# Clothing Brand Instant Noodles Uniqlo Noodles Can Keep Consumers Warm All Winter By Ell Smith | Published 2021-01-21 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uniqlo-noodles References: [hypebae](https://hypebae.com/2021/1/uniqlo-nissin-heattech-donbei-instant-cup-noodles-snack-collaboration-price-release-date-japan) & [nissinfoods](https://nissinfoods.com/) It's not unusual for clothing brands to think outside of the box when it comes to collaborations, but a [Uniqlo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uniqlo-and-anya-hindmarch) X Nissin collaboration which resulted in Uniqlo noodles, may be its most unexpected partnership yet. Partnering with the Japanese comfort food retailer was a clever move for the apparel brand, who are promoting their [HEATTECH](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heart-of-lifewear) products. Inspired by this, the idea behind the [instant noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kpop-demon-hunters-2) is that, like Uniqlo's apparel, they keep consumers warm all winter. As a result, the noodles arrive in two flovor profiles, they have been dubbed: HEATTECH Donbei Meita-style Ankake Udon, and the HEATTECH Donbei Pork Dashi Ankake Soba. The instant noodle cups retail for just under $2 USD a piece. Image Credit: Nissin ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 40% | Activity: 48% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Collaborative Branding:** The Uniqlo X Nissin partnership showcases how clothing and food brands can work together for unconventional marketing strategies. - **Functional Food:** The Insant Noodle HEATTECH Donbei products demonstrate a growing demand for foods that provide functional benefits, such as keeping consumers warm. - **Branded Convenience Foods:** The launch of Uniqlo noodles suggests that many clothing brands may consider releasing their own line of convenience foods. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fashion:** The fashion industry can leverage its brand identity by partnering with food companies to create new product lines, and expand its market reach. - **Food & Beverage:** The food and beverage industry should consider catering to consumer demand for functional and unconventional convenience foods. - **Marketing & Advertising:** The Uniqlo and Nissin partnership demonstrates a unique marketing opportunity for marketing and advertising agencies to expand their strategies to cross-disciplinary brand collaborations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Collaborative Soup Branded Outerwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/campbells-x-parks-project-winter-warmth.md) - [Branded Warm Clothing Donations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heart-of-lifewear.md) - [Instant Ramen-Inspired Bedding Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cup-noodle-bedding-set.md) - [Ramen Culture Streetwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xlarge-x-takumi.md) - [Restaurant-Inspired Instant Noodle Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/itsu-noodles-broth.md) - [Chili-Infused Noodle Packets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nissin-hot-spicy-fire-wok.md) - [Instant Korean Cuisine Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/namdong-instant-noodles.md) - [Playful Designer Knitwear Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uniqlo-and-anya-hindmarch.md) - [Quirky Pasta-Defying Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/national-noodle-day-initiative.md)