Samyang Buldak Hot Chicken Ramen Review - Noodle Journey Episode 16

Samyang Buldak Hot Chicken Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 16

Time to dive into the one that started it all: Samyang Buldak Hot Chicken Ramen, the pack that kicked off a thousand spicy noodle challenges and an entire subculture of people shoving noodles into their tear-stained faces for the enjoyment of others. I’m not here for the Internet clout, just a proper review of a famously spicy stir-fried noodle. I’ve already tried the Carbonara version and loved it, so it was time to see how the base flavor holds up without the creamy powdered cheese to tone it down.

Samyang Ramen Review - Noodle Journey Episode 9

Samyang Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 9

Today we're diving into Samyang’s original orange-packaged ramen, simply called "Samyang Ramen," a product that’s been around since 1963 and is often regarded as the blueprint for red chili Korean instant soups. Given how much I enjoyed their Buldak Carbonara, I’m curious to see how this more traditional offering stacks up. This is the company’s flagship noodle product, and it seems like every major Korean instant noodle brand has their own take on this style, including Nongshim Shin, which I referenced heavily in this episode as a benchmark.

Paldo Premium Gomtang Review - Noodle Journey Episode 6

Paldo Premium Gomtang Review | Noodle Journey Episode 6

There are actually two versions of Paldo’s Gomtang on the market: a standard variety in more gold-colored packaging and a “Premium” version. This review focuses on the premium one, which is supposedly a step up in richness and depth. Gomtang itself is a traditional Korean soup made by simmering beef bones, brisket, and other cuts for hours to create a rich, milky broth. It’s not spicy, but it’s comforting, the kind of soup you reach for when you're sick or need something mellow and warm. It leans heavily on garlic and beef flavor, and it’s usually served with rice, noodles, or both.

Nongshim Shin Ramyun Review - Noodle Journey Episode 1

Nongshim Shin Ramyun Review | Noodle Journey Episode 1

Nongshim Shin Ramyun is where this all started for me. I had instant noodles in my pantry for years, but it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that I started digging into the world beyond the 30-cent supermarket bricks. Shin Ramyun was one of the first I tried without any clue what I was getting into, and it set the bar high enough that I still use it as the benchmark for spicy Korean ramyun.