Here’s another spicy chili shin-style soup from Paldo with a name I can’t quite figure out the translation of. If you’re interested in an alternative to other soups in the same style, you’re going to want to check out this review!
It’s time to take on Paldo Volcano Chicken Noodle, one of the earliest examples of Buldak-inspired instant noodles that I’m aware of. The packaging screams danger with flames, a volcano logo, and a crying chicken that leaves no doubt what kind of experience this is supposed to be. It’s positioned as a spicy curry chicken noodle, though we’ll get to that “curry” claim soon. Either way, I’m curious whether Paldo’s version can bring something new to the table or if it’s just another heat-for-heat’s-sake bowl.
Paldo Strawberry Bibimmen marks a milestone for the channel (Episode 150) and it might be one of the most unexpected instant noodle flavors I’ve ever reviewed. I first noticed it on MyKMarket while browsing for Korean-exclusive Buldak varieties, then forgot about it until a Reddit thread reminded me. The comments there convinced me to buy it for this episode, and it’s a fittingly strange way to celebrate a round-number milestone.
Today, I’m trying Paldo Gompaghetti, a Korean–Italian mash-up that promises a white, peppercorn-forward creamy sauce over thick noodles. I stumble on it during a recent Asian market run – one of those curveballs that jumps into my shopping cart because I just have to know what it tastes like. I’ve covered Paldo’s Premium Gomtang before, so the idea of fusing that savory base with a peppery “white pasta” vibe has me curious and a little wary. Fusion products can be great or a total misfire, but I’m going in hoping for a creamy comfort bowl that still feels distinctly Korean.
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.)
I’m diving into something a bit unusual today: Paldo’s Jang Ramyun, a soy-flavored noodle soup that stands out because it’s from a Korean company. While soy-based broths are a staple in Japanese ramen, they’re a bit rarer (in my experience) when it comes to Korean instant noodles. This particular variety has a few interesting twists in the ingredients. It’s part of Paldo’s diverse lineup, and given how consistently solid their products are, I’m going in with cautious optimism.
I’m checking out a somewhat different flavor from Paldo with this Kokomen, a clean and spicy chicken noodle soup that’s a little more interesting than your average chicken broth. I don’t usually go out of my way to review plain chicken soups, because they tend to be a bit boring, but this one has an interesting backstory and flavor profile. Kokomen was the result of an amateur cooking contest in South Korea back in 2011, and the recipe became so popular that Paldo turned it into an instant noodle product.
I’m reviewing my first octopus-flavored product: Paldo Bul Nak. Not to be confused with Samyang’s Buldak, this Korean noodle combines a buldak-style sweet and spicy sauce with actual powdered octopus. And yes, it’s real octopus, not just flavoring. In Korean, “bul” means fire and “nakji” means octopus, so this is literally “hot octopus.” Expect heat.
After enjoying several spicy black bean noodles like Samyang Buldak Jjajang and Nongshim’s Angry Chapaguri, I’m shifting gears and reviewing Paldo’s basic, non-spicy Jjajangmen. This one seems to be the go-to option for folks who want a rich black bean sauce without the heat. It’s widely available in 4-packs for $6–$10 online or at local Asian grocery stores, but be careful of price gouging on Amazon. According to Reddit, this version is often considered superior to Chapagetti due to its rich sauce and substantial veggie content. And with a 7-ounce pack weight, this is one of the heaviest instant noodles I’ve ever reviewed, most of that coming from a seriously chunky liquid sauce packet.
It’s the middle of a brutal summer heat wave at the time of this review, so I’m turning to something refreshingly different: a cold noodle dish from the always-reliable Paldo. This is my first cold noodle review, and I’m diving into a variety called bibim naengmyeon, or bibimmen for short, which features chewy noodles paired with a sweet and spicy sauce. If cold noodles aren’t your thing, the packaging does include hot prep instructions, but I stuck with the cold version to keep things authentic.