Nongshim, South Korea’s leading instant noodle maker, is expanding its export focus to include snacks following a surprising spike in sales of its popular Banana Kick snack.
According to the food industry on June 1, Banana Kick exports to the U.S. surged by 69% in April compared to the previous month.
The increase came shortly after BLACKPINK’s Jennie introduced the snack on The Jennifer Hudson Show in March, calling it a beloved Korean treat.
Domestic sales also saw a notable boost. At GS25, a major convenience store chain operated by GS Retail, Banana Kick sales jumped more than 40% last month, with some stores experiencing temporary sell-outs due to the demand.
Riding this unexpected momentum, Nongshim is now doubling down on snack exports. The company launched a melon-flavored version, Melon Kick, in Korea and plans to roll out both Banana Kick and Melon Kick in the U.S., Japan, and China later this year.
Additionally, Nongshim is collaborating with popular dessert café chain Knotted, which opened its first overseas location in Los Angeles this April.
The café serves special items like Banana Kick Cream Donuts and Banana Kick Cream Lattes. The LA location has proven a hit, drawing over 30,000 visitors within its first month.
Compared to ramen, snacks are a tougher category for export due to fierce competition in local markets. In 2023, Nongshim’s snack exports totaled just $21 million—roughly one-tenth of its $179 million in ramen exports.
Still, the company sees strong growth potential. “The snack segment is the largest in the global processed food market,” a Nongshim spokesperson said. “We’re positioning snacks as our second core business and will actively invest in expanding this category.”
