There’s no denying that Samyang’s hype machine with their Buldak product line has been a major force in the noodle industry throughout the last several years. For a while, you couldn’t scroll through social media without seeing someone demolishing a bowl of the original Hot Chicken flavor (or 2x or even 3x nowadays). While it seems like that trend has calmed down a bit, Buldak has done something that very few Korean brands had managed to do before now: infiltrate non-Asian grocery stores. Even those big-name supermarket chains that, a decade ago, would’ve pointed to Frank’s RedHot as the spiciest thing in their aisles are now selling Buldak noodles to unassuming consumers. So as with most things with this much hype and exposure, the inevitable backlash has already been in full swing for a couple years now. When something becomes more of a dare than a dish, it stops being about taste and starts being about spectacle, and I feel like that’s pushed many consumers into the realm of false assumptions about what Buldak is or isn’t.
Read more: Editorial: It’s Okay to Not Like BuldakAuthor: Noodle Journey
Mega-Review: Kusari Noodles (aka Kabuto Noodles)
The first site-exclusive Mega-Review! This is a quartet of noodle cups from a UK company that operated in the US for a short while under the name Kusari Noodles. This one has a little bit of a backstory behind it, but this marks the first time I’m reviewing noodles made in the UK, which means this is going to be interesting. Buckle up!
Read more: Mega-Review: Kusari Noodles (aka Kabuto Noodles)Noodle News Roundup: April 2025
Here’s all the noteworthy noodle news for April 2025! This month we’ve got some new varieties from one of my favorite noodle companies, Marutai, plus a major product line update from Samyang, some great news about a popular Buldak flavor, and a reality check about tariffs.
Read more: Noodle News Roundup: April 2025Review: A-Sha BT21 Street Style Variety Noodle Box (Dan Dan Noodle with Dream Team Scallion Sauce)
Today, I’m checking out a product from what is probably the most ubiquitous Taiwanese noodle brand on the planet, A-Sha, with this really eye-catching BT21 Street Style Variety Noodle Box. Buckle up, because this review has an unexpected twist!
Read more: Review: A-Sha BT21 Street Style Variety Noodle Box (Dan Dan Noodle with Dream Team Scallion Sauce)Noodle Journey Episode 200: Nongshim x Jay Fai Shin Ramyun Tom Yum
Original video description:
It’s time for episode 200! To celebrate this milestone, I thought it would be awesome to check out an actual Michelin-star chef’s collaboration with Nongshim! If you’re a fan of spicy Shin Ramyun and Thai tom yum soup, you are going to want to check out Nongshim’s collaboration with world-renowned chef Jay Fai and these two new Shin Ramyun Tom Yum varieties.
Scores:
Shin Ramyun Tom Yum:
- Noodles: 8/10
- Spiciness: 6/10
- Overall: 8.5/10
Shin Ramyun Tom Yum Stir Fry:
- Noodles: 9/10
- Spiciness: 6.5/10
- Overall: 8.5/10
Review: Nissin Cup Noodle BIG Butter Chicken Curry
One of the benefits of doing reviews here on the site is I can churn out reviews of limited-time products much more quickly than if I had to schedule time to film and edit for the YouTube channel. So with that in mind, I’m checking out the first of many limited-time Cup Noodle products from Nissin right here for your reading pleasure, with this Butter Chicken Curry flavor. Oh yes, and it comes in the “BIG” Cup Noodle size only.
Read more: Review: Nissin Cup Noodle BIG Butter Chicken CurryNoodle Journey Episode 199: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Toomba
Original video description:
One last episode before I hit the 200 milestone! Here’s Nongshim’s spicy Korean take on a popular restaurant chain pasta dish. If you love cheesy, creamy noodles like Buldak Carbonara, you’ll definitely want to see this review.
Scores:
Cooking Method #1 (Sauce):
- Noodles: 9/10
- Spiciness: 4/10
- Overall: 9/10
Cooking Method #2 (Dry):
- Noodles: 9/10
- Spiciness: 5/10
- Overall: 9.5/10
Review: JML Artificial Stew Pork Flavor
It’s been a while since I reviewed something from Jin Mai Lang, also known as JML. I reviewed their Artificial Chicken Mushroom flavor way back when, and it did certainly deliver on both the chicken and the mushroom flavor, although the noodles weren’t really the best. Here with this variety, we’ve got a Chinese “stewed pork” flavor I’m not totally familiar with, but I do love trying new things, so this should be interesting.
Read more: Review: JML Artificial Stew Pork FlavorNoodle Journey Episode 198: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Stir Fry
Original video description:
Nongshim makes a few varieties of their massively popular Shin Ramyun in stir-fry form, and on today’s episode, I’ll break down the key differences between the newer American version and the South Korean version that’s been around for much longer.
Scores:
American Version:
- Noodles: 9/10
- Spiciness: 6/10
- Overall: 5.5/10
South Korean Version:
- Noodles: 9/10
- Spiciness: 5.5/10
- Overall: 7.5/10
Review: Maruchan Yakisoba Cheddar Cheese Flavor
Hey everyone, it’s time to get into the very first site-exclusive Noodle Journey review! If you’re confused about why this is a bunch of text with no video, check out the recent blog post explaining my decision to split up my reviews between the channel and this site.
Anyway… cheesy instant noodles. I think cheese may be the most divisive ingredient I’ve ever encountered in instant noodles (aside from all the stuff in the gimmick flavors out there). Here we have Maruchan combining a cheese sauce with their yakisoba noodles into what I’m imagining is going to be a glorified mac and cheese with minimal-to-no Asian flavors.
Read more: Review: Maruchan Yakisoba Cheddar Cheese Flavor