Nongshim has entered the mainstream snack and café market in the U.S. by opening its first dessert café in the LA area, expanding beyond its ramen business.

On the 17th, Nongshim announced the opening of its first overseas ‘Café Knotted’ location in LA’s Century City, where it introduced the new ‘Banana Kick Cream Donut.’ Café Knotted is a premium dessert café that Nongshim has been operating in South Korea since 2017, and this marks its debut in the U.S. market. The café offers a variety of coffee, tea, and dessert menu items.

The donut, a collaboration between Nongshim and Knotted, features a cream filling infused with the signature soft and sweet flavor of Banana Kick, topped with Banana Kick pieces.

Recently, interest in Banana Kick surged in the U.S. after singer Jennie mentioned it as her favorite snack on a popular American talk show. Following this, Nongshim launched Melon Kick as a follow-up product to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Banana Kick. Nongshim plans to start selling Melon Kick in South Korea on the 21st, with plans to expand exports to the U.S., Japan, and China thereafter.

Nongshim and Knotted are set to release a ‘Banana Kick Cream Latte’ in the future and plan to introduce collaborative menu items featuring Melon Kick as well. A Nongshim representative stated, “We will focus on marketing to ensure the Kick series, including Banana Kick, grows into a global snack brand.”

Following the first location at Westfield Century City shopping mall (10250 Santa Monica Blvd. #9280, LA), Nongshim has announced plans to open a second Café Knotted in the LA downtown area. Website: www.cafeknotted.com/