Latest news with #spicyfood
CNA
11-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Commentary: Why Samyang Buldak instant noodles is an US$8 billion tariff-proof brand
HONG KONG: When it comes to instant noodles, there's no Korean discount. Only a Korean premium. Samyang Foods, the manufacturer of Buldak ramen, has gained 93 per cent this year. Trading at 26 times forward earnings, it boasts US$8.1 billion market cap, as much as bigger rivals Japan's Nissin Foods and Korea's Nongshim combined. This rally has also made chief executive Kim Jung-soo, who married into a conglomerate family and turned around the instant noodle company after it declared bankruptcy in the late 1990s, a rare billionaire in her own right in the country's male-dominated business world. Buldak, which translates to 'fire chicken' in Korean, is not for the fainthearted. With its debut in 2012, Samyang introduced a level of spice previously unseen in the instant ramen market. It has roughly the same heat level as jalapeno peppers. Last year, Denmark briefly recalled the fiery ramen for being too spicy. SOCIAL MEDIA FASCINATION Perhaps because of its 'seriously extreme spice,' Buldak has become an object of fascination for social media influencers who might enjoy truth-or-dare antics. The carbonara version, in particular, resembles the boxed macaroni and cheese Americans grew up with – with a kick. In May, the number of TikTok hashtags related to Buldak surged 250 per cent from last year, according to CLSA, a brokerage. The keyword leaps up on Google trends, too. As these ramen packs go viral online, they fly off supermarket shelves. In the first quarter, revenue in the United States jumped 20 per cent quarter-on-quarter, even as sales at Walmart declined slightly due to a Buldak Carbonara shortage. This is nonetheless music to investors' ears: Unrequited love can be a beautiful thing. Upon the completion of a second plant in Miryang in June, Samyang will soon be able to ramp up shipments to major distributors including Costco. By 2030, Samyang's market share in the US could double from 8.1 per cent in 2024, according to CLSA estimates. PARALLELS WITH POP MART AND LABUBU In many ways, there are parallels between Samyang and China's Pop Mart, the maker of Labubu, an elf-like plush toy that has become a global sensation. With US$45 billion market cap, the toy maker is worth more than twice as much as Sanrio and Mattel combined, owners of long-time favourites Hello Kitty and Barbie. These products are not for everyone. With pointy ears and nine serrated teeth, Labubu has a weird look, which only some consumers find cute, while others scratch their head and puzzle over its stardom. Existing outside the mainstream, both generate conversation and attract eyeballs. They are designed to go viral. Investors are also betting that unlike older generations, young Americans have the adventurous spirit for something different. These days, people are getting hooked on Korean specialty grocery chain H Mart, quite a cultural shift considering cucumbers were a new vegetable for the McDonald's US menu just over a decade ago. And the youth are friendlier to China than their parents. IShowSpeed, a streamer with 38 million followers, certainly enjoyed Chinese cars and robots during his two-week trip in the spring. TARIFF-PROOF BRANDS As for US President Donald Trump's trade policies? Investors are not at all worried, seeing that both brands are tariff-proof. In the US, eating out has become an expensive endeavour. A meal at a fast-food restaurant can easily set you back US$10. Instead, staying at home with a bowl of Buldak ramen, which will cost just over US$2 even with the incremental 25 per cent duty Trump plans to impose on South Korean products, can be equally satisfying. As for Labubu, good luck getting your hands on them at all. They are sold out at Pop Mart's retail stores worldwide. In a year's time, Gen Z and influencers might have moved on to something different. But for now, investors are happy to reward Samyang and Pop Mart with outsized valuation premium. They know that despite Trump's protectionism, young people are interested in exotic tastes and aesthetics, and that's worth billions.
