Samyang Foods, the maker of the globally popular Buldak ramen, has expanded into the macaroni and cheese category with the launch of Buldak Mac & Cheese, marking the company’s first entry into the segment.
The new range combines traditional mac and cheese with Buldak’s signature spicy flavour profile and will be introduced in two variants — Sweet Corn Buldak Mac & Cheese and Carbonara Buldak Mac & Cheese. The products will be available at Walmart stores from May through late fall.
According to Youngsik Shin, CEO of Samyang America, the company sees an opportunity to modernise the long-standing pantry staple by blending comfort food with globally inspired flavours.
“Traditional Mac & Cheese has remained unchanged for decades, leaving a massive opportunity for a product that speaks to the modern palate,” Shin said in a statement.
The launch builds on the explosive popularity of Buldak noodles, which have become a viral sensation on TikTok through the “Buldak Noodles Challenge,” where users record their reactions to the noodles’ intense spice levels. The trend has generated more than 251 million posts on the platform and has gained strong traction among Generation Z and Generation Alpha consumers.
The US has emerged as the biggest market for Buldak instant noodles. According to reports, Americans accounted for the majority of the one billion Buldak ramen packets sold globally during the second half of 2025.
Samyang Foods’ sales reportedly surged to $419 million last year, up sharply from $50 million three years earlier, refle