Gomtangmyeon is probably not what you immediately expect when you’re thinking about Korean ramyun noodles. That’s because it’s kind of a creamy beef noodle soup instead of a spicy one. Gomtang is nice and savory – let’s cook some up!
Tag: south korea
#4796: You Us GS Retail Premium Gonghwachun – United States
Here’s one made in South Korea for the US market. GS25 is a convenience store chain in South Korea – and I believe all their instant noodles they have as a house brand are made by Paldo. Let’s give this one a try.
#4791: Samyang Nagasaki Jjambbong – United States
This is one I tried when it debuted way back. There were a couple of versions as well. This one is made in South Korea and packaged for sale in the US market. Jjambbong is like a spicy seafood stew. This on the other hand is the same but with a more milky broth. This is a really great one when I’ve had it in the past – let’s visit it again!
#4782: Aram Wonderpokki Spicy Rapokki – South Korea
Found this neat one at Boo Han Market on Highway 99 in Edmonds, WA. Rapokki is a combination of noodle and rice cake – a great combo of textures and usually really quite good. Hopefully it works out well – seen a few microwavable varieties not go so well – hopefully this is one that gets a good score as rapokki is a favorite.
#4778: Wang Artificial Hot Chicken & Carbonara Flavour Topokki – South Korea
Well, damn. I thought that this was a rapokki but I was wrong. So, time to review a bowl of tteokbokki. Not quite a noodle, but found where the noodles live. Let’s cook it up.
#4772: O’Food Spicy Korean Style Rice Noodle – United States
After a hunt for instant noodles, here’s one I found locally at Boo Han Market in Edmonds, Washington. This style of noodle is interesting – while a rice noodle, it’s got a kind of different thing going on. Let’s steep ’em up.
#4762: Samyang Buldak Hot Chicken Rendang Curry – South Korea
Well, look at this! Thanks to The Fat Hipster for sending this over! It’s kind of funny – this is the first of three varieties sent and I’ve been kind of slow to get to them as they’re not instant noodles, they’re curry sauces. However, lately I’ve been making curries constantly lately. I’ve learned the way of black cardamom too. But here we have one by a company also known for their spicy instant noodle. I actually made butter chicken last night too. Let’s see how this one goes.
#4753: Samyang Buldak Butter Chicken Curry – South Korea
Well, look at this! Thanks to The Fat Hipster for sending this over! It’s kind of funny – this is the first of three varieties sent and I’ve been kind of slow to get to them as they’re not instant noodles, they’re curry sauces. However, lately I’ve been making curries constantly lately. I’ve learned the way of black cardamom too. But here we have one by a company also known for their spicy instant noodle. I actually made butter chicken last night too. Let’s see how this one goes.
#4730: Pink Rocket Original Rapokki – United States
Well, here we are. The standard stuff. This was found at GMart in Lynnwood, Washington. So, what is it? It’s a combination of ramyun and tteokbokki – which are tubes of rice flour that are chewy and truly wondrous. Anyways, these really have been hit and miss on preparation – either dry or exploding in the microwave. Let’s give it another try.
#4728: Bulramen Artificial Spicy Chicken Flavor – South Korea
This is the third one of these. They’ve all been kind of Buldak copycats but definitely not the same heat level by any means – the extra spicy was spicy indeed, but not as spicy as 2x, yada yada yada. I really dislike comparing any individual variety to another, however this is such an obvious copy of a well known product that I’m going slightly rogue. I’m curious though – since this looke to be about the same style as the original Buldak, will it be as hot? Will it taste good? Well, let’s find out.
#4725: Acecook Light Tonkotsu Ramen – South Korea
This one is definitely a trip – so it’s made in Vietnam for the South Korean market. Found it of course at the famed S*Mart – that’s right kids – shop SMart – shop S*Mart! I really don’t think any people in that Korean store have seen Army Of Darkness, but honestly I think they’d get a kick out of it. Anyways, let’s commence.
