SBS Korean takes a look at where some of Australia's most well-known instant noodle brands make their product.
According to the World Instant Noodles Association, Australia ranks 19th on a chart of more than 50 countries for instant noodle consumption, with an estimated 390 million servings produced in 2017.
However, what you may not know is that some of the popular brands are manufactured overseas.
Maggi
Maggi is perhaps the most well-known manufacturer of instant noodles in Australia. The company was founded in Switzerland in 1884 when Julius Maggi took over his father’s mill.
The company was acquired by Nestle in 1947.
Decades on, it has developed into a global brand with manufacturing plants established across the world, including New Zealand, China, India, Malaysia and Brazil.
A Nestle spokesperson told SBS Korean that the Maggi instant noodles sold in Australia are made in Batu Tiga in Malaysia using Australian wheat.
The spokesperson said Maggi Masala Noodles sold in Australia were made in India.
Malaysia is Australia's fifth largest importer of instant noodles. Another popular instant noodle brand from Malaysia is MyKuali.
Source: Maggi Website
Fantastic Noodles
Fantastic Noodles is an Australian-owned brand however the noodles sold in Australian supermarkets are made in both Australia and Thailand.
The parent company, Fantastic Snacks, offers a wide range of products including numerous instant noodle types, crackers and fresh noodles.
Thailand is Australia's fourth largest supplier of instant noodles.
Source: Fantastic Noodles Website
Indomie
As its name suggests, Indomie is an Indonesian brand that combines "Indo" and the traditional word for noodles - “Mi”.
Established in 1969 by parent company Indofood, the brand became very popular and launched Indomie Mi Goreng - which literally means fried noodles - in 1982.
The company's Mi Goreng range includes a number of flavours, including Mi Goreng Ayam Bawang (Onion Chicken), Mi Goreng Soto (Soto), Mi Goreng Iga Penyet (Squeezed Ribs), Mi Goreng Cabe Ijo (green chilli), Mi Goreng Rendang (rendang), and Mi Goreng Pedas (spicy).
The brand runs Africa's largest noodle producing plant in Nigeria and controls more than 70 per cent of the country's noodle market.
Indonesia is the second largest importer for instant noodles in Australia.
Source: Indomie website
MAMA and Wai Wai
Besides Fantastic Noodles, MAMA and Wai Wai are other popular brands made in Thailand.
MAMA is manufactured by Thai President Foods, which is the country's largest instant noodle manufacturer.
Wai Wai noodles are produced in Thailand by Thai Preserved Food Factory.
Wai Wai noodles are pre-cooked and flavoured for packaging, so it can be eaten straight from the package or cooked in the form of soup.
MAMA noodles are sold in Coles Source: Supplied
Korean instant noodles
Korean instant noodles accounted for 3.2 per cent of international imports in 2015 - however, they account for around 13 per cent of the Australian instant noodle market.
South Korea is Australia's third largest import source for instant noodles.
Nongshim, the country's largest instant noodle manufacturer, established its Australian branch in 2014, however, a company spokesperson confirmed with SBS Korean that the noodles sold in Australia are still produced in Busan, South Korea.
Since it started exporting instant noodles to the US in 1971, the company has built five factories outside South Korea including in Los Angeles, Shanghai and Shenyang.
Their hero product, Shin Ramyun, has sold more than 1 billion packets since it was introduced in 1986.
Source: Nongshim website
Recently, South Korean brand Samyang Ramen has become popular among residents from Asian backgrounds in Australia.
In addition, Australians can also find other popular Korean ramen brands on supermarket shelves, such as Ottogi and Paldo.
Source: Samyang website
