Nongshim’s bestselling instant noodle Shin Ramyun received a facelift after 28 years in the market. The dough for the noodles is now more chewy, the company said, adding that this will keep the noodle keep from bloating as much in the soup. “We also will add more beef flakes in the soup for a deeper flavor,” a Nongshim spokesman said, adding that the spicy taste will stay unchanged. The design of the package also went through some changes to become simpler and more vivid. Nongshim hopes the rene

Lotte Confectionery, the country’s No. 1 snack maker, said it aims to become Asia’s largest snack producer by 2018 through aggressive mergers and acquisitions, in addition to building more local production plants. By adding Africa, the Middle East and European markets to its expansion plans over the next four years, the company expects to generate more than 7.5 billion won ($7.4 billion) in annual global sales. Further, it believes overseas sales will, for the first time, swing into the black th

Despite the ongoing political turmoil in Iraq, sales of oil the state-run Korea Gas Corp. is producing from oil fields in the region has grown over the past four years, the company said this week. As of this month, the gas giant’s accumulative sales of oil produced in the Zubair field near Basra of southern Iraq has exceeded 10 million barrels. “The turmoil in Iraq is occurring in northwestern Iraq, which is located a considerable distance from the Zubair field, so it has not disrupted our outpu

Unilever’s haircare brand Tresemme has released its Salon Silk shampoo and conditioner as well as its Smooth & Shine hair mask. The latest lineup contains Vitamin H, silk protein, argan oil and other ingredients that will help hair stay soft and moisturized. “We are targeting mainly women in their twenties and thirties who are more likely to keep straight, long hair,“ a Unilever spokesman said, adding that Tresemme products are less damaging for people with sensitive scalps because it does not c

Hyun’s latest visit raises hopes for resuming tours to Mount Geumgangsan

Restylane, a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler that helps reduce facial wrinkles and folds, has been rapidly expanding its customer base in South Korea. In 2013, sales reached 25 billion won ($24.3 million) here to account for almost 40 percent of the 64 billion won domestic cosmetic filler market. Korea is currently the third-largest market for the fillers, following China and Brazil.Galderma Asia-Pacific director Scott Mclennan (second from left) poses with Korean actress Uhm Ji-won (second

SABMiller Korea has released the canned version of its Dutch premium beer “Grolsch” priced at 3,800 won ($3.70) for a 500-milliliter can. Grolsch rapidly gained popularity for using two kinds of hops that helps it achieve a better aroma, according to SABMiller. Ingredients including molt and hops are all natural, and have been aged in a natural environment for eight weeks. Grolsch first gained recognition here for the bottled version that comes with its signature swing-top cap that eliminates th

CJ Foodville’s flagship bakery Tous Les Jours has released cream-filled Cool Bread as a summer item. Cool Bread comes in several flavors, including Cool Mango Bread, filled with mango cream. Cranberry Bread contains cranberry chunks while Blueberry Bread has blueberry, dried figs and walnuts. “We recommend customers first store the bread in a refrigerator for a short period of time,” a CJ spokesman said. Cool Breads will be offered at Tous Les Jours throughout the summer. (baejisook@heraldcorp.c

Nongshim Kellogg’s has released smaller packaging for its cereal products aimed for small households, the company said Tuesday. Special K Original, Frosted Flakes, Coco Chex and Almond Flakes will be packaged in 200-gram bags, about half the original size. “About 25 percent of households in Korea are now single-person. The new packaging will allow these households to enjoy cereal while worrying less about leftovers,” said a Kellogg’s marketing official. The smaller packaged cereals are available

Novartis Korea said it will resume sales of Theraflu, a tea-type cold and flu medicine. Theraflu, which was introduced to the Korean market in 2008, halted sales in 2012 due to a delay in registering with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety when it moved its manufacturing location to France from the U.S. Theraflu in Korea comes in the form of a lemon-flavored powder that is mixed with hot water. Two versions ― Daytime and Nighttime ― are available over the counter. (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)

Kiheung International opened a shop in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, dedicated to offering premium Pirelli tires.Located near Suwon Interchange, the 1,317-square-meter store is composed of a display shop, repair room and the largest Pirelli warehouse in South Korea. In the repair room is a 3-D alignment system enabling repairmen and owners to check tire conditions more accurately, along with a 3-D laser balancer as well as an automatic adapter that is used to speed up the tire-changing process, the

“You had me at hello” and “Nice boots, let’s go to my place” may be viewed as opposite extremes on the spectrum of dating dynamics. Korean employers and headhunters appear to subscribe to the latter. They select workers on obsolete premises without any relevance to the ultimate objective: healthy labor relations and productive workforce. Their job application forms screen applicants’ height, weight, eyesight, blood type, family finances, drinking habits, you name it. Some ask about shoe size to

SK Innovation on Tuesday launched its new company identity campaign, “Innovating Innovation.”Following successful predecessors such as “Thinking is Energy” and “Where There is Question is Innovation: ASK Innovation,” the campaign is delivering groundbreaking ideas on industry innovation and future growth, the country’s leading energy company said.Under the slogans of exploring the energy frontiers, pioneering the world of opportunities, developing future flagship technologies and sharing success

Korea Del Monte will present fruit bingsu, or ground ice with toppings, at small cafes in Seoul’s Sangsu, Itaewon and Seochon districts through the end of August.The bingsu, ranging from Malibu guava cocktail to gold pineapple sorbet, will be sold at the cafes Slow Recipe, Bella’s Homestay and Hello, Stranger. “We are hoping that the bingsu served will let people get acquainted with tropical fruits,” a Korea Del Monte official said. (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)

McDonald’s Korea is presenting the limited edition McSpicy Shanghai Deluxe, sold through Aug. 31. This is part of McDonald’s yearly McSpicy menu in Asia, the Middle East and South America.The McSpicy Shanghai Deluxe is a hamburger with a spicy seasoned chicken breast, two strips of bacon, onion, tomato and lettuce with a sweet and spicy onion sauce.The hamburger is priced at 5,000 won and the set menu with french fries and a soda is 6,200 won. As part of the McLunch series served between 10:30 a