products were Nongshim's Shin Ramyun (packet), Chapagetti (packet), Neoguri (packet), Yukgaejang (cup); Ottogi's Jin Ramen Spicy (packet), Yeol Ramen (packet); Samyang Foods' Buldak Bokkeum Myun (packet), Samyang Ramen (packet); and Paldo's Paldo Bibim Men (packet), Wang Ttukgeong (packet). For these products, we compared the noodles, soup, and toppings of domestic versions and those sold in major export countries: the United States, China, and Japan.

First, there were almost no cases where the weight difference was large enough to cause discrimination controversy like with Shin Ramyun cup ramen. In the case of Samyang Ramen, the weight varied slightly by country, but the domestic version actually had slightly more noodles (106g) and toppings (3g) than other countries. For the others?Shin Ramyun, Chapagetti, Neoguri, Yukgaejang, Jin Ramen Spicy, Yeol Ramen, Buldak Bokkeum Myun?the weights of domestic and overseas versions were all the same. Paldo's products were also the same, though specific weights were not disclosed.

However, aside from weight, there was a noticeable difference in ingredients: MSG (monosodium glutamate). Most domestic ramen did not contain MSG, whereas overseas versions did. This difference was evident just by looking at the ingredient lists on the back of the ramen packaging. Why is this?

The answer lies in domestic consumers' misunderstandings about MSG. In the past, domestic ramen also contained MSG. But starting in 2007, when the well-being trend was dominant, Nongshim, Ottogi, and Samyang Foods began removing MSG from ramen and replacing it with alternative seasonings. MSG, a chemical seasoning, has long been called the "devil's white powder" and was rumored to cause stomach aches and headaches. As health concerns grew, consumer resistance intensified, prompting ramen companies to make the decision to remove MSG.

Fortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that MSG is a "food additive safe to consume throughout a lifetime," and Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also recognizes its safety, gradually dispelling misunderstandings about MSG. The fact that it is harmless to the human body has begun to be known. However, many consumers still view MSG unfavorably. This is why domestic ramen companies, despite knowing MSG is harmless, do not include it in domestic ramen?to alleviate consumer anxiety. Consumers who have watched food expos? programs on TV in the past may still feel uncomfortable with MSG ramen.

What fills the void left by the absence of MSG? Manufacturers are finding ingredients to enrich flavor in domestic ramen instead of MSG. A Samyang Foods representative said, "To maximize the taste of Buldak Bokkeum Myun and Samyang Ramen without MSG, we add a soy sauce base." Ottogi also uses a kelp-based umami base and soy sauce-related ingredients instead of MSG.

Another interesting point is the inclusion of 'meat' ingredients. Most domestic ramen contains meat ingredients, but many overseas versions do not. This is because many countries, including the U.S., prohibit the import of meat, meat products, and processed products containing meat to prevent the introduction of harmful bacteria or diseases. Therefore, the topping soup of Samyang Ramen sold in the U.S. excludes ham-flavored flakes and consists only of vegetables.

Nongshim has production plants in the U.S. and China, so ramen sold in these regions is the same as the domestic version. However, since there is no factory in Japan, they produce a separate export version for Japan without meat ingredients. The same applies to Buldak Bokkeum Myun. Although production is based in Korea, it is exported to over 100 countries, making it difficult to meet each country's import standards, so all meat ingredients are excluded from export products.

However, in exceptional cases, meat ingredients can be allowed through customs. A Paldo representative explained, "For Wang Ttukgeong sold in the U.S., pork ingredients are absolutely prohibited to obtain quarantine certificates during customs clearance, but chicken or beef stock can be added as a substitute."