Seoul, April 9 (YONHAP) -- South Korea's exports of instant noodles rose 14.3% year-on-year to 208 million U.S. dollars in the first quarter of this year, a record high for the same period, according to data released by the Korea Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation (aT) and the Customs Service (Customs).

Exports of instant noodles in the first quarter increased from 50.77 million dollars in 2015 to 100 million dollars for the first time in 2018 and 200 million dollars this year.

Instant noodles, which are frequently featured in Korean dramas, movies and variety shows, are gaining global attention as the Korean Wave is gaining global popularity, according to analysts. In addition, the expansion of the global convenience food market in the wake of the pandemic has boosted the export volume of instant noodles.