There are actually two versions of Paldo’s Gomtang on the market: a standard variety in more gold-colored packaging and a “Premium” version. This review focuses on the premium one, which is supposedly a step up in richness and depth.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 6: Paldo Premium GomtangCategory: Video Reviews
Noodle Journey Episode 5: Samyang Buldak Carbonara
Samyang’s Buldak Carbonara is one of the most talked-about instant noodles on the Internet, constantly recommended in Reddit threads, YouTube challenges, and noodle circles of all kinds. I picked mine up as part of a Korean ramen combo box from Cokoyam (RIP), but you can also find it on Yamibuy and Amazon.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 5: Samyang Buldak CarbonaraNoodle Journey Episode 4: Momofuku Spicy Soy Noodles
I originally planned to dig into one of the Korean or Japanese packs gathering dust in my pantry, but a bag of Momofuku Spicy Soy Noodles caught my eye at Target. Given the name attached to it (David Chang) and the fact that Momofuku started as a noodle bar, I have some reasonably high hopes going in.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 4: Momofuku Spicy Soy NoodlesNoodle Journey Episode 3A: Mike’s Mighty Good Chicken Ramen (Cup)
Since I already cracked open this cup for comparison during my review of Mike’s Fried Garlic Chicken, I figured I might as well eat it too. This one’s just labeled “Chicken Ramen Soup Flavor,” so while there’s some ingredient overlap, it’s a different recipe with no fried garlic this time.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 3A: Mike’s Mighty Good Chicken Ramen (Cup)Noodle Journey Episode 3: Mike’s Mighty Good Fried Garlic Chicken Ramen
By popular demand, it’s time to take a look at an American instant ramen: Mike’s Mighty Good Fried Garlic Chicken. This one has its defenders and its critics, and after trying it again for this review, I still find myself torn.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 3: Mike’s Mighty Good Fried Garlic Chicken RamenNoodle Journey Episode 2: Nongshim Shin Black Ramyun
After opening the series with Nongshim Shin Ramyun, it only felt right to follow it up with the so-called “premium” version, Nongshim Shin Black. This one has a bit of a reputation online as the Rolls Royce of Korean instant noodles, but there are a few things to be aware of, especially when it comes to the version you’re actually buying.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 2: Nongshim Shin Black RamyunNoodle Journey Episode 1: Nongshim Shin Ramyun
Nongshim Shin Ramyun is where this all started for me. I had instant noodles in my pantry for years, but it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that I started digging into the world beyond the 30-cent supermarket bricks. Shin Ramyun was one of the first I tried without any clue what I was getting into, and it set the bar high enough that I still use it as the benchmark for spicy Korean ramyun.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 1: Nongshim Shin Ramyun