Move Over Maruchan: The Viral “Buldak” Ramen Noodles
Since hitting shelves in 2017, Samyang Food’s Buldak Noodles— specifically the Carbonara Ramen flavor— has recently taken the world by storm, thanks to TikTok and reels. Dependent on your FYP algorithm, you can’t go one week without seeing a creator’s spin on the creamy noodles. In January, Google search queries for “buldak carbonara” skyrocketed, quintupled compared to the same period the previous year.
In 2024, even rapper Cardi B and food critic Keith Lee hopped on the Buldak train. Both expressed their fondness for the spicy dish, with Cardi B sharing how she drove 30 minutes just to get her hands on a pack. Keith kicks the video off with his famous line, “I got it, let’s rate it 1-10”.
The Samyang Buldak noodles are available in six different flavors, but the Carbonara flavor is shining through. The noodles have become so sought after that influencers and celebrities struggle to find them. Despite being sold at major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and local Asian stores, the noodles are continuously sold out.
Buldak Carbonara fans often customize their bowls with toppings like scallions, sesame seeds, soft-boiled eggs, rice cakes, shredded cheese, dashes of milk, additional seasonings, and more. Of course, you could always opt for the classic right-out-of-the-pack instructions if you want to get an idea of the taste. Editor tip: use the red sauce pack in moderation! If you do not enjoy heavy spice, only use two-three drops of sauce. It is potent.
“Buldak,” which means “fire chicken” in Korean, refers to a spicy barbecue chicken dish. Samyang’s CEO, Kim Jung-soo, revealed that the inspiration for the noodle line came from a fried rice restaurant in Seoul known for its intense heat. After extensive research, Samyang introduced its original Buldak flavor (black pack) in 2012, hitting a heat level of 4,404 Scoville units.
As of 2023, Samyang Foods reported surpassing 5 billion units in cumulative ramen sales, with total revenue hitting 3 trillion won ($2.3 billion) and a market cap of approximately $1.46 billion.
Here’s where you can purchase the famous Samyang Buldak noodles in-person and online:
Pro-tip: For stores like Target, Kroger, Walmart, etc., check their apps for in-store availability as this product is consistently sold out.