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
New Mini Cheddars flavour lands on shop shelves and it's perfect for fans of spice
A POPULAR crisp brand is spicing things up with a limited-edition summer range. The collaboration between Jacob's and Frank's RedHot sees three well-loved crisps get a revamp. 3 3 Frank's RedHot is bringing a unique twist to three of Jacob's iconic crisps: Mini Cheddars, Crinklys and Bites. The new year-long, limited-edition range is set to hit shelves nationwide on Monday July 14. With 53 per cent of the population saying they prefer spicy food, the new collaboration seems set to impress shoppers. Spicy foods have also seen a surge among savoury snacks, making it the perfect time to try out the new range. Frank's RedHot offers a range of hot sauces, making it a great topping whatever the occasion. Whether you want a sweet chilli sauce for your chicken or a more daring Xtra Hot sauce, they have a versatile range of products, no matter your spice tolerance. Now, they're taking their great flavour and adding it to a beloved crisp for an irresistible treat. It uses their cayenne pepper original sauce to give an extra kick to your savoury snacks. A description for the Mini Cheddars x Frank's RedHot reads: "Cheese meets spice, what could be better?" It combines the iconic Mini Cheddars with the flavourful heat of Frank's RedHot in its usual baked (never fried) "cheesy, crunchy perfection". Their crinkly design helps pack even more flavour into the bite-sized snack. You can make school cake in the air fryer with just 6 ingredients - it's ready in minutes & perfect for an after-school snack The description says: "Every bite is packed with irresistible flavour and just the right amount of spice." And finally, the Bites snacking cracker is great for pairing with cheese and dips, especially with an added kick. "Baked for an amazing crunch, Bites take the snacking experience to sensational new heights," a description reads. Each variety of crisps retails for £2. Kate Stokes, the marketing manager at pladis UK&I said: "We know that the UK's love of spice is here to stay, particularly among young snackers. "So as shoppers continue their hunt for bold and exciting flavour innovations, we're incredibly excited to be kicking things up a notch with Frank's RedHot, introducing not just one, but three of our deliciously baked snacks in their spiciest form yet. "Our crispy and crunchy savoury snacks are heating up just in time for summer, making them the perfect accompaniment to hangouts between friends and family, or an irresistible treat just for yourself.' Rachel Pitman, head of partnerships and eCommerce EMEA at Frank's RedHot said: "We're thrilled to combine the unmistakable flavour of Frank's RedHot with the iconic crunch of Jacob's. "This partnership elevates every snacking occasion by kicking taste up a notch! As demand for bold taste grows, we can't wait for fans to try this exciting new range.'
Forbes
06-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Celebrate National Fried Chicken Day With These Clucking Good Deals
fried chicken , And crispy spicy foods Whether you prefer to stop by your local diner or pull out the cast iron skillet…fried chicken lovers, rejoice. Today is all about your favorite dish. Sunday, July 6, is National Fried Chicken Day. In a survey conducted by YouGov, fried chicken consistently ranked as one of the most popular American Dishes amongst men, women, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers. In other words, fried chicken is an it girl. Where To Find National Fried Chicken Day Deals Look no further than one of the fan-favorite restaurants for some delicious deals to feed the whole family this Sunday! Bojangles' Supreme Dinner As a Carolina girl, I can't help but celebrate our state's pride and joy for fried chicken, Bojangles. And this week, there's something extra special to celebrate…Bo is turning 48. For a limited time, customers can receive a free Bo's Chicken Sandwich with a minimum purchase of $5 at any participating location from July 6 to 11. Don't miss out on this exclusive offer! Popeye's 3 Piece Combo You may love Cajun spices, but Popeye's is cooling things down with special National Fried Chicken Day deals. To celebrate, enjoy a 3-piece Signature Chicken for only $5! This tasty offer is perfect for fried chicken fans and won't empty your wallet. Popeyes Rewards Members can also get a free 6-piece Spicy Bone-In Wings when they purchase any wings order, valid through July 22. This promotion applies to all wing orders, including the 3 for $5 Signature Chicken deal. Crispy chicken offered at Bonchon If you've never had Bonchon, you're missing out. Currently, customers can get $5 off any purchase of $15 or more when they order through the restaurant's app or Be sure to use promo code GET5OFF at checkout for the savings! Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich While you may think of those famous chargrilled burgers, Burger King also has a pretty solid chicken sandwich. To celebrate National Fried Chicken Day, the chain is offering a free Royal Crispy Chicken sandwich with a purchase of $1 or more for its loyalty members. If you really love chicken, you'll have even more to celebrate later in the month as National Chicken Finger Day (July 27) and National Wing Day (July 29) are on the way!
