Korean-style serving of Spicy instant noodles

비빔면 · Spicy instant noodles

Spicy instant noodles

비빔면

What exactly is it?

Cooked instant noodles are rinsed cold, drained and mixed with a sweet, tangy chili sauce. The dressing coats fine, wavy strands instead of becoming soup. This convenience-food version differs from bibim guksu made with thin somyeon noodles.

Main ingredients

Instant wheat noodles, chili-vinegar sweet dressing, optional cucumber and egg

Ordering and serving

Using less sauce reduces both heat and sweetness. Read whether a cup product requires draining before mixing. Chilled noodles can still have a strong chili kick.

Origins and changes

This instant-noodle category adapts the cold chili dressing of bibim guksu. Paldo dates its own product to June 1984. Today the word may name that product specifically or refer more broadly to similar noodles from several manufacturers.

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Spicy instant noodles

비빔면

Main ingredients
Instant wheat noodles, chili-vinegar sweet dressing, optional cucumber and egg
Flavor and character
Cooked instant noodles are rinsed cold, drained and mixed with a sweet, tangy chili sauce. The dressing coats fine, wavy strands instead of becoming soup. This convenience-food version differs from bibim guksu made with thin somyeon noodles.
How to eat it
Using less sauce reduces both heat and sweetness. Read whether a cup product requires draining before mixing. Chilled noodles can still have a strong chili kick.
Read about this dish →

Ramyeon

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Main ingredients
Instant wheat noodles, powdered or liquid soup seasoning, optional scallion and egg
Flavor and character
Ramyeon in a Korean snack shop usually means packet instant noodles cooked with additions such as egg and scallion. Red spicy soup is common, but black-bean, dressed and clear-broth products also exist. It differs from the usual fresh-noodle ramen-shop experience in Japan.
How to eat it
Egg or cheese may be charged separately. Packet noodles and cup noodles have different cooking instructions; at a convenience store, use the appropriate cooker and follow the package directions.
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