10 Best Ramen Brands

Although ramen originated in Japan, it has captured the hearts of foodies worldwide. Instant ramen noodles are delicious, easy to cook, and convenient. These attributes appeal to today’s busy consumers, including families, professionals, and students.

How do you choose the best ramen? It should offer chewy, springy noodles, savory, delicious, and umami-fied broth, and dried mix-ins like kimchi flakes, cabbage, scallions, and nori. According to a recent survey, 32% of Millennials and Gen Z consumers want “nutritious convenience” in their meals. High-protein and functional ramen products cater to this audience. Other ramen noodle trends for 2026 include bold, regionally-inspired flavors and vegan options for health-conscious consumers. But which are the best ramen brands? [1]

Table of Contents

1. Nongshim

Nongshim is a South Korean ramen brand founded in 1986. Its Shin Ramyun was launched in Oct 1986, making it Korea’s first spicy-flavored ramen. This product has held the top spot in the market since 1991. As of Jan 2026, Nongshim controlled over 60% of the market share in South Korea. The company plans to expand its overseas footprint. Visit the Nongshim store on Amazon. [2]

Image source: Nongshim

Pros: Nongshim offers a wide variety of ramen bowls, soups, and flavors. For example, the Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle Soup is recommended for vegans. Its Shin Ramyun product line includes Tom Yum, Thumba, and Kimchi Bokkeum Myeon flavors. In Dec 2025, the brand launched Shin Ramyun Gold ahead of the 40th anniversary of the original Shin Ramyun. The new product features a rich, savory broth made by simmering chicken and enhanced with Shin Ramyun’s signature spiciness. [3]

Cons: Nongshim’s new Shin Ramyun Gold is tailored to domestic consumers’ tastes. It may not appeal to non-Korean consumers.

Price Range: $1.36-$17.99

2. Sapporo Ichiban

Sapporo Ichiban is a Japanese instant noodle brand produced by Sanyo Foods. Its top-selling products include Sapporo Ichiban Original Ramen Noodle Soup and Momosan Ramen Tokyo Chicken. In Nov 2025, Sapporo Ichiban introduced Gomoku Ankake Noodle Topping and Spicy Tantan Noodle Topping. These retort-packaged toppings are designed exclusively for instant noodles. Visit the Sapporo Ichiban store on Amazon. [4]

Image source: Sapporo Ichiban

Pros: Sapporo is praised for its delicious ramen. Most noodles are made of wheat starch and seasoning. Sapporo’s noodles also contain potato starch and guar gum. Both help the noodles retain a slightly chewy, fresh texture. Sapporo’s broth tastes chicken-y with a balanced vegetal, oniony, and peppery flavor. Get Sapporo Ichiban Momosan Ramen Tokyo Chicken if you enjoy thin instant noodles soaked in a buttery, meaty broth. You can add pork belly, soy sauce eggs, and corn to turn this ramen into a fancy dinner.

Cons: Sapporo’s ramen can be pricey.

Price Range: $4.93-$9.49 for a 5-pac

3. MAMA

Mama is a Thai ramen brand produced by Thai President Foods (TPF). Its noodles are made from wheat flour and consist of Shiitake, Whole Wheat, and Kale flavors. The brand holds a 50% share in Thailand’s instant noodle market. In Dec 2025, Mama launched its new MAMACREW campaign to attract Gen-Z consumers. The strategy promotes the brand’s premium products, including Mama OK. [5]

Image source: Amazon

Pros: Mama offers delicious Thai-style ramen with mouthwatering flavors. For example, Mama Instant Noodles come with three little flavor packets. Each option is a little peppery, delightfully oily, and savory. You can spice instant ramen noodles with Mama’s artificial chicken flavor. The brand also offers Mama Creamy Tom Yum Ramen, praised for its subtle shrimp flavor, perfect spice level, and notes of lemongrass, ginger, and lime.

Cons: Mama specializes in Thai-inspired ramen and flavors. It may not appeal to some non-Thai consumers.

