Ramdon noodles appeared in an interesting scene in the movie. That was when Mr. Park's family returned home after a day of camping and suddenly encountered rain and the housekeeper Kim had to rush to prepare a bowl of noodles for Mr. Park's son. Although it appeared very quickly in an urgent atmosphere, this special noodle dish quickly caught the "sights" of culinary enthusiasts because it was so unique and attractive.
Ramdon noodles, also known as Chapaguri noodles, is a combination of two popular noodles in Korea: black bean noodles Chapagetti and spicy noodles Neoguri. Chapaghetti and Neoguri are both instant noodles that are very familiar to Koreans. However, the filmmakers of Parasite cleverly showed the different "luxury" of Mr. Park's family in the film - when Mrs. Kim was asked to add to this dish a very expensive ingredient: Hanwoo beef, a type of domestic beef that is loved by Koreans and is a luxurious gift during the holidays.
“The dishes in Parasite are not just to satisfy the characters’ appetites, they are also metaphors for social stratification, reflecting director Bong Joon-ho’s satirical intent,” the Korea Herald said. “The unlikely mix comes from the wealthy mother’s desire not to let her son eat a cheap meal. That’s why expensive Hanwoo beef is added to the ramdon noodles.”
Chapagetti Black Bean Noodles and Neoguri Spicy Noodles
Hanwoo beef
Ramdon mixed noodles or Chapaguri noodles
GS25, South Korea's largest convenience store chain, reported a 61.1% increase in sales of Chapagetti black bean noodles and Neoguri spicy noodles the day after Parasite won the Oscars' top awards. Cup versions of the two ramens also increased 33.7% in a few days.
Nongshim, the maker of the two instant noodles, said sales of the two products increased by 60% compared to the previous week. Sales of the two noodles also increased slightly when the movie was released to domestic audiences in May last year.
Now, Nongshim is also capitalizing on the drama’s popularity to promote its products overseas. Shortly after Parasite’s win, Nongshim uploaded a ramdon recipe video to YouTube in 11 languages. A representative said the company is considering launching a full ramdon cup in the United States.
After Parasite's historic victory at the 92nd Oscars, not only ramdon noodles but also other dishes and drinks appearing in the film were sought after by many audiences.
In addition, thanks to the effect of Parasite, other foods and drinks appearing in the movie are also sought after by many people. The cheap beer Filite that appears in the scene where a poor family eats and drinks together also saw a sales increase of more than 20%. Retail chains in Korea did not miss this lucrative opportunity when they simultaneously reduced prices and offered many attractive incentives to customers when buying foods appearing in the movie.
Many fans also flocked to visit and take photos at the filming locations.
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Director Bong Joon-ho's film Parastie recently won four prestigious Oscars. It is the first Asian film to win Best Picture and the first foreign film to win Best Picture in the nearly 100-year history of the Oscars. The film's victory is attributed to its successful portrayal of the harsh divide between rich and poor in modern Korean society.
