Video Reviews | Noodle Journey

by Noodle Journey - June 14, 2023August 8, 2025

Noodle 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.

by Noodle Journey - June 10, 2023August 8, 2025

Noodle 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.

by Noodle Journey - June 7, 2023August 8, 2025

Noodle 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.

by Noodle Journey - June 3, 2023August 8, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 92: Samyang Buldak Stew Ramen

This review looks at Samyang Buldak Stew Type, one of the few variations designed to deliver the brand’s signature flavor in soup form. I’ve seen people dilute regular Buldak sauces with water to create soup, which isn’t a great idea – just spreads the spice around and weakens the flavor. Be warned that the packaging is kinda similar to the standard original Hot Chicken pack but has a “Stew Type” logo, so be sure you’re buying the right one.

by Noodle Journey - May 31, 2023August 7, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 91: Samyang Buldak Habanero Lime Ramen

In this spicy review I’m covering Samyang Buldak Habanero Lime, one of three new Buldak flavors introduced in 2022. The sombrero on the packaging hints at a Mexican‑inspired profile. I had tried this a couple of months earlier because I wanted to see how relentless the cilantro flavor was, and after it passed the cilantro-tolerance test, I wanted to revisit it here.

by Noodle Journey - May 27, 2023August 7, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 90: Samyang Buldak Rosé Ramen

Today I’m reviewing Samyang Buldak Rosé, which at the time of this review was one of the more elusive flavors in the Buldak lineup. I ordered it from stylekorean.com for about two dollars a pack, though I hope Samyang eventually releases an English‑export version (update: they did!). Some viewers have mispronounced it as “rose” like the flower; the packaging clearly uses the accent mark over the e, so it’s pronounced ro‑zé. This ramen aims to blend Samyang’s signature heat with a creamy, Western‑inspired sauce.

by Noodle Journey - May 20, 2023August 7, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 89: Nissin Cup Noodles Breakfast

In this review I’m taking a look at Nissin’s Cup Noodles Breakfast variety, a limited‐edition gimmick that pairs ramen with maple syrup, pancakes, sausage and egg flavors. Nissin announced it in March 2023 and many people assumed it was an April Fool’s joke, but it’s real and I was able to buy it from Walmart for about $1.18 at the time of review. It’s a Walmart exclusive and scalpers were reselling it online, which is disappointing because creating artificial scarcity for food is a particularly lousy thing to do.

by Noodle Journey - May 17, 2023August 6, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 88: Sapporo Ichiban Tonkotsu Ramen Bowl (US Version)

Sapporo Ichiban has become a bit of a sleeper favorite for me. While their lineup in the US is limited, what they do offer tends to be consistent, accessible, and pleasantly flavorful, which are qualities that earn them a permanent spot on my shelves (my daughter in particular is a big fan of their chicken ramen). In this review, I’m checking out their Tonkotsu Ramen, a pork bone broth variety that has a lot of competition in the instant noodle world. Given how many excellent tonkotsu options I’ve already reviewed, this one’s got some stiff standards to live up to.

by Noodle Journey - May 13, 2023August 6, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 87: Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen Bowl (US Version)

This episode covers one of the most well-known instant miso ramen products on the market: Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen, in the bowl version. Thanks to a viral TikTok hack that combined this ramen with a raw egg, Kewpie mayo, and garlic, it skyrocketed in internet popularity. But beyond the hype, there’s some legitimate history here too; this was reportedly the very first instant miso ramen, dating back to the 1960s. It took Sanyo Foods three years to develop their proprietary six-miso blend for this flavor, and the end result is a savory, umami-rich bowl that clearly struck a chord with consumers.

by Noodle Journey - May 6, 2023August 5, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 86: Paldo Jang Ramyun (Soy Flavor Noodle)

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.