Customers look at a collection of ramyeon, or Korean instant noodle, at CU Hongdae Sangsang branch, also known as Ramyun Library, in Mapo District, western Seoul, Dec. 5, 2023. Yonhap
Walking into the Ramyun Library in Hongdae is like discovering a paradise for noodle enthusiasts.
"This feels like noodle heaven!" said Ana, a 23-year-old German student, expressing her excitement in Korean.
The newly opened CU Hongdae Sangsang Store in Mapo District, western Seoul, has transformed into a culinary hotspot with an eye-opening collection of more than 200 varieties of ramyeon, also stylized as ramyun. The store draws a diverse crowd — from solo ramyeon aficionados to groups of friends — all eager to explore its vast array of options.
Launched by CU, one of Korea's leading convenience store chains, Ramyun Library presents a concept that redefines the convenience store experience.
Opened on Dec. 4, 2023, the store's focal point is a striking 100-compartment display rack dedicated solely to packaged ramyeon, or Korean instant noodles.
The vast display features a curated collection of 105 packaged ramyeon, including 90 popular options such as "Shin Ramyun" and "Buldak Ramen (Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen)," alongside 15 international choices such as Japanese instant ramen and Vietnamese pho. With an additional 120 types of cup ramyeon, Ramyun Library boasts a record-breaking 225 variations of the product.
Ramyeon, distinct from its Japanese cousin ramen, specifically refers to Korean instant noodles characterized by a generally spicy flavor and the inclusion of dried vegetables.
Customers take a photo of Ramyun Library's curated instant noodle selection in Mapo District, western Seoul, Dec. 5, 2023. Yonhap
Catering to universal palates
To accommodate newcomers to ramyeon, the store incorporates a user-friendly feature by indicating the spiciness level of each noodle variant alongside its price. The spiciness level of each variety is marked on a 5-tier scale — Mild, Medium, Hot, Very Hot and Hell.
Beyond just browsing, customers are also treated to an on-the-spot tasting adventure as they receive disposable paper bowls and wooden chopsticks after purchasing their chosen ramyeon. Conveniently, a ramyeon cooking machine on the opposite side of the display allows customers to prepare the noodles simply by pressing a few buttons.
Adding to the experience, the store provides instructions for delectable ramyeon combinations on cup ramyeon-shaped bar tables. The suggested ingredients range from cheese and eggs to dumplings and canned tuna — all available in the store.
Maintaining the essence of a convenience store, Ramyun Library also offers general items such as small kimchi portions, various sweets, snacks and alcohol on the side.
The store's novel concept attracts locals and tourists alike.
A YouTuber encountered in the store on Jan. 24, who wished to remain anonymous, chuckled about the irresistible allure of tasting the diverse ramyeon offerings.
"I initially came here for a simple look-around review of the store, but now, considering the wide variety available, it seems nearly impossible not to try at least one."
Customers enjoy ramyeon at CU Hongdae Sangsang branch, a convenience store specializing in ramyeon at Mapo District, western Seoul, Dec. 5, 2023. Yonhap
Ramyun Library has swiftly become another must-visit place in Hongdae, charming visitors with its unparalleled variety of the globally famous Korean instant noodles.
According to a male employee on duty, the store sees "a high influx of customers, with the place being packed during both lunch and dinner times on both weekdays and weekends."
Since its grand opening, Ramyun Library has been welcoming an average of 600 to 700 visitors daily. Last December, sales reached an impressive 15,000 ramyeon packets, surpassing 500 packets per day, marking a 10-fold increase compared to other convenience stores.
The store caters to diverse palates, with customers treated to different flavors, from spicy to mild and options featuring meat and seafood. The top five best-selling ramyeon varieties at the store include "Budae-jjigae (Spicy Stew) Ramen," "Chamkkae (sesame) Ramen," "Cream Jin Jjambbong" (creamy and spicy seafood noodle), "Spicy Jang-kalguksu" (pepper paste non-fried noodle) and "Jin Jjambbong" (spicy seafood noodle).
International clientele dominate the scene, constituting 62 percent of total ramyeon sales at the store, surpassing the 38 percent held by domestic customers.
Foreign patrons tend to purchase an average of 3.4 ramyeon packets per visit. This gap is attributed to international customers procuring additional ramyeon packets as souvenirs following their in-store dining experience.
People enjoy Shin Ramyun served in cups at Times Square in New York City. Courtesy of Nongshim
Roots of popularity
The widespread appeal of Ramyun Library seems to stem from the "Hangang ramyeon" trend, where enjoying ramyeon by the Han River became a cultural phenomenon. Here, people enjoy making ramyeon right on the spot with special machines found in convenience stores along the riverbank.
The practice of eating ramyeon by the river gained significant attention through popular K-content, such as variety shows "Home Alone" and "Running Man." The portrayal of on-site instant cooking and leisurely consumption struck a chord with both locals and tourists, inspiring many to follow suit.
Despite a temporary decline due to COVID-19 restrictions, the trend of cooking ramyeon using the machine transcended borders, becoming a must-try experience for tourists.
This trend is now extends to Ramyun Library in Hongdae.
A 25-year-old Chinese national working in Korea who loves to visit the Hongdae area, revealed her intentions to visit Ramyun Library "as soon as possible."
"In my experience, 'Hangang ramyeon' tasted way better than ordinary ramyeon... I'm not sure whether the outdoor eating or the cooking machine does the trick, but it sure has a unique vibe," she said, declining to give her name.
"I guess Ramyun Library will have that vibe too, so I'm willing to go try it out in the near future."
Jjapaguri / Courtesy of Nongshim
Korean ramyeon, which celebrated the 60th anniversary of founding in 2023, is experiencing unprecedented success in exports, surpassing 1 trillion won in 2023. This success has been bolstered by the international recognition of the Korean wave, or hallyu, and its depiction of ramyeon.
To name a few, the Oscar-winning film "Parasite" generated a buzz back in 2019 by featuring Jjapaguri, or translated into "ram-don," a combination of two different instant noodles Chapagetti and Neoguri. As "Parasite" took the spotlight during the U.S. winter awards season, various adaptations of the ramyeon recipe gained popularity on a global scale as well.
Moreover, Jungkook from the global K-pop sensation BTS delighted fans by sharing his original ramyeon recipe named "Bulguri," after the renowned "Buldak Ramen" and Japanese udon-style Neoguri. This culinary creation sparked enthusiasm among global fans eager to try out the recipe.
As ramyeon and Ramyun Library continue to captivate taste buds, Hwang Ji-seon, head of the processed food products team at BGF Retail, which runs the CU convenience store chain, emphasized the company's strategic vision.
"In line with K-ramyeon's ascent as a representative force in K-food exports, we designed this unique convenience store to showcase K-ramyeon to the world. CU remains committed to leading convenience store trends, and we will constantly strive to offer customers distinctive experiences with this iconic dish," Hwang said.