Best Korean Ramyeon | 21+ Incredible Korean Instant Noodles to Try

There are so many Korean instant noodles in Korea that it can be completely overwhelming to figure out which are the best Korean ramyeon noodles and which flavors to get. You might enter a convenience store in Korea wanting to try out some of the most popular brands and be completely lost. Well no worries, I’ve created this amazing list of which Korean Ramyeon brands are best, how to cook it at home and at the store, and so much more. I’ve created this entire guide to help overwhelmed tourists and foreigners wanting to try all the best. 

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Best Korean Ramyeon | 21+ Incredible Korean Instant Noodles to Try

So before we get started on this giant guide to Korean Instant Noodles, I wanted to break them all down based on spicy, non-spicy, cup ramyeon, snacks, and other types of convenience store snacks. If you are interested in learning more about Korean food, you might be interested in my post in Korean Street Food.

The Best Korean Ramen, Ramyeon Brands, and Korean Instant Noodle Types

​​What are Korean instant Ramen? Well, they are exactly what the name implies – instant noodles made in Korea. Many brands make different kinds of Korean instant noodles. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ones!

​​What Are The Most Famous Korean Ramyeon Brands?

Nongshim and Samyang are the most popular Korean Ramyeon brands. They are the most well-known Korean Ramyeon brands and for a good reason. These two brands have been around for a very long time and are well established in Korea. 

Korean Instant Noodles – Spicy Korean Ramyeon Brands

Are Korean instant noodles spicy? Yes they are, but most are quite manageable. Some like the buldak ramyeon is quite spicy and is only recommended for those who can really tolerate heat.

Nongshim Neoguri Spicy Seafood (Udon Noodles) (농심 너구리)

This is ultimately my favorite Korean instant noodle brand and it has a spicy seafood flavor. Nongshim’s Neoguri Udon Noodles is a delicious, spicy seafood-flavored ramen. With an assortment of spices and vegetables, this instant noodles dish has quickly become one of the most popular Korean brands of udon noodles in South Korea. It’s one of the most popular ones to eat in Korea. 

Nongshim Shin Ramyun (신라면)

I would say this is probably the most common and most popular brand in all of Korea. Most people think of Korean instant noodles and immediately grab this flavor and brand. It’s popular because of its well-known name and excellent flavor. I love this brand as well, but it really depends on the type of Korean instant noodle I am looking for. 

Samyang Buldak Ramen (삼양불닭볶음면) – Dangerously Spicy

Any of the buldak Korean instant noodles will be the ultimate spicy level. It’s one of the best Korean ramyeon people get. It will be difficult to get through unless you really enjoy spicy food. They have even created competitions for eating these. Samyang’s Buldak-Ramen dish has become so popular, it is now one of the most successful instant noodles brands in Korea. This spicy ramen dish consists of thick noodles, chicken broth, vegetables, and a fiery red sauce that sets your mouth on fire. 

COOKING TIP: This dish you have to cook the noodles, drain the broth and add the sauce. This Korean instant noodles are not in a broth. 

​​Samyang Jjajang Buldak Ramen (삼양 짜장불닭음면) 

Samyang’s Jjajang Buldak Ramen is of course, spicy. But this noodle dish also contains a creamy, black bean sauce that has the unusual effect on some people of making their sweat taste sweet. It’s a mix between a spicy ramen and sweet jjajang which is a black sauce noodles dish. It’s very flavorful and quite popular. 

Samyang Carbonara Buldak Ramen (까르보불닭볶음면)

This is one of my favorites out of the spicy hot chicken brands. I like this one because the creamy sauce cuts out a bit of the spicy flavor but it’s also very tasty. It’s quite spicy still I must admit, so don’t think just because it’s a tad less spicy that it’s not as spicy as the ones above. This has a cheese infused flavor which makes it quite different in flavor. 

Nongshim AnSung TangMyun (농심 안성탕면)

Nongshim Ansung Tangmyun is a tangy noodle soup dish with a nicely balanced flavor of vegetables and spices, creating a delicious taste. The udon noodles are also slightly thicker than regular Korean-style instant noodles, giving this dish an added heartiness.

Chapaguri (Nongshim Chapagetti + Nongshim Neoguri Spicy Seafood)

Nongshim Chapaguri is both Nongshim Neoguri Spicy Seafood and Chapagetti (black bean sauce noodles) combined together to create an ultimate, spicy noodle dish. You can add pieces of steak to really elevate this Korean Ramyeon dish. This became famous because of the popular Parasite K-Drama movie. It was featured in the movie and it displays that even rich people eat Ramyeon, but instead with expensive pieces of steak called Hanu. It’s a significant part of the movie that distinguishes between the differences in social class in Korea.

