When visiting Korea, tourists are expected to sample as many delicious cuisines as they can. While local restaurants serve a wide range of mouthwatering Korean foods, including everything from Korean BBQ to different seafood dishes, a short trip to a nearby shop can increase your options for what to eat while in Korea.
When you enter a Korean supermarket, you will be overcome by endless aisles filled with different types of instant noodles, which are a significant component of Korean cuisine. In general, a single serving of Korean instant cup ramen costs between 1,000 and 1,300 KRW, whereas a packet with four to five servings costs between 3,000 and 4,000 KRW.
1. Shin Ramen and Shin Ramen Black,
Photo:Nongshim (농심)
I must start by returning to the fundamentals, Shin Ramen, in order to properly launch the assessment of the greatest Korean instant noodles. Even if you have never been to Korea, there is a good possibility that you have seen the company's recognizable red packaging in your neighborhood Asian markets. Shin Ramen sales are expanding both inside and outside of Korea. Shin Ramen, which is currently available in well over 100 countries, credits its popularity to the biggest possible consumer base with its traditional and genuine flavor.
Shin Ramen Black, which is essentially an improved version of its original Red counterpart, was also introduced by Nongshim. Shin Ramen Black maintains the original flavor while adding an additional variety of ingredients and a package of seolleongtang () powder.
2. Jin Ramen Red and Blue
Photo:E-Daily
The Jin Ramen brand is another well-known item in the Korean instant noodle market, along with the Shin Ramen series. One of Korea's largest food manufacturers, Ottogi, produces Jin Ramen, which has a distinct flavor that some claim transports them back to their childhood.
Blue and Red are the two flavors of Jin Ramen that are offered. For people who aren't used to eating spicy meals at home, Jin Ramen Blue has a very moderate flavor and is quite simple to eat. Jin Ramen Red, on the other hand, ups the ante on flavor by using bolder and hotter ingredients. As 'introductory' instant ramen, Jin Ramen Red and Blue are both simple to sample.
3. Neoguri
Photo:Nongshim (농심)
The firm Nongshim has been selling Neoguri, an instant noodle, since 1982. Currently exported to more than 80 nations, this instant noodle ranks fourth in sales in Korea. The adorable raccoon mascot of Neoguri, which is depicted on tiny bits of fishcake used as one of the ingredients in the ramen, may be what makes it so well-known. Thick noodles from Noeguri are incredibly satisfying, and its mildly spicy seafood broth goes great with a couple
beer cans. Additionally, there are several varieties of Noeguri, such as Noeguri Stir-fried Noodles (), which, in my opinion, have a greater seafood flavor than the original.
4. Yukgaejang Ramen (육개장 라면)
Photo:Nongshim (농심)
A spicy beef soup called yukgaejang has shredded beef slices, scallions, and veggies. Yukgaejang can be a bit of a hardship for those with sensitive stomachs due to its spice, but Nongshim makes it into something that everyone can appreciate. Yukgaejang ramen employs relatively thin, crispy noodles as opposed to the other quick noodles discussed in this article. If you enjoy a crunchy texture, boil it for 2 minutes before eating it as a quick snack in between meals. Speaking of snacking, Nongshim recently introduced Yukgaejang-ramen potato chips, which, despite what many people may initially think, are actually quite tasty.
5. Mupama (무파마)
Photo: Nongshim (농심)
Mupama is just another incredible instant noodle from Nongshim. The words "mu," "pa," and "ma" in this ramen's name represent three separate vegetables and ingredients: radish, green onion, and garlic. As the name implies, Mupama comes with a packet of several fresh veggies that go well with its soup, which has a garlicky flavor. A fantastic recipe for a hangover soup involves boiling water and adding an egg to mupama.
6. Omori Budae Chigae (오모리 부대찌개)
The icy winter in Korea is just around the corner. Eating tasty budae chigae is one of the benefits of living in Korea during the winter, even though not many people may look forward to having to wear layers of extra clothing when they go outside. The term "Budae Chigae," which loosely translates to "troop stew," comes from the 1950s Korean War, when American soldiers supplied donated rations in the form of budae chigae. In Korea, there are many different varieties of instant budae chigae noodles, but none of them can compare to Omori's genuine flavor. Omori Budae Chigae maintains the quality of this quick noodle by adding a packet of fresh kimchi in addition to the usual additions like ham and green onions.
7. Jjapaghetti (짜파게티)
A slightly modified version of everyone's favorite Korean-Chinese fusion dish is now available as an instant noodle. In its original form, jjajangmyeon () is a dish of noodles covered in a very thick black sauce consisting of diced pork and veggies. Jjapaghetti, a popular fast noodle in Korea that appeals to people of all ages, combines the flavor of jjajangmyeon with the consistency of spaghetti. Unlike the other kinds of instant noodles described in this article, Jjapaghetti doesn't come with soup and necessitates an additional cooking step. When the noodles are finished cooking, remove the cup from the heat and add the packet of seasoning sauce. And because of this additional cooking stage, Jjapaghetti can recreate the distinctive flavor of Jjajangmyeon.
8. Nongshim Jjampong Noodle (맛짬뽕)
Another product that has supported my life in Korea over the past few years is Nongshim's Jjampong Noodle. East Asians love jjampong, a classic noodle dish that is popular among Korean, Japanese, and Chinese residents. In Korea, jjampong is made using a variety of seafood and vegetables that have been thoroughly blended into either a red or white broth. Jjampong Noodle appears to have been masterfully planned by Nongshim since the aroma literally transports you to the seaside to savor the dish. In order to combine nicely with the thick layers of the seafood-flavored soup, the noodles used in Champong Noodle are exceptionally thick, chewy, and most importantly, flat.
9. Yeul Ramen (열라면)
If you enjoy spicy food a lot, stop your search right here. Your craving for the mouth-burning flavor will be satisfied with Yeul Ramen, another well-known item from Ottogi. Yeul Ramen is one of the spiciest instant noodles I've ever had in Korea, and the word "Yeul" () literally translates to "hot."
Yeul Ramen is more than just a hot instant noodle, but simply being spicy will not guarantee a product's longevity in the cutthroat Korean instant noodle industry. With Ottogi's famous thick, wavy noodles, Yeul Ramen's beef-based broth pairs fairly well, and as you dig in, you could even find yourself loving the dish's spice. For people who don't have a strong tolerance for spicy food, adding an egg, cheddar, and bean sprout makes it more palatable.
10. Buldak Bokkeum Myeon (불닭볶음면)
Buldak Bokkeum Myeon is possibly the most well-known Korean instant noodle among people who are living abroad, along with Shin Ramen. Buldak (), which translates to "hot chicken," is the ideal quick noodle for anyone who wants to know what is meant when someone says "Korean food is spicy."
Another soupless fast noodle kind is called Buldak Bokkeum Myeon, and after draining the water, you must combine the noodles with its unique sauce. As an instant noodle, Buldak Bokkeum Myeon is particularly filling because the noodles are quite thick and chewy. Buldak Bokkeum Myeon was made available in a variety of tastes by the company after serving as Samyang's emblematic product. Hek Buldak Bokkeum Myeon () in the red packet, in addition to the original one in the black packaging, is currently regarded as being the spiciest of all. Additionally, there are Cheese Buldak Bokkeum Myeon () in a yellow container and Carbonara Buldak Bokkeum Myeon () in a pink package. They have a lovely chicken mascot on their packaging, which makes them seem like they aren't spicy at all, but don't let that deceive you—they are probably hot enough to make regular people cry.
With Love Kaela
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