Kenmin Foods to Exhibit at Asia's Largest 'THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026' – Accelerating Entry into Asian and Western Markets with Rice Noodles from its Core Factory in Thailand
Kenmin Foods, Japan's No.1 rice vermicelli manufacturer, will exhibit at THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, from May 26-30, 2026. Leveraging its Thai manufacturing base, the company aims to accelerate its expansion into Asian and Western markets by focusing on the growing gluten-free market and the established rice noodle culture, enhancing brand recognition and building relationships with overseas markets.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 04:26 (16h 54m after Collected)
Kenmin Foods Co., Ltd. (Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture; President & CEO: Yuki Takamura), Japan's No.1 rice vermicelli manufacturer (※1), will exhibit at THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026, Asia's largest food and beverage exhibition, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from May 26 to 30, 2026, through its overseas manufacturing base, Kenmin Foods (Thailand) Co., Ltd. The company will focus on the expanding gluten-free market, driven by increasing health consciousness, and the deeply rooted rice noodle culture in Asia, aiming to build relationships with overseas markets and enhance brand recognition from a medium-to-long-term perspective.
※1: Customs statistics for rice vermicelli, 2025 January-December share 43.6%
【Background of Exhibition】
The global gluten-free food market continues to expand due to rising health consciousness and diversifying dietary habits, projected to grow to a US$21 billion market by 2033 (※See reference materials for supplementary explanation). Kenmin Foods, leveraging its long-cultivated manufacturing technology and product strength for rice noodles, including 'Kenmin Yakibifun,' is not limited to the Japanese market. Based at its own factory in Thailand, Kenmin Foods (Thailand) Co., Ltd., which manufactures noodles, the company is promoting global market expansion with two pillars: 'Gluten-Free Chinese Noodles' that respond to the growing market, and the highly convenient and instant 'Kenmin Yakibifun' brand.
THAIFEX is Asia's largest food exhibition, with 3,231 companies from 57 countries and regions exhibiting in 2025, attracting 142,370 visitors and achieving contracts worth approximately 135 billion baht (approximately 59.4 billion yen). Kenmin Foods has been exhibiting at this exhibition for several years, utilizing it to acquire new business partners, strengthen relationships with existing partners, and understand market needs. This time, too, the company positions it not only for short-term results but also as a venue for creating contact points with overseas buyers and deepening market understanding, aiming to enhance its presence in the rice noodle and gluten-free markets, originating from Asia and based at its Thai factory.
【Exhibition Overview】
■Exhibition Name: THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026
■Dates: May 26 (Tuesday) – 30 (Saturday), 2026
10:00 – 18:00 (※Last day is open to the public)
■Venue: IMPACT Muang Thong Thani (Bangkok)
■Main Exhibited Products:
○GF Chinese Noodles
・Rice noodles without wheat
・Proposed as an allergy-friendly, health-conscious product
○Kenmin Yakibifun
・Kenmin Foods' flagship product
・Emphasizing high convenience and instant preparation
Booth Image
At the venue, in addition to product displays, tasting sessions and demonstrations will be held to highlight the features of rice noodles, such as their instant preparation, convenience, and gluten-free nature.
Kenmin Foods will further strengthen its production system at the Thai factory, aim to improve its competitiveness in the international market, and propose new value for rice noodles to consumers worldwide.
Reference Materials
【Global Gluten-Free Market Size】
Centered in the US and Europe, the global gluten-free market is steadily expanding, expected to reach US$21 billion by 2033, approximately double the size of 2024.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, "Regarding the Situation of Rice Flour," March 2026
【Exhibited Products (Partial)】
Kenmin Yakibifun
Content: 60g
A long-selling product born in 1960 as an easy-to-cook item seasoned with chicken dashi soy sauce, requiring no pre-boiling or additional seasoning.
Gluten-Free Chinese Noodles
Content: 130g
These gluten-free Chinese noodles thoroughly pursue the characteristics of ramen, primarily using rice as an ingredient, with a focus on the unique 'aroma' and 'chewiness' characteristic of Chinese noodles.
【THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2025 Visitor Performance】
Kenmin Foods Co., Ltd.