#4718: Bulramen Extra Hot Stir-fried Ramen – South Korea
Well, hmm. I think it’s time for something spicy. It’s early August 2023 and you know – spicy food. It’s funny – the chicken here kind of looks like Terminator with a chili pepper machine gun or something. I should note that this is the first review using my new tool – the RPFD – the ramen packaging flattening device. What’s that? Well, it’s a suction cup shower handle attached to a clear piece od thick Plexiglas which does a great job of flattening packs of instant noodles on the scanner. After over 4,000 reviews and trying different things to aid in scanning problem wrinkly packs, this came to me after using a tablet screen to hold down a metallic pack a few reviews back. You can see the post I did about it here. By the way, while it’s definitely got export info for the US, it’s got it for many countries, so this isn’t specific for the US and so it gets a South Korea label. Let’s try some fire?
#4715: Pink Rocket Rapokki Mac & Cheese Rapokki – United States
Made in South Korea and packaged for US sale. I’m curious if this one will work better than the last one which just kind of exploded in the microwave. Hopefully this one’s a gem.
#4713: Pulmuone Crab Ramen – United States
This one came from James of Lakeside, California – thanks, man! Pulmuone leans towards the healthier end of the stick when it comes to food manufacturing. I believe I read a while back about how there is in fact a large farm Pulmuone runs that is also a school on heritage farming for students in South Korea – pretty cool. Let’s make some crab ramen!
#4708: Pink Rocket Carbonara Rapokki – United States
I reviewed the bowl version of this quite a while back and they were pretty good, so when I saw the cups, I decided to give them a shot. Here’s the first one I’ll be doing. This is made in South Korea and packaged for the US market.
#4700: Samyang Foods Buldak Kimchi Artificial Spicy Chicken Flavor Ramen – United States
This is manufactured in South Korea, yes – but this one’s specifically for the Us market. I’ve had the pack version and it was really great. Let’s cook up a bowl!
#4699: Acecook Tomyum Soup Instant Noodle – South Korea
Thisd is a very interesting one found at GMart in Lynnwood, Washington state. This is made by Acecook Vietnam for the South Korean market. Honestly, I’ve never heard of tomyum eaten in South Korea. Do they do that? Thai food is popular in Taiwan, that much I know. Malaysia too – but they’re neighbors so that makes sense. I suppose they wouldn’t make this is nobody liked tomyum soup in South Korea. Anyways, it’s interesting – let’s checkk it out.
#4696: YouUs GS Retail Premium Omori Kimchi Stew Ramyun – United States
Found this one at GMart – that’s yet another Korean grocery, one in Lynnwood, Washington. Cool place actually – especially since I’ve not been there awhile so found some groovy stuff. Let’s try this, the pack version – made in South Korea, packaged for the US market.
#4691: You Us GS Retail Extra Spicy Jjamppong – South Korea
Ahhhh jjamppong! Awesome – I freaking really love jjamppong. Seafood and spicy and sometimes smoky – kind of imparts a grilled seafood flavor – those are the best. Let’s waste no time and give it a try!
#4685: Bulramen Artificial Spicy Chicken Flavor Carbonara – South Korea
Usually I try to track down the manufacturer and this one if rather difficult. It seems that Seoul Trading is distributing it, but not the manufacturer. It’s made in South Korea, however. There are three varieties of these – this carbonara, a spicy, and a fire spicy. This one gets a South Korea label since it’s an export version for many countries. Let’s see how spicy this stuff is.
#4676: Paldo Teum-sae Ramen For Spicy Lovers – United States
It’s time for some of the old ‘Fun&Yum’ (Paldo’s motto) with a bowl of Teum-sae ramen. It used to be just Teumsae I swear but now it’s hyphenated. These newly packaged varieties feature this woman on the package and it appears she has trouble getting her jacket over her angular shoulders or something. Well, let’s give it a try!
