When it comes to taking Korean ramyeon home, the deciding factor is the toppings

To cut to the chase: cup noodles can go in your suitcase even if they contain meat extract or dried meat. A ministerial ordinance revision on July 1, 2026 relaxed the rules for bringing in instant foods. The long-held assumption that "anything with meat extract gets stopped at animal quarantine" now varies by product type.

That said, not everything is now free to bring in. The dividing line is the toppings (kayaku) in bagged ramen. For bagged ramen that you simmer in a pot, it's OK if the meat component is only in the soup, but still NG if there's meat in the toppings. In other words, before you grab something off the mart shelf, you only need to check two things: "cup or bag?" and "where does meat appear on the ingredient label?"

Below is a rundown of the rules, plus the rankings of 8 popular varieties taste-tested by the Rurubu&more. editorial team, arranged in the order you'd put them in your shopping basket.

Cup or bag? That alone decides 90% of it

Whether you can bring it in is determined by the combination of "① cup noodles or bagged ramen" and "② whether the meat component is in the soup or the toppings." Organized according to the non-designated criteria (rules allowing exceptional import) set by the Animal Quarantine Service, it looks like this.

Item	Cup noodles	Bagged ramen (simmered in a pot)
Meat component in soup	OK	OK
Meat component in toppings (kayaku)	OK	NG
Judgment at the store	Instant decision by type alone	Ingredient label check required

Why do only cup noodles get through?

Cup noodle toppings fall under "items completed simply by adding hot water to the container" [Criterion 31], so they can now be brought in even if they contain dried meat and the like. The soup clears as a seasoning in which solids are not permitted [Criterion 21]. In other words, the line is drawn not by the contents but by the cooking method.

Meanwhile, bagged ramen simmered in a pot is outside the scope of Criterion 31. That's why it can't be brought in if the toppings contain any meat component. If meat extract is only in the soup, it's treated as a seasoning [Criterion 21], same as cup noodles, and can be brought in. Remember that with bagged ramen, all you need to check is whether there's meat in the toppings, and you won't get stuck at the store.

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We can't say it's 100% guaranteed to pass. The quarantine officer has the final say

Let me be honest here. There are cases where different criteria apply, such as when the meat in the toppings is retort-pouch processed. Quarantine criteria can be revised without notice, and the final decision is made by the quarantine officer on site.

There's one safe strategy: upon arrival, declare at the quarantine counter and have them check it before customs inspection. The latest information is available on the official website of the Animal Quarantine Service. Open it on your phone before buying — it speeds up your decision at the mart.

You might think "if I ask, they'll confiscate it," but it's the opposite. Bringing it in without declaring and getting caught is far messier. Showing the box at the counter takes a few dozen seconds, and that's the end of it.

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[Taste test] The editorial team compared 8 varieties. No. 1 is Sari Gomtang Myun

The Rurubu&more. editorial team picked 8 products that clear the import criteria for Japan — 3 bagged ramen and 5 cup ramen — and taste-tested them all. The judges were three Korea-loving, spice-tolerant editorial staffers, N, I, and K. Taste was scored out of 10 points per person, for a maximum of 30 points. Spiciness is indicated relative to the classic Shin Ramyun rated at ★3.

The top 3 came out as follows.

1. Sari Gomtang Myun (Nongshim)｜Total: 27 points. Zero spiciness. A white soup made by slowly simmering beef bones — even people who can't handle spicy food can drink it down to the last drop. It's also known as a favorite of BABYMONSTER's Ahyeon.
2. Ansungtangmyun (Nongshim)｜Total: 25.5 points, spiciness ★★★. Same spice level as Shin Ramyun, a super-classic Korean staple with a rich miso-based flavor.
3. Sesame Ramen (Chamkke Ramyun / Ottogi)｜Total: 25 points. Featuring the aroma of sesame oil and freeze-dried egg, it's the type most familiar to Japanese palates.

Lining them up, what becomes clear is that the top picks win on "aroma," not "spiciness". Beef bone, miso, sesame oil. When you can't gauge the spice tolerance of the person you're giving a souvenir to, choosing along this axis rarely misses.

The right souvenir basket: mostly cups, check labels on bags

Putting the rules and taste tests together, the answer for how to shop becomes clear. First, make cup noodles the star for both gifts and yourself — it's safe and easy. Since import eligibility is decided by type alone, you don't have to stare down ingredient labels at the store.

Then, if there's a bagged ramen you absolutely want to bring home, just check the contents of the toppings. No dried meat, no problem. For products you can't judge, it feels better not to force it home and instead eat it at your hotel in Korea. Buying it at the mart and boiling water that very night — that's one of the joys of a trip to Korea too 🍜

One packing tip: cup noodle containers crush easily, so put them in the middle of your suitcase surrounded by clothes. Bagged ramen is flat, so it's great for filling gaps.

Summary

With the ministerial ordinance revision on July 1, 2026, cup noodles can now be brought home regardless of whether the meat component is in the soup or the toppings. Bagged ramen is OK if the meat component is only in the soup, NG if there's meat in the toppings. Remember that one line, and you'll spend zero time agonizing at the mart.

If you're choosing by taste, the zero-spice, crowd-pleasing Sari Gomtang Myun was the editorial team's top pick. And since the final decision rests with the quarantine officer on site, if there's any product you're even slightly unsure about, declare it at the quarantine counter upon arrival. That's the surest way to get it through ✨

FAQ

Can I really bring home any cup noodles?

With the ministerial ordinance revision on July 1, 2026, cup noodles can be brought in regardless of whether meat extract or dried meat is in the soup or the toppings. However, there are cases where different criteria apply, such as when the meat in the toppings is retort-pouch processed. Since the final decision is made by the quarantine officer on site, have any products you're unsure about checked upon arrival.

Which bagged ramen products are NG to bring home?

Bagged ramen of the simmer-in-a-pot type where the toppings (kayaku) contain a meat component is NG. If meat extract is only in the soup, it's treated as a seasoning and can be brought in. Just check the toppings section of the ingredient label before purchasing and you'll be able to judge.

When should I declare at the airport?

After arriving in Japan, declare at the quarantine counter before going through customs inspection. Show the product and the quarantine officer will decide on the spot, so it only takes a few minutes. Since quarantine criteria can be revised without notice, checking the latest information on the Animal Quarantine Service's official website before your trip gives extra peace of mind.