Samyang Original Ramen (삼양 라면)

Samyang Ramyun is Korea’s most famous and best Korean ramyeon by far. It has a spicy broth that makes it hard to believe it is not intended for Koreans but for Japanese expats living in Korea. What distinguishes Samyang from many other ramyeons is its strong spicy flavor compared with the sweet flavors of Nongshim and Ottogi. This is the ramyun that made Samyang Foods into an instant noodle company, and it still remains a top seller in Korea. Its noodles are a hybrid between your average ramyun and udon with a chewy texture that most noodles don’t have.

Paldo Bibim Men (팔도비빔면)

One of Korea’s most popular ramyeons, Paldo Bibim Men is one of the first ramen brands to use instant noodle-style packaging. These nutty spicy noodles are perfect for those who like a combination of flavors in their noodles, and it makes it easy if you want to take this on your next hiking trip. The noodles are thin and perfectly sized for Korean-style chopsticks.

Korean Instant Noodles – Non-Spicy Korean Ramyeon

Are Korean instant noodles not spicy? Well some are and some aren’t. I’ve listed some of the non spicy or less spicy versions below.

Nongshim Chapagetti (농심 짜파게티)

Korea’s leading and one of the best Korean instant noodles. This Chinese-style ramyeon is a dish of noodles in black sauce. These are jajangmyeon instant noodles. This Chinese Korean dish was a fusion made when many Chinese immigrants moved to South Korea in Incheon. In Korea, you can find this dish at a Chinese Korean restaurant. 

The noodles are thicker than most Korean instant ramen but thinner than your average Italian pasta. The texture is surprisingly chewy with a soft bite for an instant noodle. The sauce coats everything evenly giving it an extra kick of flavor that enhances your taste buds, making you want to keep eating.

Ottogi Jin Ramen (오뚜기 진라면)

One of Korea’s favorite Korean instant noodles. This Sapporo-style ramyeon is what you would get if you combined the American beef stew and Japan’s ramen together to make a new dish. You can add many toppings such as seasoned egg, green onions, vegetables, and seaweed making it more of a meal than a snack. The noodles are comparable to many instant noodles out there; they are thick with an al dente texture. It is a little spicy, but very mild which is why I placed it into this category. If you add an egg and cheese, it makes it even more mild.

Ottogi Sesame Ramen (오뚜기 참께라면)

This is made with sesame oil that gives the noodles and broth a strong nutty flavor. It is perfect as a side dish or as an alternative if you want to try something new. It also ships well making it a must-have for those who like their ramen on the go. The noodles are thin and slightly chewy, with a texture that almost absorbs the sesame oil.

Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle Soup (농심순라면) – Korean Instant Noodles for Vegetarians

Nongshim’s Soon Veggie is a perfect substitute for those who want the taste of Korean instant noodles but with added vegetables. The broth has a strong umami flavor and goes well with the veggies and it has thin noodles that have an al dente texture. It’s also low-calorie which makes it an ideal substitute compared with many other instant noodle brands.

Korean Instant Noodles – Korean Cup Ramen

Korean Cup Noodles are the most popular to get because of their pure convenience. They are quite easy to make, easy for on the go and are perfect to grab at any convenience store in Korea.

Nongshim Neoguri (너구리)

This is my favorite one, but as a cup ramyeon it’s not the same. I think it’s because the noodles are quite different but, it’s still one of the best Korean ramyeon’s out there. Many ramyun brands try to boast the size of their noodles, but when it comes to bragging rights, Nongshim’s Neoguri has the largest noodles in Korea. These chewy thick noodles are perfect for those who want something more than an average bowl of ramyun. The broth is made with spicy seafood broth giving it a fresh taste that is perfect for those warm summer days.

Shin Ramyun (신라면)

This is Korea’s first ramyun and still remains as one of your favorite instant ramen brands. Its noodles are thin and perfectly chewy; the broth is especially spicy, umami flavored, and has a hint of sweetness which makes it perfect as a quick snack for those who like something hot and spicy.

Shin Ramen Black (신라면 BLACK)

Nongshim’s Shin Ramyun Black is Korean instant noodles in a rich beef broth. The broth has an umami flavor that tastes like Korean food, but it is thick and heartier than other Korean-style noodles. It has thin noodles that are perfect for Korean-style chopsticks. This is probably one of the most popular ones as well. I prefer this one over the regular Shin ramyeon to be honest.

Saeutang (새우탕)

​​Compared to most instant noodle brands, this has a rich seafood broth that adds an extra flavor for those who want something more than the average Korean ramyeon. The noodles are thin and chewy, perfect for Korean-style chopsticks. The broth has a strong umami flavor that goes well with the seafood inside.

