Ramyun/Ramen Round-Up

I’m a huge fan of instant ramyun (ramen in Korean). It’s probably up there with pizza. And no, I’m not a college student. I just love it. So here’s a round-up of the ramyun I’ve been eating recently.

Note: All the ramyun below were purchased at my local HMart, but those without one nearby, I’ve included Amazon links as well.

Shin Ramyun
Rating: 5/5 stars
Spice Level: 3/5 peppers
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2OpqtpV

Everyone is probably familiar with Nongshim Shin Ramyun. It’s the OG instant ramyun that’s actual delicious. Don’t even mention Maruchan Ramen or Nissin Cup Noodles in my presence. It’s not worthy. In terms of spice, it’s spicy but not crazy spicy where it’s not enjoyable. Also, the shape of the noodle brick is a circle, so it fits right into your 1 serving pot. It’s design genius.

Teumsae Ramyun
Rating: 4/5 stars
Spice Level: 4/5 peppers
Amazon: https://amzn.to/37hPSup
Pro Tip: To help tame the spice, add an egg, American cheese, and/or rice.

If you want a ramyun spicier than Shin, but you care about your butthole and don’t want to go the nuclear route, in between is Paldo Teumsae Ramyun. It’s similiar to Shin, but with an aggressive peppery bite. On some days, it’s just a little too spicy for me, and on those days I add a few spoonfuls of rice. American cheese and an egg helps too.

A-Sha Hakka Noodle (Chili)
Rating: 3/5 stars
Spice Level: 3/5 peppers
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KthTW7
Pro Tip: Add a drizzle of dark sesame oil for added taste & sauciness.

If dry noodles are your thing, A-Sha Hakka Noodle is a Taiwanese ramen I tried for the first time recently. It’s Hakka noodles with a 5-spice scented chili sauce. (The description says “mala,” but there’s no mouth-numbing mala taste.) The first time I tried it, I wasn’t sure I was a fan because of the distinct flavor, but now that I’m used to it, I’m a convert. I especially like the mouthfeel of the chewy wide noodles. And if you care of such things, these noodles aren’t fried and the sauce doesn’t have any MSG.

What’s your favorite ramyun? Let me know in the comments below! I’ll do more of these if there’s an interest. The ramyun in my rotation are always changing.