You’ve seen the fiery red packs. Maybe you’ve tried one. Or perhaps you’re wondering which Buldak Ramen flavour will melt your tongue and which you can handle without crying. Either way, you’re in the right place.
Buldak Ramen Heat Levels Explained
Buldak Ramen heat levels are measured using Scoville Heat Units (SHU), showing how spicy a food is. Higher SHU means hotter ramen, and the numbers don’t lie — some of these bowls are edible fire.
Most spicy foods brag about being hot, but Buldak backs it up with real numbers. These SHU scores come from capsaicin, the chemical in chilli that brings the burn. If you’ve tried 2x Spicy and thought your ears were ringing, now you know why.
The Scoville scale is simple. Bell peppers are 0. A jalapeño is around 5,000. Buldak’s hottest goes up to 10,000. You’ve got choices — from bold heat to full-blown spice bombs — and knowing what you’re getting into makes all the difference.
Ranked Buldak Ramen Flavours with Heat and Taste
This list ranks Buldak Ramen from hottest to mildest based on SHU and real-world taste tests. We’ve added a short flavour profile and who it’s best for, so you know what to grab.
1. 2x Spicy Hot Chicken – 10,000 SHU
Best for spice addicts
It’s the hottest in the Buldak lineup. You feel the burn fast. Eyes water. Nose runs. But the flavour holds up — bold, rich chicken with a deep chilli kick. You’ll want milk nearby.
2. Stew Type Hot Chicken – 4,705 SHU
Best for soup lovers who love heat
This version is made for broth fans. The spice floats into the soup base and hits a little slower, but it builds. You’ll get that slow, creeping heat that hangs around your lips.
3. Original Hot Chicken – 4,404 SHU
Best for those who want classic heat
This is the OG. It has intense heat, bold chicken flavour, and a slightly sweet sauce. It’s a balanced experience. Start here if you’re new to Buldak but think you can handle some burn.
4. Kimchi Hot Chicken – 4,000 SHU
Best for those who like tangy spice
Fermented flavors make this different. It’s still spicy, but the sour kick from kimchi balances the chili. If you love kimchi and can handle medium-high spice, this one works.
5. Curry Hot Chicken – 3,810 SHU
Best for curry fans wanting a twist
It smells like an Indian dish but tastes like Korean spice. This one is flavorful and spicy, not too creamy, and with a decent punch in the mouth. It’s not for total beginners, but it’s not brutal either.
6. Carbonara Hot Chicken – 2,600 SHU
Best for creamy heat
The creamy sauce makes it seem milder than the SHU suggests. It’s still hot, but it’s smoother going down. Think spicy Alfredo with a chilli slap at the end. It’s a good choice if you’re nervous but curious.
7. Cheese Hot Chicken – 2,323 SHU
Best for mellow spice with a twist
The cheese flavour cuts the burn. This one still brings heat, but it’s softened. This is a friendly start if you’re not great with spice but want to join the Buldak club.
8. Quattro Cheese Hot Chicken – 2,000 SHU
Best for low-heat cheese lovers
It’s even milder than the regular Cheese version. The four-cheese blend makes it richer and smoother. You’ll feel a bit of heat, but mostly, it’s cheesy comfort food with a hint of spice.
9. Jjajang Hot Chicken – 1,920 SHU
Best for those avoiding spice
Black bean sauce takes centre stage here. You’ll get a savoury noodle with just a whisper of heat. Honestly, this is more about flavour than fire, and it’s perfect if you want to skip the sweat.
| Rank | Buldak Flavor | SHU | Spice Level Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2x Spicy | 10,000 | Extreme heat, bold flavor |
| 2 | Stew Type | 4,705 | Spicy broth, slow burn |
| 3 | Original | 4,404 | Classic flavor, balanced spice |
| 4 | Kimchi | 4,000 | Tangy kimchi with heat |
| 5 | Curry | 3,810 | Curry flavor, decent punch |
| 6 | Carbonara | 2,600 | Creamy sauce, smooth spice |
| 7 | Cheese | 2,323 | Cheese softens the heat |
| 8 | Quattro Cheese | 2,000 | Rich cheese, gentle spice |
| 9 | Jjajang | 1,920 | Black bean, very mild |
How to Pick the Right One for You
The best way to pick your Buldak Ramen is to match your spice level with the SHU rating—start low and climb up once you’re ready.
If you hate spice but want to try, start with Jjajang or Quattro Cheese. They’re the easiest. If you can handle regular chilli sauce or spicy fried rice, go for Carbonara or Curry. If you’ve eaten fresh green chillies without blinking, Original or Stew Type will suit you. And if you laugh at chilli challenges, you should only go near the 2x Spicy.
Don’t let ego ruin your meal. There’s no prize for crying over noodles unless you enjoy the pain. Try a lower level first, and if you breeze through, go hotter next time. The flavour’s there, no matter what heat you pick.
Where to Buy Authentic Buldak Ramen
You can buy authentic Buldak Ramen from local Asian markets or trusted online stores that show the official Samyang logo and ingredient list.
Check for:
- Samyang branding
- English and Korean labels
- Proper SHU or spice level descriptions
- Sealed packaging with expiry date
Good places to buy:
- Local Korean or Asian grocery stores
- Supermarks
- Online stores
- TreatsNStuff.com
Avoid fakes or mixed packs with no SHU info. If it’s too cheap to be true, it probably is.
Final Thoughts
Not all Buldak is created equal. Some will leave your mouth on fire, while others warm you up a little. The key is picking based on your heat limit, not hype. The noodles all carry that signature chicken flavour, so you won’t miss out by choosing a lower SHU.