3 days ago
5
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Can you guess where the Philippines ranks globally?
MANILA, Philippines – Whether it’s for convenience, affordability, or that unmistakable MSG umami goodness, instant noodles are a staple in many Asian households.
Quick to cook, these processed pantry staples have long been a go-to for people managing tight budgets — students included. But beyond affordability, instant noodle consumption in Southeast Asia has steadily grown over the years, reflecting cultural and economic trends.
A May 2025 report by the World Instant Noodles Association (WINA) reveals a demand ranking that shows which countries consume the most instant noodles globally, and Southeast Asia has a strong presence (unsurprisingly) in the top 10.
This comes over two months after WINA and global noodle makers pledged to make their products “healthier” for the public.
Asian domination
According to WINA’s chart, eight of the top 10 instant noodle-consuming countries globally are in Asia.
Instant noodles were first introduced in 1958 in Japan. Food company Nissin created the iconic “chicken noodles,” which is considered the first instant noodles, according to a WINA video. The product only needed hot water for it to be cooked within minutes.
Yet, Japan — also the birthplace of udon, soba, yakisoba, ramen, and more noodle dishes — isn’t the world’s top consumer.
China and Hong Kong top the list, with a combined total of 43.8 billion servings consumed in 2024. They are known for their beef-based and seafood-flavored soups.
Indonesia follows in second place globally with 14.7 billion servings consumed. India ranks third with 8.3 billion servings, while Vietnam takes the fourth spot at 8.1 billion. Rounding out the top five is Japan, with 5.9 billion servings.
The United States ranks sixth with 5.2 billion servings. The Philippines, also part of Southeast Asia, comes in seventh place globally, having consumed around 4.5 billion servings. South Korea ranks eighth with 4.1 billion, and Thailand, another Southeast Asian nation, follows at ninth with 4.08 billion servings. Nigeria closes the global top 10 list with 3 billion servings.
The only non-Asian countries on the list are the United States and Nigeria.
Southeast Asia represent
But who is the top consumer in Southeast Asia? The answer is Indonesia.
The home of Mie Goreng offers its most popular flavors of vegetable, chicken, and shrimp. The preference for such flavors reflects the larger Indonesian society, which is predominantly Muslim according to the Pew Research Center. These flavors are considered halal.
Vietnam is second in the Southeast Asian list, and also holds the number one spot as the “top country for instant noodles servings eaten per person,” according to WINA trivia. It is said that an average of 81 servings per individual is consumed, signifying that each person eats at least one serving of instant noodles every four to five days!
Third in Southeast Asia is the Philippines. The most prominent brand of instant noodles is pancit canton, which has a range of flavors — calamansi, chili-mansi, and sweet and spicy. Filipinos also love soup-based instant noodles, especially during the rainy season.
The last Southeast Asian nation in the top 10 ranking is Thailand, with famous noodle dishes like tom yum, Thai suki, and pad thai.
Cultural roots
The popularity of instant noodles in Asia isn’t just about convenience; it’s also tied to culture and history. According to WINA, long, thin noodles date as far back as 6th century China. Over time, globalization helped spread instant noodles from Japan throughout Asia and to the Middle East and Europe.
However, there have been many discussions regarding the health risks of instant noodles. MSG has been heavily scrutinized due to its high sodium content.
Yet, new studies suggest that MSG does not pose as many dangers as initially thought. The MSG scare is quite misinformed, tracing back to xenophobic sentiments made against the additive. A joint study conducted by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization placed MSG in the “safest food additive” category, as long as consumed in moderate amounts.
The affordability of the snack is appealing to many Filipinos, especially in today’s economy, but moderation should still be key. Nutrition experts say that what can lessen the fear of instant noodles is a balanced diet. – Rappler.com
Mikay Tormon is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Minor in Sociology at the Ateneo de Manila University.