Yukgaejang (육개장)

This Korean instant noodle dish is a spicy beef broth-based noodle soup. It is a kind of warm classic comfort food that makes it perfect for those cold winter days. The broth has a strong umami flavor that goes perfectly with the spices used in the dish.

Kimchi Ramyeon (김치라면)

This is one of the most popular Korean instant noodle dishes as it has a kimchi-infused broth that gives it a distinct flavor. The kimchi flavor broth tastes like kimchi and beef combined, making this spicy dish perfect for those who want something more than your average Korean noodles.

Chamgae Ramyun (참깨라면)

Specially made from Korean ginseng, this Korean instant noodle dish is spicy and has a distinct ginseng flavor. The broth is an umami-flavored beef broth that goes well with the slightly sweet noodles.

Nongshim’s Soon Ramyun (농심 순 라면)

This Korean instant noodle dish is made from a mix of Korean ginseng and green tea, which gives it a fresh taste. The broth has a strong flavor that goes perfectly with green tea noodles.

Cup Noodle (컵누들)

Cup Noodle is a Korean brand of cup noodles, sold in the Korean market by CJ Foods. 

This Korean instant noodle dish is perfect for those who are on-the-go. With an awesome crunchy texture, Cup Noodle is known to have its own unique taste that is delicious but can be pretty addicting. They also are great for people who are on a diet because they have an option that is only 120Kcals. It uses an alternative healthy chewy noodle.

Korean Ramen Snacks 

Nongshim Jjolbyung (쫄병)

These are preseasoned Korean instant noodles that are used as a snack. They are smaller in size and are super crunchy which makes it great to crunch on like some chips. They have different flavors and aren’t easily found everywhere, but many of the bigger convenience stores will have them. Some are spicy and some are mild. 

Where to get Korean Instant Noodles in Korea

You can find Korean Instant Noodles all over in Korea the most popular places are below. 

Hidden Korean Instant Noodles Convenience Store

I went here recently and they have a huge selection of Korean Instant Noodles that you can cook there. There are a bunch of toppings you can add and also purchase an egg and drinks. It’s a great, fast, and affordable way to get a meal in South Korea. Check out the video above.

Address: 서울 종로구 돈화문로 11

Convenience Stores in Korea:

Korea is all about convenience and these stores are literally on every corner which actually makes them convenient. I love that you can easily make a meal for lunch at any of these locations.

• EMart 24
• GS25
• 7-Eleven
• CU
• Ministop

Supermarkets in Korea:

The larger supermarkets are a bit more spread out, but they do have more options and you can find a variety of different things other than Korean instant noodles of course.

• EMart
• Homeplus
• Lotte Mart
• NoBrand

Marts in Korea

Now, marts are sometimes smaller scales of the above supermarkets, but they are usually smaller scale and independently operated. So there isn’t a huge chain of these around. However, you will still find tons of marts all over.

If you don’t live in Korea or visiting Korea, you can easily find many of these ramyeon brands at your local Asian store and some supermarkets. You can also find them on Amazon as well. 

If you are traveling to South Korea, check out this Korean Ramyeon Convenience Store. 

How to elevate your Korean Ramen

There are a few ways to make your Korean Ramyeon even better than just the package by elevating it with other ingredients and so much more. 

How to cook Korean Instant Ramen at home

• Check how your Korean Instant Noodles need to be prepared. Is this Instant Noodle meant to be dry or with a broth, is it meant to be hot or cold? There are a variety of different Korean Instant noodles out there and most do not know how to prepare them. 
• Use a Korean Instant Noodles Pot with a Lid. 
• Boil the water with the lid on which will help get the water hotter faster.
• Next, add in the seasoning and mix that seasoning well first (this is for ones with a broth). Once you have done this, add in the noodle and any other ingredients you want to add. 
• Then cook the noodles to your preference. I usually undercook a little to avoid overcooking when taken off the stovetop. 
• If your ramyeon is a dry kind, drain the noodles. Rinse with cold water if they are meant to be cold. If they are meant to be hot, just drain and add sauce. 
• If your Korean instant noodles has a broth, keep it in the pot and move it to the table. 
• Top with green onions. 
• Use the lid of your Korean Instant Noodle pot to place noodles on to cool and enjoy!

Ingredients to add to your Korean Ramyeon Noodles

Are you looking for a Korean instant noodles recipe? These are some of the items you can easily add to your Korean ramyeon to make it more elevated.

1. An Egg

You can either add a boiled egg or what I typically do is add a scrambled egg. I like to crack the egg when the noodles are almost ready and pour it over the noodles. I’ll use my chopsticks and spin the egg into the Korean ramyeon making it a little less spicy and adding more flavor. I like the scrambled egg best, but I also really love the convenience store soft-boiled eggs. 

