Samyang Foods is the Korean company that launched Korea's first instant ramen. Founder Jeon Jung-yoon imported ramen-making machinery from Japan and introduced Samyang Ramen in 1963, during a period of serious post-war food scarcity. The product was initially subsidised by the Korean government as an affordable alternative to rice, and laid the groundwork for the country's now multibillion-dollar ramyun industry.
The classic range includes Samyang Ramen, Yukgaejang, Sogokimyun (beef), Seafood, and Miso. Jjajang entries (Chacharoni, Samyang × Gonghwachun) bring Chinese-influenced black-bean noodles into the line-up. Budae Ramyun references Korea's "army stew" comfort-food tradition. Kimchi, Nagasaki Jjamppong, and a series of restaurant collaborations have broadened the domestic portfolio.
Internationally, Samyang is best known for the Buldak ("fire chicken") stir-fry family that debuted in 2012 and triggered a global spicy-noodle boom through viral video challenges. The Buldak format — dry noodles tossed with an oily, intensely capsaicin-heavy sauce — spawned variants including Cheese, Carbonara, 2×, and 3× Spicy. Export markets skew heavily toward these bold flavours, while the brand's domestic Korean shelf remains built on traditional broth soups.