South Korea’s Mega-Hit “Shin Ramyun Toomba” Hits Convenience Stores Nationwide in Japan! A Thorough Look at the Evolved Package and Taste

The buzzy cup noodle that vanished from shelves the moment it was released in select Japanese stores last year is finally launching in earnest. Nongshim Japan will begin selling the “Shin Ramyun Toomba Cup” at convenience stores (Konbini) nationwide starting February 9 (Mon). Subsequently, sales will expand to other retail stores starting March 2 (Mon).

This cup noodle became a sensation primarily on social media, hailed as “a popular hack recipe turned into a product,” and recorded exceptional sales figures during its pre-sale period alone. For this nationwide launch in Japan, the product has been renewed with a “certain convenient function” that many fans have been waiting for, along with a more sophisticated package design. Let’s take a closer look at its evolved form, which goes beyond a simple re-release.

Achieving a First for Korean Ramen! The Rich, Creamy, and Spicy “Shin Ramyun Toomba Cup”

First, let’s explore why this product is garnering so much attention. “Shin Ramyun Toomba” is a “soupless noodle” dish that combines the unique umami and spiciness of Shin Ramyun with the rich flavors of fresh cream and cheese.

Originally, this was a modification recipe popular among Korean consumers. Born from the ideas of “Modisumers” (consumers who modify store-bought products to their own tastes), this menu spread globally via social media. It has a very modern origin story, having been officially turned into a product due to enthusiastic support.

In its home country of Korea, it recorded an explosive hit, selling 25 million units in just four months after its release. That wave rippled to Japan, where the pre-sale at select convenience stores last year recorded sales equivalent to over 1 billion yen (approx. 6.5 million USD) annually—an exceptional figure for a new product.

Even more valid is its high acclaim. In the “2025 Hit Product Best 30” announced by Japan’s influential trend magazine “Nikkei Trendy,” it ranked an impressive 18th, marking the first time a Korean ramen has received this award. Data shows particularly strong support from young women, centering on Generation Z, with the purchase ratio rising to about three times that of regular Shin Ramyun. Comments like “It’s spicy but creamy and easy to eat” and “The chewy texture of the noodles is exquisite” are common, indicating that it is capturing a demographic that isn’t typically fond of spicy food.

The details for the official launch are as follows:

• Product Name: Shin Ramyun Toomba Cup
• Suggested Retail Price: 300 yen (tax included)
• Release Date (Convenience Stores): February 9 (Mon)
• Release Date (Other Retailers): March 2 (Mon)
• Sales Area: Nationwide Japan
• Content: 113g / Noodles 85g
• Spiciness Level: 2.0 (Nongshim proprietary standard)

Considering that regular Shin Ramyun has a spiciness level of “2.5,” the “2.0” level indicates a milder finish. This exquisite balance of heat might be the secret behind its addictiveness, enhancing the richness of the cream sauce and inviting the next bite.

Goodbye to Poking Holes! The Long-Awaited “Jet Draining System” is Finally Here

The biggest news regarding this nationwide launch is undoubtedly the change in container specifications. Until now, the “draining hot water” step posed a slight hurdle when eating this product.

While common for Japanese “Cup Yakisoba,” making soupless noodles requires discarding the hot water. Due to heat resistance issues with the previous container, it was difficult to adopt the “peel back the seal to drain through mesh” mechanism familiar in Japan. Therefore, consumers were forced to use the somewhat analog and wild method of poking holes in the lid with chopsticks to drain the water.

However, this renewal has finally solved that issue. As a result of repeated improvements, the “Jet Draining System” has been equipped, allowing users to smartly drain water just by peeling off a sticker. This allows for comfortable cooking without the fear of burns or noodles spilling out. It may seem like a minor change, but for fans who eat it frequently, it is a revolutionary evolution.

The package design has also been refined. Previously, a “Yakisoba” icon was used, but to clearer define the product’s characteristics, it has been changed to a “RICH sauce” icon. This reflects the manufacturer’s desire for customers to fully enjoy the rich, pasta-like sauce.

Furthermore, the Shin Ramyun brand’s global catchphrase, “Spicy Happiness In Noodles,” has been newly added. This message, crowned with the initial for “Shin” (Spicy), expresses the desire to pack the joy brought by spiciness into a single cup of noodles. This logo, designed to be accessible to people outside the kanji-using world, can be taken as a sign of confidence from a brand loved across borders.

Is “Microwave Cooking” the Only Way? Two Methods to Maximize the Chewy Texture

There are two ways to make “Shin Ramyun Toomba Cup”: the standard boiling water method and the microwave method, which is popular in Korea. The manufacturer actually pushes the latter, microwave cooking, as their “recommendation.”

Heating it in the microwave cooks the noodles to the core, maximizing the chewy texture characteristic of Shin Ramyun. If you want to enjoy a resilient texture like handmade pasta, you should choose microwave cooking without hesitation. Of course, with the implementation of the Jet Draining System, the convenience of the hot water method has also improved significantly. Try using them according to your environment and preference.

Recommended! The Texture Transforms: “Microwave Cooking” Steps

• Completely peel off the lid (do not drain water yet). Take out the two types of powder soup packets from inside.
• Put only “Powder Soup 1” on top of the noodles.
• Pour boiling water (approx. 220ml) up to the inner line.
• Heat in the microwave. The guideline is 3 minutes 20 seconds at 500W, or 2 minutes 50 seconds at 600W.
• After heating, add “Powder Soup 2,” mix well, and it’s done.

Comfortable with Jet Draining! “Boiling Water Cooking” Steps

• Peel the lid halfway and take out the two types of powder soup packets.
• Pour boiling water generously until the noodles are covered (approx. 400ml).
• Wait 3 minutes, then peel off the “2” drain spout sticker on the lid.
• Hold the cup firmly and slowly tilt it to drain all the water.
• Now peel the lid off completely, and add both “Powder Soup 1” and “Powder Soup 2.”
• Mix well until there is no powderiness left, and it’s done.

Look for the “RICH sauce” Text on Convenience Store Shelves

With a proven track record from pre-sales and the seal of approval from the Nikkei Trendy award, “Shin Ramyun Toomba Cup” is fully prepared for its nationwide expansion. The fact that Nongshim Japan didn’t just re-release a popular item but improved the container for user convenience shows their level of commitment.

The fusion of Carbonara-like richness and the stimulating spice of Shin Ramyun is a flavor that is sure to become addictive once tasted. Especially if you haven’t tried the microwave method yet, please take this opportunity to experience the difference in texture. If you see the red package in the cup noodle aisle of a Japanese convenience store after February 9th, it might be the signal to “buy.”