Instant Soup Burn Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

Hot instant noodle soup was spilled on a business class passenger during an Asiana Airlines flight from Incheon to Paris on March 17, 2014. She alleged second- and third-degree burns and later sued Asiana over them. A Seoul court ordered the airline and the attendant to pay 109.6 million won, as reported on January 24, 2018. It was an individual injury claim. As of October 2026, no class action or MDL names instant soup burns. The passenger had sought 200 million won, and Asiana denied the claim, saying she knocked over the tray.

Latest Instant Soup Burn Lawsuit Updates

March 1, 2023: Study Reports Instant Noodle Scalds in Children

A UChicago Medicine study in the journal Burns, published January 20, 2023, reviewed pediatric scald cases treated from 2010 to 2020. The university announced the results on March 1, 2023 [1]. Of the 790 cases reviewed, 31% were attributed to instant noodles. The study is separate from the Korean lawsuit and says nothing about the Asiana case.

January 24, 2018: Seoul Court Orders Asiana to Pay

Fox News reported that the District Court in Seoul ruled for the passenger. It ordered Asiana and the flight attendant to jointly pay 109.6 million won ($101,928) [2]. The passenger had sued Asiana and the flight attendant over burns from spilled instant noodle soup on a 2014 flight.

July 26, 2015: Passenger Sues Asiana over Noodle Burns

The Korea Times, citing Yonhap, reported that a passenger identified as Jang filed a damage suit against Asiana and a flight attendant. She sought 200 million won ($171,000) [3]. Asiana had offered about 61 million won toward her medical costs. That offer is separate from the amount she sought and the amount the court later ordered.

March 17, 2014: Hot Noodles Spilled on Asiana Flight

The Jet Set reported on the March 17, 2014 flight from Incheon to Paris [4]. Hot instant noodles were spilled on a business class passenger. In her account, the attendant lost her balance and spilled them on her lap. Asiana says she knocked over the tray. She reports second- and third-degree burns.

Who May Be Affected?

A hot instant noodle soup or cup spilled on the body can cause a burn. This can happen on a flight, in a restaurant, store or other business that served it, or at home. In the UChicago Medicine study, 40% of instant noodle burns happened when a child was reported to be alone. Spills also happened when removing containers from the microwave. The only named lawsuit is the Asiana case, an individual claim decided in Seoul. Whether you may qualify depends on where the burn happened, who served the soup and what injuries followed, and it takes an individual legal review.

Reported Injuries or Damages

In the Korea Times report, the passenger said she was diagnosed with second- and third-degree burns on her lower abdomen, thighs and reproductive organs. These are her claims. Fox News reported that she had several operations for the burns, including skin transplants. The court later awarded her damages, but these injuries remain her account. The UChicago Medicine researchers noted that instant noodles have starchy liquid mixed with solid parts. This can burn the skin in different patterns than hot water alone. The release says some burns can need surgery, including skin grafting. The study covered children at one hospital, so it cannot show how many burns happen elsewhere.

Evidence to Preserve

Keep these items if you can:

• Photographs of the burn and the spill scene
• Medical records and bills
• The receipt or order record showing where the soup was bought or served
• The container, lid and packaging
• Names of witnesses and staff
• Any incident report or messages with the business or airline
• Records of missed work

Filing Deadlines

Filing deadlines depend on state law. They vary with where the injured person lives and with when the burn happened. A late filing can close the door on a claim, however strong the facts look. Ask a lawyer soon which time limit covers your burn.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Did Asiana Say About the Instant Noodle Burn Claim?

Asiana denied the instant noodle burn claim. It said the passenger accidentally knocked over the tray. It also said it took emergency measures under the instructions of a doctor on board.

What Does the Research Say About Instant Noodle Burns?

Research on instant noodle burns points to common spill patterns. The UChicago Medicine burn team has seen spills when removing containers from the microwave and while eating from cups with narrow bases. The study itself did not explore exact circumstances.

Who Led the Study on Instant Noodle Burns in Children?

Sebastian Vrouwe was the senior author of the UChicago Medicine study on instant noodle burns in children. It appeared in the journal Burns and reviewed 790 pediatric scald cases treated at one hospital.

How Much Did the Seoul Court Order Asiana to Pay?

The Seoul court ordered Asiana and the flight attendant to pay 109.6 million won. Fox News converted that to $101,928, while The Jet Set gave the amount as $100,000, so the dollar figure differs by outlet.

References

1. https://news.uchicago.edu/story/uchicago-medicine-study-finds-instant-noodles-make-nearly-one-third-childhood-burn-injuries
2. https://www.foxnews.com/travel/flight-attendant-airline-must-pay-model-101000-for-burns-from-soup-spill
3. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/southkorea/20150726/asiana-airlines-sued-over-burns
4. https://thejetset.com/travel-news/flight-attendant-ordered-to-pay-pax-100000-for-ramen-noodle-burns/