Written in January 2023. My own photo, my own bowl, my own opinions.
My ramen rut
For years my instant ramen life was a closed loop: Samyang, Ansung, Shin, or Jin. Those four. Round and round.
Then one ramen came and broke that wall. Like the Kool-Aid Man, but with noodles.
What it is
It’s “얼큰 장칼국수” from Nongshim. Roughly “spicy, hearty jang kalguksu.” Kalguksu is Korean knife-cut noodle soup: thick, chewy noodles in a rich broth. This is the instant version.
Two things got my attention right away:
- The noodles aren’t fried in oil. Which means I can eat it with a little less guilt. A little.
- It fills a real gap for me. Where I live, there’s no place that makes kalguksu properly. Looks like Nongshim made this one with real determination.
How I ate it
I made it, I ate it, and I immediately wanted another one.
Then I did the classic Korean move and dumped rice into the leftover broth. Still great. Maybe better.
My scores
| What | Score |
|---|---|
| Noodles | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Broth | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Toppings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Amount | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Pros and cons
Pros
– Non-fried noodles, so a touch less guilt.
– Noodles, broth, and toppings all earned full marks from me.
– Works with rice in the broth afterward.
– Fills the “no good kalguksu nearby” hole.
Cons
– One pack wasn’t enough. I was so impressed by the taste that a single serving felt short. That’s the only star it lost.
Verdict
It went straight into my personal hall of fame. Officially my lifetime ramen!