Maruchan ramen has been loved and appreciated by families around the world for years.
In fact, it’s become a staple food for many households, and it’s not uncommon to have a steady supply in our pantries.
However, it’s seemed to get harder to come by, and has even disappeared from some stores entirely. This has led many people to wonder, is Maruchan ramen discontinued?
In this article, we’ll cover everything that you need to know!
Is Maruchan Ramen Discontinued?
No, Maruchan ramen has not been discontinued. However, the company has been suffering from supply chain problems, making it more difficult to meet the demand of consumers.
Maruchan ramen has experienced a surge in demand in recent years, and the company has not been able to keep up with the amount of ramen being sold.
Unfortunately, this has led to some grocery stores and retail chains dropping the ramen for alternative companies, who are better able to maintain supply of their food.
However, you don’t need to worry – Maruchan is working hard to increase their supply, and distribute their products to stores as quickly as possible. So, even if you are having a hard time finding Maruchan ramen in the grocery store right now, it shouldn’t be long before it’s back on store shelves.
Where Is Maruchan Ramen Sold?
Just because you can’t find Maruchan ramen in one store, doesn’t mean it’s discontinued. You may need to visit another store, that still has the item in stock.
Some major retail chains that sell Maruchan ramen include, but are not limited to:
- Walmart
- Save Mart
- Walgreens
- Safeway
- Target
- Caseys General Store
- Kum & Go
- Fareway Store
- Meijer
- Kroger
- Fred Meyer
- Haggen
Of course, being one of the most popular ramen brands, it’s likely that even smaller, local grocery stores will still carry it.
Therefore, shop around and you’re sure to find Maruchan ramen in stock somewhere!
When Will Maruchan Ramen Come Back?
Thankfully, Maruchan ramen is working to get all products to stores as soon as possible, and it’s become easier and easier to find as time has gone on.
Rest assured that any issues regarding the supply of Maruchan ramen are not due to the wishes of the company – they certainly want to ensure all stores are stocked with their products as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to know when exactly everything will return to the shelves. This can vary not only by product, but also by the store and the local demand in your area.
Most stores restock their items frequently (with some popular chains like Meijer restocking their shelves daily), so it really is just a matter of time.
Of course, many stores also stock alternate brands if you’d like to try those out as well!
What Flavors Of Maruchan Ramen Have Been Discontinued?
Although Maruchan ramen itself has not been discontinued, a few select flavors have.
Usually, this is due to low sales numbers, or the prioritization of more popular flavors.
A few examples of Maruchan products that have been discontinued are:
- Tomato flavored ramen
- Instant wonton
- Oriental flavored ramen (note that this has simply been renamed to the ‘Soy Sauce’ flavor. However, it is the exact recipe and taste as the oriental flavor sold previously – the only difference is the name change.
Is Panda Ramen A Worthy Alternative?
In many Walmart locations, Maruchan ramen had been replaced with another ramen brand called Panda. But is this a worthy alternative, and what do most people think about it?
Unfortunately, if you’re used to the taste of Maruchan ramen, it appears that you may not like the Panda alternative.
Many people have complained that noodles leave an awful smell, and while the taste isn’t quite as bad as the smell, many people don’t seem to like it.
While Maruchan ramen has received an average rating of 4 and a half stars on Walmart’s website at the time of writing, comparable Panda flavors have only received an average of 2 stars out of 5.
Therefore, it’s clear that most people prefer Maruchan ramen, when given the choice between the two.
That being said, it may still be worth giving the Panda ramen a try, simply to see what you think. If you don’t like it, you certainly don’t have to purchase it again!
Conclusion
Maruchan ramen hasn’t been discontinued, and will be returning to more stores soon.
Due to an increase in demand as well as global supply chain issues, Maruchan simply hasn’t been able to maintain the stock they’d like to.
However, we’re happy that this delicious dish won’t be going anyway anytime in the near future.
I hope that you’ve found this article helpful. If you have any other questions about shopping, please ask them using the comment form below.
Wishing you the best,
– James McAllister
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