I’m diving back into the world of black bean sauce noodles, this time with a twist from Nongshim. Zha Wang promises an oyster-flavored sauce that builds on the classic jjajang base but introduces a new depth and texture. It stands apart from Chapagetti (the first black bean noodle I ever reviewed) by aiming for something richer and more complex. Given my mixed history with Chapagetti and how strong some other brands like Paldo and Samyang have been, I’m curious to see whether this can step up and deliver something different.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 151: Nongshim Zha WangBrand: Nongshim
Noodle Journey Episode 146: Nongshim Kimchi Noodle Soup
After a surprisingly decent experience with Mike’s Mighty Good Kimchi Ramen, I wanted to see what a company that actually makes decent noodles could do with the same concept. Nongshim Kimchi Noodle Soup seems like the perfect follow-up, since I’ve already made it clear how much I love both kimchi and Nongshim’s products in general. This one feels like a natural fit with their other products.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 146: Nongshim Kimchi Noodle SoupNoodle Journey: Top 10 Instant Noodles (2024)
Notes since filming:
I never deal in absolutes, which is why I won’t commit to saying any one noodle product is my number one of all time. I enjoy all of these for different reasons, and what awesome product I crave one day may not be what awesome product I crave another day. That’s why I filmed this list this way, and I will continue to do so with any future top lists.
Original video description:
Time for the channel’s first top 10 list! I’ve reviewed a lot of great products since the channel began. This list, in no particular order, highlights my 10 current favorites among the major noodle varieties, along with some honorable mentions for those of you with dietary preferences.
Noodle Journey Episode 121: Nongshim Potato Noodle Soup
Today I’m reviewing Nongshim Potato Noodle Soup, a Nongshim variety that puts the potato starch content of the noodles front and center. While Nongshim’s noodles often include a little potato starch for chew, this recipe leans on it as a primary ingredient. Despite the name, this is not gluten-free; there is wheat gluten in the noodle. The packaging also does not make it clear what kind of broth this is, so I’m going in curious to see where the flavor lands.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 121: Nongshim Potato Noodle SoupNoodle Journey Episode 109: Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle Soup
I’m reviewing one of the most popular vegan instant noodle options out there: Nongshim’s Soon Veggie Noodle Soup. Since I tend to cover a lot of spicy, meat-based varieties, this feels like a good opportunity to check out something milder, vegan-friendly, and easy to find in the US. Vegans deserve solid noodle options too, and this one has been hyped online for years. It’s long overdue for a spot on my review list. As with most Nongshim products, my expectations are high, so I’m curious to see if it lives up to the praise.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 109: Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle SoupNoodle Journey Episode 108: Nongshim Doong Ji Naengmyeon with Gochujang Sauce
I’m back with the second half of Nongshim’s Doong Ji Naengmyeon line, this time swapping out the chilled beef broth for a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce. Fans of the channel might recognize this pairing from my review of Nongshim’s Guksu Soba in Episode 85, where I loved the sauce, and from the previous review’s naengmyeon noodles, which I mostly liked. Given that history, I’m expecting a solid showing here. Naengmyeon is a cold noodle dish made with ultra-thin brown noodles, while this gochujang sauce is a sweet and spicy blend built on red pepper paste and other savory elements.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 108: Nongshim Doong Ji Naengmyeon with Gochujang SauceNoodle Journey Episode 107: Nongshim Doong Ji Naengmyeon with Chilled Beef Broth
It’s another hot summer day, so I’m breaking into something cold for Episode 107: Nongshim’s Doong Ji Naengmyeon with Chilled Beef Broth. I first saw this style of noodle in a video from Esther Choi, where she prepared naengmyeon for Sean Evans, and it piqued my interest. I’ve tried other cold noodles before, like Nongshim’s Guksu Soba and Paldo’s Bibimmen, but naengmyeon is new territory for me. These thin, chewy noodles are typically made with wheat, buckwheat, and potato starch, and they’re traditionally served in a tangy, chilled broth, often as a refreshing follow-up to Korean BBQ. This one swaps in a beef-based broth, which should make for a very interesting experience.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 107: Nongshim Doong Ji Naengmyeon with Chilled Beef BrothNoodle 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 Unboxing: StyleKorean.com
Notes since filming:
Shortly after I released this video, StyleKorean slowly began removing all of their noodles and tteokbokki products from their site. They unfortunately don’t sell any food anymore, which is a shame because they had a decent selection.
What doubly hurts is that I had an issue in my house that destroyed some of the stuff from this order that I didn’t get to review right away. 🙁
This unboxing video will remain up for posterity and because I referenced it in other videos.
Original video description:
Noodle Journey’s first unboxing video! While hunting for some new noodles, I came across StyleKorean.com, a South Korean website selling some interesting noodle products (and cosmetics, if you’re into that sort of thing), some of which I can’t find in the USA. There’s some really cool stuff in here, so check it out if you’re interested in ordering from them.
(This video is not sponsored in any way. I’m just a fan of their service and selection.)
#nongshim #samyang #buldakramen #paldo #ottogi