What we have here is a squid snack – what’s that you ask? Well, they dehydrate squid somehow and seasoning it. I read once there was a a package of this kind of thing that said ‘chewing gum of Asians. Here’s some background on this from Wikipedia –
Category: South Korea
#2769: Ottogi Kimchi Ramen
Another one I found in Taiwan. This one is quite interesting as far as the packaging goes. Not only do you see Korean print but Chinese as well. This product is definitely for sale in Taiwan only – an export version. As far as the recipe changing from place to place, I have no clue. Here’s a little about kimchi from Wikipedia –
Unboxing Time: New Samyang Jjajang Buldak Bokkeummyun
OK, so on the chat which you might see on the lower right hand corner, I’ve fielded more questions about Samyang Foods’ Buldak Bokkeummyun (Fire Noodle) range than on anything else. Actually, the most prevalent questions have been whether one is spicier than the other and whether they’re HALAL or not. This is a special unboxing because within is a new variety – Jjajang! Let’s crack it open and have a look!
#2758: Gookmul Knight Of Ribs
I don’t know if this one came before or after the famous ‘special edition lobster’ variety by this company, but this looks like it’s going to be quite a different variety. Here’s a little about ribs in Korea –
#2729: Samyang Foods Kimchi Song Song Ramen
Today we have Song Song Kimchi Ramen. These fermented cabbage varieties out of South Korea are among my favorites. I really like the tangy as well as bright, spicy flavors. Kimchi is interesting; it’s cabbage as well as many other ingredients that is allowed to ferment for an amount of time.
Unboxing Time: Exotic Noods February Green Box
Another month, another box from Exotic Noods! The Feburary Green Box has a multitude of varieties – all hailing this time from South Korea to coincide with the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. Let’s crack it open and have a look at what’s inside!
#2723: No Brand Delicious Ramen
Here’s one I found at a Carrefour on my trip to Taiwan in November of 2017. Okay, so it says No Brand. I think that’s pretty evident – and it also says Delicious Ramen. That too is nondescript. I searched for the bar code and found nothing from the pack code and very little from the 5 pack code – basically that it is what it is. An eBay seller had it marked as ‘Korean Noodle Ramyun Rameon’ although that’s a little less than what it says in English on the pack already. My thought is that this might just be a store brand but who knows. Ah ha – I just looked it up by the phone number on the package – 080-023-8593 – and it comes up with a lot of Paldo stuff. Perhaps this is by Paldo. Anyways, I’m guessing it’s time to crack this open and look within.
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2018 Edition
UPDATE: Here’s the new 2019 List!
Kicking off Top Ten List season, I bring you the South Korean Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time for 2018. I looked at how many varieties from South Korea I’ve reviewed to date and got 326 so far. South Korean varieties continue to evolve and innovate in different ways in order to satisfy the changing needs and tastes of the consumer – definitely keeps things interesting. As always, I ask any companies, whether in South Korea or elsewhere – that would like me to review their products to send me an email! I am happy to talk to you! Without further delay, let’s have a look at the Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles list for 2018 – the best South Korean varieties available out of the over 360 South Korean varieties from the over 2,500 varieties of instant noodles I’ve reviewed thus far.
The 0.5x Spicy Mala Fire Noodle Challenge
Here we are again with the Fire Noodle Challenge. This is the Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun. So, all over YouTube, people are wincing and screaming as they choke down packs of Mala – why? Well, for some reason, they are under the impression that it’s 4x spicy. Don’t get me wrong – it’s quite spicy – it’ll kick your butt. But it is a far cry from the 2x Spicy Nuclear Fire Noodle, that’s for sure.
#2680: Samyang Foods Carbo Buldak Bokkeummyun
Yay! Another new variety of the popular Buldak Bokkeummyun ‘Fire Noodle Challenge’ series. This one’s called Carbo. At first, I saw the name and the heart and thought low carbohydrate, but that’s definitely not the case here.
Unboxing Time: Samyang Foods Carbo Buldak Bokkeummyun + More
Got this big box of fascination and had to wait a whole day before I had the chance to do the video unboxing! This was a serious struggle but that’s what I do for you – you get to see what’s in the boxes I do the videos of at the same time I do! Let’s tear into it!
Special Report: 4x Spicy Fire Noodles Do Not Exist
fter seeing multiple posts and videos and online stores advertising for a 4x version of the popular Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun hot chicken noodle, I felt it required me to make a statement.
