For this episode, I’m trying one of the more intriguing flavors from Nissin’s Hong Kong Cup Noodles lineup: Black Pepper Crab. This variety caught my attention after a Reddit post claimed it was disappearing from store shelves, which made me even more curious to find and review it. Black pepper crab is a Singaporean classic, made by frying whole crabs in black pepper and aromatics, and this cup promises to deliver a version of that rich, peppery seafood experience. Like most cup noodle offerings, I know the noodles themselves won’t be the star, but the flavor could be.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 102: Nissin Cup Noodles Black Pepper CrabAuthor: Noodle Journey
Noodle Journey Episode 101: Nongshim Shin Green
For Episode 101, I’m following up my Shin Gold review with Nongshim’s other recent addition to the Shin lineup: Shin Green. Released in the US in 2022, this variety started out as a Kroger-exclusive before finally making its way to other markets. This one takes Shin in a completely different direction: a certified vegan spicy mushroom and fried tofu soup. While many instant noodles happen to be vegan, Nongshim went the extra step to have this one officially certified, making it a notable option for vegan noodle fans. I’m not vegan myself, but as a mushroom fanatic, I was eager to see what they had done here, especially since early feedback from others has been very divided.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 101: Nongshim Shin GreenNoodle Journey Episode 100: Nongshim Shin Gold Ramyun
I’m marking the 100th episode milestone with a fitting choice: one of Nongshim’s two new additions (at the time of this review) to the Shin lineup, Shin Gold. Since starting this channel with reviews of Shin and Shin Black, it only feels right to celebrate with another Shin variety. This one is a spicy chicken ramyun that promises a rich, flavorful bone broth while keeping the same core appeal that’s made Shin products some of my all-time favorites. The classic Nongshim balance of taste, portion size, and availability is here, and it’s just as easy to enjoy straight from the pack as it is dressed up with add-ins.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 100: Nongshim Shin Gold RamyunNoodle Journey Episode 99: Samyang Buldak Jjamppong Ramen
I’m wrapping up my current stash of Buldak products with something you don’t often see in US supermarket aisles: Samyang’s Buldak Jjamppong. Jjamppong is a spicy seafood soup that originated in Nagasaki, Japan, before being adapted into various regional styles. The Korean take leans toward a red chili broth similar to Nongshim’s Neoguri, which I loved back in Episode 25. This is Samyang’s super-spicy version of that style—one of only two Buldak varieties that are soups rather than stir-fries.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 99: Samyang Buldak Jjamppong RamenNoodle Journey Episode 98: Samyang Buldak Cream Carbonara Ramen
I’m finally reviewing the second-to-last Buldak flavor in this marathon, Samyang’s Buldak Cream Carbonara, after months of hunting it down. This flavor, released in the US in 2022 alongside Quattro Cheese and Habanero Lime, proved far harder for me to find than its siblings. While the others were easy to spot online and in local Asian markets, Cream Carbonara was elusive, selling out quickly at YamiBuy and not restocking in what I would consider a reasonable amount of time. My local store even had an empty shelf tag for weeks before replacing it with regular Carbonara. The breakthrough came when I spotted a random case of it sitting on the floor at H Mart, hidden under other boxes.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 98: Samyang Buldak Cream Carbonara RamenNoodle 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.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 97: Samyang Buldak Curry RamenNoodle Journey Episode 96: Samyang Buldak Lovely Hot Ramen
Following on the Buldak Light review from the last episode, now I’m diving into Samyang’s elusive Buldak Lovely Hot flavor, a variation that tones down the trademark fire but keeps the indulgence of fully fried noodles. While Buldak Light offers an air-dried, lower-fat approach with a milder sauce, Lovely Hot is designed for those who want the same reduced heat without sacrificing the fried finish of normal Buldak noodles. It’s marked with a “fire level 1” indicator, which is something you won’t see on English-export packaging but would be pretty welcome here, and it comes with a small but notable twist in the ingredients.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 96: Samyang Buldak Lovely Hot RamenNoodle Journey Episode 95: Samyang Buldak Light Ramen
I’m looking at Samyang Buldak Light, an alternative to the brand’s iconic Hot Chicken Ramen that promises 28% fewer calories and 40% less spice. The noodles are air-dried rather than fried, meaning there’s no oil in the ingredients, which makes them lower in fat. This could appeal to anyone who enjoys Buldak’s flavor but finds the full spice level overwhelming, or maybe wants a less fatty rendition. The trade-off is a noticeably smaller block of noodles, about an ounce less than the standard version, which makes the package feel slimmer.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 95: Samyang Buldak Light RamenNoodle Journey Episode 94: Samyang Buldak Kimchi Ramen
When I first opened the massive variety pack of Korean noodles I bought ages ago (that essentially hallmarked that start of this whole site and channel), I was surprised by how many Buldak flavors Samyang had put out, some of them unexpected like Corn or Tomato Pasta. Today’s review focuses on a flavor that feels like a natural fit: Buldak Kimchi. The combination of Samyang’s signature heat with the sour fermented kick of kimchi seems like a no-brainer for fans of bold, punchy flavors. Unless you hate kimchi, of course, in which case this one’s probably not going to be your thing.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 94: Samyang Buldak Kimchi RamenNoodle Journey Episode 93: Samyang Buldak Tomato Pasta Ramen
Continuing my deep dive into Samyang’s Buldak product line, I’m trying out one of the more unique flavors left in my review queue, the Tomato Pasta variety. Some online chatter, particularly on Reddit, claims this is basically a South Korean spicy take on Spaghetti-Os. That doesn’t sound too bad to me, though we’ll see how it plays out in practice.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 93: Samyang Buldak Tomato Pasta Ramen