Doctored Korean instant noodles

caliking

Hear me out... this may be a rabbithole worth diving down...

I'll confess to watching a mukbang/ASMR video (or 10) every once in a while. Korean instant noodles seem to be favored in a a number of these, so I figured I'd try some.

Samyang brand is popular, but there are others. There a are a variety of flavors, but I tried this one:

Inspired by https://aaronandclaire.com/ , I whipped up some lunch earlier. 

Stir fried a bit of red cabbage, scallions, ssamjang, with some pork cheek I found in the freezer. Dash of oyster sauce. Added the noodles, sauce packet, dried veg packet, and let it go. Garnished with fresh cilantro, and an egg at the finish. 

Good grief! This was so good. Spicy, but not just “hot”, and very delicious. Will definitely try some of the other flavors. Easily available on Amazon, and they’re not that pricey. 

caliprince (surprisingly) snarfed his share down, because he’s a noodleholic. 

Botch

I've seen a couple of those in my local Asian market; avoided them because of the Poe-kee-mon graphics.  I'll give a couple of them a try next visit.  

lkapigian

 Bombdiggity 

GrateEggspectations

That eats well, I’m sure. Outstanding. 

We used to make a similar ramen dish, but it called for the sauce to be left out - use of the noodles only. We tried it with some of the sauce and thought the result was better than the original. Gotta find that recipe - printed on paper somewhere in a box. 

Foghorn

This reminds me of when I was a student.  There were 3 of us in the house.  We would get the 5/$1 ramen packs (sometimes they were cheaper on sale so we would load up).  We’d cook at least 3 of them and add a protein and a bunch of fresh veggies.  A pound of cooked and drained ground beef plus celery, carrots, onions, zucchini, etc was one of our favorites. Cooked chicken breast with a bunch of veggies was also good.  We drained most of the water before adding the flavor packets and ate them more like a pasta dish than a soup. 

One time as we were pouring them into the strainer in the sink, the strainer flipped and the noodles ended up all over the sink.  For about 3 seconds we all ran the question “Do we toss these - or do scoop them up and eat them?” through our heads.  Then we scooped them up and ate them.  They tasted better than any previous batch.  From that day forward we called them “sink noodles”.  

After that we questioned whether we should deliberately pour them into the sink for added flavor - but we never took that step.  I still wonder if that was a mistake. 

This looks like the amped up gourmet version of sink noodles.  That’s a compliment.  

johnmitchell

Great post!!! That sounds and looks right up my alley 😋

Canugghead

Used to buy them by the cases, way to think outside the box. Toying with the idea of crushing it up to substitue rice in Masala Puffed Rice recipe.
Edit: Cheerio works well btw

Corv

I cook Ramen by using half the liquid, and tossing the flavor packet. Then I cook them in a pan with some oil, tossing often, till the Ramen is browned a bit. Add some chopped veggies, cook another minute or so, and done.

Delicious.

I'll try adding the flavor packet next time, based on your report.

caliking

Canugghead said:

Used to buy them by the cases, way to think outside the box. Toying with the idea of crushing it up to substitue rice in Masala Puffed Rice recipe.
Edit: Cheerio works well btw

We used to do just that with Maggi noodles, when we were in school. It’s a pretty decent snack. Crush up the noodles in the packet, before opening it. Open, add the spice packet, and shake it all up. 

Then we figured out how to make immersion heaters (out of the eraser and divider in our geometry boxes), so we could actually cook the noodles. 

caliking

This likely brings back memories of the cheapo instant noodles we’ve all endured at some time. The spice packets in those were practically just salt. These are a far cry from those. Still high in sodium, but way better. 

The Shin ramen is pretty good, as is the Shin Black. 

This Buldak is better than those IMO. The Jin ramen seems to be pretty popular, but haven’t tried them yet. Unless the noodle texture is appreciably better, I doubt they’ll be better than the Buldak flavors

caliking

@Foghorn I don’t doubt that the sink added a certain je ne sais quoi. 

These were indeed elevated by the pork cheek (from our pigs, way back when). 

Acn

And there is one more thing to go on the Amazon list.  I’m going to have to make one list that is just called “Sh!t From the Egg Forum” and hope SWMBO never looks for it…

caliking

Corv said:

I cook Ramen by using half the liquid, and tossing the flavor packet. Then I cook them in a pan with some oil, tossing often, till the Ramen is browned a bit. Add some chopped veggies, cook another minute or so, and done.

Delicious.

I'll try adding the flavor packet next time, based on your report.

Much depends on the brand of ramen you're cooking with. With most of the cheapo ones, tossing the spice packet is likely the winning move. 

