Buldak 2x Spicy Hot Chicken Ramen
Buldak 2x Spicy Hot Chicken Ramen
The original Buldak with the chilli doubled — same sweet-savoury chicken sauce, same chewy stir-fried noodles, roughly twice the capsaicin. This is the packet behind most of the fire noodle videos you have seen. Sesame and seaweed flakes go on at the end, mostly for the look of it. Imported from Korea.
- Boil the water
Bring 600ml of water to a rolling boil in a saucepan. While you wait, open the packet and lay out the liquid sauce and the sesame and seaweed flakes. Washing your hands after handling the sauce is a good habit with this one.
- Cook the noodles
Add the noodle block to the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. Stir gently now and then so the strands separate instead of clumping. You want them cooked through but still holding a decent chew.
- Drain most of it
Drain the water off but leave about eight tablespoons, roughly 120ml, in the pot. That splash of liquid loosens the sauce enough to coat the noodles evenly instead of sitting in one thick clump.
- Sauce and serve
Add the liquid sauce and stir-fry for 30 seconds until every strand is coated. Take it off the heat, scatter the sesame and seaweed flakes over the top and have something cold standing by.
Background
Every packet has a story behind it. Here's where this one comes from, what makes it tick, and why it made the cut for the box.
Samyang Foods was founded in 1961 as South Korea's first instant noodle company. They changed the game in 2012 with their Buldak Hot Chicken Ramen, which went viral worldwide and built a cult following among spice lovers. Their factory in Wonju produces over a million packs daily.
Korean ramyun culture is distinct from Japanese ramen. The noodles are typically chewier, the broths spicier, and the flavours bolder. Korean ramyun is usually cooked in a pot rather than a cup, and sharing a pot of ramyun is a social ritual.
The signature Buldak sauce is a thick, fiery red chilli paste that clings to every noodle. It is made from a blend of hot peppers, soy sauce, and a touch of sweetness that balances the intense heat. The flavour hits in waves, starting sweet before the spice takes over.
Springy, chewy noodles designed for a soupless format. Without broth to carry the flavour, these noodles need to hold the sauce on their surface, and their texture is built to do exactly that. Every strand grips the seasoning so you taste the full flavour in each bite.
Samyang's Buldak ramen went viral in 2016 thanks to the 'fire noodle challenge' on YouTube and TikTok. Millions of people filmed themselves attempting the extreme heat. The trend turned a regional Korean product into a global phenomenon almost overnight.
This one is not for everyone, and that is exactly why we love it. The heat is serious and the flavour backs it up completely. If you are the kind of person who adds extra chilli to everything, this was made for you. A favourite among our spice-chasing subscribers.
Topping Suggestions
A few toppings that take this bowl from good to great. Most are already in your kitchen, and every one is optional.
Fried Egg
A fried egg brings crispy, golden edges and a runny yolk that melts into the broth for a rich, savoury finish.
Cheese
Cheese melts into a creamy, rich, and savory sauce, adding a decadent and indulgent dimension to the noodles.
Corn
Sweet corn kernels offer a burst of natural sweetness, providing a refreshing and crisp counterbalance to the noodles' savory notes.