LIST HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY THE RAMEN RATER’S TOP TEN SOUTH KOREAN INSTANT NOODLES 2021 EDITION – SEE IT HERE
This year has been tumultuous for The Ramen Rater – busy and hectic, and so this, the first of many Top Ten Lists slated for release during the year is delayed – sorry about that. There are my absolute favorite varieties, current as of review #3400, of which 383 are South Korean in origin. I also want to mention – don’t wear a track jacket when recording with a lapel mic – it came out awful and worse than the audio that was used from the camera. All varieties are manufactured in South Korea. If you are a company interested in having your products showcased, please drop me a line. Let’s begin!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2020 Edition
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A special video presentation of The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2020 Edition.
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2019 Edition
#10: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black
When Shin Ramyun Black came onto the scene a few years back it was a huge hit and still is. An upgraded version of their popular shin Ramyun, it includes a sachet of Sul-Long-Tang soup base which gives an extra heartiness to the broth. Thick ramyun noodles and a spicy bite round out the scene. Original review Get it here
#9: Samyang Cheese Ramen
A new cheese variety on the market and a very unique one. It’s got a neat smoky cheesiness to it which gives it a very different flavor. Great noodles and a rich broth make it pop onto the list for 2020. Original review Get it here
#8: Paldo Cheese Noodle
Paldo’s Cheese Noodle has been on the list for awhile now and with good reason. The way the cheese intermingles with the red spicy broth is amazingly good. The noodles are nice and thick ramyun and there’s a large quantity of them. Definitely one that everyone should try – and now there’s a spicier version on the market. Original review Get it here
#7: Paldo Crown Ramen Noodle Soup
This one was a hard translate, but hopefully it’s correct. Noodles have just the right gauge, broth is the right level of spicy and has a nice rich flavor. Just a perfect harmony between the two in this one and just resounds the classic kind of Korean noodle soup flavor. Original review Get it here
#6: Nongshim Neoguri Stir-fry Noodles Spicy Seafood
Neoguri Spicy Seafood Soup is a long time favorite of many and now it’s been converted in this new version as a dry noodle, sans broth. To be honest, I like this much better – not only does it have the great flavor of Neoguri, it’s got a plethora of garnish included – featuring little pieces of fishcake with the raccoon mascot on them. Original review Get it here
#5: Samyang Foods Jjajang Buldak Ramen Topokki
Nope – those aren’t cocktail weenies. Topokki (or tteokbokki) are cylindrical rice flour pieces with a really unique chewiness and texture. These, coupled with Samyang’s noodles are presented in a thick jjajang sea (jjajang is a black bean sauce). Noodles and jjajang is one thing, but add that topokki in there and it’s a one two punch of amazing. Original review Get it here
#4: Paldo Rabokki Noodle
To understand Paldo’s Rabokki Noodle, you have to understand tteokbokki. It’s also spelled topokki – but however you spell it, tteokbokki are thick cylindrical rice tubes that have a nice chewiness to them. They’re often paired with a thick red sauce which is spicy as well as sweet and served with fishcake, egg and other garnish. These noodles are paired with the sauce in a very tasty representation and crossover of the dish. Original review Get it here
#3: Samyang Foods Samyang Ramen Spicy Flavor
This last couple years, I’ve really fallen for Samyang Ramen – both the regular and spicy version. It’s a bit different from most South Korean varieties as they usually lean towards beef, these have a ham flavor. The thick, chewy noodles and the rich and very tasty broth bring these to this list this year, and while I type this, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Original review Get it here
#2: Ottogi Jin Jjambbong Spicy Seafood Ramyun
Ottogi’s Jin series added a couple of new varieties recently, and this is my favorite of the two. During a trip to Taipei, I went to a restaurant called Love Instant Noodles where they doll up packs of instant noodles and serve them piping hot. This is the one I chose from their selection. Jjambbong is a kind of spicy stew and this one has a nice kind of grilled flavor to it, alongside the popular broader ramyun currently spreading around – great stuff! Original review Get it here
#1: Samyang Foods Carbo Buldak Ramen Topokki
The jjajang variety earlier on this list is exemplary. But this one’s just out of this world. Very spicy, combined with the creaminess and taste of carbonara – and you get ramen as well as topokki rice cake tubes. It’s absolutely wonderful stuff and a must get for anyone who’s a fan of the Buldak range and South Korean instant noodles. The ultimate South Korea instant comfort food, bar none. Original review Get it here
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