Hey Prismpop Foodies!👋😋
Are you a fan of spicy food? Have you tried the infamous Buldak Korean Noodles Challenge which IIRC (if I remember correctly), was popular in youtube 2-3 years ago? Well nothing is ever too late and I am up to try the challenge and give my review on their newer variant, which is the BULDAK CHICKEN RAMEN IN CARBONARA FLAVOR.
🌶️⁉️WHAT IT IS:
- Buldak or fire chicken is a heavily spiced, barbecued chicken dish. The literal meaning of the name is "fire chicken", where bul means "fire" and dak translates to "chicken."
- The “fire noodle challenge” became a trend among youtubers in 2018 where they eat instant “Buldak Ramen” and video their reactions.
🔥PRODUCT TO BE REVIEWED:
Buldak Chicken Ramen Carbonara Flavor
🔥FAST FACTS:
✨Ingredients: Noodles (76.6%): Wheat Flour, Modified Tapioca Starch, Refined Palm Oil, Wheat Gluten, Salt, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin (E322)), Acidity Regulators (Potassium Carbonate (E501), Sodium Carbonate (E500), Sodium Phosphate Dibasic (E339), Citric Acid (E330)), Thickener (Guar Gum (E412)), Green Tea Flavour Oil.
✨Price: 13.95 USD for a pack of 5 (4.58 oz each)
About the brand: Samyang Co., Ltd. Is a South Korean food manufacturer who first made the first instant ramen in South Korea. It was founded last 15 Septemer 1961 by Jeon Jung Yoon.
🌶️KEY DECISION FACTORS:
🔥SCOVILLE LEVEL: The Scoville Scale is a scale that determines the accurate measures of heat or spiciness contained in chili peppers. The Scoville Scale derives its name from the name of its creator, Wilbur Scoville, who was an American pharmacist.
🔥The buldak carbonara variant has a Scoville level of 2400 SHU (measure of spiceness), which is half of the original buldak variant.
🔥INGREDIENTS USED: As with other instant noodles I have tried, there is a HIGH sodium content for this Buldak Ramen so it is definitely NOT HEALTHY and NOT ORGANIC in any way.
🔥PACKAGING: I cannot deny that a big factor I chose this variant is the packaging! LOL! I mean, who cannot resist that uber kyooot metallic pink with hearts packaging?? With the funny chicken cartoon drawing? Not me.
🔥PRICE: price is pretty affordable at 6.99 USD for a pack of 5 (4.58 oz each) from the Wee App. It is 10.99 USD in Amazon.
✨MY EXPERIENCE:
👍PROS:
✅so easy to cook and prepare (duh! It is called “instant noodles” for a reason!) 10 minute tops!
✅Pretty tasty and savory despite the spiciness. It is not too salty despite the high sodium content.
✅The spicy part hits late into the taste so you can still enjoy the flavor of the noodles.
✅Affordable and easily available
✅A serving is actually hefty compared with the usual instant noodles.
✅The noodles have a nice texture. It is firm but soft at the same time.
✅I actually enjoyed eating it, the overall taste and experience. I would say this won’t be my last Carbonara Buldak lol!
👎CONS:
❌Still pretty spicy! It hits towards the end that I could not feel my tongue anymore lol!
❌High sodium content and preservatives galore.
🥊COMPETITION/ ALTERNATIVES:
🔥Korean Volcano Spicy Chicken by Paldo 4 packs 560g
Price: 6.99 USD from Yami
✅Pros: not as spicy as the Samyang Buldak Original 2x spicy noodles
❌Cons: more expensive than the Samyang Brand
- This can be a strong contender for the Samyang Buldak noodles because it has almost the same flavor and noodles as the original Samyang Buldak noodles. It is just more expensive.
🔥Spicy Wide Noodles Hot & Sour by Guangyou 4Packs 400g
Price: 5.99 USD from Yami
✅Pros: noodles have a different texture and is wider than the Samyang Brand
✅Has different flavor because it tastes sour.
❌Cons: some might not be a fan of the sour flavor.
- This can be alternative but a lot different because of the wide noodles and added sour flavor used.
🔥Korean Stir-Fried Ramen - Hot Chicken Flavor with Cheese by Samyang, 5 Packs* 695g
Price: 7.29 USD from Yami
✅Pros: same company as the product tested so noodle will have the same firm yet soft yummy texture.
✅Same amount of product, thus it will be as filling as the product reviewed
✅One of the popular variants of the Samyang Buldak noodles series.
✅Less spicy than the original 2x Buldak, it’s Scoville level is 2,323 SHU
affordable option compared to the other two
❌Cons: same level of sodium as the product reviewed which is 1440 mg
- This is from the same brand so more or less, quality and price is the same and this is also a less spicy popular flavor if you’re not a fan of the original buldak variant.
🤔⁉️OVERALL RATING:
5/5!
Honestly, I am not a fan of the spicy Buldak Korean noodles, but I was actually caught off guard by this CARBONARA variant because I really enjoyed it! But just be cautious of the high sodium content, which means this is not healthy to eat frequently. It is just a nice treat from time to time and is a quick fix if you’re craving for something spicy and savory.👍🌶️🔥✨
⁉️⁉️⁉️Q&A TIME!!
🌶️How spicy is buldak ramen?
Buldak ramen has different spicy levels because of its various flavors. The Original variant which is the most popular one, has a Scoville level of 4,404 SHU.
🌶️What is the spiciest buldak?
The spiciest is the Buldak Ramen 2x Spicy Hot Chicken Flavor, which has an SHU of 10,000!
🌶️Are Samyang noodles healthy?
No, because of their high sodium content. Additionally, according to healthline.com, although instant noodles may have iron, B vitamins and manganese, they lack fiber, protein and other crucial vitamins and minerals. Additionally, their MSG, and high sodium contents may negatively affect health, such as by increasing your risk of heart disease, stomach cancer and metabolic syndrome. YIKES!
🌶️What is in buldak ramen?
Buldak chicken is marinated in a host of Korean chilis and then grilled over a fire until charred, thus called “fire chicken”. It is a popular streetfood in Korea. On the other hand, Buldak ramen puts all the flavors of fire chicken into a very spicy soup noodle.
🌶️How hot is 2X buldak ramen?
It is the spiciest Buldak ramen noodle variant, with a Scoville level of 10,000 SHU, or said to be equivalent to eating an entire Jalapeno chili.
#buldak #foodreview #foodpop #noodles #ramen
@PrismPop Tester Club @PrismPop Admin @FOODPOP
Amazon.com : Samyang Buldak Carbo Korean Spicy Hot Chicken Stir-Fried Noodles 4.94oz Pack of 5 : Grocery & Gourmet Food
Amazon.com : Paldo Fun & Yum Volcano Extremely Hot & Spicy Stir Fried Chicken Instant Noodles, Pack of 4, Soupless Original Korean Ramyun, Spicy Ramen Challenge, Chicken Bokkeummyun, 140g 4.93 oz x 4 : Grocery & Gourmet Food GUANGYOU Spicy Wide Noodles Hot & Sour 4Packs 400g - Yamibuy.com