#4660: Dongwon Jjajang Rapokki – United States
Rapokki is a combination of ramyun (Korean instant noodle) and tteokbokki (rice cake tubes). This one has a black bean sauce. I have a feeling this will be wonderous. Let’s find out. Oh, and this is made in South Korea, however packaged for US sale.
#4647: Ottogi Jin Jjajang Smoked Black Bean Flavor – United States
Found this one while looking for something completely different recently at HMart. I could tell they had the new noodle type (flat/broad) and thought that could be interesting, so here we are with today’s review. I should mention I have a special guest on today’s Instant Noodle Recipe Time at the bottom, so check it out. Anyways, let’s cook it up and give it a try!
#4634: The Han Kitchen Budae Ramyun – South Korea
This one was found at HMart in Lynnwood, Washington. Never have seen this brand before. I’m guessing this is going to be budae jjigae, aka ‘troop stew,’ a combo of a classic Korean spicy ramyun along with bits you would find in Army rations like hot dog, salami, macaroni – stuff that will last a long time in the field. Let’s give it a try!
#4624: Samyang Buldak Basil & Cream Udon – South Korea
Here’s one that came by way of The Fat Hipster – check him out on YouTube! Thanks, man! This looks to be quite a departure from the normal Buldak fare – basil and cream seems pretty usual, but udon – hmm. It sounds pretty decent – let’s give it a try! Oh, and yes – there will be a mukbang at the bottom.
#4611: Samyang Foods Buldak Hot Chicken Stir-fried Noodles Jjajang – South Korea
Here’s another variety I’d not seen which came by way of The Fat Hipster, a guy who has tried some fascinating things on his YouTube channel, and is also part of Section42, a group of moderators for the Ramen Junkies group on Facebook. Check both out – and thanks, bro!
#4579: Nongshim Bulgogi Hot Pot Flavour Noodle – Australia
Here’s yet another sent by Pher Engi from Australia – thanks! This appears to be an export version specifically for Australia. Wish I had some beef to put in it. Ah well. Let’s give it a try!
#4546: Daebak Rabokki Flavour – Malaysia
Oh hey now I’m psyched. I love rabokki. It’s a combination of tteokbokki, a rice cake tube, and ramyeon. Alone, kind of bland, but paired with tteokbokki sauce, it’s absolutely delightful. Now, you might wonder how to pronounce tteokbokki. It’s a soft t or a hard d. I heard multiple times that it was one of the hardest words for westerners to pronounce in Korean. Well, I watch a few videos and figured I had it down. One day, I had a violent toothache. I mean ready to take an ice pick to the ice pick pain I was experiencing. I hate going to the dentist. It was so bad I begged my wife to take me. Well, they took pity on me and took a look on the spot. They said we can fix it or pull it. I said let’s yank that beast. I opted for the nitrous oxide – laughing gas. I swear, I’d love to have a tank of that stuff. Anyways, that gas really got me going. After I was all gassed up, I spoke to the doctor, a young Korean guy. Well, I was pretty happy what with all the gas, so I thought I’d see if my Korean was any good, so I asked if I could try it on him. So, I said tteokbokki. He said it was pretty good. Then he took that thing out of my head. Thanks, man! Let’s make some rabokki – I have some tteokbokki left over to use with it. Let’s cook!
#4533: Ottogi Jin Jjambbong Spicy Seafood Noodle – South Korea
Back in March of 2017, I reviewed this one for the first time. In November, I ended up going to Taiwan for the second time and it was really quite amazing. The first day there I think, I got to visit a little restaurant called ‘Love Instant Noodles.’
#4528: Wang Malatang Udon – United States
A week. Last week I mean. Feeling crummy. Started Sunday and went on until Thursday. Then Friday happened and it was like I was pretty much at 100% again, which was really nice. Went out for a nice walk, then went out shopping. I definitely wanted to see what was up at Asian Family Market – the next day would be Lunar New Year. Got a few things, this being one of them. Looks interesting; let’s check it out!
