The Ultimate Instant Korean Ramen Guide

korean ramen guide
Huffington Post

Going to the Korean convenience store to grab a quick lunch, one might be overwhelmed by the rows and rows of various flavored ramen on the shelf.

With so many flavors of ramen, it can be difficult to navigate the differences between them. Use this “Ultimate Korean Ramen Guide” to navigate the ramen madness and find the right flavor for you – just select any category and become an expert in Korean ramen.

Choose from these 10 categories:
KimchiBeefChickenSeafoodVegetarian
CheeseMildSpicyDdok BokkiJjajangmyun

Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom for Ramen Tips.

1. Kimchi

Kimchi Myeon (김치면) (Ottugi 오뚜기)

Kimchi Myeon (김치면) korean ramen guide

If you love the spiciness of Korean kimchi, this is your flavor. The little bits of kimchi inside the seasoning really tingle the tastebuds.
*Vegetarian

Kimchi (NongShim 농심)

Kimchi korean ramen guide

Love the spiciness of kimchi but don’t want bits of soggy kimchi in your ramen? This is an excellent choice of thin noodles in a spicy, flavor-filled broth.
*Vegetarian


2. Beef

Yuk Gae Jang 육개장 (Ottugi 오뚜기)

Yuk Gae Jang 육개장 korean ramen guide

For the carnivors out there, enjoy this spicy broth with little bits of dehydrated meat.
*Spicy

Yuk Gae Jang 육개장 (NongShim농심)

Yuk Gae Jang 육개장 korean ramen guide

These noodles are similar to egg noodles, and are flavored by a popular Korean soup called Yuk Gae Jang which is traditionally made with beef, scallions, and bean sprouts for a refreshing flavor.
*Mild

Woo Yuk Tang 우육탕 (NongShim 농심)

Woo Yuk Jang 우육 korean ramen guide

With no beef bits, this goes down smooth with a slightly spicy beef flavor.
*Spicy

Snack Myeon 스낵면 (Ottugi 오뚜기)

Snack Myeon 스낵면 korean ramen guide

This is stereotypical ramen: chewy noodles and a salty flavored broth. In a hurry? Choose this, because it only take 2 minutes to prepare!
*Quick

Jin Ramen 진라면 (Ottugi 오뚜기)

Jin Ramen 진라면 korean ramen guide

Packed with beef flavor (literally the flavor packet is bigger than most), enjoy this mild broth and thin chewy noodles.
*Mild


3. Chicken

KKokkomyeon 꼬꼬면 (Paldo)

KKokkomyeon 꼬꼬면 korean ramen guide


Extra veggies and jalapeño give this chicken flavored broth a spicy kick.
*Spicy

Buldalgbokk Eummyeon 불닭볶음면 (SamYang 삼양)

Buldalgbokk Eummyeon 불닭볶음면 korean ramen guide

Unique creamy texture and notorious for being extremely spicy. Test your spice tolerance and dig into these firey chicken flavored noodles.
*spicy spicy spicy


4. Seafood

O Jing Eo Jjam Bbong 오징어짬뽕 (NongShim 농심)

O Jing Eo Jjam Bbong 오징어짬뽕 korean ramen guide

With just a hint of spice in the broth, enjoy bits of dried squid in this cup.
*Slightly spicy

Nagasaki Jjam Bbong 나가사끼 짬뽕 (SamYang)

Similar to a stew with oyster flavor, this has a light and refreshing seafood broth.

Jin Jjam Bbong 진짬뽕 (Ottugi 오뚜기)

Jin Jjam Bbong 진짬뽕 korean ramen guide

A seafood smorgasbord, this sauce hits you with the smell and taste of the sea.
*Spicy

Saeutangmyeon 새탕면 (Ottugi 오뚜기)

With a heavy emphasize on shrimp, this broth smells and tastes like shrimp and even includes tiny pink shrimp.
*shrimp shrimp shrimp

MatJjamBbong 맛짬뽕 (Nongshim 농심)

MatJjamBbong 맛짬뽕 korean ramen guide

This ramen is more like a stew. With many ingredients, the most prominent taste is the seafood flavor.
*Beef, Vegetable

Hae Mul Wang Cub 해물왕컵 (Paldo)

Hae Mul Wang Cub 해물왕컵 korean ramen guide

A mild/spicy broth with a strong seafood taste, this is the typical Korean seafood flavor.
*Some Spicy

Jjamppong Seafood Noodle 불짬뽕 (Paldo)

Bits of vegetables and seafood with a spicy flavor!
*Spicy

Red Nagasaki Jjampong (SamYang)

Red Nagasaki Jjampong korean ramen guide

This seafood ramen is similar to most. But if it’s your favorite, be sure to try the spicy version.
*original or spicy


5. Vegetarian

Soon Veggie Noodle Soup 순 (NongShim 농심)

Soon Veggie Noodle Soup 순 korean ramen guide

The best, solely veggie option available. Delicious and mild vegetable broth, with more vegetables included than most veggie ramen.
*Mild


6. Cheese

Cheese Paldo Ramen 치즈 (Paldo)

Cheese Paldo Ramen 치즈 korean ramen guide

This has a separate cheese and a spice packet to control the cheesiness/spiciness. Takes about 4 minutes to cook.
*spice varies

Bodul Bodul Cheese Ramen 보들보들 치즈라면 (Ottugi 오뚜기)

Bodul Bodul Cheese Ramen 보들보들 치즈라면 korean ramen guide

This is the smoothest of the cheesy ramens. Instructions call for some water to be left in bowl, so the noodles sit in a cheesy broth after preparation.

