Ramen Bae has released another mix, and this time it’s one I’ve been waiting for: Ramen Bae Kimchi Mix. After their earlier Spicy Garlic Mix showed promise but stumbled on its overuse of subpar dehydrated egg, the company listened to feedback and reworked future batches. Seeing that kind of responsiveness made me eager to try their newest products, especially this one, which promises classic kimchi flavor in a shelf-stable form.
Read more: Noodle Journey Supplement Review: Ramen Bae Kimchi MixThe 12-ounce bag sells for $25.99 directly from Ramen Bae’s website, slightly smaller than the 14-ounce Spicy Garlic Mix but priced about the same. Even so, a little goes a long way; you only need one or two spoonfuls per serving. Each bag has a 15-month shelf life and contains only five ingredients: kimchi cabbage flakes, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, tofu, and green onions. The kimchi recipe is vegan, meaning no shrimp paste or fish sauce, which opens it to a wider audience. It’s a simpler, cleaner mix that focuses squarely on the kimchi itself.
For the review, I added two heaping tablespoons to a bowl of Han Kitchen Gomtang from Episode 140, a mild beef soup that is supposed to pair well with kimchi. Because dehydrated vegetables absorb broth, I added roughly 50 ml of extra water to maintain consistency. The flakes rehydrated into sizable pieces: brilliantly-colored red kimchi cabbage, firm shiitake, and soft tofu, all with an earthy, cabbage-forward aroma that’s far milder than fresh fermented kimchi.
Spiciness:
Much tamer than fresh kimchi from the fridge. The chili and ginger come through but stay restrained. It’s approachable for newcomers without dulling the fermented tang that defines kimchi.
• 2/10
Overall:
This mix nails the essentials. The cabbage carries the right crunch and sour-savory flavor, the mushrooms add depth, and the tofu and green onion round it out. It tastes authentically fermented without any seafood component, which is impressive for a vegan version. The only possible complaint is the smaller bag size and mild heat, but both make sense for broader appeal. It’s easy to use, versatile, and genuinely delicious, perfect in soups, dry noodles, or even fried rice. For anyone who loves kimchi or wants a shelf-stable way to add it to their noodles, this is a standout product.
• 10/10
Notes since filming:
If you held a gun to my head and asked me to pick my favorite Ramen Bae mix, it’s this one. It pairs perfectly with 99% of the Korean noodles that are out there, it’s not crazy spicy, and the ingredient quality is top-notch. I’ve personally used this Kimchi Mix more than any of their other flavors.
