Creamy Carbonara Korean Buldak Ramen (10 Minutes ONLY!)

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Extra creamy carbonara Korean buldak ramen for all spicy food lovers! Ready in 10 minutes, these ramen combine the mild flavors of carbonara with parmesan, bacon and mushrooms mixed in a divine spicy sauce. Are you a spicy food addict? Love ramen? Then these are definitely for you! In this recipe, I’ll show you how to make the carbonara buldak just like it’s featured on the package image!

What is buldak ramen?

Buldak bokkeum myeon (불닭볶음면) are extremely popular instant noodles in Korea, known for being among the spiciest ramen available. The term buldak literally means “fire chicken” while bokkeum myeon translates to “stir-fried noodles“. These noodles have gained massive popularity on social media, featuring in spicy noodle challenges and mukbang videos.

Produced by Samyang, buldak ramen was first introduced in 2012 and quickly became a global hit due to its intense heat and delicious flavor. Samyang has since expanded the line with various flavors, from the original spicy chicken to versions with cheese, carbonara, and even mala (a numbing spicy flavor).

In Korea, these noodles are called ramyun (라면), which is the Korean word for instant noodles. However, many people, especially outside of Korea, often refer to them as ramen, the Japanese term for noodle soup. This can cause some confusion, as ramen and ramyun are technically different. Ramen refers to a Japanese soup-based noodle dish, while ramyun is typically instant noodles. In this recipe, I’ll also call it ramen since that’s how it’s most commonly recognized worldwide.

With the wide variety of buldak flavors, from mildly spicy to intensely fiery, there’s a version for every spice lover!

How many variations are there?

There are quite a few variations of these buldak noodles but today I’ll show you how I transform the carbonara version to resemble exactly the image you see on the noodle pack below. Let me know if you see the resemblance 🙂

Although traditional Italian carbonara does not contain mushrooms, I’ve added them to the recipe to mimic the noodles on the package. Keep in mind that these noodles will not taste like a typical Italian carbonara. This is a Korean-reinvented version of the dish. To be honest, you’ll taste the fire more than the carbonara! 😝

Buldak varieties Popular abroad

Aside from carbonara, here are the varieties that are popular internationally:

• Original buldak – the classic, intensely spicy chicken-flavored ramen that started it all.
• Cheese buldak – the original spicy flavor with a cheesy twist, often with a separate cheese powder packet.
• Carbonara buldak – a creamy version with carbonara flavoring, balancing the spiciness with a rich, cheesy sauce.
• Jjajang buldak – a combination of the spicy Buldak sauce with Korean black bean sauce (jjajang), giving it a savory-sweet twist.
• Curry buldak – combines the signature spiciness with Korean-style curry for a unique, aromatic flavor.
• Mala buldak – inspired by Chinese mala spice (a combination of Sichuan peppercorn and chili), this version has a numbing spiciness.
• Ice buldak – a cold version of the original Buldak, meant to be served chilled, which might seem contradictory but still packs heat.
• Stew-type buldak – similar to the original, but intended to be served with more broth, turning it into a spicy stew-like ramen.
• Light buldak – a less spicy and lower-calorie version of the original for those who prefer a milder option.
• Tteokbokki buldak – combines the spicy ramen with chewy tteokbokki (rice cakes) for a unique texture and flavor.
• Rose buldak – a creamy, mildly spicy version with a rose sauce flavor, which is a mix of cream, tomatoes, and spices.

Samyang regularly releases limited-edition or region-specific versions, so new varieties sometimes appear.

More buldak varieties in Korea

In Korea, Samyang has released many more varieties of buldak ramyun beyond the international selections. Some of the additional flavors and limited editions available in Korea include:

• Buldak bokkeumtangmyeon – a soupy version of the original buldak, where the noodles are meant to be eaten with broth, creating a stew-like dish.
• Quattro cheese buldak – a cheesier take on the buldak ramen, this one includes a blend of four cheeses for an even richer flavor.
• Corn buldak – incorporates a slightly sweet corn flavor to balance the spiciness, giving it a unique, savory taste.
• Garlic buldak – a special edition featuring a strong garlic flavor paired with the spicy chicken sauce.
• Kimchi buldak – combines the spiciness of buldak with the tangy, fermented flavor of kimchi.
• Rabokki buldak – a version inspired by rabokki, which is a combination of ramyun and tteokbokki (spicy stir-fried rice cakes).
• Extreme buldak (hek buldak) – even spicier than the original, for those who are true heat seekers.
• Mini buldak – a smaller, snack-sized version of the original, popular as a light meal or snack.
• Samyang chacharoni buldak – combines the spicy buldak flavor with chacharoni (a mix of chajang, or black bean, and ramen).

What is the buldak fire level scale?

In Korea, there is often a spiciness scale used by Samyang for their buldak noodles, which classifies flavors into levels based on heat (see below image). You can find this scale at the back of some packages.

