I’ve been kind of on a weird crusade lately. It has come to my attention that the popular Mala variety of Buldak Bokkeummyun is being touted by many people across the Interwebs as 4x Spicy. This is totally untrue – it’s really more like 0.5x. I did an informative video presentation about it – check it out here!

Mala was originally made for Chinese markets, but it’s definitely flexed it’s muscles and entered the outside world since everyone wants to try the newest, latest greatest. This one has Sichuan pepper in the mix – it’s got a kind of numbing heat to it which is definitely much different than what Westerners are used to, that’s for sure. Today I’ll do a review and also going to do a spicy noodle challenge with this one. Let’s get started.

Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun Bowl – South Korea

Detail of the side panels (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. To prepare, add boiling water to fill line and cover for 4 minutes. Drain using poke holes on lid. Add in spicy liquid sachet. Finally, stir and enjoy!

Detail of the lid (click to enlarge).

The noodle block.

Some bits of garnish.

The spicy sauce sachet.

Thick and dark.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added Chinese sausage, spring onion, and Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts. The noodles are standard gauge ramyun. The flavor is indeed spicy (nowhere near 4x) but respectably spicy – it would make my wife die. Has a bit of the regular BB taste and Sichuan pepper and other tastes going on. Included vegetables were good. 3.5 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code 8801073211391.

Samyang MALA 4x Buldak Bokeum Ramen. 5pcs. Spicy Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen,