by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 142: The Han Kitchen Budae Ramyun

Notes since filming:

I bungled/reversed the translation of “budae” and “jigae” in this video and got (rightfully) called out on it. Don’t regret your little mistakes and always take the opportunity to learn from them. If you can’t find Nongshim K Army Stew anymore, this is a great alternative!

Original video description:

This is the last of the three Han Kitchen varities I currently have, and it’s their take on army stew, aka budae jigae. Check out this review of their Budae Ramyun to see how it compares to the king of K Army Stew, Nongshim!

Links to purchase:
https://www.yamibuy.com/en/p/authentic-army-stew-budae-ramen-119g-x-4pack/1021103661
https://www.hmart.com/10010147

Also check your local Asian markets and grocery stores!

Scores:

  • Noodles: 8/10
  • Spiciness: 5/10
  • Overall: 8/10
by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 141: The Han Kitchen Pocha Ramyun

Original video description:

Today we’ve got Han Kitchen’s version of something that might be familiar to all of you Korean ramyun aficionados. This is their take on a spicy red chili soup, similar to Nongshim Shin or Ottogi Jin. If you’re a fan of those kinds of ramyun, you’re going to want to check out this review!

Links to purchase:
https://www.yamibuy.com/en/p/spicy-korean-street-pocha-ramen-118g-x-4pack/1021103671
https://www.hmart.com/10010148

Also check your local Asian markets and grocery stores!

Scores:

  • Noodles: 8/10
  • Spiciness: 6/10
  • Overall: 7.5/10
by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 140: The Han Kitchen Gomtang Ramyun

Original video description:

Today I’m checking out a product that’s been around for a little while globally but only recently started showing up in the US. This is The Han Kitchen Gomtang, a milky beef bone soup with thick and chewy Korean noodles.

Links to purchase:
https://www.yamibuy.com/en/p/gomtang-premium-beef-ramen-117g-x-4pack/1021103651

Also check your local Asian markets and grocery stores!

Scores:

  • Noodles: 8/10
  • Spiciness: 0.5/10 (Due to black pepper)
  • Overall: 7.5/10
by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 139: Daebak Ghost Pepper Spicy Chicken Noodles

Notes since filming:

This is currently the hottest thing I’ve ever eaten in any form. If the flavor of the sauce was better, I’d be buying this in bulk to enhance my spice tolerance.

Original video description:

You’ve probably heard of this one or seen it for sale, and there’s no doubt that this is going to be a super spicy cup of noodles, but I’m on a journey of flavor and want to know if this is worth eating outside of all those spicy noodle social media challenges. If you’re at all curious about Daebak Ghost Pepper Spicy Chicken, you’re going to want to check out this review.

Links to purchase:
https://www.yamibuy.com/en/p/ghost-pepper-spicy-ramen-2-82oz/1021084721
https://www.bokksumarket.com/products/daebak-ghost-pepper-chicken-noodle
https://www.amazon.com/Daebak-Ghost-Pepper-Chicken-Noodles/dp/B08FF81JTS

Also check your local Asian markets and grocery stores!

I experimented with some more dynamic editing in this video rather than keeping it as the stagnant point-and-shoot approach I’ve been using up until now. Let me know if you like it or if you preferred the older style!

Scores:

  • Noodles: 8/10
  • Spiciness: 9.5/10
  • Overall: 3.5/10
by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 138: Marutai Original Ramen

Notes since filming:

If this had been the first Marutai flavor I’d ever had, it would’ve been a higher overall score than a 7. While this is certainly no slouch in terms of flavor and quality, it’s overshadowed by its siblings.

Original video description:

This flavor was Marutai’s very first stick ramen product dating all the way back to 1959! Here we have a light broth flavored with soy, pork, chicken, and sesame oil. Is this one in the same league as all the other Marutai flavors I’ve reviewed? Watch to find out!

Scores:

  • Noodles: 10/10
  • Spiciness: 0/10
  • Overall: 7/10
by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 136: Marutai Ikkosha Tonkotsu Ramen

Notes since filming:

As I write this, this is probably tied for first place (or is maybe a close second) as the best tasting instant tonkotsu I’ve reviewed so far. The only reason this one isn’t on my Top 10 list is price and availability.

Original video description:

The Marutai madness continues as I take a look at another restaurant collaboration: a tonkotsu variety supervised by the restaurant Ikkosha. This tonkotsu promises to be a concentrated pork experience, but does it deliver? Could this be the best instant tonkotsu product available? You should definitely check out this review.

Links to purchase:
https://www.yamibuy.com/en/p/janapese-ichikosha-ramen-115g/1021066891

Scores:

  • Noodles: 10/10
  • Spiciness: 0/10
  • Overall: 10/10
by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 135: Marutai Seiyoken Tonkotsu Ramen

Marutai Seiyoken Tonkotsu Ramen is the first of three restaurant collaboration products I’m reviewing in a row from Marutai, supervised by Seiyoken in Kurume City, the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen. Unlike the Local Series packs I’ve reviewed before, these are part of Marutai’s “Famous Store Ramen” line, meant to replicate specific restaurant recipes. This one promises a light yet rich tonkotsu broth made with a liquid soup packet instead of the usual powder for a more authentic experience.

Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 135: Marutai Seiyoken Tonkotsu Ramen
by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 134: Marutai Oita Chicken Paitan Ramen

Marutai Oita Chicken Paitan Ramen is the newest entry in Marutai’s “Local Series” of stick ramen, released for the 15th anniversary of the line. This product replaces the Miyazaki Chicken Shio and Oita Chicken Yuzu Shoyu flavors, both of which appear to have been discontinued since I reviewed them. Those were solid entries very typical of Marutai’s quality, but they were on the lower end of my rankings compared to the rest of the series, so I’m excited that Marutai introduced something that should be more interesting in their place. This recipe is from Oita and features a creamy chicken paitan broth, which marks a contrast with Marutai’s previous clear chintan-style chicken offerings.

Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 134: Marutai Oita Chicken Paitan Ramen
by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 133: Samyang Hot Pepper Jjambbong Ramen

Samyang Hot Pepper Jjambbong Ramen is the second product in the company’s hot pepper line, following the Jjajang variety I reviewed last time. Like that one, it’s easy to mistake this for a Buldak product, but it’s from a separate lineup with this “Hot Pepper” branding. And indeed, Samyang has made more than a few spicy takes on this flavor already: Buldak Jjamppong is its own thing, and an excellent one, while Samyang also recently released a Nagasaki Jjambbong that was outstanding. Both of those were perfect 10s for me, so I am eager to see how this compares.

Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 133: Samyang Hot Pepper Jjambbong Ramen