Here’s a general breakdown of the spiciness levels for reference:

• Level 1: Mild
• Level 2: Medium
• Level 3: Spicy
• Level 4: Very spicy
• Level 5: Extremely spicy

The buldak fire level scale is often used to indicate the spiciness of the different varieties of Samyang’s buldak ramyun, measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Here’s a general breakdown of the spiciness levels of some popular buldak flavors:

1. Original buldak (Hot Chicken Flavor) – 4,404 SHU
2. Cheese buldak – 2,323 SHU
3. Carbonara buldak – 2,600 SHU
4. Jjajang buldak – 1,920 SHU
5. Curry buldak – 3,800 SHU
6. Mala buldak – 5,270 SHU
7. Extreme buldak (hek buldak) – 13,000 SHU
8. Light buldak – 1,762 SHU
9. Ice buldak – 2,700 SHU

The scale ranges from around 1,700 SHU for the mildest versions to a scorching 13,000 SHU for the Extreme Buldak. The higher the SHU, the hotter the ramen!

How spicy is carbonara buldak ramen?

Carbonara buldak has a spiciness level of approximately 2,600 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). While it is milder compared to the original buldak flavor, which measures around 4,404 SHU, it still retains a notable kick. Carbonara buldak is typically rated as level 3 on the Buldak Fire Level Scale, indicating a moderate level of spiciness.

The creamy carbonara sauce helps to balance the heat, making it more approachable for those who may not be accustomed to extremely spicy food. My recipe also includes plenty of extra cream to tone down the heat and make these ramen SUPER CREAMY! If you love spicy food just like me, you’ll find more spicy recipes on my blog.

Ingredients

• buldak ramen packs (carbonara flavor) – nowadays, you can buy these buldak ramen in any Asian convenience store, especially the carbonara buldak, which is among the most popular. I have even seen it in a regular Western store recently. And if it’s not available in any store, you can easily buy them online on Amazon (see my link in my recipe card).
• onion – mince the onion.
• garlic – I press the garlic with a garlic press to extract more juice and add extra flavor.
• bacon strips – f you want it to resemble a more traditional Italian carbonara, you can even substitute with guanciale or pancetta (check my authentic Italian carbonara recipe).
• mushrooms – slice the mushrooms.
• thick cream – according to how spicy you like your buldak, cream is key! Adjust the quantity to increase or decrease the fire level.

• parmesan – don’t skip this, it really adds in flavor.
• dried parsley – this is optional but Koreans often use dried parsley to garnish some dishes.
• extra parmesan – this is also optional for garnish.

How to prepare Creamy Carbonara Buldak Ramen?

1. In a frying pan, add some cooking oil. Cook onion and garlic for 1 minute.

2. In the meantime, boil some water and cook the ramen as per package instructions for 5 minutes.
3. Add bacon strips and mushrooms to the pan. Stir fry on medium-high heat for about 2-3 minutes until mushrooms are fully cooked.

4. Pour cream and ramen seasoning packets in. Stir well.

5. Add parmesan, and give it another stir.

6. Transfer the cooked ramen to the sauce. Stir well to coat all noodles with the sauce.
7. Garnish with dried parsley and extra parmesan (optional).

How to make buldak ramen less spicy?

The package comes with two small packets: one containing the carbonara powder and the other containing the spicy sauce. If you want to enjoy buldak noodles but can’t handle the heat, all you have to do is use less spicy sauce. Whether it’s one drop or the whole packet, it’s up to you to decide how spicy you want it. Keep in mind that the carbonara version isn’t extremely spicy – at least not as much as the red-packaged buldak ramen.

Here are a few more tips to make your buldak ramen less spicy:

• Add more cream – increase the amount of cream you add to the noodles to help tone down the heat.
• Incorporate more ingredients – dding vegetables like bell peppers can dilute the spiciness.
• Serve with a side dish – pair the ramen with a side of rice or bread, which can help balance the heat when eaten together.

But guess what? Samyang released a milder version of the carbonara buldak in 2018: the Cream Carbonara Buldak (see below image). This version was introduced as a more approachable option for those who enjoy the flavor of buldak but prefer something less spicy than the original. It quickly gained popularity for its creamy texture and unique taste, appealing to both spice enthusiasts and those looking for a milder alternative. So as a milder alternative, you can also use this pack to make this recipe.

Additions

• Green onions – chopped green onions can add a fresh, crisp element and a mild onion flavor that complements the other ingredients.
• Egg yolk – for an even creamier texture, stir in a raw egg yolk just before serving. It adds richness and helps achieve a more traditional carbonara feel.
• Corn – adding some corn can introduce a nice contrast to the spiciness and creaminess.
• Basil – fresh basil or parsley can elevate the dish with its aromatic qualities, adding a refreshing finish.
• Cream cheese – for an even creamier sauce, consider mixing in a spoonful of cream cheese.