#2668: Samyang Foods Wasa-Mayo Ramen
I’ve had this for a little while – just sitting and waiting for me to give it a try. With the prodding of my readers, today is the day. People seem to be really interested in this one! Here’s what Samyang Foods had to say about it –
#2650: Paldo Flaming Hot Savoury Cheese Noodle
Well, the little cheese guy has gone from a place of meekness to one of anger. Let me show you.
#2648: Paldo Bulnak Pan Stirfried Noodle
Today we have an interesting little cup of noodles from South Korea – a little spicy one. This has been on my top ten spicy list for a while now and it’s some mean stuff.
#2644: Ottogi Budae Jjigae Ramen
The first time I’d heard about Budae Jigae instant noodles was when I read an article in my nes feed about this brand making one. So what is budae jjigae? Let’s have a look at this from Wikipedia –
#2637: Samyang Foods Jjajang Big Bowl
I’ve tried the pack version of this and it was some of the best I’ve had. I really like that the South Korean companies have now adopted the wider thick noodle in a lot of products. These have a little extra character and are very good. So Jjajang usually begins the word jjajangmyeon – basically a noodle with black bean sauce. Let’s see how the bowl version of this product fares.
#2634: Samyang Foods Ramen Bokki
Oh hey, ramen bokki! So this is a fusion of two foods: South Korean ramyun and one of the words I would say I’ve seen spelled about a zillion different ways, tteokbokki. Tteokbokki are big chewy tubes made from rice flour and they’re really good. Usually, it’s made with a spicy and sweet sauce, egg, fish cake, etc. Good stuff! So this is that but instead of with the rice tubes, you get the noodles. Let’s check it out!
#2628: Wang Asian Style Noodle Seafood Udon
I know we found this one while out at a store somewhere… Hmmm… I want to say that this was at Asian Food Center on 130th and Aurora in north Seattle. If I’m correct this was the day of sad dim sum.
#2623: Samyang Foods Assorted Vegetable Ramen
I’ve always loved the beef flavor, spiciness, and thick noodles that define ramyun. I’ve noticed in the past few years a few brands coming out with vegetable flavor ramyun – and they’ve all been pretty good! Looking forward to giving this one a try today!
#2620: Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun Stew
This is the only variety of Samyang Foods’ Buldak Bokkeummyun series to have a broth. Spicy chicken stew sounds good, and it is – at least the pack version was really good. There are usually some differences between packs and bowls. Mainly, bowls are almost always steeped, so the noodles may come out a little different than being continuously boiled. Also, bowls sometimes have extra ingredient sachets. Let’s give this one a try and check out this super spicy variety!
#2616: Gookmul Special Edition Lobster Flavor Potato Instant Noodles
I’ve been waiting to get my hands on this one for a while and thanks to Jay H. for sending it my way from Taiwan, I’ve got one! These are from South Korea, but they’re very popular in Southeast Asia currently and very curious as to why.
#2614: Samyang Foods Chacharoni
Chacharoni is a play on words. Jjajang kind of sounds like ‘cha cha’ and the roni calls to noodles. There are other plays on words in the South Korean industry when it comes to jjajangmyeon. So basically what you have here is a thick noodle with a black bean sauce – also known as jjajang. Here’s a little about jjajangmyeon from Wikipedia –
#2603: Paldo Pororo Jjajang Noodle
Here’s yet another one I found up in Canada in July of 2017! Found this at HMart after having a really great dim sum lunch with some new friends at Aberdeen Centre in Richmond, BC. Okay, so Jjajang is a black bean sauce noodle. But Pororo? Let’s look at Wikipedia –
#2597: Nongshim Neoguri Stir-Fry Noodles Spicy Seafood
I have long recognized this package – except this one has a twist! These have no broth. Here’s a little from Wikipedia about Neoguri –
#2594: Samyang Foods Yulmu Bibimmyun
Here’s a spicy one from South Korea. Not just spicy but cold, bibimmyun is a favorite in South Korea during the summer months. Usually accompanied by a bright and spicy sauce, bibimmyun brings a strong taste to the table. This variety mentions yulmu. Yulmu (also known as Job’s Tears) is used in order to make yulmu-cha, a tea enjoyed in South Korea.
