I added ham for a salty kick and those extra (but never needed) calories but honestly it wasn’t needed. Feeling extra? Add crispy bacon. That would take it to another level. The sauce is rich and velvety, with a cheesiness that doesn’t need the usual buldak-style heat. It’s good either way and on this occasion, we put one spice sachet in between two to keep it relatively mild on the heat scale. Want the heat? Go for it. Either way, these noodles work.
My other half Dave, used to live and teach in South Korean and for a stint, he was based in Hongdae, a fun university district in Seoul. He used to go to a restaurant for noodle carbonara (car-a-ban-ara) although we;ve never found it on subsequenty visits – and he reckons this Buldak creamy carbonara is the closest thing he’s had to that now legendary top dish he used to get there — and has been chasing ever since. That’s high praise.
What is buldak?
Samyang’s Buldak (불닭) range — literally “fire chicken” — is a cult favourite among instant noodle lovers. Known for its intense heat and bold flavours, the brand has expanded beyond its original spicy profile to include many more flavours, like this Buldak creamy carbonara one. The angry chicken mascot is iconic, if they made a t-shirt with him on, I’d definitely buy one!
How to make them
- Boil the noodles for 4–5 minutes in about 600 ml of water, or until they’re soft and springy.
- Drain most of the water, leaving about 2–3 tablespoons in the pot — this helps the sauce coat the noodles properly.
- Add the spice and carbonara sachets and stir thoroughly over low heat for 30 seconds to 1 minute until creamy and well combined.
Optional: add ham, or crispy bacon. You could alsop top with cheese or a soft-boiled egg.
Scores on the doors
Definitely a different from the usual instant noodles eaten in the UK which tend to be less creamy and more of a spicy red broth. These were super filling and comforting and we both enjoyed them alot. They’re filling enough for an evening meal without needing to be jazzed up and I will 100% buy again.
- Flavour – 8/10
- Texture – 7/10
- Ease of making – 8/10
TOTAL: 23/30
Buy again? Yes.
If you’re curious about other flavours in the range, check out my review of the Buldak Habanero Lime noodles here. And for even more noodle reviews, check out this ever-growing list.
