KOREA FOUNDATION

Korean food can be found in grocery stores in countries all around the world. While traveling, keep an eye out for these treats displayed in foreign packaging and lettering.

In Russia, one particular brand of ramyeon (Korean instant noodles) has enjoyed unwavering popularity, selling an aggregate total of over 5 billion packs. Considering that Russia has a population of about 150 million people, this means that each citizen on average eats at least two packs of this ramyeon a year. This quantity far outnumbers the brand’s sales at home. Perhaps this is because when the noodles first made inroads into Russia, they came in a mild chicken flavor that suited the tastes of the local people. Today, they’re also available in mushroom, seafood, and various other flavors.

Meanwhile, in Brazil, a melon-flavored green ice cream bar is quickly becoming the nation’s favorite. At first, the ice cream bars were available in only one region of the country, but as word spread, their popularity grew nationwide. The ice cream is so popular in Brazil that a Brazilian TV personality in Korea said he’d been surprised to find that the bars had even reached his hometown. Each bar costs 2.5 times its Korean price, but its popularity shows no sign of fading. Supply often fails to meet demand for the treat, and branded pop-up stores have also begun to appear.

Thanks to the iconic shape of its bottle, banana-flavored milk from Korea stands out anywhere. But when the drink was first introduced to China, it had to be sold in sterilized packs rather than bottles because of problems related to sell-by dates and refrigeration. Soon, the Chinese market was filled with many similar products. However, once the original bottle was approved and Chinese authorities recognized the Korean brand’s rights for its unique design, the Korean drink became tremendously popular.

Southeast Asia, and Cambodia in particular, has adopted one brand of Korean energy drink as its own. The drink is is seen everywhere, from downtown newsstands to billboard advertisements. It’s not particularly cheap, but is loved by all, young and old. Local additions to the product line-up include a sugar-free version as well as larger bottles with added ginseng or royal jelly, all of which have made the drink even more popular than ever.

All these Korean foods and drinks have successfully found their place in other countries. Let’s go out into the world and taste Korean treats that have crossed national borders and taken on new flavors.

Written by Kim Shinyoung

Illustrated by Jeong Hyoju

Ramyeon Ice Cream Milk Energy Drink