7 Tastiest Korean Instant Ramen To Eat In 2023

After looking at that famous scene in the oscar-winning movie Parasite, the interest in Korean instant ramen has been phenomenal!

A lot of foodies are now discovering the joys of South Korea’s flavorful ramen or Ramyun as they are locally called.

Instant ramen has long been a staple for college students living in dorms or people who are too lazy to cook. 

But all that is in the past. These Korean instant ramen noodles are no less than a gourmet feast.  

Korean Instant Ramen Brands	Spice Level	Chief Flavor
Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black	Medium	Beef
Paldo Cheese Noodles Fromage Ramyun	High	Cheese
Nongshim Champong Noodle Soup Spicy Seafood Flavor	High	Seafood
Samyang Foods Buldak Chicken Ramen	Very High	Chicken
Paldo Rabokki Noodles	Low	Tteokbokki
Ottogi Yeul Ramen Noodles Hot Pepper Flavor	Very High	Hot Pepper
Nongshim Chapagetti Noodle	Medium	Vegetable

What is the best Korean instant ramen noodle?

After testing (and tasting) several Korean instant ramen, I found the Nongshim Chapagetti Noodles to be the best South Korean instant ramen noodles.

The Nongshim Chapagetti Noodles come with spaghetti-style noodles with Korean black soy bean sauce taste. These ramyun do not have a particular beef or fish flavor so they are easy to customize according to your taste preference. They’ve got several veggies and are a delicious comfort food. 

How I decided which Korean Instant ramen is the best?

After making these Korean instant ramen at home and taste testing them myself, I rated them on a scale of 1-5 based on the following criteria. 

• Spice levels – the Korean instant noodles need to be spicy enough to give your taste buds a kick. But ramen that is too fiery can be unpalatable for some users.
• Flavoring – Korean noodles come in several flavors like beef, chicken, cheese, etc. The taste should be universally loved.
• Price – Several Korean ramyun brands that are sold outside of South Korea tend to be very expensive. I looked at how the price matched the quantity.

Korean Instant Ramen Review 2023

What Factors To Consider While Buying Korean Instant Ramen

Are you a fan of instant noodles? Does the thought of a hot bowl of delicious ramen make your mouth water? If so, then you’re in the right place. Korean instant ramen is becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason.

However, with so many brands and options available, it can be challenging to decide which ones to try first. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting the best Korean instant ramen for you.

First and foremost, consider your spice tolerance. Some instant ramen brands are known for their fiery spice levels, while others are milder. Be sure to read the labels and reviews to find one that suits your taste buds.

Next, think about the texture of the noodles. Do you prefer chewy or soft noodles? Each brand has a unique texture, so it’s essential to find one that aligns with your personal preference. Another factor to keep in mind is the flavor.

From classic chicken and beef to exotic seafood flavors, there’s something for everyone. Some brands even offer vegetarian and vegan options, so be sure to check the ingredients list. Lastly, don’t forget about the toppings.

Some brands come with their own seasoning packets, while others rely on fresh ingredients such as scallions and eggs. Consider whether you’re in the mood for a no-fuss meal or one that requires some extra prep work.

In conclusion, selecting the best Korean instant ramen boils down to your personal preferences. Keep spice tolerance, noodle texture, flavor, and toppings in mind, and you’ll be on your way to a mouthwatering bowl of ramen in no time.

What Is The Best Korean Ramen Instant Noodles Recipe

If you are a fan of instant noodles, then Korean ramen is something you must try. It’s hot, spicy, and absolutely delicious.

However, with so many options available in the market, choosing the best Korean ramen can be quite challenging.

I am here to help you with that. In this section, I have shared our top pick for the best Korean ramen instant noodle recipe that you should absolutely add to your grocery list.

The Shin Ramyun Black version is hailed as one of the most popular and best tasting Korean instant ramen noodles.

It’s a premium offering from the Nongshim brand that comes with a variety of rich flavors. It’s spicier than the original Shin Ramyun, with the addition of an improved beef broth and vegetable flakes.

This recipe has become a hit among ramen lovers all over the world. If you are someone who loves an extra kick in their instant noodles, then the Samyang Ramen Spicy Chicken Roasted Noodles is the one for you.

It’s one of the spiciest ramens in the market. It’s a hot and spicy dish with a unique seasoning sauce mixed with well-cooked and chewy noodles that you won’t be able to resist. The chicken flavor mixed with the spiciness, and you’ve got yourself the perfect comfort food.

In conclusion, there are many options available in the market, but these two Korean instant noodles, the Shin Ramyun Black and Samyang Ramen Spicy Chicken Roasted Noodles, are our top picks for the best Korean ramen instant noodles recipe.

