Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
Discontinued Korean food products return to strong demand
Korean food companies are bringing back discontinued products as consumers show strong demand for familiar favorites.
Nongshim’s 볶음너구리 noodle product, first launched in 2017 and discontinued in 2024, returned this year after customers asked for it.
Its 48,000-pack preorder sold out in two hours, and some shops have continued to run out since regular sales began.
Lotte Chilsung’s Captain Q liquor also sold out its 12,000 limited-edition sets within a day of leaving the factory.
Other revived products have also sold well, including Nongshim Ramen and Samyang 1963.
Reissues can reduce the risk and cost of launching new products because companies can reach people who already know the brands, while younger customers may see them as new.
Nongshim’s revived noodles are now on sale online and in stores, though some outlets have sold out.
Discontinued Korean food and drink products are returning to strong demand, with some selling out soon after their relaunch.
Nongshim’s revived Stir-fried Neoguri noodles sold out their 3,000-set preorder allocation in two hours.
Lotte Chilsung Beverage’s limited-edition Captain Q liquor sold out its 12,000 sets at the factory in one day.
Other revived products include Nongshim Ramen, Burger King’s Long Chicken Burger and Mom’s Touch menu items.
Companies are bringing back familiar products to use established brand recognition and reduce the risks of launching new products during an economic downturn.
- Who
- Korean food and drink companies, including Nongshim and Lotte Chilsung Beverage, are relaunching products. Consumers are buying them in large numbers.
- What
- Discontinued or revived products are seeing strong sales, sellouts and high demand.
- When
- The reported relaunches and sales took place during 2026, with examples dating back to products first launched as early as 1963.
- Where
- South Korea, through online and offline retailers, convenience stores and food-service chains.
- Why
- Companies are using products with established recognition and customer loyalty to attract buyers and reduce the risks of launching new products.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Samyang first launched Samyang Ramen, whose flavor was later reinterpreted in Samyang 1963.
Nongshim first launched Nongshim Ramen.
Lotte Chilsung Beverage launched Captain Q; production was discontinued in 2015.
Nongshim launched Stir-fried Neoguri in 2017 and discontinued it in 2024.
Captain Q returned as a limited edition, and its 12,000 sets sold out at the factory in one day.
Stir-fried Neoguri’s 3,000-set preorder sold out in two hours; regular sales began on the 27th.
- Stir-fried Neoguri preorder
- 3,000 sets sold out in 2 hours
- Captain Q limited edition
- 12,000 sets sold out at the factory in 1 day
- Captain Q at CU
- 10,000 individual units sold
- Nongshim Ramen
- 26 million units sold since its relaunch
- Samyang 1963
- 21.8 million units sold through September
- Long Chicken Burger
- 3 million units sold through the 28th
What people are saying
For consumers who remember the product, it brings back memories and nostalgia; for those encountering it for the first time, it offers a different kind of fun.
From a company’s perspective, it can be one way to safely generate sales during a downturn.
For consumers, there can be the pleasure of encountering a product from the past again, while for young consumers, it can feel fresh because it is something they have not tried.