Noodle Journey Episode 98: Samyang Buldak Cream Carbonara Ramen

I’m finally reviewing the second-to-last Buldak flavor in this marathon, Samyang’s Buldak Cream Carbonara, after months of hunting it down. This flavor, released in the US in 2022 alongside Quattro Cheese and Habanero Lime, proved far harder for me to find than its siblings. While the others were easy to spot online and in local Asian markets, Cream Carbonara was elusive, selling out quickly at YamiBuy and not restocking in what I would consider a reasonable amount of time. My local store even had an empty shelf tag for weeks before replacing it with regular Carbonara. The breakthrough came when I spotted a random case of it sitting on the floor at H Mart, hidden under other boxes.

Now that it’s easier to find, you should expect to pay about $7–10 for a five-pack, in line with other Buldak varieties. Inside are Samyang’s fried flat noodles, my personal favorite of the two styles, alongside a familiar Buldak sauce packet and a powdered cream/cheese packet. The sauce recipe is slightly different from regular Carbonara, notably missing the curry spices found in several other Buldak products. The powder packet contains parsley plus a blend of milk, cream, butter, and cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, gouda, and camembert. Sodium comes in at 1,550mg per pack.

Noodles: These are flat, chewy, and plump, the best of Samyang’s two Buldak noodle styles in my humble opinion. They have great texture and mouthfeel, making them an easy standout.
• 9/10

Spiciness: The heat is noticeably reduced, landing at about half the level of regular Carbonara. While still reasonably potent for those unaccustomed to spice, it’s far more approachable and could be a good entry point for those wanting to try Buldak without overwhelming heat, as long as you like the flavor profile.
• 3.5/10

Overall: This sauce is thick, creamy, and loaded with cheesy flavor. Without the curry spices, the artificial chicken powder, onion, and garlic stand out more, and the sweetness is balanced just right. It’s somewhat similar to Quattro Cheese but creamier and less cheddar-forward, and reminiscent of Rosé Buldak but without the smoky bacon notes. The combination creates a rich, comfort-food-style dish that edges out the original Carbonara for me. It delivers all the flavor with more creaminess and a friendlier spice level, making it my new go-to Carbonara variant. For anyone who loves the original but wishes it were gentler and more indulgent, this is what you’re looking for. Incredibly good.
• 10/10