6 Korean Ramyun Brands And Flavors Non-Koreans Should Try

By now you’ve watched your handful of K-Dramas. Maybe even more than a handful for those who were initiated into the club much earlier. Undoubtedly, you must have noticed something reoccurring with every new season and amongst every new cast set. That’s right; the slurping sounds from a character’s mouth as they drink in the brothy goodness of Ramyun.

Originally of Chinese origin, noodle dishes were adopted and adapted by the Japanese as Ramen. Later, Ramyun and its more traditional version called Guksu are the South Korean noodle takes that promise exciting flavors and a delightful slurping experience. We know how much you might crave ramyun every time a character is sitting at a convenience store eating it—we know because we drool at it, too. So, we’ve done our extensive research to find out which brands and flavors of Ramyun are the most promising for your non-Korean taste buds.

 

1. Nongshim Shin Ramyun

The ‘numero uno’ ramyun noodles, its place as a cult favorite has been undisputed for years. Even more so when the richer and spicier variant of it, Shin Ramyun Black, was released into the consumer market. Shin Ramyun is enjoyed by a number of non-Koreans due to its rich umami-style broth and the very distinct yet mouthwatering spiciness of the seasoning powder. Spice does not have to come with discomfort or a lack of rich flavor, and at Nongshim, they understood this assignment perfectly. The spice is evident, but is also bearable considering the kelp and mushroom extracts combined with it. That way, you get to devour the spiciness and richness of flavor in the broth and, as they do in the dramas, you can mix rice into the broth to enjoy the Shin Ramyun flavor in a different way.

 

2. Ottogi Sesame Ramyun

This flavorful and nourishing ramyun is literally all about sesame. From the seasoning sauce to the sesame oil pack, it’s all sesame flavor in this noodle town. For those who love sesame, this is your mini heaven. But, it’s not all about that; there is a signature egg block pack that comes with this ramyun, so you’re also getting protein in it with the added creamy texture. Spice, as usual, is also evident in this ramyun flavor, but not so much so that you miss the point of everything else happening in your noodle bowl. All in all, this unconventional ramyun is worth adding to your noodle snacking delicacies.

 

3. Samyang Buldak Ramyun

It’s as though a new Buldak ramyun flavor gets released every year. We love that even while the original Samyang Buldak flavor is spicily undefeated, the numerous varieties of it make choosing and picking much more exciting. If you’re more into cheesy textures, the Cheese Buldak flavor is your go-to. If you’ve watched countless ‘Fire Noodle Challenge’ videos, the HOT Chicken Flavor Ramyun has got you covered. What makes Buldak Ramyun generally favorable to foreigners is the absence of broth as it is a dry noodle type, and the spicy chicken flavor inspired by the signature Korean chicken dish with the same name; buldak.

 

4. Neoguri Spicy Seafood Ramyun

The best detail about this ramyun flavor is the thickness of its noodles. While some people look to ramyun as a snack, some others would like to enjoy it as an actual meal. So, the udon-like noodle texture and thickness serves to satisfy you with a hearty ramyun experience. Of course, another very noticeable detail is the rich seafood broth which goes well with the mild spice level the seasonings have so you’re not overwhelmed by fishy flavors and too much spice. The balance of this is absolutely perfect for seafood lovers who like mildly spicy ramyun.

 

5. Jongga Kimchi Ramyun

We think this ramyun flavor is the best for people that want to enjoy the full and authentic Korean ramyun eating experience. In K-Dramas, we hear them say ramyun pairs so well with kimchi, and you get to enjoy that with this flavor because they actually pack fresh kimchi with your crunchy noodles. With this kimchi ramyun, you get to enjoy Jongga’s staple kimchi, as well as savory broth noodles cooked with actual red pepper flakes in the packet to up the spice level and complete the ensemble.

 

6. Paldo Bibimmen Instant Ramyun

In the sea of this article’s many spicy flavors, this Bibimmyeon-style ramyun flavor is the perfect blend of balance. A couple reasons you would love to try this is that the seasonings come in sauce form, which carries spiciness and a delightful acid sweetness. Also, the spice levels aren’t so overwhelming as in the other flavors, but still sits nicely on your tongue as you eat. The noodle texture is similar to the bibimmyeon noodle dish which is cold and chewy, so you’re getting the Bibim Guksu experience right off the mart shelf.