Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably come across videos or stories surrounding a very particular type of spicy noodles from South Korea. While not everyone can stand the heat of chili peppers, many enjoy the rush and are obsessed with trying as many hot foods as possible. I think that’s why this Samyang ramen caught on so quickly and has remained a popular choice for many, even years after it went viral.

So, what’s with all the hype surrounding Korean fire noodles? To deliver the answer, my buddy and I created this site to give you all the information you need to know.

We’ve lived in South Korea for years and have been able to closely monitor the situation. It’s always fun for us to visit a convenience store like CU or GS25 in Seoul and see a new flavor because that means we get to come back here and update you.

So without any further delay, let’s get started.

What are Korean Fire Noodles?

Korean fire noodles are an internet-famous dish created by the Samyang Foods company in South Korea.

Established in 1961, Samyang Foods, Inc. produced Korea’s first ramen in 1963. The 60s saw food shortages in Korea, so the company sought to create something to overcome them. Decades later, ramen is the second most popular food staple for the country. I’m assuming kimchi is considered the first.

The actual product name of the original spicy ramen used in many of the internet videos is Buldak Bokkeum Myun, which translates roughly to “hot chicken stir-fried noodles.”

Although Samyang produces a variety of ramen flavors, the internet grabbed hold of this particular one, making it the brand’s leading K-Food (their word, not mine). Now they export their noodles and snacks across the globe to hungry fans and curious netizens just like you.

The company has capitalized on the demand for their spicy noodles by creating more flavors under the hot chicken family. You can now try Samyang ramen versions like Cheese, Curry, and the spiciest — 2x Nuclear.

Let’s take a detailed look at each of them now.

A List of Spicy Samyang Ramen Noodles

If you want to stay true to Samyang and their hot chicken stir-fried noodles, you can’t go wrong with the original flavor. This is the exact version used in the first spicy noodle challenge video and sets the bar. If you’re new to trying Samyang ramen, start with this one and see how you feel afterwards! If you still aren’t suffering, you’ll want to move on down to our next choice. Check prices here.

If the original variety had you passing the fire noodle challenge with flying colors, it’s time to turn up the heat — literally! Samyang released this nuclear edition of their famous noodles, which doubles the heat. Eaters, beware! Check prices here.

Despite this Mala flavor being advertised as 4x spicier than the original in some places, theramenrater.com has stated that this flavor is actually less spicy than the original flavor. It is made with Chinese “Mala” sauce that has Sichuan peppercorns to create an almost numbing kind of burn. Curious how this is different? Check prices here.

If you’re a fan of cheese and spicy noodles, then this version of Samyang will be a match made in heaven. Mixing cheese with spicy dishes is common in Korea, so it’s no surprise they opted to release this version. Check prices here.

First off, ‘curry’ here refers to the Japanese/Korean version of the thick, stew-type curry — reminiscent of Indian curries. If you’re feeling adventurous and have tried the original variety, give this one a try. It’s not quite as spicy, but it’s still a good idea to have a glass of milk handy. Check prices here.

Carbonara is a big deal in Korea. From pasta to rice cakes, it’s a popular sauce. Samyang decided it’d be a good idea to match the creamy goodness with their spicy hot chicken stir-fried noodles for another popular option for dedicated fire noodle fans! Check prices here.

This Samyang ramen flavor is one of the more recent additions to the lineup. Jjajang is a popular black bean sauce in Asia. It’s often eaten by Koreans, so it was a smart choice for them to create for the hot chicken stir-fried noodles. Don’t write off this flavor until you’ve tried it. It might sound odd, but I think you’ll enjoy it. Check prices here.

How many Scoville units are Korean Fire Noodles?

Depending on which version of the product you are eating, there are different Scoville units for Korean fire noodles. The bowl package is 3,210 Scoville units, while the stovetop package is 4,404 Scoville units. This makes Korean fire noodles about as spicy as your average jalapeño pepper. If you read the packaging of the noodles once you get them, you’ll find that some have the Scoville Heat Units listed on the back or side.

If you’re a fan of jalapeño peppers and can handle the heat, it might surprise you that this seems a little hotter. We like to think it’s because the dish is served hot (temperature wise).

What is in Korean fire noodles?

The main ingredients in Korean fire noodles or Buldak Bokkeum Myun Original include wheat-based noodles, soy sauce, artificial chicken flavor, sugar, red pepper powder, black pepper powder, soybean oil, onion, curry powder, red pepper seed oil, garlic, roast sesame, and dried laver.

Where can I buy Korean Fire Noodles?

There are three main places to purchase Samyang ramen and the varieties of Korean fire noodles: online, at a local foreign foods market, or in Korea. Unless you live in Korea, shopping online is the easiest and most convenient way to buy them.

Where can I buy Samyang ramen in Korea?

If you are in Korea and searching for Korean fire noodles, you’ll find it is incredibly easy. There are options just about everywhere you go. The key places to look if you are in the country are convenience stores like GS25, CU, Mini Stop, or 7-Eleven. If you walk into any of these marts, you’ll find just about every single variation, both in the cook-at-home and bowl packaging.

The best part about grabbing a bowl package of noodles at one of these marts is that you can prepare it right inside and chow down. Nearly every mart has a hot water tank available for you to use to cook the noodles and a spot to sit or stand in the mart for eating quickly. This is a popular option for many students or those looking to have a quick snack.

Other places to search in Korea are supermarkets. While you’re at the supermarket, you can find bulk packages of the noodles if you enjoy eating the spicy dishes at home or want to take them as souvenirs (check Customs laws of course).

What about Samyang noodles near me?

If you live outside of Korea and are searching for where to buy Korean fire noodles, you will probably find that your local Asian food market might carry some varieties. As mentioned at the top of the page, Samyang is exporting their ramen and snacks all over the globe. Noodles at your local Asian food market may be overpriced and they may carry limited quantities, but you might just get lucky.

Doing a quick search online for local Asian food markets in your area should give you a better idea of what’s around you. The search results should include phone numbers, so if the marts aren’t within walking distance or a quick drive, it’s a good idea to call ahead and see what’s available.

Cities like Los Angeles and New York City have Korea-towns that are almost certain to have shops that will carry what you’re looking for. Since there will most likely be multiple places that carry Samyang, shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Buying Korean Fire Noodles Online

Online marketplaces are the quickest and easiest places to check when you’re looking to buy Samyang ramen. Since these spicy noodles have become a trend all over the world, companies have done a great job of making them available for purchase over the internet too.

In fact, we’ve made it really easy for you to find Korean fire noodles from this page. If you scroll back up to the list of varieties above, clicking the titles, images, or text links will take you to shop online.

It doesn’t get much easier than that!

Other Korean Ramen Brands with Spicy Noodles

Samyang isn’t the only company that’s popular in Korea. There are several others that put out some great flavors. While they aren’t hyped as much around the globe, you’ll still find them delicious and even available online. We’ve made a short list below and expand more on this page.

What is the Korean Fire Noodle Challenge?

The Korean fire noodle challenge is to finish an entire package of Korean Fire Noodles in one sitting. To spice up the challenge (pun intended ㅋㅋ), you can set a time limit for you and your friends or restrict the usage of cool beverages until the challenge has been completed.

While the Korean fire noodle challenge idea is simple, completing it is not so easy. Even looking at the prepared dish gives you a clue as to what awaits you. The fiery red-orange color of the sauce matches the fire about to ignite inside your mouth.

It should go without saying that recording your challenge to create a video is a great idea. There are over 500 YouTube video results for “Korean fire noodle challenge” with more being uploaded all the time.