There are few things more satisfying than a handful of fresh-made ramen noodles dropped into long-simmered broth and topped with egg, green onion, nori and a slice of chashu. That’s ramen at its best. But when restaurant ramen isn’t possible, instant ramen can be a terrific second-best, especially if it includes top-notch noodles and flavorful broth.
While not all packaged ramen brands hit that target, one that is all but guaranteed to please is Samyang Buldak, a Korean brand that was introduced in 2014. Bright, colorful packages picturing adorable cartoon chickens are filled with more than 20 inventive flavors, including Quattro Cheese, Tom Yum, Carbonara, Taco and more.
The popularity of Buldak ramen has much to do with 2014’s viral #FireNoodleChallenge on TikTok and YouTube that involved people posting their efforts to consume bowls spiked with the full packet of spicy paste. But now, 12 years later, Buldak is sold in 100 countries and is the most popular spicy instant ramen on the market.
Buldak ramen can be found at nearly every grocery and market. Korean markets have the best selection, but even mainstream stores stock 2-3 kinds. While prices vary, expect to pay $6-$10 per five-pack. Our search of 9 stores turned up 10 flavors, all of which are sold in five-packs.
Before we get into specifics about the different flavors, it’s important to note that all Buldak ramen are made with artificial chicken flavor and are labeled “spicy,” as all include a spicy paste packet. While much of the flavor is tucked into the powder packs, every paste is different and most deliver a good dose of flavor along with the palate-quashing spice.
The trick to enjoying these is to add enough paste to flavor the ramen, but not so much that it kills the other delicious flavors in the mix. Fans of the noodle brand share lots of hacks for taming the heat: adding cream, mayo or egg yolk; adding extra cheese; or even stirring in peanut butter.
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After a lip-burning, throat-punishing taste test, we discovered some clear winners — and losers. Our favorite Buldak flavors are those that deliver a huge punch of herbs and spices in an umami-forward broth. The best are so robust that they balance the raw heat, turning the thick, chewy ramen noodles into a bold, luscious meal.
Our least favorite are those that simply don’t deliver the flavors touted on the package. The worst are spice bombs with no other flavor notes.
Here are details on the best Buldak ramen flavors and the ones that fail to deliver anything more than spice. Nutrition info refers to one pack of ramen.
Buldak Tom Yum
Bright, tangy broth that’s both sweet and sour and thick chewy noodles make this a standout meal. It’s slightly creamy thanks to coconut cream, and flavored with ginger, kimchee powder and lots of lime. 540 calories, 21 grams fat, 1890 milligrams sodium, 10 grams sugar, 8 grams protein. $7.49 for five 4.76-ounce packs at Megamart. (4 stars)
Buldak Taco
The bold Mexican flavors in this dry powder mixed with some freeze-dried bits make for a tasty bite of noodles. The noodles are thinner and more curly than most, which allows for more lots of garlicky, taco-flavored sauce per mouthful. 520 calories, 14 grams fat, 1650 milligrams sodium, 8 grams sugar, 12 grams protein. $6.89 for five 4.76-ounce packs at Target. (4 stars)
Buldak Birria
Deep, rich flavor that mimics traditional Mexican stew makes this an interesting and satisfying bowl. While it features the same artificial chicken base, the tomato and lime make it taste more like slow-simmered beef broth. A bigger flavor pack would make it perfect. 520 calories, 16 grams fat, 1560 milligrams sodium, 7 grams sugar, 11 grams protein. $9.99 for five 4.58-ounce packs at Safeway. (3 1/2 stars)
Buldak Quattro Cheese
The cheesy profile of this mix that incorporates Camembert and gouda is super earthy and very creamy. Fans of boxed macaroni and cheese who enjoy a bit of spice will enjoy this. 590 calories, 9 grams fat, 1920 milligrams sodium, 11 grams sugar, 16 grams protein. $7.99 for five 5.11-ounce packs at Megamart. (3 1/2 stars)
Buldak Rose
Smoky and sweet, this milky ramen broth laced with red pepper powder and onion has a pleasant heat level thanks to a healthy dash of cheese. It’s just a bit too sweet. 580 calories, 20 grams fat, 1140 milligrams sodium, 12 grams sugar, 14 grams protein. $6.89 for five 4.93-ounce packs at Target. (3 stars)
Buldak Original
It’s hard to fault the original. It’s super hot, but the broth has lots of nuanced flavors thanks to paprika, cumin, red pepper oil, onion and garlic powders. The toasted sesame seeds are a delicious topping. 560 calories, 18 grams fat, 1630 milligrams sodium, 7 grams sugar, 14 grams protein. $7.99 for five 4.94-ounce packs at Megamart. (3 stars)
Buldak Swicy (Sweet & Spicy)
A touch of milk powder and a packet of caramelized sugar granules turn this ordinary ramen into a fun, if strange, bite. It’s not a standout, but young eaters will appreciate the sprinkles. 500 calories, 15 grams fat, 1230 milligrams sodium, 9 grams sugar, 12 grams protein. $6.89 for five 4.58-ounce packs at Target. (2 1/2 stars)
Buldak Carbonara
It’s hard to love a noodle that’s billed as carbonara but misses nearly every flavor in the dish. The only “carbonara” ingredient in this is cheese, but Buldak chose to use mozzarella powder, not parmesan. 550 calories, 20 grams fat, 1330 milligrams sodium, 5 grams sugar, 8 grams protein. $5.99 for five 4.58-ounce packs at Megamart. (1 1/2 stars)
Buldak Habanero Lime
Nope, no habanero and very little lime. If those are the flavors you’re craving, grab a pack of Tom Yum. This one is edible, but it’s disappointing. 530 calories, 18 grams fat, 1500 milligrams sodium, 9 grams sugar, 13 grams protein. $7.99 for five 4.76-ounce packs at Megamart. (1 star)
Buldak Cheese
Mixed according to directions, this is a hot yet surprisingly non-cheesy bowl of noodles. The noodles themselves are good, but it’s shockingly bland. 550 calories, 18 grams fat, 1440 milligrams sodium, 7 grams sugar, 13 grams protein. $6.89 for five 4.94-ounce packs at Target. (1/2 star)
Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at timespickyeater@gmail.com. Read more Taste-Off columns at www.mercurynews.com/tag/taste-off.
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