Sun Noodle
Sun Noodle is a family-owned producer of fresh artisan ramen and Asian noodles founded in 1981 in Honolulu, Hawaii, supplying both professional chefs and home consumers through four production facilities across the US and Europe, 700+ retail stores, and foodservice partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersHonolulu, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sun Noodle does
Sun Noodle is a family-owned fresh noodle producer founded in 1981 in Honolulu, Hawaii by Hidehito Uki, who relocated from Japan's Tochigi prefecture with a noodle machine. The company manufactures premium fresh ramen and Asian noodles using traditional Japanese methods based on four ingredients (wheat flour, purified water, salt, and kansui), with custom small-batch production and no additives or preservatives. Its core product portfolio spans ramen, tsukemen, mazemen, yakisoba, and regional noodles (including Hawaiian saimin and Haleiwa Dry Mein), distributed via two channels: B2B foodservice to restaurants and chefs, and retail through grocery partners including Whole Foods, HMart, 99Ranch Market, Wegmans, Central Market, Amazon, and Instacart.
The business operates four owned production facilities — Honolulu (1981), Compton, California (2004), Carlstadt, New Jersey (2011), and Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Netherlands (2023) — supporting distribution to 20 countries across three continents and 700+ US retail stores. Revenue is generated primarily through unit-priced retail ramen kits (Miso, Shoyu, Tonkotsu, Spicy Sesame, Spicy Miso) priced around $54 for regional varieties, foodservice supply via quote-based multi-year contracts with restaurants, branded merchandise ($15-$145 per item), and limited-edition collaborations such as the Kalo Noodle Kit with Sig Zane Designs.
The go-to-market combines enterprise field sales to chefs, event-driven brand building (Natural Products Expo West, Japanese Food Festival, Ramen Legends Night), and community-led engagement through chef partnerships. Sun Noodle has not raised outside funding, remains under third-generation family leadership (Kenshiro Uki as President of North America, Hisae Uki as VP of Business Operations), and most recently expanded into better-for-you products with the High-Fiber Yakisoba line launched at Expo West 2026.
Sun Noodle firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sun Noodle
- Legal name
- Sun Noodle Inc.
- Website
- https://sunnoodle.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Sun Noodle is a family-owned producer of fresh artisan ramen and Asian noodles founded in 1981 in Honolulu, Hawaii, supplying both professional chefs and home consumers through four production facilities across the US and Europe, 700+ retail stores, and foodservice partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sun Noodle industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fresh Ramen and Asian Noodle Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Food Manufacturing (311), Cookie, Cracker, and Pasta Manufacturing (31182)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Noodle Manufacturing (instant, ramen, rice noodles) (AFAKABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Breakfast & brunch prepared items manufacturing (AFAKAHAH)
Keywords
Where Sun Noodle is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Honolulu
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Sun Noodle business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Retail Products: Sale of fresh ramen noodle kits and prepared ramen products through grocery stores, specialty markets, and online retail partners. Products include various ramen flavors (Tonkotsu, Spicy Miso, Miso, Shoyu, Spicy Sesame) and regional noodles like Saimin and Haleiwa Dry Mein.
- Food Service / Restaurant Supply: Direct B2B sales of premium ramen noodles and ingredients to restaurants and professional chefs. Serves world-class chefs and restaurant operators with restaurant-quality fresh noodles.
- Merchandise: Sale of branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts, sweatshirts, aloha shirts), accessories (caps), and housewares (mugs, aprons, notebooks) through their online gift shop.
- Soup Bases and Ingredients: Sale of soup bases (Shio, Shoyu, Miso, Tonkotsu, Tan Tan), noodle products, and specialty ingredients (Kansui, flour varieties, chili paste, dried fish powder, gyoza wrappers) to foodservice operators.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Retail Ramen Kits - various flavors and configurations |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 45th Anniversary Merchandise Collection |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hawaiian Regional Noodles |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Food Service / Restaurant Products |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels11 records
Sun Noodle product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sun Noodle manufactures and distributes fresh artisan ramen and Asian noodles using traditional Japanese methods with a four-ingredient formulation (wheat flour, purified water, salt, and kansui). The company sells through two channels: retail products (prepared ramen kits, saimin, dry mein, and merchandise) via grocery chains and the company's online gift shop, and a foodservice division supplying fresh noodles, soup bases, and specialty ingredients to restaurants and professional chefs globally.
Product overview
Sun Noodle is a family-owned company specializing in fresh, premium ramen and noodle products. The product portfolio centers on core ramen varieties (Ramen, Tsukemen, Mazemen, Regional Noodles, Yakisoba) sold at retail and through foodservice channels. Retail products include prepared ramen kits with toppings (Tonkotsu, Spicy Miso, Miso, Shoyu, Spicy Sesame, Kaedama) as well as Hawaiian regional specialties (Liliha Saimin, Haleiwa Dry Mein). The foodservice division supplies restaurants with fresh noodles, soup bases, and ingredients. Recent innovation includes High-Fiber Yakisoba launched at Expo West 2026. The company also operates a gift shop selling branded merchandise including the 45th Anniversary collection. All products emphasize fresh, preservative-free formulations with simple four-ingredient commitments (wheat flour, water, salt, kansui).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Tonkotsu Ramen with Toppings Freshly crafted noodles paired with a rich and creamy Tonkotsu soup, Chashu Pork, and Nori seaweed. A complete bowl experience with 2 portions for retail consumers.