What Is BTS’s Favorite Korean Ramen Brand

BTS, a South Korean boy band, is not only known for their outstanding music career but also for their love for Korean food. From bibimbap to Korean fried chicken, BTS members have shown their appreciation for the Korean cuisine in several interviews and variety shows.

So, what is BTS’s favorite Korean ramen brand? According to an interview with the group, BTS members have a collective favorite brand of Korean instant ramen – Samyang. Samyang ramen is known for its spiciness and is popular among many K-pop idols.

BTS members, specifically RM and J-Hope, have admitted their love for the brand and even named their own song after it – “Chicken Noodle Soup feat. Becky G.” The song is a tribute to J-Hope’s love for the instant ramen and how it has become a comfort food for him.

Apart from Samyang, BTS members have also shown love for other Korean instant ramen brands such as Nongshim and Ottogi. In fact, RM has recommended Nongshim’s Shin Ramyun to fans in interviews and even expressed his excitement for the brand’s collaboration with his fashion brand, ‘Mono.’

In conclusion, BTS members have a love for Korean instant ramen and have shown their appreciation for different brands. If you’re a BTS fan, why not try some of their favorite Korean instant ramen brands and see what all the hype is about?

Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black

The first Korean instant ramen I tried was the Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black and it was perhaps the best thing I’ve tasted.

Now look, everyone thinks instant noodles are not as tasty or hearty as compared to “real” noodles. 

But this one is so rich and flavorful that it doesn’t taste like a 5-min instant food you eat because you don’t want to cook. It feels like a gourmet meal on its own.

And the main reason for it’s flavor is perhaps the  Sul-Long-Tang soup base sachet that comes along with these Korean noodles.

It gives that extra heartiness to the noodle broth. 

What I liked most about the Nongshim Shin is that there is the right amount of spices and herbs here. 

If you hate bland stuff but don’t like overly spicy food either, you will be in a treat with this one.

It’s got beef chunks, vegetables, and a delicious seasoning. I can eat it several times a week and not get tired.

I was, however, disappointed to see the price. It seems really overpriced, especially if you’ve lived in Korea and got it at a much lower price.

What I Liked:

• Thick noodles
• Suits most palates
• Thick bone broth 
• Lots of flavorful seasoning

What I Did Not Like:

• Overpriced

Paldo Cheese Noodles Fromage Ramyun

If you’re not very keen on experimenting with Korean food and want something more similar to an everyday American palate, this Paldo Ramyun is a good place to start.

It’s like a regular Korean instant ramen, but with cheese! Honestly? I love the combination.

I have to warn you that while the cheese powder pairs well with the flavor of the noodles, it does nothing to cut down the spiciness. 

The noodles turn out a bit soft and I would have been happier if they were a bit bouncier. But I felt the recipe called for too much water. 

So you can reduce the quantity of water used from 2 and a half cups to 2 cups to get less stickier noodles.

What I Liked:

• Cheesy flavor
• Very spicy

What I Did Not Like:

• Too spicy for some taste buds
• Expensive for single ramen packet

Nongshim Champong Noodle Soup Spicy Seafood Flavor

I’ve always loved the combination of Korean instant ramen and seafood. So I simply had to try the Nongshim Champong Neoguri Noodles.

These thick Udon-style noodles are packed with flavor and ingredients like anchovy, tuna, and mussel.

These Korean noodles are great if you want to taste something other than chicken or beef. But I should warn you, the noodles still contain beef stock as an ingredient.

So if you’re staying away from beef for health or religious reasons, you might want to check out other noodle brands.

As these contain a high quantity of shellfish extracts, it might also cause allergic reactions. So make sure it’s kept away from someone with sensitivity to fish and shellfish.

There have been a lot of complaints about the noodles arriving broken or not cooking well. I can only assume that there are several fakes out there online. So be very careful while selecting the products. 

What I Liked:

• Udon style noodles
• Fish-flavored noodles

What I Did Not Like:

• Shellfish and milk might cause allergic reaction in some people

Samyang Foods Buldak Chicken Ramen

You’ve probably heard of the Korean fire noodles challenge? Well, these are the very same noodles!

This Samyang Ramen is fondly called buldak-bokkeum-myeon in Korean. Translation? Stir-fried chicken noodles.

So it’s not like your regular Korean instant noodles. It’s got more of the spicy, hawker-style ramen. You’ll feel like you’re eating it in a food stall in the streets of Seoul somewhere.

Another fantastic thing about these Korean noodles is that they have a chicken base. Not just a different flavor like the Nongshim seafood noodles, but a whole chicken base.

If you don’t eat beef, you can try this Samyang buldak-bokkeum-myeon without hesitation.

