Hottest Must-Try Korean Instant Noodles of 2023

Noodle dishes made by pulling dough made from grains such as wheat, buckwheat, rice, and potatoes and cooking them are becoming increasingly popular. The cooking method of making better quality noodles is a common method that has spread worldwide, including in Korea. Therefore, various types of noodle dishes can be enjoyed. The variety of noodle dishes we can choose from, such as noodles, ramen, cold noodles, and pasta, is increasing. Now, let’s look at new noodle dishes with unique concepts.

Ottogi Himokawa Udon

Udon, a Japanese noodle dish, is also popular in Korea. Although various types of udon are available in Korea, not many people have heard of Himokawa Udon. It is a dish made with flat and wide noodles and has recently become a hot topic on social media. Ottogi distributes Himokawa Udon, which allows you to dip the chewy flat udon noodles into a broth made with unripe green tangerine juice and enjoy refreshing. The price of one package for two servings is 7,480 won (about $5.65).

Samyang Ganjjamppong X

Samyang Food has released an expanded product of its ganjjamppong brand, Ganjjamppong X. It features more noodles and flakes than the original product, and its spiciness has been enhanced. It boasts a spiciness level similar to Buldak Bokkeumyeon (Fire Noodles) by using Vietnamese chili peppers, which makes it four times spicier. The capacity increased by 9.5%, and it added liquid soup with oyster sauce and seafood flakes. It is sold at large supermarkets for around 2,000 won (about $1.50) per piece.

Nongshim Shin Ramyun Red

Nongshim has released a limited edition of its spicy ramen called Shin Ramyun Red. Shin Ramyun Red has a Scoville rating of 7500 SHU, which is more than twice the spiciness of the original Shin Ramyun. It is even spicier than the spiciest product in Nongshim’s ramen lineup, Angry Neoguri. It was developed with a focus on delivering a stronger spiciness while maintaining the identity of Shin Ramyun. The spiciness is increased by increasing the amount of cheongyang chili peppers (Korean spicy chili pepper), and it is enhanced with ingredients such as beef and shiitake mushrooms to create a rich and savory broth. A 4-pack package is 5,300 won (about $4).

Ottogi Mayeol Ramen

Ottogi has released Mayeol Ramen, a spicy ramen with added garlic and black pepper. Mayeol Ramen is a product with a distinctive spicy broth. Ottogi developed Mayeol Ramen with a new concept by focusing on the high proportion of garlic, black pepper, and other ingredients added to the original Mayeol Ramen. With the addition of crispy garlic, sharp black pepper, and the unique spiciness of Mayeol Ramen, it has become an attractive and new spicy product. It is sold in a 4-pack package at major supermarkets for around 4,000 won (about $3).

Kyochon Secret Stir-Fried Noodles

Kyochon Chicken has released its first stir-fried noodles since its establishment. It is a noodle product called Kyochon Secret Stir-Fried Noodles, emphasizing the spiciness of Kyochon Chicken’s signature menu with a secret sauce. There are two types of Kyochon Secret Stir-Fried Noodles: Kyochon Red Secret Stir-Fried Noodles with a red sauce made with domestically grown cheongyang chili peppers and honggochus, and Kyochon Black Secret Stir-Fried Noodles with a combination of dried orange peel, cinnamon, and star anise. The price is 2,300 won (about $1.70) per piece.

Samyang Yaki Soba & Habanero Lime Buldak Bokkeumyeon

Samyang Food has officially released two export-only Buldak brand products in Korea. They are Yaki Soba Buldak Bokkeumyeon, which combines the spiciness of Buldak with the popular Japanese dish Yaki Soba, and Habanero Lime Buldak Bokkeumyeon, which features a spicy and tangy flavor with habanero peppers and lime. Both products are available in both cup and bowl versions. The recommended retail price for a cup of ramen at convenience stores is 1,800 won (about $1.35).

Harim The Misik Bibimmyeon

Harim has released a limited edition of The Misik Bibimmyeon. It is a product that uses a secret seasoning sauce unique to Dumisik. The noodles have a high proportion of buckwheat, which gives them a rich and chewy texture. The buckwheat content in the noodles is 5.5% higher than the average content of commercial products, enhancing buckwheat’s fragrant and savory taste. The noodles are dried using Haitai’s unique jet nozzle drying method without frying in oil. The price per package is 1,100 won (about $0.80) based on bagged noodles.

Ottogi Chogyae Makguksu 2 Types

Ottogi has released two premium refrigerated noodles called Chogyae Makguksu. The new products include Chogyae Mulmakguksu (cold buckwheat noodles) and Chogyae Bibim Makguksu (spicy mixed buckwheat noodles). They feature savory buckwheat noodles, rich broth, and delicious bibim sauce with tangy pickled radish and chicken breast. These products go beyond the simple composition of noodles, broth, and sauce found in traditional HMR refrigerated noodles, allowing consumers to enjoy a complete meal without additional ingredients. The online lowest price for a package that two people can enjoy is 7,980 won (about $6).

Pulmuone Artisan Pasta

Pulmuone Food has launched Artisan in collaboration with the Italian pasta brand Barilla and released three premium pasta products. The sauces used in the products contain ingredients produced in Italy, such as 100% Italian crushed tomatoes and truffles, to capture the unique taste and flavor found locally. The three types are ‘Meat Ragù Pasta’ in the Neapolitan style, Ricotta Rosé Pasta in the Sicilian style, and Mushroom Cream Pasta in the Piedmontese style. The recommended retail price for a package that two people can enjoy is 8,980 won (about $7).

Samyang COOTIQ Toowoomba Pasta

Samyang Food has released the new COOTIQ Toowoomba Pasta product under the COOTIQ brand. The new product combines the rich flavor of Twoomba sauce with wide and flat fettuccine-style dried noodles, reproducing the taste and visual appeal of Twoomba pasta. It includes a creamy sauce with a smooth and rich taste and a powdered soup with added red pepper and shrimp for a savory and tangy flavor. It also contains sliced mushrooms and gamberi to enhance the flavor of the pasta. It is sold at convenience stores for 3,600 won.

By. Choi Deok Soo (press@daily.co.kr)