Maruchan vs Wai Wai:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Maruchan and Wai Wai were level in searches among instant noodle brands worldwide, with an estimated 74K branded searches each, at 7% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about instant noodle brands, Maruchan appeared in two of the five answers and Wai Wai in none.
Who do people search for more?
Maruchan and Wai Wai are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Maruchan, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Wai Wai in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Maruchan, the only one of the two named
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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. Wai Wai did not appear in any of the five answers.
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 Wai Wai more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Maruchan and Wai Wai 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, Wai Wai. 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 Wai Wai comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Maruchan was ahead of Wai Wai 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, Wai Wai’s share of searches among instant noodle brands worldwide moved from 5.3% to 7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 49.5K to 74K.
How did search popularity change for instant noodle brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Wai Wai overtook Nongshim to rank 4th among instant noodle brands worldwide, with 7% of the searches.
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 Wai Wai’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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