Ajinomoto Foods North America is making its debut at select Whole Foods Market locations across the United States, with a new line of frozen ramen meals. Available in three varieties featuring rich, umami-packed broths — Tonkotsu Pork, Shoyu Chicken and Miso Vegetable — the 8 oz (227g) products are offered for a suggested retail price of $7.99.
“We’re excited to launch our first products at Whole Foods Market and bring one of Japan’s most beloved noodle dishes to consumers in a more approachable way,” said Amy Shoemaker, the Ontario, California-based company’s vice president of CPG category marketing. “Drawing on more than a century of Japanese culinary expertise and our deep understanding of umami, we created products that deliver rich flavors in just minutes, making it easier than ever for consumers to enjoy a comforting bowl of ramen at home.”
Descriptions of the products follow:
• Tonkotsu Pork (pictured above) – silky and creamy pork broth with fine-cut noodles, topped with seasoned pork, cabbage, green onion, and garlic. Each includes a separate nori seaweed packet
• Shoyu Chicken – Soy sauce-based broth with rich chicken flavor and thin-cut noodles, topped with white meat chicken, spinach, and green onion. Each includes a separate nori seaweed packet.
• Miso Vegetable – Flavorful red miso-based broth with thick-cut noodles, topped with shiitake mushrooms, roasted corn and green onion. Each includes a separate nori seaweed packet. Meat-free.
As the leading Asian frozen noodle brand in the USA, Ajinomoto developed the new ramen line at the intersection of growing consumer interest in Japanese cuisine and increasing demand for convenient, high-quality meal solutions. Industry trends and internal insights indicate significant interest in Japanese street food and rising demand for ramen, particularly among younger consumers seeking culinary experiences at home.
Ajinomoto’s range is an authentic line of ramen offerings inspired by recipes that deliver a Japanese-style eating experience. The broths are based on traditional techniques, and the noodles are made using a proprietary approach which helps retain the springy texture expected in ramen. Combined with traditional-style toppings, these elements create a restaurant-quality ramen experience.
Guided by the company’s “Big Kitchen” philosophy of replicating traditional culinary techniques at scale, the ramen line reflects Ajinomoto’s commitment to quality and innovation. The products are made with ingredients containing no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, and each bowl includes all toppings and can be prepared quickly in microwave ovens.
