Noodle Journey Episode 90: Samyang Buldak Rosé Ramen

Today I’m reviewing Samyang Buldak Rosé, which at the time of this review was one of the more elusive flavors in the Buldak lineup. I ordered it from stylekorean.com for about two dollars a pack, though I hope Samyang eventually releases an English‑export version (update: they did!). Some viewers have mispronounced it as “rose” like the flower; the packaging clearly uses the accent mark over the e, so it’s pronounced ro‑zé. This ramen aims to blend Samyang’s signature heat with a creamy, Western‑inspired sauce.

Inside the pack are the familiar thick, chewy Buldak noodles along with a sauce and flake packet. The sauce is rich and creamy with cheese and cream powder, curry spices, garlic, onion and parsley. The translation of the ingredient list includes both chicken and beef extracts, so this variety is probably not vegetarian-friendly. At the time of filming it cost about $2 per package and was only available through imports.

Noodles:
These are the standard Buldak noodles – thick, springy and satisfying. While I personally prefer the flat noodles used in some other Samyang products, these hold the sauce well and make a hearty base.
• 8/10

Spiciness:
Don’t let the pink, creamy appearance fool you – the first bite reminds you that this is still a Buldak product. There’s a significant chili bite and the heat lingers, though the cream tempers it slightly. The spice level is hot but not as punishing as the original red variety.
• 6.5/10

Overall:
The aroma is like smoky bacon and cream sauce, and the flavor delivers on that promise. It tastes like a Korean take on carbonara: smoky, cheesy and a little sweet, with curry and garlic in the background. The creamy sauce clings nicely to the noodles and a sprinkling of bacon bits or extra cheese would only enhance it. I think this is one of Samyang’s best offerings that I’ve tried. It’s a shame I had to jump through hoops to order this, because if you can handle the spice this bowl is worth seeking out.
• 9.5/10

Notes since filming:

One of the most-asked questions on Reddit is how this flavor differs from Carbonara. TL;DR Smoky ham/bacon flavor, less spice, and extra creaminess. This being an import version, it also likely contains real meat extract, which gives the savory flavor a slight boost.

Additionally, while the version I reviewed here is the South Korean one, this is now a global export product in English packaging! So hopefully you don’t have to go through the amount of trouble I did to find this one nowadays.