If you’ve caught on to the rising popularity of Korean instant noodles, you’re probably scouring the internet for the best noodles to try. With so many options, it can be a hit or miss. Good ramyeon is chewy and has a good balance of flavours.
Below, we’ve rounded up our favourite Korean instant noodles from brands such as Samyang, Nong Shim, and Mamee.
Table Of Contents
- Top 10 Korean Instant Noodles in Malaysia
- What is the most popular instant noodle in Korea?
- What are Korean instant noodles called?
- Ramyeon vs ramen
Top 10 Korean Instant Noodles in Malaysia
- Samyang Jjajang Ramen(5x80g)
- Nongshim Farmer's Hearts Shin Ramyun (Mushroom) (120gx5)
- Samyang Spicy Chicken Noodle(140g x 5s)
- Nong Shim Neoguri Spicy Seafood Udon(5x120g)
- Samyang Buldak Hot Chicken Curry Ramen(5x140g)
- Samyang Kimchi Ramen Noodles(5x120g)
- NongShim Potato Ramyun(4x80g)
- Mamee x Daebak Ghost Pepper Black Spicy Chicken Noodles (6x80g)
- Samyang Buldak Hot Chicken Cheese Ramen (5x140g)
- Mamee Daebak Noodles Habanero Kimchi Jjigae 88g
Table of Contents
Why It’s Our Top Pick:
If you can’t handle the heat, then you should go for this instead of the Buldak Jjajang Ramen. This is easier to eat and will be lighter on the stomach. The noodles are coated with the oil so it is not very dry.
The Samyang Jjajang Ramen does not come with any toppings but its appeal lies in the simplicity of the noodles mixed with black bean paste. It is most commonly enjoyed with a fried egg on the side though you can add some chicken or even some greens for a more balanced meal.
- No. of packets: 5
- Spice level: Not spicy
One of the most popular instant noodles on the market, this ramen has a spicy, bold flavour. The noodles are chewy and soft while the broth is light. If you’re not sure what to try, this is a safe option that’s beloved by many.
It comes with dry vegetable flakes that enhance the taste, and the flavour is retained well as they are freeze-dried.
- No. of packets: 5
- Spice level: Moderate
The Samyang Spicy Chicken Noodle is infamous as it’s eaten as part of the “fire noodle challenge” where participants test their spice tolerance by finishing a serving of the “buldak ramen” as quickly as possible.
These noodles have a strong spicy chicken flavour that is subtly sweet— a signature taste found in all the Samyang Buldak noodles. The spice hits you almost immediately but wanes with each bite. It leaves a burning sensation in your mouth and temporary Kylie Jenner-like lips though perhaps not as swollen.
- No. of packets: 5
- Spice level: Very spicy
If you want a lighter broth-based ramen dish, this one is nice. Let it sit after cooking for 2 minutes and enjoy a deeply flavoured dish. These come with udon noodles, which are chewy but thicker than ramen noodles and don’t get soggy. The broth has a spiciness that enhances the seafood flavour, with dried kelp flakes for added texture.
While the seafood taste isn’t usually prominent in instant noodles, this one is tasty without the overpowering smell of seafood so you can even enjoy it in the office.
- No. of packets: 5
- Spice level: Mildly spicy/not overwhelming
If you're a fan of spicy Korean noodles but want to try a new flavour, the Samyang Buldak Hot Chicken Curry Ramen can keep things interesting for your tastebuds.
Similar to the cheese Buldak ramen, the curry taste takes a back seat. Though you can taste the curry, it isn’t overpowering and it subdues the spiciness.
- No. of packets: 5
- Spice level: Less spicy than the Original; similar to the Cheese flavoured one
This Korean ramen comes with one sachet of seasoning and flakes inside it. You'll enjoy this if you're not a fan of spicy food as this isn't spicy in the least.
There is kimchi powder, cabbage, and black paper in the seasoning, among other condiments.
The reviews are mixed; while some have said this tastes like kimchi jjigae, others say it lacks the strong fermented pickled flavour of kimchi. To enhance the taste of this ramen, either don't add as much water or top it up with some fresh kimchi.
- No. of packets: 5
- Spice level: N/A
These noodles are thinner than other instant noodles. While most noodles are made of wheat flour, this one is 49% potato starch, providing more fibre. The flavour profile is salty and spicy, with some reviews saying that there is an underlying chicken taste. The noodles are chewier than regular noodles, and it comes with chunks of potato and mushroom. There are also cabbage and bok choy flakes for added texture.
- No. of packets: 4
- Spice level: Slightly spicy
There are over a million Scoville units in a ghost pepper making these noodles 100 times spicier than the Samyang Spicy Chicken noodles that measure 8706 on the Scoville scale! If your spice tolerance isn't very high, you'll likely find this too hot to be enjoyable.
Try this local brand’s take on spicy Korean noodles. Don’t be surprised by the black noodles as it is due to colouring though not from charcoal or squid ink as you may think but berries and cocoa.
- No. of packets: 6
- Spice level: Extreme
Cheese lovers rejoice! If the original Buldak flavour is too spicy, you may want to try this one with cheese in it.
These noodles come with a packet of cheese powder to be mixed with the signature sweet, spicy hot chicken flavour. It has a creamier texture, and while the taste of cheese is present, it is not overwhelming so you won't feel sick of eating it. The cheese takes the spiciness down a notch.
- No. of packets: 5
- Spice level: Lower than the Original
It's kimchi jiggae with a twist. Here's another flavour of Korean instant noodles by Mamee. This dish has doubled tanginess from the habanero, which is one of the hottest peppers. The taste reminds one of asam laksa. You won't be overwhelmed as the spiciness is delayed.
If you’re not a fan of the tangy taste, adding a little more water will dilute it. This kimchi-based ramen will taste even better if you add some fresh kimchi to it but it does come with dried kimchi, scallions, and
- No. of packets: N/A; cups sold individually
- Spice level: Moderate to High for those with a lower spice tolerance
What is the most popular instant noodle in Korea?
Shin Ramyeon, which is a ramen brand from China, is the most popular instant noodle in Korea. Its popularity can be attributed to its balanced spicy and salty flavours. Coming in second is Jin Ramen from Ottogi, a milder spicy ramyeon.
What are Korean instant noodles called?
Korean instant noodles are also known as ‘ramyeon’— a regional variation of the word “Ramen”. They come with seasoning, toppings, and/or dehydrated vegetables. Some instant noodles are soup/stew based while others are of the dry/stir-fry variation.
Ramyeon vs Ramen
Ramyeon is the name for Korean instant noodles, notably as “eo” is a vowel that only exists in the Korean language (“yeon” rhymes with sonic). Ramen is the name for Japanese thin, wavy noodle dishes.
Furthermore, while Ramen may refer to freshly made or instant Japanese noodles, Ramyeon is always used when referring to instant noodles.
Lastly, the flavour profiles of ramyeon are generally spicy and salty, while ramen usually has savoury, umami flavours and tends to have a broth base.