My title sounds like those obnoxious Instagrammers with cutesy description/titles which makes me want to pour the spice packet into my eye.
Originally Posted: Apr 12th, ’20 and Updated Apr 23, ’22. Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission
With a product by Paldo (company) and Hwa Ramyun (product name), that will actually sting because Koreans know how to do spicy.
My review of Korean Hwa Ramyun and everything you ever wanted to know about this spicy Korean instant noodle such as hacks like American cheese to Spam. BTW, “ramen” is a type of Japanese noodles, it does not mean instant noodles, but if you are Asian, you know this (this is for “you people”).
The red icon denotes summaries if you are looking for a quick read.
I thought having been to Korea and having Korean friends, that I would somehow know a lot more about this product, but I don’t.
I never knew the brand name, their product line up, or anything else about the company, so here is everything you need to know because if you were like me, you purchased the product solely on recognizing the product by its packaging design.
| COMPANY: | Paldo |
| WEBSITE: | www.paldofood.com |
| WHO IS PALDO (in their words): | “Paldo is the global food company of love and trust. As a leading brand made by Korea Yakult, Paldo has grown with the love of our customers. To get closer to our customers, the global food company of love and confidence started a new chapter as “Paldo”. |
| FOUNDED: | 1983 (the parent company was established in 1969). |
| HEADQUARTERS: | 577 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea. |
| PRODUCT LINEUP: | 29 products that range from “Mr Kim Chi, Hot & Spicy Noodles, Soupless Noodles, Delicatessen Noodles, Not Spicy Noodles, to Korean Noodles.” |
| PRODUCT NAME: | “hot & spicy flavor” (damn, I thought Japanese companies sucked, but Korean companies are no better). |
| OTHER NOTES: | their website sucks when it comes to product information, and they give box dimensions, “CBM?”, loadable quantity, to cooking instructions. |
From the packaging all the way down to the price ($1.10 to $2.77 each), there is just too much here to like although I initially thought the same about my now ex.
If you enjoy eating Japanese instant ramen like Sapporo Ichiban, you will enjoy this product especially if are seeking a spicier product (the Japanese cannot do spicy, and they cannot handle heat).
Thai and Koreans probably have the spiciest instant noodles and foods (yes, Malaysians too, but I am saying the most popular producers).
I need to go out and buy a square saucepan.
The Hwa Ramyun Vegetables and Those Funky Round Slices
I don’t know if it’s a chemical or if it’s just a good quality product, but even the veggies smell good when you open the package. Not only that, but they are also substantial, and they aren’t tiny specks like competing products.
Les Ingrédients du Douchebag
The douchiest part of this product is that they have their packaging in English and French. I mean, I could be wrong, and maybe French Canadians or France is one of their largest markets, but if you have ever watched a K-drama, I associate the use of French by Koreans to being douchey. If only it had been in Spanish/Espanol, I would have had some respect, although that is not in line with their motivations.
Koreans love to pretend French people or French speaking people are their largest demographic, but I have to say “aye way, no mames” because we all know who else likes spicy in the United States/the America’s (especially with a squeeze of lime).
The packaging should be in Espanol. Consumption is low in Italy, Spain and France, with French people only slurping down a single ramen packet per year on average via Statista.
Not sure if I believe their ingredients list because it sounds all too wholesome because it is not a long list of synthesized ingredients like the ingredients list of a Nissin package which dances around the fact that they use flavor enhancers.
With Paldo, they flat out claim that they unapologetically use MSG, which you got to love.
If you think MSG is bad, try cutting back on SALT/SODIUM (that is the culprit in, monosodium).
Unlike other brands, this one has you dump the seasoning packet and veggies directly into the saucepan as you cook the noodles.
Ramyun/Ramyeon Is Korean, Yet Throughout the Paldo Website, They Refer To It as “Ramen” (Japanese). Well, It’s Not
Dumbasses think Asia is like Africa, one giant homogenous continent, but if you’re here reading this, you know differently.
Unfortunately products like Hwa are not ramen, “ramen” is a noodle type that requires sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate (kansui). Hwa noodles are just wheat flour, modified starch, palm oil, and gluten.
This is not a ramen noodle, but these noodles are some of the BEST instant noodle products on the market. This is the Korean product I like more than Nongshim Shin noodle soup.
American food producers think all instant noodles are ramen cuz they are dumb AF.
Since this is a Korean product, Koreans are no stranger to spice which is why after a couple days in Korea, I ended up eating at Red Robin because there’s only so much gochujang (Korean chili paste) I want to eat.
It is not because I do not like spice, because I like spicy, but everything I was eating had it. Foods like budae jjigae, tteokbokki, cheese buldak, to a ton of other dishes all have the prominent one-note taste of gochujang which also includes the flavor profile of Hwa ramyun.
Wet Noodles
Glossing over the noodles is like glossing over the bun of a burger, and these noodles are a solid standout. Surprisingly for an instant noodle they have a good body to them and are silky and slurpable (they are also one of my favorite instant noodles).
In Korea, you will find kimchi everywhere, and if you have it, use it. If you don’t have it, go out and get it because it’s the perfect topping to this ramyun (keep in mind I’m no expert on ramyun, and I’m sure Koreans might have some better tips).
Ramyun Hacks to Take it Up a Notch
In the spirit of budae jjigae, I added some sliced lunch meats/cold cuts which were a slice or two of ham and a slice of pepper jack cheese which turned out great, but I suspect Spam to American cheese would go great too.
If you like the flavor of this product, you will want to think about buying Korean chili paste (gochujang), and I highly suggest checking out a Korean dish called budae jjigae (kimchi, Spam and American cheese).
If you never had kimchi before, you need it in your life. Plus it can help reduce the risk of serious health conditions such as stroke, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease (via WebMD).
| BRAND/ PRODUCT | SIZE/ PRICING |
|---|---|
| Paldo Hwa Ramyun | 5-pack $16.75 |
| Lucky Foods Seoul Kimchi Made in Portland, OR | 1-pack/28 oz $24.98 |
| O’Food Gochujang | 1.1 lb/500g $8.79 |
| Hormel Spam 25% less sodium | 8-pack/12 oz $19.80 |
Also, prices and availability are subject to change.
Although if you want to try and add Japanese ramen toppings to a Korean ramyun, you can always try these traditional Japanese ramen toppings.
Conclusion on What I think of Paldo Hwa Ramyun
I prefer savory flavors over spicy although sometimes spicy is good. If that is also what you are looking for, look no further because this product is one of the best values out there. Just do not get it in your eye unless you are being cutesy, then go right ahead and pull a Steve-O.