#2589: Nongshim Mr. Bibim Korean Spicy Chicken Flavour
Hot and spicy Korean fried chicken. Hmm – where have I heard that before? Well, I definitely like the real thing that I’ve had in the past – K-fried chicken is really the bomb – especially the spicy – and if you get a chance to try it you’ll be pretty happy about it I think.
#2581: Samyang Foods Curry Buldak Bokkeummyun
I’ve reviewed the pack version of this one and now it’s time for the bowl. A few months ago I did a series of seriously spicy reviews for my guide to this series. Let’s see if my palate still can handle the heat!
#2575: Samyang Foods Kimchi Song Song Ramen
Today we have Song Song Kimchi Ramen. Kimchi varieties out of South Korea are among my favorites. I really like the tangy as well as bright, spicy flavors. Kimchi is interesting; it’s cabbage as well as many other ingredients that is allowed to ferment for an amount of time.
#2568: Nongshim Mr. Bibim Stir Fried Kimchi Flavour
So I have a new contact named Danny at Nongshim Korea – one of the guys from Happy Souper helped me get a hold of him via email – thanks! Danny was kind enough to send along these new Mr. Bibim varieties. They’re dry noodles with a liquid base and kimchi included. Here’s a little about kimchi from wikipedia –
#2561: Paldo Premium Gomtang
Colin from Massachusetts was kind enough to shoot this one my way! Thanks again! So Gomtang is a flavor I really like -it’s kind of like a creamy beef soup broth. What’s kind of funny is that I’ve only sampled Gomtang made by Paldo. I know there are other brands making it in South Korea, yet I’ve never found any here. Let’s look up[ Gomtang on Wikipedia:
#2555: Samyang Foods Kimchi Song Song Ramen Big Bowl
Today we have Song Song Kimchi Ramen. Kimchi varieties out of South Korea are among my favorites. I really like the tangy as well as bright, spicy flavors. Kimchi is interesting; it’s cabbage as well as many other ingredients that is allowed to ferment for an amount of time.
#2550: Samyang Foods Pagaejang
Here’s a new one from Samyang Foods – Pagaejang. It is similar to Yukgaejang. I looked up Yukgaejang and found this on Wikipedia –
#2548: Ottogi Plain Instant Noodle No Soup Included
I reviewed this, however in a different package many moons ago. Back then the packaging said Ramyonsari. Recently, I did one called Sari Ramen. Basically, this is a plain instant noodle block in a plastic pillow pack.
#2533: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black (SK Version)
So for a long time, I’ve wanted to review the South Korean version of Shin Ramyun Black, and I know lots of people have wanted me to. Here in the United States, we have Nongshim America (NSA) in Rancho Cucamonga. Anywhere you find Shin Ramyun Black in the United States, it originates in California. However, Nonshim Korea (NSK) is its origin. You can thank Anders and his girlfriend Ji-Min from South Korea for sending this along! Thanks again! Here’s a little something about the Shin from Wikipedia –
#2530: Ottogi Ppushu Ppushu Honey Butter Flavor
What have we today? This is a popular South Korean snack noodle – Ppushu Ppushu – and an interesting new flavor. Ppushu Ppushu means… I don’t know what it means, but it’s pretty neat stuff. Let’s check it out – right now!
New Samples From Paldo South Korea
Nowadays, soon as there’s a knock at the door my son Miles is racing for the door. It’s really funny actually – he wants to steal the box and try to get it open as soon as possible to see what’s inside! I wasn’t expecting this one from Paldo – unexpected but definitely appreciated! Let’s see what’s inside!
#2526: Samyang Foods Jjamppong Big Bowl
Here’s one Samyang Foods sent a little while back – thanks again! So this is a jjamppong bowl – a spicy seafood concoction from South Korea. Here’s some more info from Wikipedia about it –
#2523: Nongshim Budae Jjigae Noodle Soup
Here’s one I found at the local HMart a couple months ago. I’ve had a budae jjigae instant once before – I know there’s at least one more variety out there… Very curious how this one is. Let’s see what Wikipedia has to say about budae jjigae –
#2519: Guava Story Anchovy Flavor Guava Rice Noodles
Here’s something the guys over at ExoticNoods.com sent over – thanks! Okay – guava noodles? I really enjoy guava juice, but never seen a guava noodle before. Better to tear into this pack and see what’s what.