2. Ham or Spam

Ham or Spam are pretty typical in adding it to your Korean Instant Noodles. They are a favorite and mimic a traditional Korean stew called buddae jjigae – Army Stew. This is a great addition, especially the spam flavor to some of the spicy Korean ramyeons. 

3. Hot dogs are also known as sausages in Korea

Some Koreans especially some celebrities love to add sausages to their Ramyeon, it gives it a different texture and provides quite a hearty meal. 

4. Cheese

Want to tame the heat a bit? Adding cheese will give your Korean Instant Noodles a creamy flavor and will help reduce the spice if spicy isn’t your thing. 

5. Top with Green Onions

I love to add little fresh green onions to give it a healthy aspect even though there isn’t much health to it. Adding freshly chopped green onions will not only make it look beautiful but give it some extra zing. 

6. Kimchi

Kimchi is a staple, definitely as a side dish and sometimes added in or on top of the ramyeon. In Korea, you can find many Kimchi Stew places that serve Korean instant noodles on the side to add into the broth later. It’s quite common to pair Kimchi and Ramyeon together. 

7. Tteok or Rice Cakes

Some people want even more starchy goodness and will either replace the ramyeon with rice cakes or add some in

8. Mandu Dumplings or Pot Stickers

Another Buddae Jjiage favorite, some people will add some frozen or fresh mandu with their spicy ramyeon. To give it more heartiness, it’s not so common, but it is found in some buddae jjigae so it mimic’s that style. 

9. Add Eomuk or Fish Cake

Adding small portions of fish cake will add some dimension to your ramyeon and taste better than the average Korean instant noodle.

10. Butter

Some people actually like to add butter to their Korean instant noodles or more so their rice that they eat with the ramyeon. It truly depends. At some Buddaejjigae places, they offer you butter to add to your rice to eat with the soup. The same concept, although it’s quite rare in Korea, it still does happen sometimes.

11. Korean Red Pepper

Some people like to add gochugaru – Korean red pepper to their Korean Instant noodles.

How to cook Korean Instant Noodles at the convenience store

1. Convenient stores have hot water and sometimes a boiling stovetop.

You can easily prep your Korean Ramyeon at the convenience store by using the prep station. They have hot water and some have induction stoves which are meant to be used for cooking Korean Instant Noodles in the package. 

2. Close lid with chopsticks

Use an unbroken pair of chopsticks to fasten the lid to the cup after pouring in hot water. Slide chopsticks over the opening tab and cup.

3. Purchase additional ingredients at the store to make it more fulfilling

Most convenience stores sell Ramyeon eggs which are soft-boiled eggs that have a salty taste to them. They are usually soaked in soy sauce which gives them a great flavor. You can also purchase hot dogs and mini sausages and cheese to add to your ramyeon. 

4. Use the paper lid of the ramen cup as a mini bowl

If you are doing the Korean cup ramyeon, use the paper lid to hold some noodles. If the ramen is too hot, fold the circular lid into a cone to hold some of the noodles and broth.

5. Empty your ramyeon food ingredients into the food waste bin

Korea discards their food waste separately. In Korean convenience stores, you will find a bin that has a strainer and you can pour your ramyeon into that container and then toss the container in the trash can. 

FAQs about Noodles in Korea

Is All Korean Ramyeon Spicy?

Not all Korean Ramyeong is spicy, but the majority of them are. It’s hard to find Korean Ramyeon that is not spicy and that is vegetarian or vegan, unfortunately. Koreans have a long-standing of having spicy dishes and it’s primarily part of the culture. 

Is Korean Ramyeon Halal?

This varies and unfortunately, I wish I could give more information on this, but I would suggest double-checking it. Some are Halal certified and many have been with the brand Samyang. Samyang has select products which have been certified including the popular buldak ramen products: the original, cheese, Extra Hot Spicy, and carbonara flavors. Find the MUI certification logo on the packaging. 

Is Korean Ramyeon Vegan?

Not all Korean Ramyeon are vegan, to be honest, there are only a select few that are. If you are vegan, I would suggest you try the Nongshim’s Soon Ramyun. It is one of the only ones that I know are vegan in Korea. Unfortunately, Koreans are not typically vegan as we have a high meat diet. I mean heck, even Kimchi isn’t vegan even though it looks like it would be. 

Korean Ramyeon vs Japanese Ramen

There is a distinct difference between Korean Ramyeon and Japanese Ramen. Korean Ramyeon is typically with more spicy noodles while Japanese Ramen is more savory. Both however do have spicy and savory options. Japanese ramen varies on the types of noodles. They do have udon, while Korean ramen also has a few that have udon noodles, but many are not.

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