Noodle Journey Episode 123: Ottogi Snack Ramen

Time to review Ottogi Snack Ramen, a product that is actually marketed as a snack instead of a full meal. I’m going in wondering whether this is worth choosing over Ottogi’s full-size Jin soups I like, and what the flavor actually is. The main conceit of this product is the cooking speed – it’s a true two-minute cook time thanks to the super-thin noodles in here. I’ve seen a cup version of this as well, but I’m reviewing the pillow pack here.

A five-pack typically runs around $10–$12 depending on the store, with the cups coming in at a similar price for a six-pack. Compared to Jin, you pay about the same overall but get five smaller portions instead of four bigger ones (this pack weighs 3.8 oz versus roughly 4.2 oz for Jin) so it’s more servings at smaller size. Sodium is 1860 mg, which is high for such a small package. Inside are a square block of very thin noodles and a single soup packet that also carries the dried flakes. The seasoning lists beef and vegetable extract, soy sauce, mushroom powder, and red and black pepper, with the dried mix including soy protein pieces, carrots, and seaweed, with “seasoned beef” also appearing on the pack label.

Noodles:
Whisper-thin, two-minute noodles with good bounce for the gauge, about Top Ramen thin but springier than expected. I usually prefer thicker noodles with beefy broth, but that would defeat the point of a fast “snack” ramen.
• 7/10

Spiciness:
Red chili pepper is present, but heat is super mild. This is a good alternative if even Jin Mild is too hot for you.
• 2/10

Overall:
The broth comes across as a savory, salty beef soup with vegetable and seaweed character, backed by the usual soy, onion, and garlic. Seaweed flakes are copious in the bowl and the carrot rehydrated decently, but the promised beef/soy-protein chunks are extremely scarce (I had to dig for several minutes to find one), which is disappointing given the label. The portion uses the same 500ml of broth as similar Korean packs, so you end up getting plenty of soup with fewer noodles. In the end, this feels like an elevated Korean version of a Nissin/Maruchan-style beef soup: nicer broth and nicer flakes, but not a huge departure from the genre. If you want a fast, snack-sized beef soup that’s better than the cheapest options, this is worth a try. If you’re looking for something remarkable or significantly cheaper than a full-size pack, it doesn’t quite clear that bar. Tasty enough but forgettable.
• 6.5/10