Amazon also has pretty good ramen noodles, if you want just the noodles. These are great for noodle soup type of stuff :

https://www.amazon.com/Hime-Japanese-Ramen-Noodles-Ounce/dp/B013H9TX58/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=J-BASKET&qid=1658693746&sr=8-3

JohnInCarolina

caliking said:

Amazon also has pretty good ramen noodles, if you want just the noodles. These are great for noodle soup type of stuff :

https://www.amazon.com/Hime-Japanese-Ramen-Noodles-Ounce/dp/B013H9TX58/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=J-BASKET&qid=1658693746&sr=8-3

Ginger scallion noodles, here I come!

Botch

Sorta off-topic: has anyone here used the ramen noodle packs marketed by Momofuku?  They're supposed to be higher quality, air-dried not fried, and good seasoning packets.  I went to their website and was about to order some when I saw the "Find a local dealer" button, and it turns out the Target grocery centers carry them; I just keep forgetting to swing by and pick up a couple samples.  

caliking

Botch said:

Sorta off-topic: has anyone here used the ramen noodle packs marketed by Momofuku?  They're supposed to be higher quality, air-dried not fried, and good seasoning packets.  I went to their website and was about to order some when I saw the "Find a local dealer" button, and it turns out the Target grocery centers carry them; I just keep forgetting to swing by and pick up a couple samples.  

They've been on my radar. David Chang has been talking them up on his podcast forever. Wasn't inspired as such to order them, but if they're at Target, and air-fried vs. fried, I'll probably pick some up. 

U_tarded

Botch said:

Sorta off-topic: has anyone here used the ramen noodle packs marketed by Momofuku?  They're supposed to be higher quality, air-dried not fried, and good seasoning packets.  I went to their website and was about to order some when I saw the "Find a local dealer" button, and it turns out the Target grocery centers carry them; I just keep forgetting to swing by and pick up a couple samples.  

They are really good.  I’ve got a few flavors in the pantry.  I don’t eat a lot of noodles but these are good.  Different texture and size than ramen.  I like to add the momofuku chili crunch and meat/veg.  I eat it more like a saucy noodle than a soup usually.  

U_tarded

I like the spicy soy more than the others but they are all a good base. 

NDG

I just got a 2 bags of those MOMOFUKU noddles at target, haven’t tried them yet but excited.  I watched a few YT videos that David Chang made to promote this product, which I found funny bc he didn’t really seem too impressed with flavor as he taste tested them during the cook video  . Still i am excited !

Botch

NDG said:

I just got a 2 bags of those MOMOFUKU noddles at target, haven’t tried them yet but excited.  I watched a few YT videos that David Chang made to promote this product, which I found funny bc he didn’t really seem too impressed with flavor as he taste tested them during the cook video  . Still i am excited !

Yeah; he uses/pimps his own products a lot in his own videos, but never seems too enthused about them.  This makes me giggle.  

caliking

NDG said:

I just got a 2 bags of those MOMOFUKU noddles at target, haven’t tried them yet but excited.  I watched a few YT videos that David Chang made to promote this product, which I found funny bc he didn’t really seem too impressed with flavor as he taste tested them during the cook video  . Still i am excited !

I found this recently, and can't understand why he even bothered...

https://www.facebook.com/target/videos/new-momofuku-noodles-at-target/552794579128622/

U_tarded

caliking said:

NDG said:

I just got a 2 bags of those MOMOFUKU noddles at target, haven’t tried them yet but excited.  I watched a few YT videos that David Chang made to promote this product, which I found funny bc he didn’t really seem too impressed with flavor as he taste tested them during the cook video  . Still i am excited !

I found this recently, and can't understand why he even bothered...

https://www.facebook.com/target/videos/new-momofuku-noodles-at-target/552794579128622/

I’m a big Dave Chang fan boy.  I listen to his podcast a couple of times a week and have been to almost all his restaurants.  He is an odd fellow. Like he acts like he has no shits to give but really at the heart of it all to me he just wants people to have simple, good, food.  I think the pandemic changed him and that’s when consumer products came.  Not for the $ but for the food.  This Monday his podcast kicks back to like 2015 talking about noma Japan and so oak media food posts.  A lot of ranting about social media and cuisine and his conflicted feelings over the experience versus to sharing on social media.  It’s a good listen, granted my rant gives no rational for the lack luster add posted but to me it gives context to have his not give a **** attitude and just enjoy the food. 

