MAMA vs Maruchan:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Maruchan had more branded searches than MAMA among instant noodle brands worldwide. Maruchan had about 74,000 branded searches, while MAMA had 40,500. Maruchan made up 7% of all instant noodle brand searches we track, and MAMA accounted for 3.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about instant noodle brands, Maruchan appeared in two of the five answers and MAMA in one. MAMA and Maruchan were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Maruchan, about 83% more searches than MAMA
Who does AI mention more?
Maruchan, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, MAMA in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.
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Top instant noodle brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Maruchan was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. MAMA was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. MAMA and Maruchan were each listed first in one of the two answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Indomie5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Nongshim5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Nissin5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Samyang4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Maruchan2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Sapporo Ichiban2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- MAMA1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Maggi0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Wai Wai0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Ottogi0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about instant noodle brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which instant noodle brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best instant noodle brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best instant noodle brand for quick meals?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best instant noodles”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“instant noodle brands”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is MAMA or Maruchan more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for MAMA and Maruchan by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten instant noodle brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Maruchan, MAMA. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Maggi | Indomie | Maruchan | Wai Wai | Nongshim | MAMA | Samyang | Nissin | Sapporo Ichiban | Ottogi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 39.3% | 32.1% | 7.9% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 3.5% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 39.4% | 32.2% | 7.9% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 3.5% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 39.8% | 32.5% | 8% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 43.1% | 28.8% | 8.7% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 3.9% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 42.8% | 28.6% | 8.6% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.4% | 28.3% | 7% | 4.7% | 8.5% | 3.1% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.93% |
| Apr 2026 | 39% | 31.9% | 7.8% | 5.2% | 6.4% | 3.5% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1% | 1% |
| May 2026 | 43.2% | 28.9% | 8.7% | 5.8% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 0.95% | 0.95% |
| Jun 2026 | 39.5% | 32.3% | 7.9% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 38.8% | 31.7% | 9.5% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 1% | 1% |
| Aug 2026 | 42% | 28.1% | 8.5% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.93% |
| Sep 2026 | 42.8% | 28.6% | 7% | 7% | 4.7% | 3.9% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.94% |
How has the MAMA and Maruchan comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Maruchan was ahead of MAMA in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MAMA’s share of searches among instant noodle brands worldwide moved from 3.5% to 3.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 33.1K to 40.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Maruchan’s share of searches among instant noodle brands worldwide moved from 7.9% to 7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 74K.
How did search popularity change for instant noodle brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Maruchan lost share of searches among instant noodle brands worldwide, from 8.5% to 7%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for MAMA worldwide rose 22.4% over 12 measured months, from 33.1K to 40.5K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MAMA’s and Maruchan’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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