O'food's Real Kimchi Ramyun Heats Up Canada's Instant Noodle Market

TORONTO, ON – January 26, 2026 – The Canadian instant noodle aisle is getting a significant flavour upgrade. South Korean food conglomerate Daesang Corporation has officially launched two new premium ramyun products under its global K-food brand, O'food, at major national retailers including Costco and Loblaws. The new offerings, ‘Real Kimchi Ramyun Noodle Soup’ and ‘Real Fiery Kimchi Stir-fried Ramyun,’ are entering a booming market with a distinct competitive edge: they contain pouches of fresh, authentic kimchi, aiming to set a new standard for quality and taste in the convenience food sector.

This launch marks a strategic move by Daesang to capture a larger slice of the North American market, leveraging the explosive global popularity of Korean cuisine and a growing consumer demand for more authentic, high-quality meal options.

The K-Food Wave Hits the Instant Noodle Aisle

The arrival of O'food's Kimchi Ramyun comes at a pivotal moment for the Canadian food landscape. The Canadian instant noodle market, valued at over USD 5 billion in 2024, is on a steady growth trajectory, projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 6.8% through 2033. This growth is fueled not only by the need for convenient and affordable meals but also by Canada's increasing multiculturalism and an adventurous consumer base eager to explore global flavours.

Within this trend, the K-food wave has become a cultural and culinary force. Consumers are no longer satisfied with generic “Asian-style” flavours; they are actively seeking the specific, bold, and complex tastes of authentic Korean cooking. This has created a significant market opportunity for “premiumization” in the instant noodle category. Shoppers are increasingly willing to pay more for products that deliver a restaurant-quality experience with superior ingredients, moving beyond basic noodle bricks and powdered soup packets.

O'food's launch directly targets this discerning consumer. By integrating a core component of Korean cuisine—kimchi—in its freshest form, the brand is betting that authenticity will be the key differentiator in a crowded field dominated by established players like Nongshim and Samyang.

Beyond the Flake: A New Standard for Authenticity

What truly sets the new O'food ramyun apart is the inclusion of real kimchi from Jongga, Daesang’s sister brand and Korea's top-selling kimchi producer since 2007. Instead of the rehydrated, dried vegetable flakes commonly found in instant noodles, both O'food products come with a retort pouch containing fresh, crisp kimchi, delivering a depth of fermented flavour and a satisfying crunch that was previously unattainable in a quick-prep meal.

The two varieties cater to different preferences. The ‘Real Kimchi Ramyun Noodle Soup’ is designed to evoke the comforting, hearty flavour of a classic Korean kimchi-jjigae (kimchi stew). Its savoury broth balances the signature spicy and sour notes of kimchi, creating a rich and refreshing soup that aims for broad appeal.

For those seeking a more intense experience, the ‘Real Fiery Kimchi Stir-fried Ramyun’ offers a bold, saucy noodle dish. It combines the crunch of Jongga kimchi with O'food's own gochujang (Korean chili paste) and an aged habanero sauce for a multi-layered heat that is both powerful and pleasantly tangy. This product taps into the viral trend of spicy noodle challenges while offering a more complex flavour profile.

A Strategic Play for North American Shelves

The Canadian launch is a calculated step in Daesang Corporation's broader strategy for global K-food dominance. A food manufacturing giant with a history dating back to 1956 and a trailing 12-month revenue of over USD 3 billion, Daesang is methodically expanding the footprint of its O'food and Jongga brands. This move into Canada follows a successful rollout in the United States, where the products are already available in major retail channels such as Costco, Kroger, H Mart, and Amazon.

By leveraging its vertically integrated supply chain—using kimchi from its own leading brand, Jongga—Daesang creates a unique selling proposition that is difficult for competitors to replicate. This strategy allows the company to control quality from farm to shelf and market a product that is genuinely differentiated.

To support the launch and build brand recognition, O'food is deploying a comprehensive local marketing campaign. The strategy includes traditional media and outdoor advertising alongside more grassroots efforts, such as product sampling events at major Canadian universities and K-food festivals. This direct-to-consumer engagement is designed to educate palates and build a loyal following.

"Our two new Kimchi Ramyun products are distinguished by the use of real Kimchi, which delivers a crunchy texture and rich fermented flavor," said Seungin Jung, Head of Global Discovery Business Organization at Daesang, in a press statement. "We will continue expanding our distribution channels so that Canadian consumers can enjoy Korean-style Kimchi Ramyun more easily and conveniently at nearby retailers such as Costco and Loblaws."