Korean Ramyeon : 61 Years Of History

Korea’s First Ramyen Noodles Launched On September 15, 1963

It was from Samyang Food. Ramen was first developed to provide an easy and convenient alternative to rice as a staple food for Korea’s food shortages during the Japanese occupation and the Korean War.

Chairman Chun Joong-yoon, The Founder Of Samyang Food

Chairman Chun Joong-yoon, the founder of Samyang Food, imported two ramen machines from Myojo Food in Japan and began production. Chairman Chun Joong-yoon, the founder of Samyang Food, imported two ramen machines from Myojo Food in Japan and began production.

100 Won Of Happiness

It first appeared on the orange cover of chicken soup and products at a price of 10 won for 100 grams. It remained at this price and content for seven years, then gradually increased. This was when a cup of coffee cost 35 won. In 1981, ramyeon was priced at only 100 Korean won. At the time, it was still a very low price compared to 1,200 won for a bowl of gomtang (a traditional Korean soup made with beef bones and meat) and 1,300 won for a bowl of cold noodles. When ramyeon was first introduced, people were reluctant to eat it, but with the government’s policy of encouraging frugal eating, ramyeon, bread, and snacks all became popular together.

Advertisement for Samyang Ramyeon’s first ramen noodle launch in Korea

At First, People Were Reluctant To Eat The Ramyeon

When ramyeon was first introduced, people were reluctant to eat it, but with the government’s policy of encouraging frugal eating, ramyeon, bread, and snacks all became popular together. The idea of ramyeon, an instant noodle made from flour, being a full meal didn’t occur to people at the time. Koreans considered a meal complete with rice, soup, and side dishes. In addition, the twisted shape of ramyeon noodles was unfamiliar, and some people, thinking it was a kind of ‘cloth’ or ‘thread’, misunderstood the word ‘E* in the name of ramyeon(면).

*면: The word “H” can refer to noodles, but it also means “fabric” or “cloth” in Korean.

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