Noodle Journey Episode 91: Samyang Buldak Habanero Lime Ramen

In this spicy review I’m covering Samyang Buldak Habanero Lime, one of three new Buldak flavors introduced in 2022. The sombrero on the packaging hints at a Mexican‑inspired profile. I had tried this a couple of months earlier because I wanted to see how relentless the cilantro flavor was, and after it passed the cilantro-tolerance test, I wanted to revisit it here.

This costs around $7.49 for a five‑pack and contains 1,580 mg of sodium. The sauce packet lists ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, MSG, habanero pepper and lime extract; the flake packet is quite meager with a small assortment of dried carrots, cabbage, and bok choy. Annoyingly for those of us with inferior genetics, like I mentioned above there’s also cilantro in the seasoning – it isn’t listed (it’s covered in the ingredients under words like “spices” or “natural flavors”) but I can smell it, and anyone with the “cilantro tastes like soap” gene should take note.

Noodles:
The round Buldak noodles are as springy and chewy as ever and stand up well to the sauce.
• 8/10

Spiciness:
The habanero‑based heat hits quickly and stays with you. It’s slightly less punishing than the original hot‑chicken pack but still intense. The lime note brings a little additional acidity to the end result, making the tingle lingers long after each bite.
• 7.5/10

Overall:
This flavor combines Buldak’s signature chili heat with a noticeable citrus twist and some sweet & savory notes. The lime isn’t overpowering to me but adds a refreshing finish. The final result is essentially a super spicy ketchup with pepper and lime flavor. My main complaint (aside from the stealth inclusion of cilantro) is the tiny flake packet – more dried vegetables would have helped balance things. Even so, I think this is a worthy addition to the Buldak line. Fans of super‑spicy noodles who want something different from the basic hot‑chicken flavor should try it, but if you dislike the sweetness of ketchup, cilantro, or citrus‑heat combinations you might want to skip it.
• 8/10

Notes since filming:

This one may warrant a re-review someday. The experiences I’ve read from others who’ve tried this flavor are all over the place. Some found it not nearly as spicy, some found it way more lime-forward than I did, etc. I don’t know if Samyang has changed this recipe since filming, or perhaps if their habanero pepper supplier has inconsistent heat levels with their peppers, but something is definitely up with this one.