[Analysis Report] Do you know about Korean Buldak Ramen?🍜

Do you know about Korean Buldak Ramen?🍜

• Keywords: "Buldak ramen"
• Collection Duration: 2022.07. ~ 2024.07.
• Collection Channel:  Google, Reddit

The global popularity of Buldak ramen, also known as "fire noodles," has surged in recent years, captivating spice enthusiasts and social media influencers alike. This report aims to explore the reasons behind its widespread appeal and the impact on culinary trends and global markets. Understanding the phenomenon of Buldak's rise offers insights into consumer behavior and the evolving landscape of instant noodles.

Trend Overview🔎

• Recent Trends of 'Buldak' Search Volume
• Source: Google Trends, SEMRUSH

The interest in Buldak ramen was on the rise, with a particularly notable surge beginning in 2022. A country-by-country analysis revealed that the United States demonstrated the highest level of interest, followed by Germany, India, Canada, and Mexico (Source: SEMRUSH).

Samyang Foods, the maker of Buldak ramen, has seen a steady increase in overseas sales thanks to the growing popularity of Buldak ramen. In 2019, the company's international sales revenue was $196 million, and it has continued to rise, reaching $584.196 million last year. This surge in sales and search volume clearly shows just how popular Buldak ramen has become.

Keywords in Buldak Data🔎

• Source: Goole, Reddit / Collected Words : "Buldak ramen"
• Preriod: 2022.07.~2024.07

A detailed analysis of the data related to Buldak ramen revealed several key words with high occurrence rates. The term "noodle" was the most frequently referenced, reflecting the brand's core product offering. Furthermore, the brand name "Samyang" was frequently referenced, indicating a high level of brand recognition.

Notably, there was considerable emphasis placed on the term "spicy," which highlights the intense heat that characterizes Buldak ramen. The term "chicken" was frequently used, indicating that it is the primary flavor ingredient. Furthermore, the term "hot" served to reinforce the spiciness of Buldak ramen, and the term "Korean" was frequently referenced, underscoring the cultural heritage of the product. Specific flavor variations, such as "carbonara," were noted for their popularity.

The impact of social media was apparent, with the term "TikTok" highlighting the role of social media trends in Buldak ramen's rising popularity. Additionally, the terms "flavor" and "food" were frequently utilized, indicating a general discussion about the taste and context of Buldak ramen.

These words underscore the primary factors driving interest in Buldak ramen, including its spiciness, brand recognition, and the impact of social media.

What makes people obsessed with buldak ramen?🔎

The analysis of frequently mentioned keywords indicates that the primary factors driving the Buldak ramen craze are its spiciness, TikTok challenges, the variety of flavors, and the convenience of preparation.

1) Extremely ‘Spicy’ Flavor

Buldak ramen is renowned for its intense spiciness, achieved through a blend of chili paste and powder. This extreme heat attracts spice enthusiasts and has become a defining characteristic of the dish, contributing to its popularity among those who seek a spicy culinary challenge.

2) Mukbang Challenges on ‘TikTok’

The popularity of TikTok has led to the rise of mukbang challenges featuring Buldak ramen. These challenges, which feature influencers and food enthusiasts, showcase reactions to the dish's extreme spiciness. These viral videos stimulate interest and engagement, increasing the global visibility and popularity of Buldak ramen.

3) Variety of Seasonings and ‘Flavors’

Buldak ramen offers a diverse range of flavors beyond its classic spicy profile, including variations with cheese, carbonara, and more. This variety caters to different taste preferences and enhances the product's versatility, appealing to a broad audience.

4) ‘Instant’ and Convenient Preparation

The preparation of Buldak ramen is quick and straightforward, requiring only a few minutes to cook. Its convenience makes it an attractive option for busy individuals seeking a fast yet satisfying meal, contributing to its widespread popularity.

What's the most popular flavor of Buldak ramen?🔎

The analysis of consumer preferences for Buldak ramen flavors indicates a clear trend in flavor popularity. The Carbonara flavor emerged as the most frequently selected option, showcasing its dominant appeal among consumers. Following Carbonara, the Cheese flavor ranked second in popularity, indicating a strong preference for creamy and rich variations. The Kimchi flavor, known for its distinctive and tangy taste, secured the third position, reflecting a significant interest in traditional Korean flavors. Jjajang flavor, characterized by its savory black bean sauce, was ranked fourth, while Curry flavor, offering a spicy and aromatic profile, rounded out the top five.👍

This distribution highlights consumer preferences for both innovative and traditional flavors, with a notable inclination towards rich and complex taste experiences.

Sentiment Analysis (Amazon Review, Using CoreNLP Sentimental Words)🔎

A sentiment analysis of Buldak ramen's various flavors was conducted using customer reviews from Amazon. The Cheese flavor received the highest positive response, followed by Jjajang, Curry, Carbonara, and Kimchi, in descending order of positive feedback.

