In central Copenhagen on August 8, residents eagerly celebrated the return of South Korean Samyang Foods’ Buldak instant ramen noodles to supermarket shelves. These fiery noodles were banned in Denmark in June after the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration found that the high capsaicin levels in the noodles posed significant health risks. Capsaicin, the compound responsible for the intense heat in chilies, can cause nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, and even intoxication when consumed in large amounts. The ban initially applied to three variants of the noodles, which were deemed too dangerous, especially for children, teenagers, and vulnerable adults. After a thorough re-evaluation, the ban was partially lifted, allowing two of the three variants to be sold once again.

Samyang Foods commemorated the lifting of the ban with a special event in Copenhagen’s harbor. On a ferry decked out in the company’s bright-red branding, chefs served the noodles to social media influencers and enthusiastic fans. The influencers, who had been invited to the event, shared their experiences of tasting the noodles as the boat sailed through the city’s waters. The Danish regulator’s warning, issued in June, had particularly highlighted the dangers of social media challenges that encouraged young people to eat the intensely spicy noodles. Despite these concerns, the partial lifting of the ban has been well-received, with locals like Phillip expressing relief and excitement over the return of their favorite ramen, even admitting to stockpiling the noodles during the ban.