Maruchan Turns Viral Fan Trend into Its First-Ever Flamin' Hot® Flavor Launch

Favorites collide to bring fiery flavor to on-the-go ramen

IRVINE, Calif., April 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Maruchan, America's trusted leader in convenient and delicious meal solutions, is turning up the heat with the launch of its new Instant Lunch Flamin' Hot^® Flavored Chicken Flavor, created in partnership with Flamin' Hot^®. Inspired by the viral Maruchan "Loca" trend, which saw fans adding a Flamin' Hot^® twist to their noodle cups across social media, the two brands are now bringing the fan-fueled hack straight to shelves! 

The Maruchan Instant Lunch Flamin' Hot^® Chicken Flavor brings together a rich, savory chicken broth with unmistakable blazing chili heat and a hint of cheesy flavor. The result is a craveable, unapologetically fiery cup with a lingering heat fans won't forget—made without any artificial dyes or colors.

"Our fans are constantly inspiring us with the ways they remix and elevate our products," said Katelyn Stokes, Marketing Director at Maruchan. "When we saw how much excitement there was around adding a more fiery flavor to our Instant Lunch, we knew we had to lean in. This collaboration makes it easier than ever to enjoy the flavor fans have been craving, no extra steps required."

"Flamin' Hot^® has always been known for its' signature spicy flavor and the energy that comes with it," said Jess Spaulding, Vice President of Marketing, PepsiCo Foods U.S. "Fans are constantly finding inventive ways to bring that heat into the foods and moments they love, so partnering with Maruchan allowed us to amplify that passion in a big way. This collaboration delivers the unmistakable spice and attitude Flamin' Hot is known for, built right into a product fans already love."

The launch marks a continued evolution for the brand, blending its legacy of convenience with culturally relevant flavor moments inspired directly by its community. By transforming a viral fan trend into an official product innovation, Maruchan reinforces its commitment to listening to consumers and bringing their creativity to life. 

Maruchan's Instant Lunch Flamin' Hot^® Flavored Chicken Flavor is now available at Walmart and Walmart.com with rollout to additional nationwide retailers starting in June. 

For more information, visit maruchan.com. Stay connected with the brand by visiting their social media channels via Instagram and TikTok. And check out the latest on Flamin' Hot channels via Instagram and TikTok. 

About Maruchan
Founded in 1953 by Japanese visionary Kazuo Mori, Maruchan has been a household favorite for convenient, high-quality, flavorful bowls for generations. With roots in Japanese tradition and a presence in pantries across America, the brand continues to fuel family dinners, late-night snacking, and off-the-cuff kitchen experiences. Whether enjoyed straight from the cup or remixed into the next big recipe hack, Maruchan brings warmth and flavor to every bowl. In the U.S., Maruchan Inc. develops and markets a variety of products, including Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup™, Maruchan Ramen Bowls™, Maruchan Yakisoba™, Maruchan Instant Lunch™, and Maruchan GOLD™. For more information, visit maruchan.com.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $94 billion in net revenue in 2025, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that

includes Lay's^®, Doritos^®, Cheetos^®, Gatorade^®, Pepsi-Cola^®, Mountain Dew^®, Quaker^®, and SodaStream^®. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and drinks, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that places sustainability at the center of our business strategy, seeking to drive growth and build a stronger, more resilient future for PepsiCo and the communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.

SOURCE Maruchan