A rice vermicelli specialist manufacturer founded in Kobe in 1950. Holds the top share in Japan's domestic rice vermicelli market at approximately 43%. Named after its founder, Kenmin Takamura, with the philosophy of providing health (健) to everyone (民). Its flagship product, 'Kenmin Yakibifun,' was born in 1960 as the world's first instant rice vermicelli and is certified by Guinness World Records™ as the 'longest-selling instant fried rice vermicelli brand.' In addition to rice vermicelli, it is a specialized company manufacturing processed foods made from rice, such as pho, rice pasta, and rice paper. In 2020, it developed authentic rice flour Chinese noodles with the slogan 'Ramen for everyone!' and launched 'GF RAMEN LAB.' In 2025, it opened a permanent gluten-free ramen specialty store at the Osaka/Kansai Expo, attracting over 90,000 visitors. Certified as a Regional Future Leading Company in 2018 and a Hyogo Only One Company in 2020. Official partner of Meiji Yasuda J1 League Vissel Kobe since 2019.
※1: Customs statistics for rice vermicelli, 2025 January-December share 43.6%
【Background of Exhibition】
The global gluten-free food market continues to expand due to rising health consciousness and diversifying dietary habits, projected to grow to a US$21 billion market by 2033 (※See reference materials for supplementary explanation). Kenmin Foods, leveraging its long-cultivated manufacturing technology and product strength for rice noodles, including 'Kenmin Yakibifun,' is not limited to the Japanese market. Based at its own factory in Thailand, Kenmin Foods (Thailand) Co., Ltd., which manufactures noodles, the company is promoting global market expansion with two pillars: 'Gluten-Free Chinese Noodles' that respond to the growing market, and the highly convenient and instant 'Kenmin Yakibifun' brand.
THAIFEX is Asia's largest food exhibition, with 3,231 companies from 57 countries and regions exhibiting in 2025, attracting 142,370 visitors and achieving contracts worth approximately 135 billion baht (approximately 59.4 billion yen). Kenmin Foods has been exhibiting at this exhibition for several years, utilizing it to acquire new business partners, strengthen relationships with existing partners, and understand market needs. This time, too, the company positions it not only for short-term results but also as a venue for creating contact points with overseas buyers and deepening market understanding, aiming to enhance its presence in the rice noodle and gluten-free markets, originating from Asia and based at its Thai factory.
【Exhibition Overview】
■Exhibition Name: THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026
■Dates: May 26 (Tuesday) – 30 (Saturday), 2026
10:00 – 18:00 (※Last day is open to the public)
■Venue: IMPACT Muang Thong Thani (Bangkok)
■Main Exhibited Products:
○GF Chinese Noodles
・Rice noodles without wheat
・Proposed as an allergy-friendly, health-conscious product
○Kenmin Yakibifun
・Kenmin Foods' flagship product
・Emphasizing high convenience and instant preparation
Booth Image
At the venue, in addition to product displays, tasting sessions and demonstrations will be held to highlight the features of rice noodles, such as their instant preparation, convenience, and gluten-free nature.
Kenmin Foods will further strengthen its production system at the Thai factory, aim to improve its competitiveness in the international market, and propose new value for rice noodles to consumers worldwide.
Reference Materials
【Global Gluten-Free Market Size】
Centered in the US and Europe, the global gluten-free market is steadily expanding, expected to reach US$21 billion by 2033, approximately double the size of 2024.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, "Regarding the Situation of Rice Flour," March 2026
【Exhibited Products (Partial)】
Kenmin Yakibifun
Content: 60g
A long-selling product born in 1960 as an easy-to-cook item seasoned with chicken dashi soy sauce, requiring no pre-boiling or additional seasoning.
Gluten-Free Chinese Noodles
Content: 130g
These gluten-free Chinese noodles thoroughly pursue the characteristics of ramen, primarily using rice as an ingredient, with a focus on the unique 'aroma' and 'chewiness' characteristic of Chinese noodles.
【THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2025 Visitor Performance】
Kenmin Foods Co., Ltd.
A rice vermicelli specialist manufacturer founded in Kobe in 1950. Holds the top share in Japan's domestic rice vermicelli market at approximately 43%. Named after its founder, Kenmin Takamura, with the philosophy of providing health (健) to everyone (民). Its flagship product, 'Kenmin Yakibifun,' was born in 1960 as the world's first instant rice vermicelli and is certified by Guinness World Records™ as the 'longest-selling instant fried rice vermicelli brand.' In addition to rice vermicelli, it is a specialized company manufacturing processed foods made from rice, such as pho, rice pasta, and rice paper. In 2020, it developed authentic rice flour Chinese noodles with the slogan 'Ramen for everyone!' and launched 'GF RAMEN LAB.' In 2025, it opened a permanent gluten-free ramen specialty store at the Osaka/Kansai Expo, attracting over 90,000 visitors. Certified as a Regional Future Leading Company in 2018 and a Hyogo Only One Company in 2020. Official partner of Meiji Yasuda J1 League Vissel Kobe since 2019.