Taiwan-based Uni-President, well-known in China for its pickled cabbage flavored noodles, has now called a truce in the bruising battle that had depressed its margins, bringing the free sausage promotion to an end. 

"It seems to be quite an emotionally charged, rather than a rational, competition," said Torsten Stocker, a Hong Kong-based partner at consulting firm AT Kearney. 

.....................................................................................................

HONG KONG — It started with a sausage. A three-inch, complimentary ham sausage, to be precise. 

The price war for China's $8.8 billion instant noodle market sparked last year by Uni-President China Holdings Ltd's porcine giveaways soon escalated into free drinks, extra seasonings and other gifts as incumbent heavyweight Tingyi Holdings Corp., owner of the Master Kong brand, sought to defend its patch. 

Wow. What's the difference between instant noodles and ramen?

Squiggly shape?

Is ramen a subset of instant noodles? Or is it a brand? Or are they just related products?

Ramen is both a subset and a brand.  But all instant noodles are not the same, as one woman found out:

http://pocho.com/breaking-woman-told-cup-o-noodles-is-not-fideo-gets-dumped/

She's got that right -- some noodles are soggy and some noodles are awesome!