Cheese Bokki 치즈볶이 (Ottugi 오뚜기)

Cheese Bokki 치즈볶이 korean ramen guide

Similar to microwave mac and cheese, this is only cheese and noodles. Instead of broth, enjoy a thicker cheese sauce.


7. Mild

Matshinun Ramen 맛있는 라면 (SamYang)

Matshinun Ramen 맛있는 라면 korean ramen guide

Literally translated to “tastes good” ramen, this has small pieces of vegetables and a refreshing taste.
*Veggie

Mupama 무파마 (NongShim 농심)

Mupama 무파마 korean ramen guide

This is called “radish & green onion,” and appropriately has radish, green onion, and a garlic flavors in its broth.
*Veggie

Chingu Ramen 친구라면 (Wonjo 원조)

Chingu Ramen 친구라면 korean ramen guide

Literally translated as “friend ramen,” this represents the ideal friendship between spiciness and mild, with just a hint of spiciness in the broth and average sized noodles.


8. Spicy

Now time for the hot stuff.

Yeol 열(Ottugi 오뚜기)

Yeol 열 korean ramen guide

Translated to “fever” this flavor is sure to raise your internal temperature. Enjoy the beef bits as well.
*Beef & Spicy

Jin Ramen (Hot) 진라면 (Ottugi 오뚜기)

Jin Ramen (Hot) 진라면 korean ramen guide

This is a basic spicy beef broth, with thin chewy noodles.
*Beef

Buldalgbokk Eummyeon 불닭볶음면 (SamYang)

Buldalgbokk Eummyeon 불닭볶음면 korean ramen guide

This is spicy! Prepared differently, pour out the water completely and put in the spicy sauce packet.

Shin Ramen 신라면 (NongShim 농심)

Shin Ramen 신라면 korean ramen guide

This is Korean classic! With thicker noodles and chili powder broth, this is the traditional taste of Korean ramen.

Chulpanbukun Myeon 철판볶음면 (Paldo)

This one is actually seafood flavor, not much broth but a lot of spicy goodness.
*Seafood Flavor

Jinjja Jinjja 진짜진짜 라면 (NongShim 농심)

Jinjja Jinjja 진짜진짜 라면 korean ramen guide

A different kind of spicy with chili pepper taste and with peanut powder!
*has peanuts

Spicy Hurricane Rice Cake Ramen 허리케인 라볶이

Spicy Hurricane Rice Cake Ramen 허리케인 라볶이 korean ramen guide

With an additional Ddok Bokki (rice cake) packet, this goes in the spicy category because of its distinguishing spicy seasoning packet!


9. DdeokBokki

Yeol DdeokBokki 열떡볶이면 (Ottugi 오뚜기)

Yeol DdeokBokki 열떡볶이면 korean ramen guide

Half noodles and half ddeokbokki, this sweet and spicy cup is for those wanting to change up their traditional ramen.
*Sweet, Vegetarian

Kog Ramen Bokki 콕라면 볶이 (Ottugi 오뚜기)

 Kog Ramen Bokki 콕라면 볶이 korean ramen guide

Thin noodles and thick sauce bring the sweet ddeokbokki flavor to this cup.
*Sweet, Vegetarian

Rabokki 라볶이 (SamYang 삼양)

Rabokki 라볶이 korean ramen guide

Similar to a soup, this has some broth and thin noodles (the hot water line is lower than most). Has some corn and vegetables. For a change of style, try adding an egg!
*Spicy


10. Jjajangmyun

Kog Jjajang Bokki 콕짜장볶이 (Ottugi 오뚜기)

Kog Jjajang Bokki 콕짜장볶이 korean ramen guide

Made from thick soybean paste, this sauce is more mild than most. The thin, curly, and chewy noodles make this an easy-to-eat dish.
*Mild

Jin Jjajang Ramen 진짜장 (Ottugi오뚜기)

Jin Jjajang Ramen 진짜장 korean ramen guide

If you love the flavor of soy sauce, this will be your favorite. With thin, knife cut noodles and a thick soy based sauce it is a winner in the jjajjamyong category.
*Mild

 

Jjapaghetti 짜파게티 (NongShim 농심)

Jjapaghetti 짜파게티 korean ramen guide

This sauce has a dry texture with original traditional noodles, but is still rich with flavor.
*mild

Jja Wang 짜왕 (NongShim 농심)

Zha Wang 짜왕 korean ramen guide

Thicker noodles and a little bit saltier flavor- comes with some vegetables.
*mild


Ramen Tips

1. Convenient stores have hot water

So you can conveniently prepare and dine on your ramen at the store.

2. Close lid with chopsticks

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

3. Pop holes on lid and pour water out

Forget about trying to keep all your noodles in the cup yourself, just pop out the holes in the paper lid and drain the water.

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

If the ramen is too hot, fold the circular lid into a cone to hold some of the noodles and broth.

5. Check out these cool ways to Pimp Your Ramen!