Price Range: $1-$3 per serving for individual cups or packs

4. Nissin Foods

Nissin is a Japanese food company founded in 1958 by Momofuku Ando, who invented the first instant ramen noodle in Japan. It introduced ramen noodles to American consumers in 1972. The company develops popular ramen brands, including Cup Noodles, Top Ramen, Hot & Spicy Bowl, Chow Mein, and GEKI. In Mar 2026, Nissin’s Top Ramen partnered with Bachan’s to launch three limited-time-only products. The collaboration pairs Top Ramen’s classic ramen with Bachan’s bold, umami flavors. Visit the Nissin Foods store on Amazon. [6]

Image source: Nissin Foods

Pros: Nissin offers a wide variety of ramen products. Its Demae Black Garlic Oil Tonkotsu Artificial Pork Flavor Ramen tastes deliciously authentic. The black garlic oil elevates the rich, salty broth with a savory umami flavor. Get Nissin Hot & Spicy Shrimp Ramen Noodle Soup to experience its spicy broth and 100% real shrimp stock. In Jun 2025, Nissin launched Kanzen Meal, a frozen food brand for health-conscious consumers. Kanzen Meal offers a nutrient-dense option for individuals taking GLP-1 weight loss medications. [7]

Cons: Consumers complain that Nissin’s Top Ramen softens and loses its chewiness quickly. Some Top Ramen options supplement powdered chicken with meaty hydrolyzed soy proteins and onion powder.

Price Range: $1-$2.99 per serving

5. Samyang Buldak

Samyang is a leading South Korean instant noodle company based in Myeong-dong, Seoul. Its flagship Buldak ramen brand offers Original Buldak Ramen and Carbo Buldak. Each option is spicy. In Jul 2025, Samyang launched MEP ramyeon soup with three flavors: black pepper & beef, garlic & clam, and red pepper chicken with cilantro. MEP expands the Buldak lineup for consumers who crave spicy instant noodle soup with a bold flavor. Visit the Samyang store on Amazon. [8]

Image source: Samyang Foods

Pros: Samyang Buldak offers spicy, flavor-forward ramen. Its signature flavors include the Kimchi, Habanero Lime, Jjajang, and Carbonara. In Mar 2026, Samyang Buldak launched the “House of Burn” pop-up experience. The brand invited international visitors to experience its spicy ramen. [9]

Cons: Samyang Buldak Ramen is positioned in the “Seriously Extreme Spice” category. It may not appeal to consumers who can’t tolerate spicy foods.

Price Range: $1.80-$2.59 per serving

6. Maruchan

Maruchan is a Japanese instant ramen brand founded in 1953 by Kazuo Mori. It entered the US market in 1977 and established a production facility in Irvine, California. Its US branch develops ramen noodle soup, rice and ramen bowls, Yakisoba, instant lunches, and wonton ramen noodle soup bowls. In Aug 2025, Maruchan expanded its fan-favorite Yakisoba line with new Mango Habanero and Pineapple Jalapeño flavors. Both fuse sweet and spicy to meet increased demand for “swicy” ramen noodles. Visit the Maruchan store on Amazon. [10]

Image source: Maruchan

Pros: Maruchan creates convenient, delicious, affordable noodles for everyone. The brand refines its product lines to meet the needs of modern consumers. Its new Mango Habanero and Pineapple Jalapeño flavors appeal to “swicy” noodle lovers. In Jan 2026, Maruchan launched Saucy Noods with two spicy chicken varieties. The new spicy creamy chicken ramen features a rich, cheesy sauce that balances the spice. Consider spicy chicken noodles if you enjoy chili and habanero in your ramen. [11]

Cons: Some consumers complain that Maruchan ramen doesn’t offer substantial vegetable or chicken flavor. Over 99% of the broth packet is salt, sugar, and MSG.

Price Range: $0.30-$0.60 per individual 3-ounce packet

7. Indomie

Indomie is Indonesia’s leading instant ramen noodle brand, produced by the Indofood CBP Group. The brand offers Mi Goreng ramen, inspired by Indonesia’s popular instant noodles. In 2022, Indomie launched its Japanese-flavored Ramen series to enter the premium noodle market. This series combines gourmet taste with instant convenience. You can buy Indomie Mi Goreng ramen on Amazon.