👉Cheese Buldak : The Cheese flavor of Buldak ramen is often praised for its rich, cheesy taste and flavorful profile, with some consumers describing it as the best flavor they’ve tried. The noodles are noted for being delicious and bouncy. However, there are negative reactions as well, with a few people experiencing stomach discomfort after eating it and others finding the noodles unpleasant and not to their taste.

👉Jjajang Buldak : The Jjajang flavor receives positive feedback for its ideal portion size, great flavor, and overall value, particularly for those who enjoy black bean dishes. On the downside, some consumers see it as more suited for mukbang challenges rather than offering a satisfying flavor experience. Criticisms include a lack of distinct flavor and concerns about it being under-seasoned.

👉Curry Buldak : The Curry flavor is recommended for fans of spicy chicken curry, and some consumers suggest it pairs well with chicken and naan. However, there are negative remarks indicating that it tastes more like taco seasoning than authentic curry and concerns about its high sodium content.

👉Carbonara Buldak : The Carbonara flavor is highly recommended for those who enjoy a combination of spice and cheesiness, with positive comments highlighting its pleasant taste. Nonetheless, there are issues with shipping damage reported, and it's advised against for those who cannot handle spicy food.

👉Kimchi Buldak : The Kimchi flavor is appreciated for its tangy profile and suitability for family dinners. However, it also receives criticism for being too intense and unpleasant for some, with others finding the kimchi flavor to be dull and lacking in authenticity.

Good Points & Areas for Improvements🔎

Additionally, a content analysis of Buldak ramen was conducted using customer reviews from Amazon. This analysis identified both positive attributes and areas for improvement.

Good Points💜

1) Delicious Flavor and Rich Taste : Buldak ramen is praised for its delicious flavor and rich taste, making it a popular choice among those who enjoy flavorful and spicy dishes.

2) Quick and Convenient Recipe : The preparation of Buldak ramen is noted for being quick and convenient, providing an easy meal solution for busy individuals.

3) Good Noodle Texture : Consumers appreciate the texture of the noodles, which are described as having a satisfying chewiness and thickness.

4) Various Cooking Methods : Buldak ramen is versatile in words of preparation, allowing for the addition of various ingredients to create customized recipes based on personal preferences. Consumers can experiment with different add-ins such as vegetables, proteins, or additional seasonings to tailor the dish to their taste.

Areas for Improvement

1) Difficulty in Handling Spiciness : Many consumers find the spiciness level to be excessively intense, making it challenging to handle and enjoy for those who are not accustomed to very hot foods. Recently, the Danish government issued a recall for several Buldak ramen products due to concerns over their high capsaicin content, highlighting the potential health risks associated with the extreme spiciness​.

2) Shipping Issues : There are concerns about shipping, including instances of damaged or broken noodles upon oversea delivery, which affects the overall product experience.

3) High Sodium Content : Buldak ramen's high sodium content is a concern for some Consumers, particularly for those monitoring their sodium intake for health reasons.

4) Incorrect Advertisement & Information : Issues with advertising and product information have been reported, including discrepancies between the advertised quantity and what is actually received, leading to dissatisfaction.

Suggestions🔎

Based on the improvement points discussed earlier, we propose the following suggestions.

 1) Spice Level Variation: Offer a range of spice levels to accommodate different preferences and tolerances. Introducing milder versions can make the product enjoyable for those who are not used to very spicy foods, broadening its appeal.

 2) Less/Alternative Sodium: Create lower-sodium options or use alternative sources of sodium to address health concerns. This change would better serve consumers who are watching their sodium intake and improve the overall healthiness of the product.

 3) Clearer Product Information: Improve the accuracy and transparency of advertising and labeling to prevent confusion. Clear and detailed information about product quantity and contents will help ensure that consumer expectations match what is received, reducing dissatisfaction.

 4) Consumer Feedback Loop: Set up an effective system to gather and act on consumer feedback, including issues related to shipping and product damage. By actively engaging with online reviews and addressing concerns such as Shipping problems, you can enhance product quality and overall customer satisfaction.

✅Result

Buldak ramen's global surge in popularity can be attributed to three key factors: its intense spiciness, diverse flavor options, and strong social media presence, particularly on platforms like TikTok. This phenomenon reflects a shift in consumer preferences towards bold and convenient food choices.

Despite its widespread appeal, Buldak ramen faces challenges such as excessive spiciness, high sodium content, and shipping issues. Addressing these concerns while maintaining its unique flavor profile and convenience could further enhance its market position.

The analysis highlights the importance of flavor innovation, quality control, and transparent marketing. With targeted improvements, Buldak ramen can sustain and even expand its success, continuing to captivate spice enthusiasts and influence culinary trends globally.