Noodle Journey Episode 113: Ottogi Cheese Ramen

Moving on from the previous review of Paldo Cheese Ramyun, I’m continuing the cheesy Korean soup run with Ottogi Cheese Ramen. I haven’t had this one before, but I’ve had great luck with Ottogi’s Jin line, so if this is basically Jin-style red chili beef broth with a cheese packet, I’m optimistic.

A four-pack typically runs about $5–10 in stores or online, and it’s easy to find anywhere that regularly stocks Ottogi products. Sodium is 1,800 mg per pack (78% DV). Inside: a square noodle block, soup powder, a separate powdered cheese packet, and a vegetable flake packet containing carrot, cabbage, and spinach. The front says “no meat,” but the allergen panel warns it contains mussel and clam, so vegetarians should double-check their package. As with Paldo’s version of this soup, the cheese powder can clump if you don’t stir it pretty thoroughly.

Noodles:
Plump, chewy, and right in line with what I expect from Ottogi. On par with Nongshim for me and just a hair behind Paldo. Reasonable thickness and a clean wheat bite that holds up through the bowl.
• 8/10

Spiciness:
Much milder than Paldo’s cheese soup, which shouldn’t surprise me because apparently there is a spicy variant of this out there. There’s a small chili/black pepper hit, but not enough to really get my attention.
• 2/10

Overall:
This lands as a savory, umami-forward artificial beef broth with soy, onion, and garlic in the background, plus a very gentle chili/black pepper accent. Despite the shellfish warning, there’s no fishy finish that I could detect. The cheese tastes like powdered cheese (no surprise) but it works here, and it actually comes off to me as cheesier than Paldo’s version, with a mild cheddar note and a light nuttiness. The broth thickens a bit more than Paldo but still stays thinner than “cheese soup” would imply, and some undissolved specks are part of the deal unless you really go after it with a whisk. One other standout is the flake packet’s chunky carrots add some real sweetness and texture instead of feeling like filler. If you want extra richness, drop in a slice of American cheese or add scallions, egg, Spam, or even kimchi. Flavor-wise, I give Ottogi the edge over Paldo here.
• 8.5/10