Among the various kinds of Korean food, Buldak Ramen has established itself as a brand for its aggressive spiciness and savoury tastes. It is famous for being spicy and provides a daring adventure to those who wish to taste its burning kiss on their lips. In this post, we will provide an insight into Buldak Ramen that you cannot afford to miss and also give you tips on how to make your own at home.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Buldak combines two Korean words—”bul” stands for fire, and “dak” means chicken. From South Korea’s lively street food culture in the 2000s, the meal quickly became globally recognized because of its spiciness, which many people liked. The Samyang brand successfully transformed it into Buldak Ramen, thus making this blistering sensation accessible globally through households.
Understanding Buldak and Buldak Ramen
A barbecued delight made from spicy chicken marinated in rich gochugaru (Korean chilli flakes), gochujang (fermented chilli paste), soy sauce, jocheong (rice syrup), garlic, ginger, etc., forms a part of traditional Korean cuisine that has recently grown more popular, like Samyang’s Buldak Bokkeum Myeon—or hot chicken-flavour ramen. Unlike regular soupy ramen, each strand of noodle in Buldak Ramen is coated with just enough sauce to provide an intense, fiery flavour with every mouthful.
Making Homemade Buldak Ramen
Preparing Buldak Ramen at home allows you to customize the spice level to your liking while enjoying the classic taste. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon gochujang
- 1 tablespoon gochugaru
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 portion of cooked noodles of choice (instant ramen noodles work best)
- 2-4 tablespoons noodle water, as needed
Instructions
- In your serving bowl, mix 1 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp gochugaru, 2 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp chicken bouillon powder, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil.
- Follow the steps indicated in your chosen noodles package.
- Immediately after the pasta is cooked, transfer it from the pot to the prepared sauce; stir well to give it an even layer of sauce, and add noodle water if required until you obtain your preferred texture.
Enjoy your homemade Buldak Ramen, knowing you’ve tailored the spice to your preference!
The Spicy Impact: Adjusting to Taste
Buldak’s spice level is formidable. Its heat builds progressively with each bite; hence, adjusting the gochugaru and gochujang according to personal tolerance is crucial. Start with smaller amounts and adjust upwards as desired.
Interestingly, the original Samyang Buldak Bokkeum Myeon measures approximately 4,404 on the Scoville scale, whereas their spiciest variant hits 12,000 Scoville units. This recipe allows for adjusting the heat below these store-bought levels for those who prefer enjoying their meal without a fire extinguisher!
Enjoying Buldak Ramen
Enhance your Buldak Ramen experience by pairing it with chilled beverages or mild side dishes to offer a respite from the heat. Gather friends or family who share a penchant for spicy challenges and share the thrill that it offers.
Conclusion
The allure of Buldak Ramen lies not just in its spice but in the rich flavours that accompany each bite. Making it at home is a rewarding experience that lets you control the spice, allowing you to enjoy this Korean delight tailored to your taste. We encourage you to share your homemade Buldak Ramen experiences and feedback. You might inspire someone to start their own spicy culinary adventure!
For those looking to explore more culinary delights, our blog is a treasure trove of recipes and guides designed to excite and inspire. Happy cooking!