Noodle Journey Episode 173: Samyang Buldak Mala with Flat Noodles

Today I’m checking out Samyang Buldak Mala with Flat Noodles, a bowl version of the mala flavor that I previously reviewed in its Indonesian pack format in Episode 164. That earlier review covered a lot of the background behind this particular variation of Buldak, so for today’s review I’m mainly focusing on how this bowl compares in flavor, texture, and overall execution. I already know the noodles are very different, and the recipe itself isn’t identical, so I’m curious to see how closely this aligns with that hard-to-find pack version.

Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 173: Samyang Buldak Mala with Flat Noodles

This bowl is produced in South Korea and sold internationally as a specialty import. You can pick it up through sites like MyKMarket.com, which is where I purchased mine, and you may also spot it in certain Asian grocery stores depending on your region. It’s generally easier to find than the Indonesian pack version, though not exactly cheap. If you’re in the US and your local stores don’t carry it, ordering online is usually the most reliable option.

For sodium, this bowl clocks in at 1360mg compared to 1490mg in the pack version. Inside are flat noodles made from potato starch, a sauce packet, and a flake packet. The sauce appears broadly similar to the pack recipe but includes some notable differences: it is not vegan, contains a milk derivative, includes oyster sauce, and has some form of peanut powder. The flake packet contains cabbage and red pepper. There is also an alcohol smell from the noodles straight out of the package, which the packaging warns is normal and will dissipate once cooked.

Noodles:
These flat potato starch noodles have a chewy texture that leans into a gummy consistency. I’m fairly certain they’re the same noodles used in the Buldak Rosé bowls, and while I expected to like them more than I do, the texture just isn’t clicking for me. They separate decently after cooking and they hold the sauce well, but the gauge and gummy chewiness is distracting and not particularly satisfying for me. Fans of this style will likely enjoy them more, but they’re just not my preferred texture.
• 5/10

Spiciness:
This is serious Buldak heat. It’s extremely hot, it lingers aggressively, and the mala effect brings in numbing from the Sichuan peppercorn. The spice level matches what I experienced in the Indonesian pack version and delivers the same intense burn expected from the Buldak line.
• 8/10

Overall:
The biggest difference I could discern between this bowl and the Indonesian pack version is in the balance of the mala seasoning. Here, the five spice and Sichuan peppercorn come through much more strongly, creating a floral, earthy, and noticeably bitter profile compared to the more rounded savory flavor of the pack sauce. In the Indonesian version, I could taste the familiar Buldak sauce character underneath the mala spices and artificial beef seasoning, but in this bowl the mala components are much more noticeably at the forefront. The cabbage and red pepper flakes are good, and from a consistency perspective, the sauce thickens nicely as it coats the noodles. Overall this bowl isn’t bad, but I prefer the pack version in nearly every way. The noodles in this bowl aren’t my favorite, and the sauce feels less nuanced than its pillow pack counterpart. Still, if you find this bowl in a store or online and you enjoy strong mala flavors and don’t mind the noodle texture, you’ll probably still have a good time with it.
• 6/10