Noodle Journey Episode 188: Samyang Buldak Basil Cream Udon

For the first review of 2025, things kick off with something a little different and a little harder to find. This is Samyang Buldak Basil Cream Udon, a flavor that was already elusive when it was new and may have been discontinued shortly after. Even so, it is interesting enough that it deserves a proper review on the books in case it ever turns up again.

Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 188: Samyang Buldak Basil Cream Udon

Basil Cream Udon stands out immediately within the Buldak lineup. This is the only udon-style noodle Samyang has released under the Buldak name, and it only exists in this bowl format. Thick udon noodles are paired with a spicy cream sauce flavored with basil, which immediately raises questions about whether this is leaning more toward a pesto-style profile or something closer to Thai basil. The sodium content is also relatively modest for a Buldak product at 1150mg per serving, which is worth noting for anyone keeping an eye on salt.

Inside the bowl are shelf-stable udon noodles, a liquid sauce packet, and a powdered seasoning packet. The ingredients are somewhat difficult to translate due to the curved packaging, but the sauce appears to follow standard Korean Buldak ingredients and, if I translated correctly, includes real chicken extract, meaning this is not a vegetarian product. The powder packet contains cream, cheese, basil, and additional seasonings that are meant to thicken the sauce after cooking. Since this product is made for sale in South Korea, there are no export-related ingredient restrictions here.

Preparation involves placing the noodles in the bowl, adding the liquid sauce, filling with hot water to the indicated line, and microwaving for two and a half to three minutes. The powder packet is added at the very end. When the udon pouch is first opened, there is a sharp alcohol preservative aroma similar to other shelf-stable noodles, but the packaging notes that this cooks off, which thankfully proves to be true. The liquid sauce smells like familiar Buldak sauce with no immediately obvious basil presence, suggesting most of that flavor is coming from the powdered seasoning.

Once cooked, the bowl initially looked watery, but the addition of the powder transforms it into a much thicker sauce. The aroma at that point is distinctly cheesy and basil-forward, almost reminiscent of grated Parmesan mixed with basil flakes. Visually, it is not the most attractive Buldak presentation, with a greenish-orange color, but the smell is promising.

Noodles:
The udon noodles are a pleasant surprise, especially considering they are cooked in the microwave. They have a thick gauge with a soft exterior and a chewy interior, and they hold up well after cooking. These are strong noodles that feel underutilized in a single product, and it is puzzling that they have not appeared elsewhere in Samyang’s lineup.
• 9/10

Spiciness:
The sauce on its own is unmistakably Buldak and quite hot, comparable to the original flavor. Once the cream and cheese powder are mixed in, the heat is noticeably toned down. The final result feels closer to the Carbonara flavor in terms of spice intensity.
• 7/10

Overall:
Flavor-wise, this ends up being very close to a Korean take on pesto. The initial bite brings the familiar sweet, savory, chili-driven character of Buldak sauce, followed by a creamy, nutty, basil and cheese finish. The balance here is better than expected. Basil can easily overwhelm my palate, but that does not happen here. The cream and cheese smooth out the heat and the basil flavor without muting it completely, and the basil does add its own distinct flavor without pushing everything into an overly sweet or licorice-heavy direction. The sauce thickens nicely and coats the noodles well. The only notable downside is the portion size is on the smaller side, which is a shame. Aside from that, this is a genuinely unique flavor that is definitely worth your attention if you’re a Buldak fanatic. It’ i’s not something worth paying extreme aftermarket prices for, but if you can find this at a reasonable cost, it is absolutely worth trying.
• 9.5/10

Notes since filming:

I had mentioned in the video that this one was harder to find (it was only ever on sale in South Korea from what I could tell, which was where I ordered it), and it looks like it might be discontinued at this point on top of that. It’s a shame, because this was a terrific noodle and a totally unique sauce flavor. This is one of the few varieties I regret not buying more than one of. If this ever comes back in any form, you Buldak fans need to try this!