Noodle Journey Episode 131: Samyang Nagasaki Jjambbong Ramen Soup

Samyang Nagasaki Jjambbong is a new find I picked up at H Mart for $9.99 a five-pack, and it immediately caught my eye with the promise of a creamy, spicy seafood broth. This style of soup traces back to Nagasaki, Japan, where champon was first created in 1899 by a Chinese restaurant. The Nagasaki version stands apart with its mild, milky broth made from chicken and pork bones combined with seafood, pork fat, and vegetables. With this pack of noodles, Samyang is adapting that style into a Korean jjambbong with a spicier kick, while still keeping the creamy broth profile intact.

You can also find this online at retailers like Yamibuy, SayWeee, or Amazon. Sodium is on the higher side at 1730mg, about 75% of your daily allowance. Inside the package are fried wheat noodles fortified with onion and garlic, plus a broth powder and a flake packet. The broth mix includes chili and habanero peppers, MSG, non-dairy creamer, soy sauce, and seafood extracts like bonito, shrimp, and clam. The flake packet contains cabbage, carrot, bok choy, squid chips, wood ear mushrooms, and chili pepper flakes. This is not vegetarian, but it appears to be dairy-free and pescatarian friendly.

When I prepared it, the finished bowl looked restaurant-quality. The broth came out thick and milky with a clean sheen, and the aroma was richly seafood-forward without being aggressively fishy.

Noodles:
Chewy and al dente with the same quality as Samyang’s buldak line, though slightly flatter and thinner than their standard orange-pack ramen. They have a great bite and flavor.
• 8/10

Spiciness:
Stronger than expected, landing in the same ballpark as Nongshim Shin Ramyun. Not at Buldak levels, but a potent medium heat that could surprise anyone who was expecting something more akin to a milder Japanese champon.
• 6/10

Overall:
This is essentially a spicy seafood chowder in instant noodle form, and it works brilliantly. The broth is creamy, savory, and complex, with seafood extracts blending beautifully into something rich without ever becoming overly salty. The cabbage adds depth, the carrots rehydrate well, and the wood ear mushrooms bring a satisfying crunch. The squid chips stand out with a tender chew and clean calamari flavor that enhances the broth instead of overpowering it. Together, the noodles, broth, and flakes form a fantastic bowl of noodles that feels far more premium than its instant format suggests. The only caution is that the spice is more aggressive than you might expect for this style, but that comes down to personal preference rather than a flaw. For me, the combination of heat, creaminess, and seafood flavor is outstanding. This is an easy perfect score, and I would buy it again in a heartbeat. It’s best-in-class and stands strong even without adding extra seafood or toppings, though it would make an incredible base for some additional protein and veggies as well.
• 10/10