After a couple years, here’s The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition. It’s been a sort of tough go lately; so few new Korean varieties have crossed my desk. Usually they’ve all been ultra spicy ones, and while good, they’ve not been ones that are top ten listers. There should be a few new ones to the list for next years list that have yet to be published, though. If you’ve an instant noodle company in South Korea, I’d love to review your products. I used to receive samples from the larger companies quite often, but unfortunately not so much recently. This list is comprised of varieties from South Korea that I’ve reviewed up to my 4,300th review. With that, here’s The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Tern South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition
Visual Presentation
A special video presentation of The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition.
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition
#10: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black
I remember when this variety came out a few years back. It’s a good one, that’s for sure – and many on my Facebook group Ramen Junkies thoroughly enjoy this one. A thick ramyun noodle is coupled with the spicy Shin broth and Sul Lon Tang powder – which adds a nice savoriness. Vegetables run around in the broth which are nice. A testament to the standard that people have found to love about Korean instant noodles. Original review | Get it here
#9: Paldo Cheese Noodle
I’ve loved this one for years. A nice thick noodle coupled with a spicy broth – and a sachet of cheese powder. It works well and is made even better with processed cheese or swiss cheese which is nice and gloppy when really hot. This is a tasty variety, through and through. Original review | Get it here
#8: Nongshim Shin Light Air Dried Noodle Soup
This one combines a non-fried noodle and the flavor of Shin Ramyun’s broth to make for a lighter version calorie-wise, however the flavor isn’t light. In fact, it seems like a cleaner version. Great stuff! Original review | Get it here
#7: Samyang Foods Buldak Light
A lighter version of the ultra spicy Buldak – less spicy, and made with a non-fried noodle. This makes for less oil of course and in turn, fewer calories. The noodle is a bit different – slightly chewier which makes for a more gourmet experience in my opinion. Original review | Get it here
#6: Samyang Foods Jjajang Buldak Ramen Topokki
I wish I was positive this is still on the market in South Korea – hopefully it is as it’s excellent. Jjajangmyeon is noodle with a nice black bean sauce, however this variety comes with the noodle and tteokbokki – chewy rice cake tubes of splendor that I thoroughly love. It also has Buldak heat which is excellent. Short of sourcing this, you could just get Jjajang Buldak and add some tteokbokki to it. Original review | Get it here
#5: Paldo Rabokki Noodle
Rabokki or rapokki is what you have when you combine tteokbokki and ramyun noodle. This is just the noodle and a sweet spicy saucy kind of combo which is extremely good. Usually it comes with sliced egg as well as fish cake and other niceties. Original review | Get it here
#4: Yopokki Cheese Rapokki
Here’s another one where tteokbokki is included – starting to see a theme here? The texture of tteokbokki combined with noodles is really quite wonderful. This one has a cheese sauce and it’s a bit sweet. These are on the spendy side from what I’ve seen, but they’re really quite good, and a pretty large serving which could easily satisfy two. Original review | Get it here
#3: Samyang Foods Samyang Ramen Spicy Flavor
This is the spicy version, however the non-spicy version (which interestingly is actually a bit spicy as well) was the first Korean instant noodle on the market back in 1963. When it first entered the market, people weren’t exactly sure what it was; some thought it was a textile! After educating consumers and tunning the flavor from chicklen to a spicy ham flavor, it took off. I absolutely love this stuff – great with ham, cheese, and egg. Definitely give it a try! Original review | Get it here
#2: Ottogi Jin Jjambbong Spicy Seafood Ramyun
This one is really quite wonderful. We start with a different gauge noodle from their usual fare – thicker and broader. The broth is a savory seafood stew – and smoky like grilled seafood. I tried this at an instant noodle restaurant called Love Instant Noodles a few years ago – really great! If you like seafood, this will make your head spin. Original review | Get it here
#1: Samyang Foods Carbo Buldak Ramen Topokki
Again, unsure if this one is still available and if it isn’t, just get some tteokbokki to add into some Buldak Carbo. This is really quite good – a nice creamy and savory carbonara sauce couple with not only ramen noodles, but rice cake. It’s truly perfection and I can’t recommend this higher. Original review | Get it here
Special Announcements
The Ramen Rater Recipe Experiments
Ever thought of what you can make when instant noodles are an ingredient? Well, if not I have. A lot. I started with making breads last year – even breads with flour make from fried noodles that were ground into a fine powder. Logically, the next step was pizza – everyone likes pizza, right? Finally, I’ve done a few different ice creams. Check the Special Features section to see all of these experiments!
Definitive Guides
This year, I’ve decided to do a special series called Definitive Guides. Recipes, trivia, history, and more on some of the most loved and fascinating varieties of instant noodles around the world! So far, I’ve got one on Nongshim’s Shin Ramyun, and Indomie’s Mi Goreng and Nissin Foods’ Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice! Very recently, I released a Definitive Guide To Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup. Future guides will include MAMA Tom Yum, and more. My plan is do feature one or two products from each country.
Ramen Junkies
Ramen Junkies is a Facebook group devoted to the love of instant noodles. People share their recipes, thoughts, ideas and humor Join the conversation today – over 70,000 members strong!
A Petition To Benefit Those In Need
For the last few years, a thought has been bouncing around in my head. Why is there a spot to donate a dollar to elections on tax returns? I think that little spot can be better by donating a dollar or some set amount to Veterans who are living in poverty. At the end of tax season, the donations can go to all who qualify. I think that would be a good thing. I started a petition to do this, and if you’re in the USA, you can sign it here and please feel free to share it around! Thanks!
The Ramen Rater App For Android
The Ramen Rater App for Android has been given a whole new look and functionality. You can scan bar codes to see reviews I’ve done while at the store, peruse the top ten lists, and do simple searches. It’s really great – even a dark mode! Best of all it’s free and currently ad-free.