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
How your hot sauce could trigger a heart attack or even kill you - and the type experts say NEVER to touch
Experts have warned of the deadly risks of eating extremely spicy food, claiming that for high-risk people, hot chillis act like 'a bomb in the stomach'. Compounds in some chilli plants can cause blood vessels to constrict, dramatically raising blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the risk of heart attacks. According to Dr Allan Capin, an urgent care physician at the Cleveland Clinic, this is a particular risk for people with an enlarged heart and congenital heart defects. Dr Capin's warning comes amid the emergence of a viral video in which a young man collapsed after a single bite of 'the world's hottest curry'. The clip, which has been watched six million times on X, sees a man—identified only as Daniel—fleeing the restaurant The Bengal Village in East London, moments after trying the dish. The restaurant's owner, Mr Raj, is seen telling Daniel he will soon recover, and urging him to drink a mango lassi. The potential health dangers of eating extremely hot chillies is due to high levels of capsaicin, the component that gives it the heat. While experts noted it is rare to die from high levels of capsaicin, it's not impossible. The latest video emerged two years after the shock death of Massachusetts teenager Harris Wolobah, 14. He suffered a fatal heart attack in September 2023, after eating the alleged spiciest crisp in the world, as part of a social media challenge. An autopsy found that the student suffered from an underlying heart condition that was exacerbated by the huge dose of capsaicin. Dr James Udelson, chief of cardiology at Tufts Medical Center, previously said that a 'significant stimulation of the heart,' from for example, eating extremely spicy food, could result in abnormal blood flow and irregular heartbeats. 'There have been reports of acute toxicity with capsaicin causing ischemia (abnormal blood flow) of the heart muscles,' he added. However, scientists are unsure exactly how much capsaicin is enough to cause a fatal reaction as it can also vary by individual. Spicy foods and ingredients are usually ranked by what is known as the Scoville Scale. For example, 'Pepper X'—the world's hottest chilli—scores nearly 2.7million on the scale. In contrast the humble jalapeno scores a mere 5,000. Experts say there is no defined point on the Scoville scale where consuming an item gets dangerous. However, generally the higher you go the stronger the adverse effects such as acid reflux, digestive issues and even potentially fatal heart issues. There have been documented cases where people have been hospitalised such as one man who ate at least four chillies that ranked around one million on the Soville Scale. Experts broadly recommend people steer clear of hot sauces that boast being the 'hottest in the world'. Some of the sauces that have been highlighted are The Last Dab Xperience and The End: Flatline, which are available on Amazon. More than 90 per cent of the Last Dab Xperience's ingredients include dried, fresh, or distilled Pepper X. Meanwhile, the The End: Flatline showcases a flatlining EKG, which happens when the heart stops beating, on its label. It's description says: 'This is a warning, and a real warning, not like some of the funny, we-only-sorta-mean-it warnings on our other hot sauces: This is our hottest hot sauce.' Experts have previously warned about spicy food after people posted videos of themselves eating extremely hot chillies on TikTok. One video posted by @Ramizeinn, who has 16.3m followers, sees him eat several ghost chillies before glugging down a carton of milk and visibly looking in pain. In another video, posted by @peteypappi, who has 658,000 followers, sees two people go attempt to eat the peppers but give up halfway through. Dr Duane Mellor, a dietitian at Aston University in Birmingham, warned eating these hot chillies could trigger digestive problems and, in extreme cases, even raise the risk of cancer. That's because spicy foods are known to trigger acid reflux — when stomach acid travels towards the throat. 'If this goes on for a long time, it can result in changes to our oesophagus and may increase risk of cancer,' said Dr Mellor. This was the findings of a 2022 study that revealed high spicy food intake can increase your risk of oesophageal cancer.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Shocking footage captures terrifying medical emergency that hit man after one bite of the 'world's hottest curry'