NDG

U_tarded said:

caliking said:

NDG said:

I just got a 2 bags of those MOMOFUKU noddles at target, haven’t tried them yet but excited.  I watched a few YT videos that David Chang made to promote this product, which I found funny bc he didn’t really seem too impressed with flavor as he taste tested them during the cook video  . Still i am excited !

I found this recently, and can't understand why he even bothered...

https://www.facebook.com/target/videos/new-momofuku-noodles-at-target/552794579128622/

I’m a big Dave Chang fan boy.  I listen to his podcast a couple of times a week and have been to almost all his restaurants.  He is an odd fellow. Like he acts like he has no shits to give but really at the heart of it all to me he just wants people to have simple, good, food.  I think the pandemic changed him and that’s when consumer products came.  Not for the $ but for the food.  This Monday his podcast kicks back to like 2015 talking about noma Japan and so oak media food posts.  A lot of ranting about social media and cuisine and his conflicted feelings over the experience versus to sharing on social media.  It’s a good listen, granted my rant gives no rational for the lack luster add posted but to me it gives context to have his not give a **** attitude and just enjoy the food. 

Agree. Plus he has a kid now, and bc he is a good guy, he gives a sh*t.  Trying to be a good dad and simultaneously run all the aspects of his biz & restaurants - im sure it’s heavy, So his odd videos and weirdness now might mean he’s rundown.

saluki2007

NDG said:

U_tarded said:

caliking said:

NDG said:

I just got a 2 bags of those MOMOFUKU noddles at target, haven’t tried them yet but excited.  I watched a few YT videos that David Chang made to promote this product, which I found funny bc he didn’t really seem too impressed with flavor as he taste tested them during the cook video  . Still i am excited !

I found this recently, and can't understand why he even bothered...

https://www.facebook.com/target/videos/new-momofuku-noodles-at-target/552794579128622/

I’m a big Dave Chang fan boy.  I listen to his podcast a couple of times a week and have been to almost all his restaurants.  He is an odd fellow. Like he acts like he has no shits to give but really at the heart of it all to me he just wants people to have simple, good, food.  I think the pandemic changed him and that’s when consumer products came.  Not for the $ but for the food.  This Monday his podcast kicks back to like 2015 talking about noma Japan and so oak media food posts.  A lot of ranting about social media and cuisine and his conflicted feelings over the experience versus to sharing on social media.  It’s a good listen, granted my rant gives no rational for the lack luster add posted but to me it gives context to have his not give a **** attitude and just enjoy the food. 

Agree. Plus he has a kid now, and bc he is a good guy, he gives a sh*t.  Trying to be a good dad and simultaneously run all the aspects of his biz & restaurants - im sure it’s heavy, So his odd videos and weirdness now might mean he’s rundown.

He has also talked about how the loss of Bourdain has weighed heavily on him.  

caliking

NDG said:

U_tarded said:

caliking said:

NDG said:

I just got a 2 bags of those MOMOFUKU noddles at target, haven’t tried them yet but excited.  I watched a few YT videos that David Chang made to promote this product, which I found funny bc he didn’t really seem too impressed with flavor as he taste tested them during the cook video  . Still i am excited !

I found this recently, and can't understand why he even bothered...

https://www.facebook.com/target/videos/new-momofuku-noodles-at-target/552794579128622/

I’m a big Dave Chang fan boy.  I listen to his podcast a couple of times a week and have been to almost all his restaurants.  He is an odd fellow. Like he acts like he has no shits to give but really at the heart of it all to me he just wants people to have simple, good, food.  I think the pandemic changed him and that’s when consumer products came.  Not for the $ but for the food.  This Monday his podcast kicks back to like 2015 talking about noma Japan and so oak media food posts.  A lot of ranting about social media and cuisine and his conflicted feelings over the experience versus to sharing on social media.  It’s a good listen, granted my rant gives no rational for the lack luster add posted but to me it gives context to have his not give a **** attitude and just enjoy the food. 

Agree. Plus he has a kid now, and bc he is a good guy, he gives a sh*t.  Trying to be a good dad and simultaneously run all the aspects of his biz & restaurants - im sure it’s heavy, So his odd videos and weirdness now might mean he’s rundown.

I can relate I don't even have a multinational restaurant biz, etc. as an excuse!

JohnInCarolina

U_tarded said:

caliking said:

NDG said:

I just got a 2 bags of those MOMOFUKU noddles at target, haven’t tried them yet but excited.  I watched a few YT videos that David Chang made to promote this product, which I found funny bc he didn’t really seem too impressed with flavor as he taste tested them during the cook video  . Still i am excited !

