Noodle Journey Episode 202: Samyang Buldak Taco Ramen

Samyang Buldak Taco Ramen is one of the biggest instant noodle releases to come out during the several months I was on hiatus, and the amount of hype surrounding it online made this an obvious choice for a new review. Tex-Mex ramen mashups are having a moment right now, and the idea of Buldak exploring that trend with a taco flavored option feels like something that was bound to happen eventually. The product description calls this a savory gentle heat built around toasted cumin, chili, and a rich taco flavor, which sets an expectation that this will land far outside the typical Korean flavor profile. With all of that in mind, I approached this review fully expecting something new but not necessarily something very intense in terms of spice.

I found the pack version at Target for seven dollars per five pack, and as far as I can tell, that pack version is exclusive to Target stores. There is also a bowl version rolling out to Asian markets across the United States, but for this review I am using the pack noodles. The total sodium content is 1650mg, and inside the package you get the standard round Buldak noodle block along with a sauce packet, a powdered seasoning packet, and a flake packet. The sauce contains tomato paste, onion, garlic, soy sauce, cumin, oregano, and a blend of habanero and red pepper powders. The powdered seasoning contains sugar, yeast extract, parsley, salt, and artificial flavors, and while it wasn’t listed on the package, I detected cilantro in there as well. The flake packet contains onion, tomato, and soy protein meant to mimic small pieces of ground taco beef. Everything smells strongly of taco seasoning the moment it hits the hot noodles, which gives you a clear sense of where this flavor is aiming.

Noodles:
The noodles themselves are classic Buldak. They are thick, chewy, and consistently one of my favorite Korean noodle textures. I find these to be surpassed only by a few specialty textures like the air dried styles, shin light, Samyang Tangle noodles, and the flatter Buldak noodles used in flavors like carbonara. They rehydrate perfectly and serve as a sturdy base for the taco flavored sauce.
• 8/10

Spiciness:
The heat level is noticeably milder than a traditional Buldak flavor, which lines up with the “gentle heat” phrasing in the product description. There is still a real kick to it, but nowhere near the burn associated with the original or two times varieties. The spice lingers on the tongue without overwhelming anything, and the habanero powder adds just enough warmth to keep it interesting. For anyone familiar with the Buldak lineup, this might be a little too mild for your liking, but it’s certainly more approachable to those of you who can’t handle the original flavor.
• 5/10

Overall:
The flavor profile is unmistakably just a spicy taco sauce. It does not carry the sweet and savory depth that defines most Buldak flavors, and it leans heavily into a one note spicy cumin flavor that feels more like something you would squeeze from a fast food sauce packet than a Korean instant noodle sauce packet. That said, the flakes are a highlight. The onion has a pleasant crunch, the tomato pieces work surprisingly well, and the soy protein chunks do a convincing job of mimicking taco meat in both texture and overall bite. Where this flavor really earns some credit is in its versatility. Taco flavored noodles pair naturally with leftover taco night ingredients in a way that no other Buldak flavor does, and it opens the door to adding things like ground beef, shredded cheese, sour cream, or tortilla chips. It does not offer the usual Buldak flavor experience, and for me the overall taste just isn’t my favorite, but it has a place as a customizable base for creative additions.
• 6/10