Trends

Why Korean Ramyun and K-Beauty Are Growing in India: What the Export Numbers Show

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AI-generated plain paper cup of instant noodles with steam and chopsticks on a convenience-store counter, with thin white lines and the handwritten note one cup, big trend.

AT A GLANCE

Exports to India
$16.8 billion in Jan–Aug, up 30.8%
Noodles
Up 54.7% in Jan–Jul
Beauty
Up 19.2% in Jan–Jul (mostly cosmetics)
Ramyun
$13.44 million in H1, up 62.7%
Goal
$50 billion in Korea–India trade by 2030

Korean ramyun and cosmetics are growing fast in India. Korea’s exports to India reached $16.8 billion in January–August, up 30.8%. Within that, noodle exports rose 54.7% and beauty products 19.2% in January–July. Checked on 2026-10-07.

The hero image is AI-generated and is not a photo of a real product or store.

The numbers

These come from KOTRA data reported by Herald Business (in Korean).

  • Exports to India, Jan–Aug: $16.8 billion (vs. $12.84 billion a year earlier), up 30.8%
  • August alone: $2.34 billion, up 47.3%
  • Noodle exports (ramyun and similar), Jan–Jul: up 54.7%
  • Beauty exports (mostly cosmetics), Jan–Jul: up 19.2%

On ramyun alone, Etoday reports first-half 2026 exports of $13.44 million, up 62.7%. That is about a third of Korea’s agri-food exports to India and roughly 80% of their growth.

Marker illustration of a noodle bowl and a cream jar with an upward arrow, labeled exports up

Why is Korean consumer culture rising in India?

No single reason explains it. Reports and analysts point to these:

  • The Korean Wave spread: Korean dramas and K-pop reached across India through streaming after the pandemic, according to a Hankyung column.
  • A young market: India’s median age is in the late 20s and about half its people are under 30, which analysts see as open to new culture.
  • Promotion by government and companies: At a K-Food Fair in New Delhi at the end of July, 20 agreements worth $950 million were signed. KOTRA also plans a K-beauty exhibition at Cosmoproof Mumbai in December and promotions with a large Indian retailer (Newspim).

How to read the numbers

Export growth is not Indian shoppers’ purchases. It shows how much was shipped from Korea. How much sold in India is a separate question.

  • The periods differ. Total exports cover January–August, noodles and beauty January–July, and ramyun the first half. Don’t compare them directly.
  • Semiconductors drive the total. Chip exports in August 1–25 were $690 million, up 177.5%. Consumer goods are not the main driver of the overall rise.
  • Food is still small in dollars. First-half agri-food exports to India were $40.63 million (up 18.9%). The periods differ from the $16.8 billion total, so it is not an exact ratio, but the gap is huge.
  • This is a summary of statistics, not investment advice.

How to follow the trend from Korea

Wrapping up

Ramyun and cosmetics growing in India is one snapshot of the Korean Wave in statistics. For now it shows shipments, not shop sales, so the real-world result and long-term trend are still worth watching.

Sources

Checked on 2026-10-07. The figures are preliminary and may be revised. The Korean Wave background was checked through search summaries.