Ramyeon Product Review

What is Ramyeon?

Ramyeon is Korean-style ramen often called instant noodles. Ramyeon can be made with dried noodle block and various flavoring powder or sauce into boiling water. Many different types of Ramyeon are very popular in South Korea since they are tasty, easy to cook, affordable, and easily prepared everywhere.

Which Ramyeon is popular in Korea?

There is a wide variety of Korean Ramyeon products available in the market today. Most popular Ramyeon products are spicy, yet they are offered in mild flavor as well. There are a few different types of Ramyeon depending on how they should be prepared. You can boil Ramyeon in hot water for the best taste or pour hot water in the bowl or cup as instructed.
  
Here are some popular Ramyeon products. The most popular Ramyeons are from NongShim, SamYang, and Paldo brands.

• Shin Ramyeon (NongShim)

• Rating: ★★★★★
• Best selling product almost every year in both Korean market and international markets
• Chewy noodle in spicy soup
• Beef broth with small flakes of dried mushrooms and carrots
• First one to try if not familiar with spicy Korean style ramen

• Jja Pa Ghe Tti (NongShim)

• Rating: ★★★★★
• Second best selling product in Korea almost every year
• Sweet taste of Jjajangmyeon sauce that is black
• No soup or spicy flavor (Spicy version is also available though)
• Good for young children
• Got more famous through Korean award-winning movie "parasite"

• Jin Ramyeon in spicy/mild flavor (Ottogi)
• Rating: ★★★★★
• Chewy noodle in spicy soup
• Less salty taste of the beef broth
• Flakes of dried carrots, mushrooms, spring onion
• Available in both spicy beef soup and mild beef soup

• Bul Dak Bok Keum Myeon (SamYang)

• Rating: ★★★☆☆
• Spicy fried noodle with chicken and vegetables
• Also offer a more spicy version for spicy food lovers and challengers

• Bibimyeon (Paldo)

• Rating: ★★★★☆
• Cold noodle with spicy sauce
• Good for summer seasons
• Thin noodle with light taste sauce
• Better with lots of fresh vegetables added on top
• Little healthier since boiled water from cooking noodles is not used

• Yuk Gae Jang Ramyeon (Nong Shim)

• Rating: ★★★★☆
• Supposed to be mushroom flavored but can hardly taste mushroom when you actually have it
• Chewy noodle with spicy soup
• Flakes of dried carrot, radish green, and onion
• Big size bowl type called Yuk Gae Jang Sa Bal Myeon is more popular

• Neoguri in spicy/mild flavour (NongShim)

• Rating: ★★★★☆
• Chewy and thick noodle in seafood flavored broth
• Generous amount of dried kelp for the flavourful soup
• Available in both spicy seafood soup and mild seafood soup

• Sam Yang Ra Myeon (SamYang)

• Rating: ★★★☆☆
• Spicy soup with medium-thick noodles
• Has been popular since 1970 but other types of Ramyeon from Samyang brand above are more popular now
• Classic type of beef broth

• Soon Veggie Noodle Soup (Nong Shim)

• Rating: ★★★★☆
• Good for vegetarians
• No meat or any non-vegan ingredients used
• Light vegetable broth used

What can you do with Ramyeon?

All Ramyeon products come with specific instructions on how to cook them. You need to read the instruction very carefully before you start cooking because it gives you the appropriate time to cook the noodle that has different thickness and ingredients. It is very important not to overcook noodles for the best tastes.

Most likely Korean people have their own way of cooking Ramyeon using some fresh ingredients, eggs, cheese, or spices. You can also turn Ramyeon into a healthier dish with fresh vegetables or mushrooms. The most common way of cooking Ramyeon is adding egg and spring onion at the end. My family personally likes to add cheese on top when served. It eases the spicy taste and adds more flavors. It is also good for young children who don't like spicy food.

Some people like to add rice to the leftover broth if they are still hungry. It tastes better if you boil the leftover broth with rice instead of just adding it to the leftover dish. You can also add more vegetables for a more flavorful dish.

Lots of Korean people prepare Ramyeon bowls when they travel because it is so easy to prepare and good as a meal or snack. It is also a good food to take camping because you only need a little bit of hot water to have warm food outside.

Any special tips?

If you'd like to try a healthier version of Ramyeon, cook the noodle in a separate pot and do not use it for the soup. Boil another pot just for the soup and put halfway cooked noodles. This way you can get rid of excessive oil from fried noodle blocks. Then add lots of fresh vegetables and avoid drinking soup while you're having the dish.