Buldak Ramen: The Fiery Flavor Sensation from Samyang

Buldak ramen instant noodles are famously spicy, yet the brand Samyang boasts some of the hottest noodles in Korea! These noodles from Samyang land at 4404 Scoville on the hotness scale! These chewy noodles feature a fiery broth crafted from chili powder, chili extract, soy sauce powder, sugar, and other similar seasonings that offer a complex sweet yet spicy taste.

Samyang Buldak ramen is inspired by the Korean dish Buldak, a spicy BBQ chicken dish (also known as fire chicken). The chicken thighs are fire-grilled in this dish and then slathered with a hot gochujang sauce. They're then topped with melty cheese. These yummy ramen noodles feature the same spicy, sweet flavor of gochujang in soup form! Learn more about these spicy instant noodles below.

Introduction to Buldak Ramen: A Symphony of Heat and Flavor

Buldak ramen is a relatively new snack food, which shouldn't come as a surprise, considering the dish it was inspired by was created in the early 2000s. This type of ramen was launched in 2012 and was geared toward those who enjoy spicy foods, particularly adventurous eaters. At first, Samyang's goal was to spread the product to local consumers. However, a 2014 YouTube video showing the reactions of Korean visitors trying the spicy noodles created a high demand for the product.

This one YouTube video quickly turned into the "Fire Noodles Challenge," which consisted of people eating Buldak noodles as fast as possible on video. In 2016, the company saw an increase in customers in Southeast Asia. Due to its popularity, the company continued producing new flavors besides the original Hot Chicken Flavor. It has continued to be a popular snack worldwide, including the US.

Buldak ramen is one of the most popular products that Samyang sells. In fact, in 2017, 55% of their sales came from these instant noodles. The company has become one of the top three brands in the instant noodle industry. In 2016, after the brand became more popular globally, it sold 400+ million packs of Buldak noodles. From 2012 to 2018, the company sold an impressive one billion noodle packs. Because of this demand, Samyang constantly produces new flavors to keep up with consumer wants.

You can recognize Samyang's packaging by the cute fire chicken character on each ramen flavor. While you'll see the chicken in different poses and outfits, the same character (Hochi) is on each package. It even has a bit of a backstory. Hochi was born on April 13 and can consume an impressive five packs of Buldak ramen simultaneously.

Exploring the Varieties of Buldak Ramen

There are currently eleven varieties of Buldak ramen from Samyang, ranging from corn to curry and cheese. One of the most popular options is the original Hot Chicken Flavor, which most resembles the traditional Buldak dish. This classic flavor remains a favorite amongst spicy food fans.

There are also options like Jjajang Hot Chicken, which is inspired by Jjajangmyeon, a black bean sauce and noodle dish. This creamy Chinese-Korean dish flavor is combined with a spicy buldak taste to create a unique, yet delicious dish. Another unique flavor is the Kimchi Hot Chicken Flavor, which includes pieces of tangy kimchi that complement the hot chicken/Buldak-flavored broth.

Another flavor that is quite popular among Buldak ramen fans is the Carbo Hot Chicken Flavor. This delicious option combines creamy carbonara sauce with the classic hot chicken ramen flavor. The various flavors available for Buldak ramen range in heat, with the Jjajang flavor being the least spicy (1920 on the Scoville scale). Samyang has created a 2X spicy flavor that sits at 8808 on the Scoville scale to challenge those who found the original flavor bearable.

The Secret Behind Buldak Ramen's Intense Heat

There are a few ingredients tucked into Buldak ramen that help create its signature heat. It's got ingredients like red pepper powder, black pepper powder, and paprika extract. Each of these fiery items creates a flavor where heat builds as you continue enjoying the chewy, stir-fried noodles and broth.

Typical ramen noodles are made with a good amount of broth, as they're meant to be eaten like a soup. In contrast, Buldak ramen noodles should be made with a small amount of water (around eight tablespoons, according to the product details/instructions). This means the spicy flavor is even more concentrated, so it's hotter than other types of spicy ramen.