- Spicy Miso Ramen with Toppings Freshly crafted noodles paired with a bold umami-rich Spicy Miso soup, Vegan Crumble, and Nori seaweed. A plant-based retail ramen kit with 2 portions.
- Miso Ramen Freshly crafted noodles paired with umami-rich miso soup. 2 portions per kit for at-home consumers.
- Shoyu Ramen Freshly crafted noodles paired with savory shoyu soup. An homage to the 1910 Tokyo Shoyu style, sold as a 2-portion retail kit.
- Spicy Sesame Ramen Freshly crafted noodles paired with creamy spicy sesame soup. A Japanese interpretation of the classic Chinese tantanmen dish, sold as a 2-portion retail kit.
- Kaedama Refill Noodles 2 portions of freshly crafted noodles for creating ramen at home with a favorite soup. Designed for home cooks who want extra noodles or to build custom ramen.
- Temomi Kaedama #18 Thick and wavy ramen noodles with unique texture and chewiness. Temomi combines 'te' (hand) and 'momi' (massage), reflecting the hand-massage technique used to create uneven waves for enhanced eating experience.
- Liliha Saimin Hawaiian saimin noodles with a clear, light broth. A regional noodle dish created during Hawaii's plantation era, sold as a set of 3 kits with 9 servings total.
- Haleiwa Dry Mein Maui-style dry mein noodles with garlic butter shrimp flavor, inspired by North Shore garlic shrimp trucks. Sold as a set of 3 kits.
- Variety Pack Set of 3 kits (9 servings total) including Liliha Saimin and Haleiwa Dry Mein. Shelf-stable kits with noodles, soup base, and spices.
- High-Fiber Yakisoba Better-for-you yakisoba line delivering 12g of fiber and 12g of protein per serving. Available in Original, Sesame, and Soy Ginger flavors. Preservative-free and ready in minutes.
- Kalo Noodle Kit (Sig Zane Limited Edition) Limited edition noodle kit crafted with premium wheat flour and Hawaii-grown kalo (taro), paired with yuzu shoyu sauce, packaged in a Sig Zane illustration. Released to celebrate Sig Zane's 40th anniversary.
- Foodservice Products Line Restaurant-grade fresh noodles (Thin wavy, Thin straight, Thick wavy, Thick straight), soup bases (Shio, Shoyu, Miso, Tonkotsu, Tan tan, Vegetarian Miso), and specialty ingredients (Kansui, flour varieties, chili paste, gyoza wrappers, dried fish powder). Sold direct to restaurants and chefs with quote-based pricing.
- Gift Shop Merchandise Branded apparel and housewares including T-shirts ($40), sweatshirts ($60), caps ($30), aprons ($50), mugs ($15), notebooks ($20), and aloha shirts ($145). Includes limited edition 45th Anniversary collection items.
Quantifiable outcome
- Available in 700+ stores nationwide
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Sun Noodle
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sun Noodle technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Sun Noodle partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, key, core and minor.
- Café RijselflagshipHost venue for Ramen Legends Night event featuring four renowned ramen chefs: Shigemi Kawahara (IPPUDO), Kenji Chiba (Chibakiya), Ivan Orkin (Ivan Ramen), and Luca Catalfamo (Casa Ramen). Event sold out at €125 per person.
- Sig Zane DesignskeyCollaboration on limited edition Kalo Noodle Kit celebrating Sig Zane's 40th anniversary. Product features blend of premium wheat flour and Hawaii-grown kalo (taro) with yuzu shoyu sauce, packaged in beautifully illustrated Sig Zane design. Kalo Noodle Kit nearly sold out, with limited availability at Foodland Farms and Sig Zane Designs locations.
- Shigemi Kawahara / IPPUDOflagshipFeatured ramen legend at Ramen Legends Night. Dubbed 'Ramen King', revolutionized Tonkotsu ramen and founded IPPUDO in 1985 with over 290 locations worldwide. Three-time winner of TV Tokyo's Ramen Master Chef Championships.
- Kenji Chiba / ChibakiyakeyFeatured ramen legend at Ramen Legends Night. Ramen pioneer known for creating the now-standard soft-boiled egg ramen topping. Former chairman of the Japan Ramen Association.
- Ivan Orkin / Ivan RamenflagshipFeatured ramen legend at Ramen Legends Night. American ramen pioneer who made waves in Japan's competitive ramen world. Featured on Netflix's Chef's Table. Sun Noodle's longest-standing US partner.
