Noodle Journey Episode 71: Nongshim Tonkotsu Ramen with Kuromayu (Black Garlic Oil)

I’m back with another tonkotsu ramen, this time from one of my favorite South Korean brands, Nongshim. While tonkotsu is traditionally a Japanese pork bone broth, here we’ve got a Korean company making their interpretation of it with this Kuromayu (black garlic oil) variety. For anyone unfamiliar, kuromayu is made by charring garlic in sesame oil, giving it a deep, bitter, smoky flavor that’s common in tonkotsu ramen, with the word “kuro” literally translating to “black.” This isn’t the same as fermented black garlic (which is also a valid ramen topper if you so desire), but rather has a different flavor profile.

Both this and Nongshim’s spicy tonkotsu version are usually found at warehouse clubs but you might spot this in supermarkets or Asian grocery stores. At the time of this review, I had grabbed a six-pack on Amazon for around $13, but it’s also shown up at online at sites like Yami.

Made at Nongshim’s US facility in California, this bowl includes a round noodle block, dried scallions and garlic flakes, a soup powder packet, and a kuromayu oil packet containing both oil and a thick black sesame paste. Sodium sits at a fairly reasonable 1,510mg (66% DV). It’s not vegetarian due to chicken, pork, and fish products in here, and despite being a powdered broth, those authentic meat derivatives help it avoid the overly artificial notes that often plague exported tonkotsu products. 

Noodles:
These look like Nongshim’s usual round noodles, but something’s a bit off. I followed the microwave instructions exactly, but the noodles came out a little softer than I like, possibly due to the cooking method. They’re still decent, just missing some of the usual chew and bite I expect. The longer they sat, the mushier they got, but not egregiously so.
• 7/10

Spiciness:
This has zero chili heat, and the only potential edge comes from the strong garlic and sesame flavors. Unless you find those spicy, this is as mild as they come.
• 0/10

Overall:
This is surprisingly good. The kuromayu brings a robust, sweet, nutty, and slightly burnt black garlic flavor, which I personally enjoy even though I know some people find it too harsh. The broth doesn’t rely on artificial meat flavors like Nissin Raoh does, and since it uses real meat powder, it tastes much more natural. The sesame flavor is strong, maybe a little too strong, and tends to overshadow the black garlic. I mixed the entire mayu packet in for the sake of the review, but you could dial it back if you want a more balanced profile. The broth is flavorful but a bit thin; I wish it had a starchier, creamier texture to really hit that tonkotsu mouthfeel. Still, the depth of flavor is impressive for a US-manufactured product at this price point. It’s clearly an homage to tonkotsu rather than a direct clone of something premium like Marutai or Itsuki, but it earns its place. The included garnishes, particularly the garlic flakes and scallions, add nice texture and visual appeal.
• 8/10

If I could tone down the sesame just a touch and get some better noodles (maybe in a pack version, Nongshim?), this might be a 9. Until then, it’s still a strong contender that I’d happily recommend, especially if you’re craving porky ramen with a black garlic and sesame twist.