Image source: Amazon

Pros: Indomie is known for its delicious Mi Goreng ramen and mouthwatering BBQ Chicken and Beef BBQ flavors. Although Mi Goreng was inspired by Indonesia’s instant noodles, it is accessible to noodle lovers globally. This creamy ramen is also affordable.

Cons: Some consumers are concerned about Indomie’s food quality and safety record. For example, in Sep 2025, Indomie faced scrutiny after Taiwanese regulators (FDA) detected trace amounts of a banned carcinogen in its flavor. The FDA found 0.1 milligrams per kilogram of ethylene oxide in a seasoning packet imported from Indonesia. [12]

Price Range: $0.50-$1.00 per individual pack, $3.50-$5.00 for a 5-pack bundle

8. Paldo

Paldo is a Korean noodle brand specializing in instant ramen. It offers Paldo Bibim Myeon, Teumse Ramen Spicy Kimchi, and Wang Ttukkeong. In Mar 2026, Paldo announced price cuts across its ramen portfolio. The brand lowered prices of 19 ramen products, including Teumse Ramen Spicy Kimchi (7.7%), Paldo Bibim Myeon (3.9%), and Wang Ttukkeong (4.6%). Visit the Paldo store on Amazon. [13]

Image source: Paldo Ramen

Pros: Paldo stands out for its premium spicy options. The brand offers Paldo Hwa Ramyun and Paldo Volcano Chicken Noodle. Both are spicy with unique flavor profiles. Paldo’s Hwa Ramyun appeals to consumers who enjoy an extra hot, MSG-infused savory ramen. Get the Volcano Chicken Noodle to sample its teriyaki-like sweetness and high spice level. Another spicy option is Paldo Mr. Kimchi. This ramen features high-quality noodles, dried kimchi flakes, cabbage, and scallions.

Cons: Paldo’s high spice levels and fermented kimchi flavors may not appeal to consumers who don’t enjoy spicy food.

Price Range: $1.50-$5 for individual items, $6-$25 for multi-packs

9. Chef Woo

Chef Woo is a Canadian ramen brand founded in 2020 by Ontario-based food technology company, Borealis. Reza Soltanzadeh and Barthélemy Helg co-founded Borealis in 2019 to supply affordable, nutritious meals to consumers facing dietary deficiencies. Chef Woo’s ramen offers 20 grams of protein at 330 calories per serving. Its noodles are manufactured in South Carolina using sustainable protein sources. In Jul 2023, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay joined Borealis as a shareholder and helped upgrade the flavor profile of Chef Woo ramen. Visit the Chef Woo store on Amazon. [14]

Image source: Chef Woo

Pros: Chef Woo prioritizes sustainability, accessibility, affordability, and nutritional content. Its high-protein, plant-based formulation blends pea protein, high-oleic sunflower oil, wheat flour, legumes, and grains. The brand invested in research and development to create vegan, halal, and kosher ramen with unique profiles and amino acids. For example, Chef Woo Roasted Chicken Flavor Ramen Cup Noodles offers a rich, chicken-y broth.

Cons: Chef Woo’s plant-based ramen may not appeal to some meat lovers.

Price Range: $1.50-$3 per cup, ~$12-$14 for a 6-pack

10. Prima Taste

Prima Taste is a Singaporean brand specializing in la mian-style instant ramen. Its unique recipe combines pulled wheat flour noodles with a healthy soup base. In 2025, The New York Times’ product review arm recognized Prima Taste’s Singapore Laksa La Mian as one of the best instant noodles globally. [15]

Image source: Prima Taste

Pros: Prima Taste Singapore Laksa La Mian ramen is praised for its high-quality noodles and delicious flavors. Some consumers are impressed by the brand’s unique mix of fermented shrimp, warming galangal, and sweet creamy coconut. Its chewy noodles pair nicely with fried tofu, frozen shrimp, lime, and fresh mung beans.

Cons: Some consumers complain about Prima Taste’s pungent smell from fermented shrimp.

Price Range: $2.75-$3.75 per pack

References & more information