A record number of ramen noodle eatery operators in Japan went out of business in 2024, according to a research firm, as the food’s reputation for affordability limits room to raise prices amid soaring ingredient and utility costs.
Also hit by climbing personnel expenses due to labor shortages, insolvencies among ramen business operators resulting in liabilities of at least 10 million yen ($63,000) in 2024 jumped over 30 percent to 72, up from 53 in 2023, Teikoku Databank Ltd. said.
Japanese ramen soup noodles typically combine meat and vegetable toppings with broth. Despite rising costs, the average price of a bowl of ramen is still under 700 yen, according to Teikoku Databank. A popular lunchtime staple or…