These yummy noodles are meant to make even those with a good spice tolerance break out in a light sweat. Those who have a lower heat tolerance will likely be able to enjoy the noodles with a few other side effects, including additional sweating, a runny nose, and a red face. If you have a lower heat tolerance, you can help cool the heat in a few ways. Skip the water and reach for ice cream or a glass of milk. You can also take breaks between bites, as this is one dish where the heat continues to build as you eat it.

Buldak Sauce: The Heart of Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen

Samyang makes a few sauce versions of their flavors for those who love the Buldak flavor and want to put it on everything. You can add flavor to your recipes with Carbo Hot Chicken Samyang Buldak Sauce and Hot Chicken Samyang Buldak Sauce. The Carbo Hot Chicken sauce provides a creamy, spicy taste (just like the noodle version!) to recipes, while the classic Buldak Sauce offers heat that lingers on your tongue.

Both feature ingredients like paprika, spicy pepper extract, and soy sauce for a complex, spicy taste. The Hot Chicken sauce also includes chicken flavoring, making it taste even more like Buldak noodles. In comparison, the Carbo sauce includes milk, cheese, and butter flavoring for a richer consistency and taste.

As far as how to use these sauces at home, the options are endless. Each option works great as a dipping sauce for foods like wings, chopped veggies, and pizza. Or, use the sauces to marinate poultry or other types of meat. You can even use the sauces to spice up salad, burgers, sandwiches, and more. Or, add them to Buldak noodles (or other ramen noodles) for a kick of flavor/heat.

Customizing Your Buldak Ramen Experience

The best part about Buldak ramen is that you can customize it to your tastes by adding toppings/ingredients that boost the spicy chicken flavor even more! For example, roasted sesame seeds make a great addition to the fiery soup. They add a deliciously nutty flavor that pairs well with the hot chili broth.

One of the best ways to customize Buldak ramen is by adding a melty cheese or heavy cream. This is a great option for those who find Buldak noodles too spicy on their own, as the dairy helps calm the heat. You can also use other toppings you'd normally put on ramen, like soft-boiled eggs, chopped green onions, dried seaweed, kimchi, etc. You can also make these noodles spicier with chili oil or sriracha drizzle.

Pairing Buldak Noodles with Other Ingredients

If you find that your Buldak noodles still need extra oomph, there are other toppings you can add. For example, you can turn these noodles into a meal by topping them with grilled chicken pieces, crispy pork belly, seasoned tofu, or thinly sliced/cooked beef. Veggies like cooked mushrooms, bok choy, napa cabbage, and thinly sliced carrots also make excellent toppings.

You can also leave your modified potato starch noodles as-is and pair them with other yummy sides. Onsen eggs with plain rice or fried rice are a great option. Other sides you can try alongside the noodles include pickled veggies, dumplings, egg rolls, cucumber salad, and braised tofu. Each option will help make the noodles more filling, turning them into a meal instead of a snack.

The Role of Soy Sauce and Chicken Bouillon in Buldak Ramen

There are a few ingredients you might not expect to find in Buldak ramen - soy sauce and chicken bouillon. Both help create the delicious flavor in the broth, which balances out the spiciness. These ingredients provide depth and a rich umami taste to the noodles. Soy sauce helps create an earthy, meaty flavor while the chicken bouillion adds a meaty/chicken taste. Regardless of which Buldak flavor you pick, you can expect to experience deliciously smoky, bold, complex tastes that will make you want to immediately order another pack (after drinking a glass of milk!).

Conclusion: Why Buldak Ramen Continues to Captivate Spicy Food Lovers

Once you try Buldak ramen, there's no going back. From its bold, spicy flavors to its affordable price, there are many reasons to love Buldak ramen, especially if you're a fan of spicy sauce. With the many available flavors, like Elote Corn Hot Chicken and 2X Hot Chicken, it's easy to enjoy an option that meets your taste preferences.

Find other delicious Asian snacks, drinks, and sweet treats to pair with your Samyang foods at Bokksu Market. You'll find tasty items from places like Korea, Japan, and China! Satisfy your snack cravings with the many available options at Bokksu.