Maruchan vs Sapporo Ichiban:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Maruchan had more branded searches than Sapporo Ichiban among instant noodle brands worldwide. Maruchan had about 74,000 branded searches, while Sapporo Ichiban had 12,100. Maruchan made up 7% of all instant noodle brand searches we track, and Sapporo Ichiban accounted for 1.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about instant noodle brands, Maruchan and Sapporo Ichiban each appeared in two of the five answers. Maruchan and Sapporo Ichiban were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Maruchan, about 6 searches for every 1 for Sapporo Ichiban
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 2 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.
Follow Maruchan vs Sapporo Ichiban and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top instant noodle brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Maruchan and Sapporo Ichiban were each mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Maruchan and Sapporo Ichiban 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 Maruchan or Sapporo Ichiban more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Maruchan and Sapporo Ichiban 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, Sapporo Ichiban. 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 Maruchan and Sapporo Ichiban comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Maruchan was ahead of Sapporo Ichiban in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sapporo Ichiban’s share of searches among instant noodle brands worldwide moved from 1.3% to 1.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 12.1K.
How did search popularity change for instant noodle brands worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Maruchan lost share of searches among instant noodle brands worldwide, from 8.5% to 7%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Maruchan’s and Sapporo Ichiban’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.
Maruchan
1 branded search term
- maruchan ramen
Sapporo Ichiban
1 branded search term
- sapporo ichiban
Other head-to-heads among instant noodle brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.