Nongshim Co., the largest instant noodle maker in South Korea, has become the first Korean food company whose brand can be found in all of Walmart`s 4,692 locations across the United States, the company announced on Wednesday.

After signing a contract for direct transactions with Walmart for the first time in the Korean food industry in 2013, Nongshim has expanded its product supply around metro-region stores, and recently completed its presence at small-town stores.

Shin Ramyun sales at Walmart are increasing by 30 percent each year.

Nongshim plans to expand its presence beyond Walmart to smaller retail shops, convenience stores and supermarkets across the U.S.

The Korean company also said it will upgrade its fulfillment center near Chicago dedicated for supplying Walmart to shorten the delivery period from three days to one day on average.

"Nongshim is actively increasing sales by running special booths for local consumers at large U.S. retailers including Walmart, Costco, and Sam`s Club," said Shin Dong-yeop, president of Nongshim America, adding "we will overtake Japanese brands in the next couple of years.”

Shin Ramyun is the first instant noodle product also available at canteens of major U.S. government agencies including the Capitol and the Pentagon.

In May of last year, Nongshim met the qualifications to sell Shin Ramyun and other noodle products at seven U.S. government agencies.

By Baek Sang-kyung

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