creamy Buldak ramen noodles

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Have you been craving creamy Buldak ramen noodles with a spicy kick? This recipe makes creamy, spicy, and cheesy noodles that any noodle lover will become obsessed with!

Buldak in Korean translates to fiery chicken, so the name tells you what you can expect from this ramen flavor. Even though these Buldak noodles are spicy, I will show you how to reduce the heat to make this dish more enjoyable without burning your taste buds. But beware, these spicy noodles will make you sweat just a little. 

Originating in South Korea, Buldak ramen has become a popular snack /meal worldwide because of its chewy noodles and spicy, cheesy sauce that leaves you craving more! It is probably one of the most accessible and convenient meals to make. Not to mention one of the most viral recipes on TikTok!

But, it can be too spicy even for those who relish the hottest foods. Sometimes even spice lovers find Buldak ramen too spicy. But you can do several things to cut the heat to make your ramen more enjoyable.

What is Buldak ramen?

Buldak, aka fire chicken, is a spicy barbecued Korean chicken dish. “Bul” means fire and “dak” means chicken. Buldak is pieces of chicken tossed in a spicy sauce made with gochugaru, gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and ginger. It’s a pretty new dish that became popular all over the internet in ASMR videos in the 2000s. 

What are Buldak noodles?

Buldak noodles, made famous by popular Korean brand Samyang are SUPER spicy instant ramen noodles. They’re called Buldak or hot chicken flavor ramen; essentially, they’re instant ramen that are Buldak flavored. They are one of the spiciest instant noodles available in the world and there are many different flavors. Unlike most instant ramen soups, Buldak noodles are sauced noodles: after the noodles are cooked, they’re drained and mixed with the Buldak sauce. The noodles are  Samyangs best selling noodles. 

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How spicy is Buldak ramen?

The original Samyang Buldak Ramen has a Scoville heat unit of 4,404 that’s pretty darn spicy! Everyone’s spice tolerance is different but I will say that the spice of Buldak is one that will leave you sweating. Even though it is spicy, they are SO delicious and comforting! After adding in some heavy cream or milk, mozzarella cheese, veggies, and maybe a boiled egg it really makes it less spicy and so creamy! 
It turns simple spicy noodles into a whole meal that will leave you feeling satisfied and full. 

What is in Buldak sauce

• gochugaru – Korean chili flakes bring a bit of heat.
• gochujang – This is where the majority of the spice and a bit of the smokiness is coming from.
• soy sauce – soy sauce adds umami and saltiness. 
• sugar – a little bit of sweetness accentuates the spicy heat. The combo of sweet and spicy is classic in Korean food. Traditionally they use jocheong (rice syrup) but we’re going to go with sugar.
• garlic – fresh garlic adds a lot of flavor. If you are a garlic lover, raw garlic is essential, add as many cloves as you would like. 

What to add to the creamy Buldak ramen noodles

There are many options you can choose from! my personal favorite is rice cakes, milk, and mozzarella cheese! 

• milk or heavy cream
• mozzarella cheese
• sliced cheeses like American to make it extra creamy
• Tteokbokki -rice cakes
• fish cake
• potstickers
• Nappa cabbage
• enoki mushrooms
• lime juice
• bok choy

How to make creamy Buldak ramen noodles

Soak the rice cakes (Tteokbokki)  in cold water for 5 minutes. Rinse then drain the water. 

Bring a small pot of water to a boil then add in the Buldak noodles. Boil for 3 minutes, reserve 8 tablespoons of water then drain the rest.

Add back in the reserved noodle water, rice cakes (Tteokbokki), Buldak flavor packet, 3/4 cup of heavy cream or milk, and 1/2 tablespoon of soy sauce. Bring back to a slight boil and continue to cook for another 2 minutes stirring on occasion then turn the heat off. ( for best results don’t skip the milk! it makes spicy ramen super creamy and saucy)

 Next, add the mozzarella cheese, measure with your heart here (I usually do 1/3 cup) then give it a good mix.  Transfer the noodles into a bowl then sprinkle on top the sesame seeds packet and garnish with chopped green onions. Add in a soft-boiled egg ( the egg yolk adds extra flavor) and or a few potstickers and it’s ready to serve! 

It is best if consumed right away! Enjoy a tall glass of your favorite cold drink! My favorite drink to enjoy with creamy Buldak ramen noodles is my homemade water kefir! 

Tips!

• do not skip the milk, you can use heavy cream or half and half for creamier noodles
• mozzarella cheese is a must for this recipe! 
• you can add only half of the flavor packet, but that also means you are adding half the flavor. Add double the soy sauce if you will do this, to add in more flavor.
• creamy Buldak noodles are delicious wrapped in seaweed or rice paper with a slice of cucumber!

Different flavors of Samyung noodles and where to buy them

You can order Buldak noodles straight to your door using Amazon Prime! or if you have an Asian store near you they usually always have some in stock. I will list below all of the flavors that you can get them in. They are ALL very spicy, but the carbonara is the least spicy of them all. I cook them all the same way to make creamy Buldak ramen noodles. 

• Hot chicken Carbonara noodles– my personal favorite
• Samyang Buldak Korean Hot Spicy Chicken Stir-Fried Ramyun Noodles
• Samyang 2X Buldak (Korean) Hot Spicy Chicken Stir Fried Ramen
• Samyang Buldak Cheese Spicy Hot Chicken Stir-Fried Noodle
• Samyang Buldak Jjajang Korean Spicy Hot Chicken Stir-Fried Noodles -black bean 
• Samyang Curry Buldak Korean Spicy Hot Chicken Stir Fried Ramen Noodle
• Samyang Kimchi Buldak Korean Spicy Hot Chicken Stir Fried Ramen Noodles

What type of noodles is used in Buldak?

Samyang is best known for creating Korea’s first ramen in 1961. The iconic chewy ramen noodles. You can use any kind of noodles that you have on hand, but if you’re going for the Samyang-style Buldak noodles then instant ramen noodles would work best. You can use any pack you like, just throw out the seasoning packet. If you don’t have any instant ramen noodles on hand you can even try this sauce with spaghetti or udon.

How to make a soft-boiled egg?

Fill a medium pot with water and bring to a gentle simmer, just below boiling. Using a slotted spoon, carefully lower the eggs into the water and let simmer for 5-6 minutes for a runnier egg. Set a bowl of ice water nearby. Then using the slotted spoon transfer the eggs into the ice bath and cool completely. Peel the eggshell then add the eggs to your creamy Buldak ramen noodles.