A leading Boston hospital is sounding a serious alarm after treating numerous children for severe burns caused by instant cup noodles. These injuries stem from a viral social media trend where kids mimic scenes from the popular movie “Kpop Demon Hunters.”
Shriners Children’s Hospital in Boston recently issued a public statement, urging parents and guardians to be aware of the dangers. The trend involves children emulating their favorite characters by eating tall, narrow instant noodle cups, often sharing their experiences with hashtags like #KPopNoodleChallenge and #DemonHuntersRamen.
Dr. Colleen Ryan, a physician at Shriners, revealed that her team has been treating children for instant noodle-related burns two to three times weekly. This isn’t an entirely new problem; even before the movie’s release, studies showed that instant noodles were responsible for nearly a third of all pediatric scald burn injuries.
The animated film “Kpop Demon Hunters,” a massive Netflix hit this past summer, inadvertently fueled this dangerous trend. The movie features protagonists frequently enjoying instant cup noodles, specifically those from the Nongshim brand, which are notably taller and thinner than many conventional wider-bowl varieties.
Younger children are particularly susceptible to these burns. Dr. Ryan explained that their skin is thinner than adults’, making them more vulnerable to burn injuries from hot liquids at lower temperatures.
While preparing instant noodles seems straightforward—just add the sauce packet and boiling water, then let them sit—the packaging itself poses a risk.
These cups are typically made from thin Styrofoam or cardboard, offering minimal insulation from the scalding contents and making them challenging to hold once filled with hot water.
“These cup noodles often have a narrow base and are filled to the brim, making them incredibly easy to accidentally tip over,” noted Dr. Zach Zhang, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon from Vancouver, Canada. He added that for smaller children, spills could be especially dangerous if the hot water lands on their faces.
Boiling water, at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, can cause severe scalding, and in extreme cases, lead to permanent nerve damage. Furthermore, some noodle products require microwaving, which often results in spills when children attempt to remove the hot cups from the appliance.
“We absolutely encourage children to participate in fun trends, but safety and adult supervision are paramount,” Dr. Ryan emphasized. She concluded with a stark warning: “A single spill can result in a deep, painful burn and a lifelong scar.”
Even before the cinematic influence, instant noodles were recognized as a significant burn hazard for children. A study from 2023, spanning a decade of research by the University of Chicago, found that a staggering 31 percent of all pediatric scald admissions at their medical centers were directly attributable to instant noodles. These burns can be so severe that they often require hospitalization or even surgery.
To mitigate the risk of injury, medical professionals advise parents to always supervise their children when hot water is involved. In the event of a burn, immediately run cool tap water over the affected area and seek emergency medical care.