Noodle Journey Episode 86: Paldo Jang Ramyun (Soy Flavor Noodle)

I’m diving into something a bit unusual today: Paldo’s Jang Ramyun, a soy-flavored noodle soup that stands out because it’s from a Korean company. While soy-based broths are a staple in Japanese ramen, they’re a bit rarer (in my experience) when it comes to Korean instant noodles. This particular variety has a few interesting twists in the ingredients. It’s part of Paldo’s diverse lineup, and given how consistently solid their products are, I’m going in with cautious optimism.

This one originally came from the now-defunct Cokoyam Korean variety pack, but you can still find it at H Mart, Amazon, and other online retailers, as well as other local Asian grocery stores. Expect to pay between $6-10 for a five-pack depending on where you shop. As you might expect from a soy-based product, sodium is sky-high here at 2,170mg or 94% of your daily intake. Inside the pack you’ll find Paldo’s usual excellent noodles, a soup base packet, and a flake packet with green onion, garlic, mushroom, and bell pepper. Take note: there’s anchovy, clam, and oyster extract in the broth, so it’s not vegetarian friendly.

Noodles:
These are thick, chewy, and a little starchy in a good way. They hold up well in broth and have a distinctive bite that sets Paldo ever-so-slightly apart from other Korean brands for me. No complaints here.
• 9/10

Spiciness:
Soy sauce soups usually go pretty nonexistent on the heat, but this one has a mild kick. It’s mild by Korean standards but enough to keep things interesting. If you’re new to spice, you’ll still be fine; this hovers around the lower end of the scale.
• 2.5/10

Overall:
This hits all the right notes for a soy sauce soup with a Korean twist. It’s savory, oniony, and full of umami thanks to the seafood base. The broth is a little thicker than I expected, giving it a heartier feel, and it doesn’t skimp on flavor. The savory fermented soy aspect of this is just incredibly satisfying. The flake packet is a bit underwhelming in quantity, but it’s nice to see ingredients beyond just green onion. In particular, I enjoyed the handful of garlic pieces. If you enjoy Japanese-style shoyu but want something a little bolder, this is absolutely worth a try.
• 9/10

Notes since filming:

This one is massively underrated. The soy umami flavor in this one is diabolically good, making it a perfect base for all kinds of ingredients you might have laying around.