Nongshim Noodle Salad with Miso Vinaigrette Review | Noodle Journey Episode 165
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Nongshim Noodle Salad with Miso Vinaigrette Review | Noodle Journey Episode 165

After my last cold noodle review fell flat, I wanted to give the category one more shot before summer ended. That’s when I came across Nongshim Noodle Salad with Miso Vinaigrette, one of three cold noodle "Noodle Salad" varieties Nongshim currently makes for the US market. The others feature gochujang and sesame vinaigrettes, but this one caught my eye immediately because I love miso and had never tried a cold noodle dish built around it. I picked up a four-pack at my local Asian grocery for $8.99, hoping it would redeem the cold noodle genre.

Samyang Buldak Mala Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 164
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Samyang Buldak Mala Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 164

Today’s review is something special: Samyang Buldak Mala Ramen, a flavor that many fans thought had vanished forever. Several years ago, this variety disappeared without warning all across the globe, leaving fans (and there were many) wondering if it would ever return. It was one of the most beloved Buldak flavors, blending the familiar heat of Samyang’s Hot Chicken with the numbing, herbal punch of Sichuan peppercorn. For years, social media threads and Reddit posts kept asking the same question - "What happened to Buldak Mala?" After years of speculation, I can finally answer that question: it’s back, just not where you’d expect.

Ottogi Kongguksu Review | Noodle Journey Episode 162
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Ottogi Kongguksu Review | Noodle Journey Episode 162

Summer’s here, and with it comes the perfect time for cold noodle dishes. Today’s review features Ottogi Kongguksu, a Korean instant noodle that swaps hot broth for a chilled soy milk soup. It’s something I’ve never tried before, and from a Western perspective, the concept is strange - soy milk and noodles in a cold broth - but that’s exactly why I had to check it out.

Nongshim Shin Ramyun Light Review | Noodle Journey Episode 158
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Nongshim Shin Ramyun Light Review | Noodle Journey Episode 158

It’s time for a healthier twist on one of Korea’s most famous noodles: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Light. This version of the iconic Shin Ramyun swaps the fried noodles for air-dried ones and claims to have 75% less fat and 25% fewer calories than the original. Shin is the product that originally got me hooked on Korean ramen, so I was curious to see whether this “light” version could deliver the same punch or if it would lose some of what makes the red pack so satisfying.

Paldo Volcano Chicken Noodle Review | Noodle Journey Episode 157
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Paldo Volcano Chicken Noodle Review | Noodle Journey Episode 157

It’s time to take on Paldo Volcano Chicken Noodle, one of the earliest examples of Buldak-inspired instant noodles that I'm aware of. The packaging screams danger with flames, a volcano logo, and a crying chicken that leaves no doubt what kind of experience this is supposed to be. It’s positioned as a spicy curry chicken noodle, though we'll get to that "curry" claim soon. Either way, I’m curious whether Paldo’s version can bring something new to the table or if it’s just another heat-for-heat’s-sake bowl.

Shin Zha Wang - A Nongshim Noodle Hack | Noodle Journey
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Shin Zha Wang – A Nongshim Noodle Hack Review | Noodle Journey

I’m reviewing something a little different today: a recipe straight from Nongshim’s own website. This one combines two of their most popular products, Shin Ramyun and Zha Wang, into a single hybrid dish called “Shin Zha Wang.” It’s meant to merge the spice of Shin with the rich black bean sauce of Zha Wang, creating a beefy, umami-forward fusion. Since both of these noodles rank among Nongshim’s best, it’s hard not to be curious.

Nongshim Zha Wang Review | Noodle Journey Episode 151
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Nongshim Zha Wang Review | Noodle Journey Episode 151

I’m diving back into the world of black bean sauce noodles, this time with a twist. Nongshim Zha Wang promises an oyster-flavored sauce that builds on the classic jjajang base but introduces a new depth and texture. It stands apart from Chapagetti (the first black bean noodle I ever reviewed) by aiming for something richer and more complex. Given my mixed history with Chapagetti and how strong some other brands like Paldo and Samyang have been, I’m curious to see whether this can step up and deliver something different.

Paldo Strawberry Bibimmen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 150
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Paldo Strawberry Bibimmen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 150

Paldo Strawberry Bibimmen marks a milestone for the channel (Episode 150) and it might be one of the most unexpected instant noodle flavors I’ve ever reviewed. I first noticed it on MyKMarket while browsing for Korean-exclusive Buldak varieties, then forgot about it until a Reddit thread reminded me. The comments there convinced me to buy it for this episode, and it’s a fittingly strange way to celebrate a round-number milestone.

Samyang Sutah Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 149
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Samyang Sutah Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 149

Samyang Sutah Ramen is another product from Samyang that isn’t part of their Buldak line but still aims to satisfy fans of spicy Korean noodle soups. Before trying it, I tried to find out what “Sutah” means and couldn’t locate much official information beyond an old 2011 review on The Ramen Rater's website. In that review’s comments, a reader explained that Sutah comes from Chinese characters meaning “hit by hands,” implying a handmade noodle style, though the noodles here are machine-made like most others. It seems Samyang is using the name to emphasize noodle quality rather than literal production methodology.