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:
Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom for Ramen Tips.
1. Kimchi
Kimchi Myeon (김치면) (Ottugi 오뚜기)
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)
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)
For the carnivors out there, enjoy this spicy broth with little bits of dehydrated meat.
*Spicy
Yuk Gae Jang 육개장 (NongShim농심)
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)
With no beef bits, this goes down smooth with a slightly spicy beef flavor.
*Spicy
Snack Myeon 스낵면 (Ottugi 오뚜기)
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)
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)
Extra veggies and jalapeño give this chicken flavored broth a spicy kick.
*Spicy
Buldalgbokk Eummyeon 불닭볶음면 (SamYang 삼양)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Literally translated to “tastes good” ramen, this has small pieces of vegetables and a refreshing taste.
*Veggie
Mupama 무파마 (NongShim 농심)
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)
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)
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)
This is a basic spicy beef broth, with thin chewy noodles.
*Beef
Buldalgbokk Eummyeon 불닭볶음면 (SamYang)
This is spicy! Prepared differently, pour out the water completely and put in the spicy sauce packet.
Shin Ramen 신라면 (NongShim 농심)
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)
A different kind of spicy with chili pepper taste and with peanut powder!
*has peanuts
Spicy Hurricane Rice Cake Ramen 허리케인 라볶이
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)
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)
Thin noodles and thick sauce bring the sweet ddeokbokki flavor to this cup.
*Sweet, Vegetarian
Rabokki 라볶이 (SamYang 삼양)
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)
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)
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)
This sauce has a dry texture with original traditional noodles, but is still rich with flavor.
*mild
Jja Wang 짜왕 (NongShim 농심)
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.