Seoul: Samyang Foods Inc., the maker of the globally popular Buldak spicy ramyeon, has launched a new ramyeon product made with beef tallow for the first time in 36 years. This move is part of a growth strategy centered on its flagship spicy noodle line.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the company unveiled the new premium product, "Samyang 1963," describing it as a modern reinterpretation of its original ramyeon introduced more than six decades ago. The announcement marks a significant moment in Samyang's history, as its market dominance declined sharply in 1989 following rumors that the company used industrial-grade beef tallow in its noodles. Although the health ministry later confirmed the ingredient's safety for consumption, the incident severely impacted the company's brand image, leading Samyang to switch exclusively to palm oil for its products.

"Beef tallow was the ingredient that completed the authentic flavor of Samyang Ramen. Samyang 1963 is not a restoration of the past but a foundation for the future," remarked Samyang Foods Vice Chairman Kim Jung-soo at a product launch event. Kim emphasized that Samyang has grown into a global food company promoting Korean culinary culture worldwide, stating that this launch signifies "the beginning of another chapter of innovation."

In the first half of the year, Samyang Foods reported a 34 percent on-year increase in net profit, reaching 183.03 billion won (US$132 million), largely driven by strong overseas sales. Since its launch in 2012, the Buldak ramyeon has sold over 8 billion units, generating more than 4 trillion won in revenue. The product gained international fame after its extreme spiciness became a viral sensation in a food-eating challenge in 2014.