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.

I picked up a five-pack for $9.99 at my local H Mart. This new export packaging should make it easier to find online and at Asian markets in the USA. Sodium is very high at 1830mg for the full bag. Inside are round-block noodles that look different from the flatter Hot Pepper Jjajang noodles, plus broth powder, a seasoning oil packet, and flakes. The broth mix includes MSG, soy sauce, chili pepper, milk powder, bok choy, and a range of seafood extracts like bonito, shrimp, squid, and mussel. The oil is a complex blend of soybean, chili pepper, seafood, garlic, artificial smoke flavor, and artificial beef oil. The flake packet contains the same dried pepper flakes as the Jjajang.

Before adding the oil, the broth already tasted savory with artificial meat flavor and a sweet seafood finish, very reminiscent of Nongshim Neoguri.

Noodles:
Firm, chewy, springy, and satisfyingly thick. I would have preferred the flatter style, but these are still excellent Samyang noodles.
• 8/10

Spiciness:
Less harsh than the Jjajang, Buldak Jjambbong, or Buldak Stew varieties, but still a lingering medium spice. Basically close to Nongshim Shin in spice level, but I was expecting a little more spice given the name of the product line.
• 5.5/10

Overall:
This broth combines artificial meat savoriness with shrimp and squid sweetness, then layers on smoky oil and strong chili pepper flavor. The green pepper flakes are delicious, and the greens floating in the broth appear to be a mix of bok choy and seaweed, adding more umami. My only complaint is that the garnish packet could have been more substantial, but otherwise this is a terrific mix of meaty, seafood, spicy, and peppery flavors. Not quite on the level of the other jjambbong varieties I rated perfect 10s, but still an excellent product worth buying again.
• 9/10