How Top 10 Instant Noodles Brands are Capitalizing on the Hectic Lifestyles of the Population

Instant noodles refer to packaged noodles that can be cooked within minutes with the help of a few pre-made ingredients. A growing percentage of the younger population is looking for various ways to minimize their average time spent in the kitchen due to their hectic lifestyle and erratic work schedule. The growing demand for convenience foods is another factor that is contributing to the strong growth of the global industry.

As per estimates presented by Fortune Business Insights, the market for instant noodles will reach a valuation of USD 81.84 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.95% during the forecast period of 2022-2029. The market reached the valuation of USD 51.65 billion in 2021 and USD 54.60 billion in 2022.

The following is a list of the 10 leading instant noodle brands that enjoy a vast global customer base:

1. Nissin Food Products Co., Ltd.

One of the top 10 instant noodles brands in the world, Nissin Food Products Co., Ltd. is a Japanese food brand that produces and sells instant noodles and other convenience foods. The company has a notable presence in China, Asia, Japan, and Europe. The company always tries to enhance its product offerings by adding new ingredients and flavors.

August 2021: Nissin Foods launched a limited edition pumpkin spice for its cup noodles brand in the U.S. The new product had pumpkin seasoning mixed with a savory, sweet, and spicy flavor. The product was made available exclusively at Walmart.

2. Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

The Ajinomoto Group is a Japan-based multinational food & biotech corporation that produces amino acids and has its operations in several business verticals that are focused on its food products and amino science businesses. The firm operates in 6 core segments – quick nourishment, sauces & seasonings, frozen foods, solutions & ingredients, electronic materials, and healthcare.

November 2022: Ajinomoto Co., Ltd. unveiled its better-for-you instant noodles brand ‘Ajinomoto Plus + Yum Yum’ in Thailand. The new product’s target customers were young children and claimed to consist of vitamins, such as A, B1, B2, B6, B12, and C.

3. ITC Limited

ITC Limited is an Indian conglomerate company that has its operations in different industries, such as packaging, hotels, FMCG, and agri-business. The company sells its noodles under its brand Sunfeast Yippee. The company is also launching new products to fortify its product range.

November 2020: Sunfeast Yippee announced the launch of Quik Mealz through its instant noodles segment. The new range was made to cater to the unique and evolving lifestyle needs of young customers that are seeking convenient eating options.

4. Nestle S.A.

Nestle is a reputed Swiss food conglomerate that sells around 2,000 products globally, with one of its most prominent brands being Maggi, an instant noodle brand. The company has its presence in nearly 186 countries and maintained its dominance in the market for years.

August 2019: Nestle India announced its plans to establish its 9^th factory in Sanand, Gujarat. The initial investment for this project was estimated to be USD 98.8 million over the next 2 years. This investment will help the company expand its production capacity for instant noodles.

5. PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk

PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk is one of the leading global companies that functions at different stages of food production, ranging from raw materials and their processing to consumer products. The company produces consumer-branded products, such as snacks, instant noodles, and food seasonings.

June 2020: PT Indofood Sukses Makmur announced the acquisition of Pinehill Company Limited, a producer of instant noodles in the Middle East and Africa. The deal was valued at USD 3 billion to extend its fast-growing markets for consumer products.

6. Tat Hui Foods Pte. Ltd.

Tat Hui Foods Pte. Ltd. is a Singapore-based company that produces instant noodles under the brand ‘Koka’. The company provides a wide range of instant noodles, such as KOKA Purple Wheat Noodles, KOKA Multigrain Cup Noodles, Koka Signature, KOKA Delight, and many others.

September 2022: Tat Hui Foods Pte. Ltd. unveiled the latest Koka Multigrain Baked Noodles, containing barley and oats, at the recently concluded FHA, Food & Beverage Asia 2022. The noodles were a part of the company’s brand KOKA.

7. Nongshim Co., Ltd.

Nongshim Co. Ltd. is a multinational food & beverage manufacturer in South Korea that operates in 6 domestic and 5 overseas plants globally. The company supplies its products, such as instant noodles, beverages, snacks, and convenience foods to nearly 100 countries.

July 2021: Nongshim revealed that it had introduced Shin Ramyun fried noodles. The noodles were first launched in Korea, followed by a global rollout. The company also executed a wide variety of large-scale marketing campaigns across Southeast Asia and China.

8. Capital Foods Pvt. Ltd.

Capital Foods is one of the fastest growing companies in India. It is committed to the Global Food Culture and making its several global flavors more accessible by curating, perfecting, and combining various culinary trends. Capital Foods sells several soups, masalas, noodles, sauces, and chutneys through its brand Ching’s Secret.

9. The Campbell Soup Company

The Campbell Soup Company is a U.S.-based processed food and snack manufacturing firm that produces several varieties of sauces, soups, broths, plant-based beverages, instant noodles, and chips. The company supplies convenient, affordable, and readily available foods & beverages.

10. Acecook Vietnam Joint Stock Company

Acecook Vietnam is a manufacturer of processed foods that produces instant noodles, rice, and vermicelli products. The company makes noodles in different flavors, such as pork rib, chicken, shrimp, and beef that come in different types of packaging, such as bowls, trays, and cups.

What is the future of the instant noodles industry?

The future of the industry is quite promising as more people are looking for convenient eating options that require minimal time to prepare. Given the hectic lifestyle followed by many young customers, the demand for these noodles will only see an upward trend in the future.