I found this recently, and can't understand why he even bothered...

https://www.facebook.com/target/videos/new-momofuku-noodles-at-target/552794579128622/

I’m a big Dave Chang fan boy.  I listen to his podcast a couple of times a week and have been to almost all his restaurants.  He is an odd fellow. Like he acts like he has no shits to give but really at the heart of it all to me he just wants people to have simple, good, food.  I think the pandemic changed him and that’s when consumer products came.  Not for the $ but for the food.  This Monday his podcast kicks back to like 2015 talking about noma Japan and so oak media food posts.  A lot of ranting about social media and cuisine and his conflicted feelings over the experience versus to sharing on social media.  It’s a good listen, granted my rant gives no rational for the lack luster add posted but to me it gives context to have his not give a **** attitude and just enjoy the food. 

I'm a big fan too.  Did you catch his interview with Marc Maron on the WTF podcast?   From a couple of months ago I think - good stuff.  

Botch

@caliking, Marion of Marion's Kitchen just did a taste test/challenge with these noodles, and kept going hotter until she ate a "Limited" Ghost Pepper edition.  She's normally very polite but was swearing like a sailor on that vid, I laffed my butt off (very close to as funny as when Sam TCG and Sons took the "hot chip" challenge.  

fishlessman

most i ever did was whisk an egg in with the packet. bet they are not ten for a buck nowadays

NDG

JohnInCarolina said:

U_tarded said:

caliking said:

NDG said:

I just got a 2 bags of those MOMOFUKU noddles at target, haven’t tried them yet but excited.  I watched a few YT videos that David Chang made to promote this product, which I found funny bc he didn’t really seem too impressed with flavor as he taste tested them during the cook video  . Still i am excited !

I found this recently, and can't understand why he even bothered...

https://www.facebook.com/target/videos/new-momofuku-noodles-at-target/552794579128622/

I’m a big Dave Chang fan boy.  I listen to his podcast a couple of times a week and have been to almost all his restaurants.  He is an odd fellow. Like he acts like he has no shits to give but really at the heart of it all to me he just wants people to have simple, good, food.  I think the pandemic changed him and that’s when consumer products came.  Not for the $ but for the food.  This Monday his podcast kicks back to like 2015 talking about noma Japan and so oak media food posts.  A lot of ranting about social media and cuisine and his conflicted feelings over the experience versus to sharing on social media.  It’s a good listen, granted my rant gives no rational for the lack luster add posted but to me it gives context to have his not give a **** attitude and just enjoy the food. 

I'm a big fan too.  Did you catch his interview with Marc Maron on the WTF podcast?   From a couple of months ago I think - good stuff.  

I’m halfway through, very deep stuff - thanks for tip !!

U_tarded

NDG said:

JohnInCarolina said:

U_tarded said:

caliking said:

NDG said:

I just got a 2 bags of those MOMOFUKU noddles at target, haven’t tried them yet but excited.  I watched a few YT videos that David Chang made to promote this product, which I found funny bc he didn’t really seem too impressed with flavor as he taste tested them during the cook video  . Still i am excited !

I found this recently, and can't understand why he even bothered...

https://www.facebook.com/target/videos/new-momofuku-noodles-at-target/552794579128622/

I’m a big Dave Chang fan boy.  I listen to his podcast a couple of times a week and have been to almost all his restaurants.  He is an odd fellow. Like he acts like he has no shits to give but really at the heart of it all to me he just wants people to have simple, good, food.  I think the pandemic changed him and that’s when consumer products came.  Not for the $ but for the food.  This Monday his podcast kicks back to like 2015 talking about noma Japan and so oak media food posts.  A lot of ranting about social media and cuisine and his conflicted feelings over the experience versus to sharing on social media.  It’s a good listen, granted my rant gives no rational for the lack luster add posted but to me it gives context to have his not give a **** attitude and just enjoy the food. 

I'm a big fan too.  Did you catch his interview with Marc Maron on the WTF podcast?   From a couple of months ago I think - good stuff.  

I’m halfway through, very deep stuff - thanks for tip !!

I will be listening to this on a flight tomorrow!  Thanks for sharing.  

caliking

Tried the Momofuku soy and scallion noodles today. 

These are air-fried vs. deep fried,  unlike the usual instant ramen noodles. I know there’s little point in checking the nutrition facts of junk food, but there’s a big difference in fat content. 

Noodles are like alkaline noodles - springy, slightly chewy. Flavor was kinda bland. Adding a bit of miso sesame something I found in the fridge, ginger scallion oil, and gochugaro woke it up. 

Not bad,  but doesn’t beat the Samyang noodles IMO