- Luca Catalfamo / Casa RamenkeyFeatured ramen legend at Ramen Legends Night. First non-Japanese chef invited to host pop-up at Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum. Operates Casa Ramen in Milan and Noizu Ramen in Switzerland.
- Hawaii Executive Collaborative (HEC)corePartnership in 'Kalo – Nourishing Hawaii and Sharing It with the World' program launched in 2022 to elevate kalo as one of Hawaii's most unique food sources. Initiative supports local agriculture, preserves food culture, and advances Hawaii's food security goals.
- H MartcorePrimary retailer partner for Japanese Food Festival events across 9 states. Co-hosts annual Japanese Food Festival with Wismettac Asian Foods, featuring Sun Noodle and other Japanese brands with special promotions and limited edition gifts.
- Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc.keyCo-organizer of Japanese Food Festival at H Mart locations. Japanese food leading brand bringing together household names for promotional events.
- Whole Foods MarketcorePrimary retail partner for Sun Noodle ramen kits. Exclusive launch partner for new Tonkotsu and Spicy Miso Kits with Toppings in Northeast, California, and Hawaii regions. Ongoing promotional support including 15% summer discounts.
- Chef Mark NogucciminorOriginal collaborator on Kalo Noodle Kit development alongside Reppun Farm and Hawaii Executive Collaborative.
- Maya KaimalminorFeatured ingredient partner in Butternut Curry Miso Ramen recipe using Maya Kaimal's Butternut Curry and Chili Crisp products.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sun Noodle competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Koyo Ramen: Organic ramen noodle brand in US retail channels. Emerging player with overlapping retail distribution (natural food stores) and premium positioning similar to Sun Noodle.
- Lotus Foods: Specialty rice noodle and ramen brand with sustainable sourcing focus. Comparable to Sun Noodle in premium natural retail positioning and Whole Foods distribution.
Broad incumbents
- Ottogi: Major Korean food manufacturer with ramen and noodle products in US Asian grocery channels. Comparable to Sun Noodle's H Mart distribution and broader Asian food portfolio approach.
- Sapporo Ichiban: Established Japanese instant noodle brand with US retail presence through Sapporo Foods. Broad incumbent in the Asian noodle category where Sun Noodle competes on premium tier.
- Nissin Foods: Global leader in instant noodles with massive scale and brand recognition. Operates broadly in noodles while Sun Noodle focuses on premium fresh; both compete for the same consumer ramen occasion.
- Maruchan: One of the largest US instant ramen brands owned by Toyo Suisan. Competes for the ramen consumer occasion though focused on mass-market instant rather than fresh premium.
Direct peers
- Hakubaku: Japanese fresh and dried noodle manufacturer with multi-generational heritage. Most directly comparable to Sun Noodle in terms of traditional Japanese noodle production for both retail and foodservice channels.
- Myojo Foods: Japanese ramen noodle producer with strong heritage, serving both retail and foodservice markets. Direct comparable in traditional ramen production methods and brand-driven positioning.
- Mike's Mighty Good Ramen: US-based craft instant ramen brand emphasizing quality ingredients. Direct competitor in premium retail ramen, though positioned in instant rather than fresh format.
- House Foods: Major Japanese food manufacturer producing fresh and prepared ramen noodles alongside a broader portfolio. Comparable to Sun Noodle in fresh noodle production and dual retail/foodservice distribution model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sun Noodle social profiles
Digital presenceSun Noodle financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sun Noodle leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Sun Noodle funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sun Noodle M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sun Noodle
What does Sun Noodle do?
Sun Noodle manufactures and distributes fresh artisan ramen and Asian noodles using traditional Japanese methods with a four-ingredient formulation (wheat flour, purified water, salt, and kansui). The company sells through two channels: retail products (prepared ramen kits, saimin, dry mein, and merchandise) via grocery chains and the company's online gift shop, and a foodservice division supplying fresh noodles, soup bases, and specialty ingredients to restaurants and professional chefs globally.
Is Sun Noodle a public or private company?
Sun Noodle is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Sun Noodle founded?
Sun Noodle was founded in 1981.
Where is Sun Noodle based?
Sun Noodle is headquartered in Honolulu, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sun Noodle make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Retail Products are the primary driver. The others are food Service / Restaurant Supply, merchandise and soup Bases and Ingredients.
Who are Sun Noodle's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Koyo Ramen and Lotus Foods. Broad incumbents are Ottogi, Sapporo Ichiban, Nissin Foods and Maruchan. Direct peers are Hakubaku, Myojo Foods, Mike's Mighty Good Ramen and House Foods.
Does Sun Noodle have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sun Noodle.
What industry is Sun Noodle in?
Sun Noodle's product category is Fresh Ramen and Asian Noodle Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKABAC, Noodle Manufacturing (instant, ramen, rice noodles), with a secondary code of AFAKAHAH, Breakfast & brunch prepared items manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 311 and its SIC code is 2090.