A viral video comparing Shin Ramyeon sold in South Korea and Japan has sparked outrage among Korean consumers, with many alleging “ramen discrimination.”
“Even if you travel to Japan and ask what kind of Shin Ramyeon it is, it tastes different because it has more noodles,” the video uploader who is reportedly from Japan noted. ” I didn’t notice much of a difference in flavor,” but added, “the Japanese version definitely had more noodles in the small cup.”
“Ramen discrimination”: Netizens expressing their dissatisfaction noted that the price gap between the Korean and Japanese versions has narrowed due to currency fluctuations, with the Japanese Shin Ramyeon now being cheaper. This has led to accusations of “reverse discrimination” against Korean consumers. Others have called for greater transparency and fairness in product composition and pricing.
Nongshim’s response: In response to the controversy, Nongshim, the maker of Shin Ramyeon, explains the difference in ingredients is a strategy to compete with local Japanese cup noodles.
“The Japanese market tends to have a large amount of noodles in cup noodles,” an official from Nongshim explained. “Nongshim, as a latecomer, has changed the noodle ratio to increase its competitiveness in the local market.” He also touched on the…
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