# Ramen Elevation Brands leverage post-purchase habits by elevating instant noodle ingredients. By [Rebecca Byers](https://www.trendhunter.com/becbyers), Insights Research at Trend Hunter | Published Jul 26, 2017 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ramen-elevation ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.5/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Ramen Elevation trend? **Ramen Elevation:** By transforming the experience of instant noodles with upscale flavorful additions, brands are accelerating the post-purchase customer practice of adding fresh ingredients by elevating the product altogether. This shift speaks to the opportunity for brands to accommodate new consumer behaviors in a way that champions and encourages such post-purchase habits in a way that also supports sales. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Sep 16, 2016 to Jul 20, 2017 - Published: Jul 26, 2017 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Ramen Elevation trend ### Upscale Instant Noodles Brands are elevating their prepackaged instant noodle flavors to create unique and upscale product offerings, showcasing the ability to create more than just simple flavors with affordable options. ### Gourmet Convenience Collaborations between gourmet restaurants and food and beverage producers are on the rise, with many businesses looking to bring affordable luxury to convenience and quick meal options. ### Tailored Convenience Designing food and drink packages to meet the needs of specific target markets creates disruptors in the industry, enticing consumers to try new flavors or types of meals. ## What the Ramen Elevation trend means for industry ### For Packaged Food Brands that produce packaged food and drink items are able to innovate in new ways, transforming prepackaged options in order to offer more unique and premium product choices for consumers. ### For Foodservice Collaborations between gourmet restaurants and food and beverage producers that result in packaged or convenience food offerings demonstrate disruption for foodservice industry norms, including how luxury foods are offered to consumers. ### For Design Designers who consider specific demographics when working on food and drink product packages offer a valuable contribution to altering traditional design approaches in the industry. ## Workshop question What post-purchase practice can you incorporate into your product offering in order to highlight such uses to new customers? ## Trend signals for Ramen Elevation Trend score 3.5 out of 10, from popularity 52%, activity 46%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 52% - Activity: 46% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Ramen Elevation trend 6 featured examples from Sep 16, 2016 to Jul 20, 2017. - [Instant Black Ramen Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-ramen): The Squid Ink Black Seafood Cup Noodles Have a Dark Broth (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunities to explore unconventional ingredients and flavors in the food and beverage industry. - [Upscale Instant Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cup-noodle-soup): This New Cup Noodle Soup Flavor Tastes of Abalone and Oyster Stew (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for food manufacturers to tap into the growing demand for high-quality instant food options. - [Gourmet Noodle Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cup-of-noodles): Nissin's Newest Cup of Noodles is a Convenient Michelin-Starred Meal (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry can benefit from collaborations with renowned restaurants to create exciting new products that appeal to consumers seeking unique culinary experienc… - [Crouton-Topped Soup Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soup-with-croutons): Bounissimo's Individual Meal Cups Pair Soup with Croutons (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food packaging industry can explore innovative ways to create convenient and attractive packaging for individual meal cups. - [Meat-Filled Noodle Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cup-noodle): Nissin's Special Cup Noodle Featues Ten Times the Meat Cubes Than Normal (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The trend of increasing meat content in instant noodle cups could disrupt the instant noodles industry by creating new product variations and attracting consumers looking for more… - [Ramen Clam Chowders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ippudo): Ippudo is Now Producing a Limited-Edition Clam Chowder Ramen (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Ramen restaurants can experiment with new soup hybrid creations like clam chowder ramen to attract a wider range of customers. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)