Buldak Ramen Recipe

I am thrilled to share my journey of trial, culminating in a Buldak Ramen recipe that promises to kindle a flame in the heart of every spice lover.

What Is Buldak Ramen?

​Buldak Ramen, often referred to as “Fire Chicken Noodles,” is a South Korean brand of instant noodles produced by Samyang Foods since 2012.

Ingredients:

For The Buldak Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon Korean red pepper paste (Gochujang)
• 2 tablespoons Korean red pepper flakes (Gochugaru)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey or sugar (adjust based on your preference for sweetness)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

For The Ramen And Toppings:

• 2 packets of instant ramen noodles (flavor packets set aside for another use)
• 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
• 2 cups water or chicken broth (for boiling the noodles)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for sautéing)
• Mozzarella cheese (optional for topping)
• 2 green onions, finely chopped (for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
• 1 hard-boiled egg, halved (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix half of the Korean red pepper paste, a tablespoon of soy sauce, and a tablespoon of honey or sugar. Add the thinly sliced chicken breasts to the mixture, ensuring they are well-coated. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
2. Prepare the Buldak Sauce: While the chicken is marinating, prepare the Buldak sauce. Combine the remaining Korean red pepper paste, Korean red pepper flakes, soy sauce, honey or sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and black pepper in a separate bowl. Mix well until smooth. Adjust the sweetness or heat according to your taste.
3. Cook the Ramen: Bring water or chicken broth to a boil in a pot. Add the instant ramen noodles and cook according to the package instructions, usually 3-4 minutes. Once cooked, drain the noodles and set them aside.
4. Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken slices until fully cooked and slightly crispy on the edges. Pour the Buldak sauce over the chicken and continue to cook on low heat for a couple of minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together.
5. Assemble the Buldak Ramen: Add the cooked noodles to the pan with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce. If you’re using, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top and cover the pan for a minute, allowing the cheese to melt.
6. Serve: Transfer your Buldak Ramen to a serving bowl. Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and half a hard-boiled egg if desired.

Tips for The Perfect Buldak Ramen:

• Adjust the Heat: The beauty of homemade Buldak Ramen is that you can adjust the spice levels to your preference. For a milder version, reduce the amount of Gochugaru or Gochujang.
• Sauce Consistency: If your sauce is too thick, add a little water or chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
• Experiment with Toppings: Go beyond the suggested garnishes and get creative with your toppings. Traditional Korean ingredients like kimchi or stir-fried vegetables can add flavor and texture to your dish.

What To Serve With

• Kimchi: Kimchi balances the heat with its tanginess and adds a crunchy texture and rich probiotics.
• Cucumber Salad:  A fresh cucumber salad dressed in a light vinaigrette or a creamy yogurt dressing can provide a cooling contrast to the spicy ramen.
• Steamed or Pickled Vegetables: Vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and bok choy, whether steamed gently or lightly pickled, can be a refreshing side to the heaviness of spicy ramen.
• Korean Pancakes (Pajeon or Kimchijeon): These savory pancakes made with scallions (Pajeon) or kimchi (Kimchijeon) are a great side dish to nibble on. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and their flavorful profile complements the ramen.
• Rice: A simple bowl of steamed white rice can help temper the ramen’s spiciness and cleanse the palate.

Beverages

• Cold Barley Tea (Boricha): This mild and slightly nutty flavored tea is typically served cold and is a standard beverage in Korean households.
• Makgeolli:  A traditional Korean rice wine with a slight sweetness and a creamy texture.
• Water or Iced Green Tea: Simple yet effective, keeping hydrated is key when eating spicy foods like Buldak Ramen.

Health Benefits

• Mood-Boosting Effects: Spicy food can trigger the release of endorphins and dopamine, the “feel-good” hormones. This can lead to a temporary boost in mood and even mild euphoria in some people.
• Convenience and Calorie Density You need a quick energy boost (like after intense physical activity); instant noodles like Buldak Ramen can deliver a fast source of carbs and fats. It’s not “nutritionally ideal,” but in survival or travel situations, it’s convenient.

Final Thoughts

This fiery noodle dish is more than just a test of one’s spice tolerance. With its main ingredient, capsaicin, providing a modest boost to metabolism and offering antioxidant properties, there’s a small window through which this hot treat can contribute positively to our health.

More Recipe:

• Snow Crab Legs Recipe

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Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 2 Minutes Cooking Time: 5 Minutes 5 Minutes Nutrition facts: 530 calories 16 grams fat

Ingredients

For The Buldak Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon Korean red pepper paste (Gochujang)
• 2 tablespoons Korean red pepper flakes (Gochugaru)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey or sugar (adjust based on your preference for sweetness)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

For The Ramen And Toppings:

• 2 packets of instant ramen noodles (flavor packets set aside for another use)
• 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
• 2 cups water or chicken broth (for boiling the noodles)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for sautéing)
• Mozzarella cheese (optional for topping)
• 2 green onions, finely chopped (for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
• 1 hard-boiled egg, halved (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix half of the Korean red pepper paste, a tablespoon of soy sauce, and a tablespoon of honey or sugar. Add the thinly sliced chicken breasts to the mixture, ensuring they are well-coated. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
2. Prepare the Buldak Sauce: While the chicken is marinating, prepare the Buldak sauce. Combine the remaining Korean red pepper paste, Korean red pepper flakes, soy sauce, honey or sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and black pepper in a separate bowl. Mix well until smooth. Adjust the sweetness or heat according to your taste.
3. Cook the Ramen: Bring water or chicken broth to a boil in a pot. Add the instant ramen noodles and cook according to the package instructions, usually 3-4 minutes. Once cooked, drain the noodles and set them aside.
4. Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken slices until fully cooked and slightly crispy on the edges. Pour the Buldak sauce over the chicken and continue to cook on low heat for a couple of minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together.
5. Assemble the Buldak Ramen: Add the cooked noodles to the pan with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce. If you're using, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top and cover the pan for a minute, allowing the cheese to melt.
6. Serve: Transfer your Buldak Ramen to a serving bowl. Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and half a hard-boiled egg if desired.