Samyang vs Wai Wai:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Samyang had more branded searches than Wai Wai among instant noodle brands in New Zealand. Samyang had about 8,280 branded searches, while Wai Wai had 380. Samyang made up 36.4% of all instant noodle brand searches we track, and Wai Wai accounted for 1.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about instant noodle brands, Samyang appeared in four of the five answers and Wai Wai in none.
Who do people search for more?
Samyang, about 22 searches for every 1 for Wai Wai
Who does AI mention more?
Samyang, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Wai Wai in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Samyang, 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, Samyang was mentioned in four out of five: in all 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- Samyang4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Nongshim4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Maggi3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Nissin3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Ottogi2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Wai Wai0 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 in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best instant noodle brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best instant noodle brand in New Zealand for quick meals?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best instant noodles”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ramen noodles nz”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Samyang or Wai Wai more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Samyang and Wai Wai by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven instant noodle brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Samyang, Wai Wai. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Samyang | Indomie | Nongshim | Maggi | Nissin | Ottogi | Wai Wai |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 38.6% | 19.3% | 19.5% | 16.8% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 1.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 39.3% | 20.7% | 18.8% | 16% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 1.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 35.8% | 22.2% | 21.4% | 14.9% | 2.4% | 1.4% | 2% |
| Jan 2026 | 35% | 20.9% | 21.5% | 16.9% | 2.6% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 36.8% | 22.6% | 18% | 16% | 2.7% | 1.9% | 2% |
| Mar 2026 | 31.5% | 24.4% | 21.6% | 15.7% | 2.8% | 2.1% | 1.9% |
| Apr 2026 | 33.4% | 22.9% | 20.7% | 16.3% | 2.8% | 1.9% | 2% |
| May 2026 | 30.9% | 23.3% | 20.8% | 17.1% | 3.8% | 2.2% | 1.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 31.1% | 22.8% | 21.6% | 17.2% | 3.4% | 2.2% | 1.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 32.9% | 20.2% | 22.3% | 16.2% | 3.6% | 3.2% | 1.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 33.6% | 20.7% | 21.2% | 16.8% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 1.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 36.4% | 23.1% | 18.7% | 15.7% | 2.5% | 2% | 1.7% |
How has the Samyang and Wai Wai comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Samyang was ahead of Wai Wai in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Samyang’s share of searches among instant noodle brands in New Zealand moved from 38.6% to 36.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.4K to 8.3K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wai Wai’s share of searches among instant noodle brands in New Zealand moved from 1.6% to 1.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 350 to 380.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand instant noodle brands in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Samyang gained share of searches among instant noodle brands in New Zealand, from 33.6% to 36.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
10 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Samyang’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.
Other head-to-heads among instant noodle brands
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