A viral video has captured the alarming aftermath of an extreme spicy food challenge—after a young man nearly collapsed from just one bite of what's been dubbed the 'world's hottest curry.' The clip, viewed more than six million times on X, shows the man—identified only as Daniel—fleeing the restaurant moments after trying the dish. He is then found slumped on the pavement outside, shirtless and clearly overwhelmed by the effects of the curry. The dish is served at The Bengal Village in East London, where staff attempted to reassure him. The restaurant's owner, Mr Raj, is seen telling Daniel he will soon recover, and urging him to drink a mango lassi. Mr Raj said in the video: 'I promise you will be alright, you have ten minutes to recover. After having that mango lassie you will be fine. 'It will cool your insides, your liver and throat. I am not a doctor but please listen to me and have the drink.' The curry, which costs £22, is made with a complex mix of rare and potent spices. According to the owners, the ingredients alone cost £50. Man tries "hottest curry in London" and almost passes out — NO CONTEXT HUMANS (@HumansNoContext) June 20, 2025 Diners who manage to finish the entire dish within 15 minutes are rewarded with a free meal for their whole table. But a warning on the restaurant's website reads: 'We take no responsibility for any after effects.' Spicy food can cause pain due to capsaicin, the active compound in chilli peppers. When consumed, capsaicin binds to receptors in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach lining, triggering a burning sensation. This activation of pain receptors can prompt the body to release endorphins, providing temporary pain relief. However, it may also lead to uncomfortable side effects such as abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches and heavy sweating. Florida-based emergency medic Dr Capin explained to the Cleveland Clinic that some people are more sensitive than others. He said: 'Some people are naturally more tolerant of spice because of genetics. They are just born with fewer receptors for capsaicin, which gives them a built-in tolerance for heat.' The doctor added that excessive consumption of extremely spicy food can, in rare cases, be fatal. 'The hottest peppers, like ghost peppers, can kill you. But it's highly unlikely,' says Dr Capin. 'You would have to eat a huge amount of them. For instance, if you weigh 150 pounds, you would have to eat 3 pounds of ghost peppers to cause a deadly reaction.' The news comes after a similar incident at the same East London curry house just weeks ago. Viral clips showed diners at Bengal Village gasping for air and being handed water, mango lassi and even ice cream as they struggled through the notorious curry challenge. Co-owner Mohamed Ahmed said at the time: 'We give them cold, cold mango lassi beforehand. We give them mango lassi after. 'We know how to make it quicker for them to recover when they are in pain. 'We also give them ice cream and Indian yoghurt. Definitely [better than] water. I've seen people have it with fizzy drinks, beer, and it's bad. 'We don't recommend [how to do it], we let everyone do what they want. But if one of my staff members had to do it, which I think is going to be my next video anyway, then I would give them cold milk to drink with it.' The dish is made with 72 chillies—many of them unknown outside of Bangladesh. 'In terms of Scoville Value [the measure of a food's heat], the hottest chilli in the world is, I think, Pepper X, and the second is the Carolina Reaper,' he said. 'But that's what the world thinks. My family were born in Bangladesh and they know certain plants and chillies that the world hasn't even discovered yet. They probably will soon...' He added: 'We're making a loss on the curry, because the curry costs much more than £21.95 to make, because of all the different chilies. 'We have to cut it all and then use the chicken and the gravy, everything.'