These noodles are available in both the pot version and the bowl version.

What I Liked:

• Chicken base
• Spicy flavor
• Stir-fry style noodles

What I Did Not Like:

• Too expensive

Paldo Rabokki Noodles

These aren’t your regular Korean instant noodles, the Paldo Rabokki ramen noodles are inspired by Tteobokki.

Tteobokki are long cylindrical tubes made of rice flour. They are usually paired with a rich, red sauce which has a spicy-sweet flavor to it. This dish is then served along with fish cakes or eggs.

These noodles are inspired by this Tteobokki meal. So if you’re buying them expecting to taste like the fiery Samyang noodles you’ll be disappointed.

They are not very spicy. A good thing if you have a very Americanized palate.

But truth be told, the Tteokbokki and red sauce flavor is an acquired taste. Not everyone will like the sweet taste. 

So if you’re not keen on experimenting, you should stick with Nongshim or Samyang ramen. 

What I Liked:

• Not very spicy so good for some taste buds
•  Tteokbokki-inspired noodles

What I Did Not Like:

• Sweet taste

Ottogi Yeul Ramen Noodles Hot Pepper Flavor

I was just telling you about the sweet flavored Rabokki noodles and how they’re not everyone’s cup of tea (or should we say ramen).

And if you are someone like me who enjoys spicy stuff more than anything else, here’s a Korean instant ramen for you.

The Ottogi Yeul Ramen Noodles give even the Samyang fiery noodles a run for their money. In fact, “Yeul” translates to heat in Korean.

These noodles contain a lot of red pepper, and several veggies including shiitake mushrooms, cabbage, carrots, and green onions.

I loved how the noodles are thick and get soft and chewy after you cook them.

The only downside to these noodles (if you see it as a downside) is that they are too spicy.

I’ve heard some people who tried it describe it as “burn your backside” spicy. So if you’re not used to that sort of thing, you can choose something more milder.

What I Liked:

• Chewy noodle texture
• Spicy levels
• Price

What I Did Not Like:

• Too spicy for some people 

Nongshim Chapagetti Noodle

Chapagetti is nothing but the Korean version of spaghetti noodles. So you’ll find this Nongshim Korean instant ramen to have the same texture and length as spaghetti.

These noodles come in a Chajang flavor. Now Chajang is black soy bean sauce, and Chapagetti with Chajang is a very popular dish in South Korea.

Apart from these lip-smacking flavors, you can also find a host of other vegetables like green onions and carrots. There is also a vegetable oil seasoning to give it that extra dose of flavor.

If you like Korean Jajangmyeon, then this is an easy replica of the dish you can make.

Cooking these noodles to perfection can take a few tries. Here’s how I got it to be perfect.

• Do not add the flavoring sachet after draining the water from your noodles. This will make your noodles too overpowering to taste good.

• Remove a few tablespoons of starchy water from the noodles while it is al dente or cooked halfway through. 

• Then, mix the noodle water you have taken out with the flavoring. 

• Put this water back into the still-cooking noodles and let it simmer for a few minutes. The broth will naturally thicken due to the heat. 

What I Liked:

• Delicious flavoring
• Spaghetti style noodles
• Korean black bean flavor

What I Did Not Like:

• Needs to be cooked a certain way
• Overpriced

Summary on Best Korean Instant Noodles Brands

After trying several different types of Korean instant ramen, it’s safe to say that I am now a true ramen connoisseur. From the bold flavors to the unique textures, Korean instant ramen has its own special place in my heart and stomach.

Each time I slurp up a bowl of noodles, I am transported to the bustling streets of Seoul or the peaceful mountains of Busan. It’s amazing how something as simple as a packet of noodles can bring so much joy and satisfaction.

I love trying out new flavors and combinations, from the classic spicy chicken to the more unusual cheese ramen. And with so many different brands and varieties to choose from, there’s always something exciting to discover.

Of course, there are also the health pros and cons to consider when it comes to instant ramen. While it’s not exactly a superfood, I believe that everything can be enjoyed in moderation. And when you do decide to treat yourself to some Korean instant ramen, why not have some fun with it?

Experiment with different toppings and cooking methods to make your own unique creations. Overall, I highly recommend giving Korean instant ramen a try if you haven’t already.

It’s a delicious and affordable way to experience a taste of Korean culture, without having to leave your own kitchen. So go ahead and grab a bowl (or two) – your taste buds will thank you.

Korean instant noodles are perhaps one of the easiest foods to prepare. A bowl and an electric kettle or microwave is all you need.

The demand for these noodles has also gone up in the past few months as a lot of folks have been devouring it during quarantine.

With the help of this article, you can find your favorite Korean noodles and indulge in this ultimate comfort food!

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