Video Reviews | Noodle Journey

by Noodle Journey - July 19, 2024August 5, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 164: Samyang Buldak Mala Ramen

Original video description:

Once upon a time, there was a much-loved Buldak flavor that Samyang mysteriously discontinued. Since then, month after month, people have asked, “Can I still find Buldak Mala anywhere?” The answer is: yes, you can. You might not know it, but it still exists. And here it is, in a very special review.

How to purchase:

Please see this Reddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/InstantRamen/comments/1djcc6h/buldak_mala_surplus/
Or email the seller directly at [email protected] for more information.
I can personally vouch for this seller as a current source that can ship you Buldak Mala. While I don’t believe there is anything in Buldak Mala that could be flagged by local customs, please check your country’s import laws before agreeing to a purchase. Neither the seller nor I are responsible for any lost, damaged, or intercepted packages.

Scores:

Noodles: 8/10
Spiciness: 8/10
Overall: 9.5/10

by Noodle Journey - July 12, 2024August 5, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 163: Samyang Vegetasty Noodle Soup

Notes since filming:

This is the one I recommend most when someone asks for vegan noodle options. As good as Nongshim Soon is, this blows it out of the water.

Original video description:

Time for something vegan! This is Samyang Vegetasty Noodle Soup, which has been around for a long time under other names, but I’ve only recently started seeing it available for purchase where I live. If you’re a fan of Nongshim Soon or you are just generally interested in vegan chili soups, this is a review you’re going to want to watch.

Links to purchase:

https://www.yamibuy.com/en/p/vege-tasty-ramen-115g-5/1021102741
https://www.yamibuy.com/en/p/vege-tasty-ramen-75g/1021103411
https://ramenmall.com/products/samyang-vegetasty-noodle-soup-family-pack-20-30oz
https://www.sayweee.com/en/product/Samyang-Vege-Tasty-Ramen-5pks/103718

Scores:

Noodles: 9/10
Spiciness: 4/10
Overall: 10/10

by Noodle Journey - July 5, 2024August 5, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 162: Ottogi Kongguksu

Notes since filming:

I’ve seen some faint praise of this product since filming where people have said, “It’s so refreshing!” While that may be true, I just could not get into this. The flavor is minimal and bland, and I’m sure I could’ve figured out a way to make it taste better, but I had better things to do that day.

Original video description:

It’s summertime, and you know what that means: cold noodles! This time we’ve got something truly unique from Ottogi with their Kongguksu flavor. This is a cold soy broth intended to refresh you when it’s hot. Check out the review to see how it actually tastes.

Links to purchase:

https://ramenmall.com/products/ottogi-kongguksu-ramen-soybean-noodles-family-pack
https://www.yamibuy.com/en/p/cold-soybean-noodle-135g-x-4pc/1021112801
https://megakfood.com/products/ottogi-kongguksu-ramen-135g-x-4—-135g-x-4

Scores:

Noodles: 7/10
Spiciness: 0/10
Overall: 2.5/10

by Noodle Journey - July 2, 2024August 5, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 161: Nissin Cup Noodles Campfire S’mores Ramen

Notes since filming:

This is probably tied with immi’s Black Garlic “Chicken” as the worst thing I’ve reviewed on this channel. There’s a guy on Reddit who pops up every now and then to say how much he likes these, and I compulsively downvote him each time because he is very, very wrong. There’s absolutely nothing to like about this, and I will die on that hill.

Original video description:

You noodle lovers are not prepared for what Nissin has just added to its Cup Noodles line: Campfire S’mores Ramen. Will this be a surprisingly good flvaor or an unholy abomination? Watch the video for my (very) unfiltered review!

Link to purchase:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nissin-Cup-Noodles-Smores-3-07-Oz-Microwaveable-Cup/5885737186

Scores:

Noodles: 5/10
Spiciness: 0/10
Overall: 0/10

by Noodle Journey - June 28, 2024August 15, 2025

Noodle Journey Supplement Re-Review: Ramen Toppers Chashu Pork, Fish Cake, & Vegetable Mix (2024)

I’m revisiting the Ramen Toppers mix after the company reached out to say they overhauled the recipe and ingredients. The last time I reviewed this product (September 2023), I had issues with tough, underseasoned pork and pale, uneven vegetables; they claim to have addressed all of that with a new marinade, smaller pork pieces, and upgraded veggies. If you watch the video above, you can see a comparison of the old recipe’s contents to the new.

by Noodle Journey - June 21, 2024August 5, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 160: Simply Food Bún Bò Huế

Notes since filming:

What a terrible disappointment. Just to be sure I wasn’t crazy, the next time I ordered as-authentic-as-I-could-find Vietnamese food after filming this, I ordered Bún Bò Huế, and it was nothing like this (in the best possible way). Everything about this bowl tastes wrong to me, from the noodle texture to the broth flavor to those suspect little balls in the dried ingredients.

Original video description:

I’ve had a craving lately for one of my favorite Vietnamese dishes, Bún Bò Huế, which is a rich, herby, beefy soup with a good spice to it. This product from Simply Food is the first time I’ve seen it in instant form. Will this be a winner or a pale imitation of the real thing? Check out the video for all the details.

Scores:

Noodles: 2/10
Spiciness: 2.5/10
Overall: 1/10

by Noodle Journey - June 14, 2024October 30, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 159: Nissin Hot & Spicy Fire Wok Bowls

Today I’m covering the full set of Nissin Hot & Spicy Fire Wok Bowls: Sizzlin’ Rich Pork, Scorchin’ Sesame Shrimp, Molten Chili Chicken, and Volcanic Mongolian Beef. These aren’t part of the regular Hot & Spicy line, but while they use what I think is the same noodle base, they come with their own unique Fire Sauce recipes for extra heat. Each bowl aims for “restaurant-level” stir-fry flavor (Nissin’s words, not mine) straight from the microwave, which sounds ambitious for a $2 cup of noodles. I’m testing them from mildest to hottest to see if any of them deserve a spot in your pantry.

by Noodle Journey - June 7, 2024October 30, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 158: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Light

It’s time for a healthier twist on one of Korea’s most famous noodles: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Light. This version of the iconic Shin Ramyun swaps the fried noodles for air-dried ones and claims to have 75% less fat and 25% fewer calories than the original. Shin is the product that originally got me hooked on Korean ramen, so I was curious to see whether this “light” version could deliver the same punch or if it would lose some of what makes the red pack so satisfying.

by Noodle Journey - May 31, 2024October 24, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 157: Paldo Volcano Chicken Noodle

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.

by Noodle Journey - May 24, 2024October 24, 2025

Noodle Journey Episode 156: Mama Tom Yum Noodles

This one’s been a long time coming. I’m finally reviewing all three of the very popular Mama Tom Yum Noodles flavors: Shrimp, Creamy Shrimp, and Pork. These are everywhere, including Asian grocers, international markets, even Walmart, and they’ve been some of the most requested noodles on my list. Instead of stretching them across multiple videos, I’m covering them all at once, because if any trio deserves a proper showdown, it’s this one.