#2508: Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun

SPECIAL STATEMENT AS OF 12/19/2017: It has come to my attention that many places/people are under the impression that this variety is considered to be ‘Samyang Foods 4x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun.’ This is definitely NOT the case. Original Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun is 4,404SHU, 2x Spicy is 8,706SHU. I have been informed by Samyang Foods that Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun is 2,700SHU – which is far less spicy than the original Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun. Sellers claiming this product as Samyang Foods 4x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun – this is misleading and untrue. I’ve mentioned in the past that I would love to try a Samyang Foods 4x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun, however NO SUCH PRODUCT EXISTS at the time of this update. Please refer to The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun for more information.

#2585: Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - fire noodle challenge sichuan pepper

GET AN ASSORTMENT OF THE SPICEST INSTANT NOODLES IN THE RAMEN RATER’S SPICY PACK FROM GOURMET RAMEN CLUB – CHECK IT OUT HERE!

Thanks go to Amelia from Samyang Foods in South Korea for sending these along! The Buldak Bokkeummyun line from them is a fiery range which starts with their hot chicken flavor of Fire Noodle Challenge fame. Here’s what they have to say about this one –

MALA BULDAK BOKKEUMMYEON (HOT CHICKEN FLAVOR RAMEN MALA) This is a differentiated ‘Mala(numbing and spicy)’ flavor of BULDAK BOKKEUMMYEON(HOT CHICKEN FLAVOR RAMEN). It features a spicy numbing stir-fry noodle with Chinese ‘Mala’ sauce. It’s a combination of numbing spicy taste and the original flavor of Hot Chicken.

This ‘numbing’ kind of heat comes straight from Sichuan peppercorns. Here’s a little about Mala sauce from Wikipedia –

Mala sauce is a popular oily, spicy, and numbing Chinese sauce which consists of Sichuanese peppercorn, chili pepper and various spices simmered with oil. Regarded as a regional dish for Chongqing cuisine and Sichuan cuisine, it has become one of the most popular sauces in Chinese cuisine and spawned many regional variants. The term málà is a combination of two Chinese characters: “numbing” () and “spicy (hot)” (), referring to the feeling in the mouth after eating the sauce. The numbness is caused by Sichuan pepper, which contains 3% hydroxy-alpha-sanshool. The recipe often uses dried red peppers that are less spicy than bird’s eye chili, which is widely used in Southeast Asian cuisines.

The precise origins of the dish are unclear, but many sources attribute its development to night markets in Chongqing that targeted pier workers in the 19th to 20th century.[1] The strong flavour and thick layer of oil helps preserve foods and removes the unpopular smells of the cheap foods, such as solidified blood, beef stomach and kidney, which were usually served to pier workers. Despite the strong flavour by itself, various dipping sauces are often served to make the texture of cooked meat smooth and oily, and the tastes more complicated.

I must admit although kind of logical, I wasn’t expecting this flavor. This could be a great one for the Chinese market actually – Taiwan too. Well, let’s start the fire!

Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun – South Korea

#2585: Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - fire noodle challenge sichuan pepper

Here’s the back of the package (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. To prepare, add noodle block and dry sachet to 600ml boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. Drain, saving 120ml liquid. Add in sauce and saved liquid. Stir-fry over high heat for 30 seconds. Stir and enjoy!
#2585: Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - fire noodle challenge sichuan pepper
The noodle block.
#2585: Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - fire noodle challenge sichuan pepper
The soup base sachet.
#2585: Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - fire noodle challenge sichuan pepper
Thick, dark and ominous!
#2585: Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - fire noodle challenge sichuan pepper
The vegetable sachet.
#2585: Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - fire noodle challenge sichuan pepper
Not sure what all we have here but looks like maybe mushroom, carrot and TVP?

Finished (click to enlarge). The noodles are plump and chewy. They are the perfect vehicle for the sauce. The flavor on this one is fiery, with a nice Sichuan pepper drop in there. I expected more Sichuan pepper, but it really works well. The flavor is a bit different too; hard to describe – maybe some soy? The bit of mushroom were ubiquitous and of nice quality. A fiery feast to Melt your face! 3.75 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code   8801073113619.
#2585: Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - fire noodle challenge sichuan pepper
Samyang Hek Buldak Extra Spicy Roasted Chicken Ramen Nuclear Edition 10 Pack

Here I give this a try – check it out

12 comments

  1. These noodles are delicious! I just finished eating a bowl a couple minutes ago. The heat is still lingering in my mouth and on my lips, and the tip of my tongue is tingling a little with numbness. The heat is not too much. If you take your time with it, you really get used to it. This is not even close to being as hot as 2x spicy. Great flavor!

  2. I am Chinese, I can tell you this has nothing like Sichuan peppercorn. It is what Korean think Mala flavor should be like but it is totally different and weak compared to Sichuan peppercorn….
    That being said, it doesn’t taste bad…

  3. Tried this today, good stuff. I don’t think I’ve had Sichuan peppercorn before, with which I could compare this to, but I couldn’t really detect a numbing sensation. This tasted less sweet and more black peppery than the original Buldak Bokkeummyun. Maybe if I had the two side by side, I could discern the numbing sensation. Also, in case anyone is still confused, this definitely isn’t 4x spicy, but it’s hot enough to satisfy most heat lovers.

  4. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between this (which I’ve had before) which has the UPC 8801073113619 and the one I’ve got in front of me which has the UPC 8801073113688? They both look the same.

  5. I’m not gonna lie but how come when i ate the mala version, i am sweating while eating every bite. however, when i am eating the original version, i didn’t sweat a bit. Is it possible that the mala’s SPU is higher than the original, but less than 2X Spicy?

    1. What you should try is this – eat the original version in a couple days then have the mala the day after. I had the original and then the next day the 2x and had the same thing. I think the pepper used has a quick tolerance buildup which I’ve heard others mention as well.

      – TRR

    1. Definitely not. If it were twice as hot as the 2x, you’d be seeing it as the spiciest instant noodle in the world on my Top Ten Spicy list. It unequivocally is NOT 4x spicy and whoever is selling it as that is a moron. It’s got Sichuan peppercorn in it. Doesn’t hit me as spicy as the 1x Buldak Bommeummyun.

      – TRR

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