Nongshim vs Samyang:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Samyang had more branded searches than Nongshim among cup noodles brands in New Zealand. Samyang had about 4,470 branded searches, while Nongshim had 2,550. Samyang made up 32.1% of all cup noodles brand searches we track, and Nongshim accounted for 18.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cup noodles brands, Nongshim appeared in all five answers and Samyang in two. Nongshim was mentioned before Samyang in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Samyang, about 75% more searches than Nongshim
Who does AI mention more?
Nongshim, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Nongshim, named ahead of Samyang in every answer
Follow Nongshim vs Samyang 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 cup noodles brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Nongshim appeared in all five answers. Samyang was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Nongshim was listed before Samyang in every answer.
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
Maggi3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Samyang2 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
See every answer about cup noodles brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cup noodles brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cup noodles brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cup noodles brand in New Zealand for quick lunch?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best cup noodles”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“instant noodles brand”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Nongshim or Samyang more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Nongshim and Samyang by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six cup noodles brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Samyang, Nongshim. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Samyang | Indomie | Nongshim | Maggi | Nissin | MAMA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 29% | 25% | 20.7% | 18.9% | 5.5% | 0.87% |
| Nov 2025 | 31.8% | 24.9% | 20.2% | 17.2% | 5% | 0.96% |
| Dec 2025 | 28.8% | 26.3% | 22.5% | 15.6% | 5.8% | 1.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 26% | 26.4% | 22% | 19.2% | 5.5% | 0.97% |
| Feb 2026 | 27.7% | 29.3% | 18.7% | 17.4% | 6.1% | 0.84% |
| Mar 2026 | 22.5% | 30% | 22.7% | 16.4% | 7.1% | 1.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 25% | 28% | 20.7% | 18.6% | 6.7% | 0.92% |
| May 2026 | 21.5% | 29.9% | 21.2% | 18.2% | 8.1% | 1% |
| Jun 2026 | 22.1% | 27.2% | 22.9% | 19% | 7.7% | 1% |
| Jul 2026 | 27.1% | 22% | 24.1% | 17.6% | 8.2% | 1% |
| Aug 2026 | 25.5% | 26.1% | 21.8% | 17.2% | 8.3% | 1.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 32.1% | 25.9% | 18.3% | 16.3% | 6.4% | 1% |
How has the Nongshim and Samyang comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 4 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Nongshim took it in March 2026, Samyang took it in April 2026, Nongshim took it in June 2026, Samyang took it in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nongshim’s share of searches among cup noodles brands in New Zealand moved from 20.7% to 18.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.6K to 2.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Samyang’s share of searches among cup noodles brands in New Zealand moved from 29% to 32.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.7K to 4.5K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand cup noodles brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Samyang overtook Indomie to become the leader among cup noodles brands in New Zealand, with 32.1% of the searches.
In September 2026, Nongshim lost share of searches among cup noodles brands in New Zealand, from 21.8% to 18.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
11 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Nongshim’s and Samyang’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.
Other head-to-heads among cup noodles 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.