#4483: Samyang Foods Buldak Yakisoba HOT Chicken Flavor Ramen – South Korea
Big thanks to Pher Engi for sending this along. Have you seen this one? Figured I should get it out there soon as possible for everyone to see. Definitely a departure from the multiple creamy and cheesy flavors as of late. Let’s give it a try!
#4475: Samyang Rosé Buldak Stir-fried Noodles – South Korea
First – this doesn’t taste like roses. This was sent by The Fat Hipster – thanks man! So, rose is like a chili-cream kind of thing. I tried a rabokki that was rose before and loved it, so we’ll give this a try with high hopes. I want to also thank Samyang Foods for something very exciting to hear – from the Korea Times: ‘For customers who are blind or visually impaired, the company for the first time printed Braille dots on the packaging of Rosé Buldak Stir-fried Noodles.’ This is referring to the cup versions. I think this is truly excellent. I’m legally blind and while I don’t read braille, I think some day I may need to. Really top notch of them – high marks from me. Let’s see if the flavor matches this kind innovation.
#4464: Samyang Buldak Carbonara Artificial Spicy Chicken Flavor Ramen – United States
I figured out – I’ve never reviewed the cup version of this one, nor the export version either. So, let’s do it!
#4452: Samyang Buldak Jjamppong – South Korea
Here’s another Buldak variety that came by way of The Fat Hipster – he’s got a great YouTube channel you should check out! This guy drank s’mores flavor Pepsi. You should really look at what he’s up to!
#4438: Samyang Foods Buldak Lovely Hot – South Korea
A big thank you to The Fat Hipster from YouTube for sending this over – so I figured this sounds like a good place to start. Why? Well, I realized in my post schedule for YouTube that this would come on Valentine’s Day, so hearts, Valentine’s day – not an extreme stretch. This appears to be a less spicy version – but it’s also got something else going on. The packaging scheme looks a lot like Buldak Light.
#4430: Nongshim Shin Kimchi Big Bowl – South Korea
I’ve a couple fascinating varieties from the Shin range by Nongshim which came by way of The Fat Hipster – thanks man! He’s got a YouTube channel where does reviews you should check out. This is one I though was only in the UK but from the labeling it’s distributed throughout Europe – there fore its getting the South Korea stamp as it’s not just for one country but many. Let’s give it a try!
#4424: Dongwon Spicy Topokki With Rose Sauce – South Korea
I thought this one was a combo tteokbokki and noodle like the other one I reviewed a little while ago but that isn’t the case. Rose is when you have a carbonara and a spicy tteokbokki sauce mixed together – spicy and creamy. I couldn’t just let it be so I made it and it’s freaking good – here you go.
#4421: Ottogi Kimchi Ramen – South Korea
So this one might look like a variety simply for the US market but there’s a difference. The nutrition facts are valid for Canada as well. This one get’s the country of origin’s tag on it, although it’s most certainly an export product. It’s been quite a while since I’ve reviewed a South Korean variety I’ve not reviewed. Quite a while! Let’s hit it up and give it a try!
#4420: Samyang Buldak Cheese Artificial Spicy Chicken Flavor Ramen – United States
So I’ve not reviewed this one in a long time. Way back when it was introduced, it had a black background, then changed to cheese colored to lessen confusion. That was back when the import version looked like the original Korean version with the Hangul text. Well, this is the current version for the US market. They’ve changed the recipe for a few of these and so curious about how this one is these days. Let’s find out. Oh – and by the way – this isn’t chicken flavored – it’s based on the spicy sauce you put on Korean BBQ chicken, so calling this chicken flavored is like calling Sweet Baby Ray’s beef flavored – but that explanation would really make for a long title. Ok let’s do this.
#4413: Ottogi Spicy Cheese Ramen – South Korea
Been wanting to try this one for a while – Ottogi makes some good ones. My favorite has been the Jin Jjamppong – nice smoky seafood flavor. Let’s give this one a try!