Exhibiting at Thaifex - Anuga Asia 2025

Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Fukuoka, Japan, Marutai Co., Ltd. is a pioneering force in the Japanese instant noodle industry. Famous for its innovative "stick-type" non-fried ramen, Marutai is committed to delivering authentic regional ramen flavors to both domestic and global markets. The company blends traditional Japanese culinary culture with modern food technology to maintain superior taste, shelf stability, and global appeal.

Core Business

Marutai is engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of instant noodle products, specializing in non-fried stick ramen, cup noodles, Sara Udon, and instant Champon. Unlike conventional fried noodles, Marutai’s stick-type ramen uses a non-frying process that preserves flavor while reducing oil content, enhancing the product's health profile.

Product and Service Offerings

Marutai's product portfolio is centered around regionally inspired ramen lines and convenience noodle meals:

• Stick Ramen Series

  • Marutai Ramen (original non-fried ramen)
  • Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen
  • Kumamoto Tonkotsu Ramen
  • Kurume Tonkotsu Ramen
  • Kagoshima Kurobuta Tonkotsu Ramen
  • Nagasaki Champon

• Cup Noodles

  • Nagasaki Champon Cup
  • Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen Cup

• Sara Udon Series

  • Nagasaki Sara Udon (Crispy noodles with thick sauce)

• Seasonings & Add-ons

  • Soup bases
  • Dry toppings and sauces

These products are sold in both B2C retail formats and B2B export packs, catering to supermarkets, convenience stores, e-commerce channels, and foodservice providers worldwide.

Specialization and Core USP

Marutai’s primary innovation is the stick-type non-fried noodle, developed to address growing health concerns around fried instant noodles. The process retains authentic noodle texture while extending shelf life, making it suitable for global export.

Their product development emphasizes regional authenticity, with each SKU replicating the flavor profiles of Japanese ramen districts like Hakata, Kurume, and Kumamoto. Marutai is also known for its high-fidelity soup bases, crafted using proprietary techniques that deliver restaurant-quality broth at home.

Financials

As a publicly listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE: 2917), Marutai's financials are transparent:

• Annual revenue (FY2023): ¥8.76 billion JPY (~$59 million USD)
• Operating profit (FY2023): ¥384 million JPY (~$2.6 million USD)
• Export sales account for approximately 18% of total revenue, driven by increasing global demand for Japanese ramen.

International Shipments and Export Records

According to trade intelligence platforms (ImportYeti, Volza):

• Over 4,000 documented international shipments from 2019 to 2024
• Major markets: United States, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany
• Consistent demand from Asian supermarkets, Japanese restaurants, and specialty food distributors
• Key exported SKUs: Hakata Tonkotsu Stick Ramen, Nagasaki Champon, and Kurume Ramen

Marutai also offers OEM production for global private labels and has halal-certified SKUs for the Southeast Asian market.

Target Market

• Retail Consumers via grocery stores, convenience chains, and e-commerce platforms
• HORECA and foodservice buyers seeking authentic Japanese ramen components
• Distributors and importers of Japanese and Asian specialty products
• Health-conscious consumers preferring non-fried noodle options

Capabilities

• Non-fried noodle production lines with high capacity and precision
• R&D center focused on regional flavor development and functional foods
• Global export logistics with multi-lingual packaging and documentation support
• BRC and FSSC 22000 certified facilities ensuring international compliance

Certifications and Compliance

• FSSC 22000 Food Safety Certification
• BRC Global Standard for Food Safety
• Halal Certification for selected SKUs
• Full compliance with EU, FDA, and ASEAN food safety standards

Customer Testimonials

"Marutai’s ramen captures the authentic taste of Japanese regional broths in an instant format. It’s a staple product line for our Asian groceries."
— Import Director, Japanese Food Distributor, California

"We chose Marutai as our OEM partner for non-fried ramen due to their technical excellence and consistent quality control."
— Private Label Brand Manager, Southeast Asia

Major Achievements

• Inventor of the stick-type non-fried ramen in Japan
• Products featured on NHK, TV Tokyo, and multiple international food expos
• Export growth of over 45% between 2020 and 2024
• Recognized as a Top 100 Food Manufacturer in Japan’s Kyushu region
• Official partner for local Japanese tourism boards to promote regional ramen styles abroad

Marutai Co., Ltd. continues to lead innovation in the ramen category with health-conscious, high-quality instant meals that resonate with global consumers seeking the essence of Japanese cuisine.