by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 194: Tapatio Ramen Mega-Review

Original video description:

This is the biggest mega-review on this channel to date, and it is all eight ramen products made (as of the time of filming) by the hot sauce company Tapatio! If you’re a fan of hot sauce and spicy ramen, you will want to watch this review for a complete breakdown of the entire product line.

Check out your local supermarkets, Walmarts, Amazon, or TapatioRamen.com to buy these.

Scores:

Original Flavor:

  • Noodles: 6.5/10
  • Spiciness: 4/10
  • Overall: 7/10

Beef Flavor:

  • Noodles: 6.5/10
  • Spiciness: 4/10
  • Overall: 7.5/10

Birria Flavor:

  • Noodles: 6.5/10
  • Spiciness: 4/10
  • Overall: 8/10

Carne Asada with Lime Flavor:

  • Noodles: 6.5/10
  • Spiciness: 4/10
  • Overall: 2.5/10

Chicken Flavor:

  • Noodles: 6.5/10
  • Spiciness: 4/10
  • Overall: 7.5/10

Shrimp Flavor:

  • Noodles: 6.5/10
  • Spiciness: 4/10
  • Overall: 7.5/10

Chili Lime with Shrimp Flavor:

  • Noodles: 6.5/10
  • Spiciness: 4/10
  • Overall: 6/10

Extra Spicy Flavor:

  • Noodles: 6.5/10
  • Spiciness: 4/10
  • Overall: 7/10
by Noodle Journey

The Big List of Buldak

Buldak is such a popular brand that its fans try to seek out every single flavor that has ever existed to make sure they can try them all. On Reddit, I’ve been maintaining an active list of all known flavors and their status. You can find that list below, along with links to my reviews of each one I’ve tried. This list does not include offshoot products like tteokbokki, dumplings, or hot sauce, but rather only focuses on noodle products.

(Updated April 1, 2025)

Read more: The Big List of Buldak
by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 193: Twisted Noodles Shrimp Ramen

Original video description:

At long last, I finally found what some people consider to be the worst instant noodles ever made! I shouldn’t be excited about that, but I’ve been morbidly curious if the negative reputation is deserved or not. So if you’re really interested in knowing more about Twisted Noodles Shrimp Ramen, check out this video.

Scores:

Cup Version:

  • Noodles: 2/10
  • Spiciness: 0/10
  • Overall: 1.5/10

Pack Version:

  • Noodles: 2.5/10
  • Spiciness: 0/10
  • Overall: 1/10
by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey: Big Lots Budget Instant Noodle Haul

Notes since filming:

I found out shortly after filming that Dragon Express is indeed an instant ramen intended for sale in prison, hence the clear packaging which makes it difficult to hide contraband inside. How the hell did prison ramen end up in Big Lots? I’m even more curious about that one now than I was originally.

Original video description:

Did you know that the American retail chain Big Lots is closing its stores? And did you know that they are an unexpected source of a lot of budget-friendly instant noodle products? Check out what I found at my local Big Lots!

by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 192: Samyang Samgyetang Ramen Soup

Original video description:

This is a flavor profile I’ve never experienced before. Samyang’s Samgyetang Ramen Soup is a combination of savory artificial chicken flavor, garlic, onion, black pepper, and a really unusual green tea & ginseng oil. I’ve never had ginseng in my life, so check this video out to see how my first taste of it went!

Links to purchase:
https://www.sayweee.com/en/product/SAMYANG-Samgyetang-Ramen–Big-Bowl/104653
https://www.hmart.com/samgyetang-ramen-noodle-soup-3-70oz
https://www.yamibuy.com/en/p/korea-boiled-chicken-soup-ramen-105g/1021103401

Scores:

  • Noodles: 8/10
  • Spiciness: 0.5/10 (contains black pepper)
  • Overall: 9.5/10
by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 190: Pholicious Beef, Chicken, and Vegetarian Phở Bowls Mega Review

 

Original video description:

Here’s an instant noodle company that made it all the way to Shark Tank! Pholicious claims to offer “authentic” “restauarant quality” phở in instant form. Are they legit or is it all hype? Watch the review to find out!

Links to purchase:
https://www.pholicious.net
https://www.amazon.com/stores/PhoLicious/page/B69B2A9E-D854-4554-8EE5-B71811D1F29Ahttps://www.walmart.com/browse/0?facet=brand:PhoLicious

Or just go to Walmart.com or Amazon.com and search for “Pholicious” to see all of their individual packs and multipacks!

Scores:

Beef Pho:

  • Noodles: 8/10
  • Spiciness: 2.5/10 (with the included sriracha packet)
  • Overall: 9/10

Chicken Pho:

  • Noodles: 8/10
  • Spiciness: 2.5/10 (with the included sriracha packet)
  • Overall: 9/10

Vegetarian Pho:

  • Noodles: 8/10
  • Spiciness: 2.5/10 (with the included sriracha packet)
  • Overall: 7/10

by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 189: A-Sha x Hot Ones Ramen Noodle Cups Mega-Review

Original video description:

I reviewed the A-Sha x Hot Ones bowls a couple months back, and so now it’s time to dive into the cups! These are completely different recipes from the ramen bowls, and they take an interesting approach in how the broth is created. Check out the video to learn all about these fascinating new products.

Links to purchase:
https://ashadrynoodle.com/collections/a-sha-x-hot-ones
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hot-Ones-x-A-Sha-Sweet-Chili-Ramen-Noodle-Soup/7334664273
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hot-Ones-x-A-Sha-Garlic-Chili-Ramen-Noodle-Soup/7329121954
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hot-Ones-x-A-Sha-Smoky-Chili-Ramen-Noodle-Soup/7329321199

Scores:

Sweet Chili:

  • Noodles: 8.5/10
  • Spiciness: 3/10 (5.5/10 with the bonus heat pack)
  • Overall: 8.5/10

Garlic Chili:

  • Noodles: 8.5/10
  • Spiciness: 4.5/10 (6.5/10 with the bonus heat pack)
  • Overall: 8/10 (8.5/10 with the bonus heat pack)

Smoky Chili:

  • Noodles: 8.5/10
  • Spiciness: 6/10 (7.5/10 with the bonus heat pack)
  • Overall: 7/10 (7.5/10 with the bonus heat pack)
by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 188: Samyang Buldak Basil Cream Udon

Notes since filming:

I had mentioned in the video that this one was harder to find (it was only on sale in South Korea from what I could tell, which was where I ordered it), and it looks like it might be discontinued at this point on top of that. It’s a shame, because this was a terrific noodle and a totally unique sauce flavor. This is one of the few varieties I regret not buying more than one of. If this ever comes back in any form, you Buldak fans need to try this!

Original video description:

Here’s a spicy start to 2025! This Buldak flavor is one of the more elusive varieties, but it is also quite unique. Here we have a combination of Buldak sauce with powdered cream, cheese & basil, with some thick udon noodles that I haven’t seen in any other products. If you love Buldak, you’re going to want to watch this review.

Scores:

  • Noodles: 9/10
  • Spiciness: 7/10
  • Overall: 9.5/10