Noodle Journey Episode 97: Samyang Buldak Curry Ramen

Today I’m looking at Samyang’s Buldak Curry ramen, one of the most recommended Buldak flavors I’ve seen on Facebook and Reddit. From the first time I tried Buldak, I noticed hints of sweet, earthy curry powder in the base sauce, alongside umami smokiness and spice. This curry version promises to turn up that profile with extra curry seasoning. As someone who enjoys a well-balanced curry, I’m curious to see if this hits the mark or if it leans too far in any one direction.

Inside the pack is the usual square block of Buldak noodles, a sauce packet, and a flake packet. Unlike the sesame seed and seaweed flakes in the standard versions, this one includes dried carrot, onion, and bok choy. It appears vegetarian, though check the label for yourself if that is something you look for. The sodium content is 1,510 mg, and it’s widely available at roughly $2 per single pack, $7–10 for a five-pack, and about $3 for the bowl version if you can find it.

Noodles:
The noodles are the same chewy, thick Buldak style I’ve praised before. They hold up well and deliver a consistent, satisfying bite.
• 8/10

Spiciness:
For a Buldak variety, the heat here is surprisingly mild. And by “mild” I mean in comparison to other Buldak, so that kind of puts it at “medium.” It still burns, but it’s far more comfortable than most in the lineup, allowing the curry flavor to shine.
• 5/10

Overall:
The real star here is the curry spice blend. With the heat dialed back, it brings forward a sweet, earthy, and slightly bitter complexity, with possible notes of cumin and cinnamon or nutmeg. It leans toward the sweet side but is blended well, reminiscent of other East Asian curry profiles. The biggest letdown is the flake packet – it’s sparse, with just a few tiny pieces of carrot, bok choy, and green onion, a far cry from the more robust garnishes in other versions or what’s been available in Korean releases. While I’d like more substance in the vegetable mix, the sauce flavor and noodle quality make this a strong, delicious entry in the Buldak lineup. It’s flavorful enough to stand on its own but would benefit from adding your own toppings if you want more texture and variety.
• 9/10

Notes since filming:

In late 2024, people have reported issues finding Buldak Curry in stores. In March of 2025, a Redditor reported that Samyang America told them this flavor was being discontinued. The lack of general stock in many stores seems to confirm this as of May, 2025. What a shame, because this flavor was excellent.

If you wanted to create this yourself at home, you could potentially get original Buldak or Lovely Hot and either sprinkle in your favorite curry powder or even add a cube of your favorite curry roux to the liquid at the end. Neither one will give you this exact recipe with this exact spice level, but it’s the closest you can get nowadays unless you spot a store that carries some residual stock.