Ever noticed how traditional ramen is not spicy?
Japanese cuisine tries to highlight the original taste of the ingredients. Often times, it does not employ the uses of strong spices. Most Japanese cuisine are not spicy.
Be honest, do you ever want to eat ramen but wish it had a spicy kick to it?
I know the feeling!
Good news: Today, I will be introducing a review of:
NongShim Neoguri Noodles Spicy Seafood Flavor (4.2oz)
Do you like spicy Korean instant noodles like Shin Ramyun?
If you liked Shin Ramyun, then you’ll definitely love these noodles I’m introducing today, because I think they are similar.
After sampling so many different types of instant ramen, I would have to say I found my favorite spicy Korean instant noodles.
Why?
The intensity of these noodles' spiciness is a lot milder than other spicy Korean noodles. I feel other kinds of instant noodles in this category are roughly seasoned, highlighting the taste of scorching fire in your mouth more than anything else. I feel they are not very well-balanced or precise with the adjustments of their flavourings.
Yes, it's true!
Neoguri is a brand of instant noodles produced by Nongshim Co., Ltd since 1982.
Neoguri is a brand of instant noodles produced by Nongshim Co., Ltd since 1982.
It is well known for its thick noodles and its spicy seafood flavour.
(Did you know the Neoguri instant ramen brand was invented before Shin Ramyun?)
So, let's begin...
Family pack comes with 4 individual noodle packets
The picture on the packaging is already making me salivate!
Easy-open packaging
Round noodles come with this brand's ramen.
Do you prefer round noodles or rectangular noodles?
Spice Seasoning:
Remember, if you find it too spicy, you don't need to add in the whole packet.
Topping Seasoning
Need help remembering this noodle's brand when you go out grocery shopping?
If you flip the packaging...
RTA?
Cooking Directions (from the package):
1. Boil 550mL of water (about 2-1/4 cup)
2. Add noodles, soup base, and vegetable mix packets.
3. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Remove from heat and serve
ENJOY! It's really that simple!
Now, let's take a look at the different components of these noodles.
Broth ★★★☆☆
For starters, the broth is awesome and has a nice spicy kick.
Know this: this thing is addicting, and the flavor packet has a good amount of spiciness, but it is not overwhelming.
An amazing blend of hot and delicious.
If you want to sweat and open your sinuses, you should choose these noodles.
It is spicy but it is not super hot. The seafood flavor and spices match complement each other very well. If you like spicy and seafood, you will love this soup.
But, wait...
Don't have a high spice-level tolerance?
Even if you don’t have a high spice-tolerance, you can still enjoy eating it.
Remember, you don’t need to add the whole seasoning packet if you find it too spicy, you can dial it down to find your preferred taste.
Cooking the soup with two eggs will make this soup a lot milder too.
I think this soup has deeper flavor than Shin Ramyun and tastes better, since there is konbu (dried seaweed) flavour to it.
Some people may find that it has too much fish extracts, giving it a strong fishy taste.
I think this soup has deeper flavor than Shin Ramyun and tastes better, since there is konbu (dried seaweed) flavour to it.
Some people may find that it has too much fish extracts, giving it a strong fishy taste.
But at least for me, it is not too fishy.
The only problem? Each package consists of more calories and sodium than the average pack of noodles.
The only problem? Each package consists of more calories and sodium than the average pack of noodles.
Noodles ★★★★☆
This noodles are good. It is thick and chewy. The packet contains a nice generous portion, so you will be full.
It is not udon, but it is something between udon and ramen. It might be one of the thickest ramen noodles available in the market. You can cook the noodles depending on the firmness you like. It will not get mushy quickly since it is thick.
It is not udon, but it is something between udon and ramen. It might be one of the thickest ramen noodles available in the market. You can cook the noodles depending on the firmness you like. It will not get mushy quickly since it is thick.
Toppings ★★★☆☆
They come with dried seaweed. They add a a nice bit of texture to your noodles.
But, the truth?
I felt it is not enough.
I recommend these toppings to add on.
Vegetable Options
Kimchi
Vegetable Options
Kimchi
Pickled radish
Green onion
Carrots
Celery
Ginger
Garlic
Scallions
Cilantro
Protein Options
Eggs
Pork
Bacon
Beef
Seafood Options
Shrimp
Seafood mix
Sea scallops
Wakame
Dried seaweed
Flavor Enhancers
Miso
Want a few more options? Take a look at our list of ramen toppings.
Smell ★★★☆☆
The aroma is appetizing to me.
But there's one small problem, some people might find it is too fishy.
Overall ★★★☆☆
I think it has an addictive taste. You will not get bored of these noodles easily. Soup stock from konbu gives a rich umami taste to the soup.
Neoguri in Korean means “raccoon". Probably it is a Korean version of tanuki (raccoon in Japanese) udon.
If you put miso into the soup while cooking the noodles, you will get a thicker and richer broth. You can try this creamier variation and compare it to the regular Neoguri noodles and see what you like better!
If you put miso into the soup while cooking the noodles, you will get a thicker and richer broth. You can try this creamier variation and compare it to the regular Neoguri noodles and see what you like better!
If you are not in the mood to cook, this option would be perfect for you. You can save time and effort since it is easy to make, and Nongshim's Neoguri noodles have a good balance of spicy and delicious.
Imagine eating tasty spicy seafood soup noodles with no effort, you should stock up on these for a lazy day!
Nutrition Facts (from the packaging)
Serving Size 1/2 package
Calories 260
Calories From Fat 70
Total Fat 8g, 12 %
Saturated Fat 3.5 g
Trans Fat 0 g, 0 %
Cholesterol 0 mg, 0 %
Sodium 1010 mg, 42 %
Total Carbohydrate 42g, 14 %
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugar 2 g
Protein
Vitamin A 0 %
Vitamin C 0 %
Calcium 0 %
Iron 8 %
Hi Melody!
Thanks for reading my article and leaving a comment.
I know how you feel, I can’t handle foods that are overly spicy either.
You might want to try adding more water and less of the seasoning packet when boiling the noodles – this will help bring down the spiciness.
For Korean instant noodle alternatives, you may want to try kimchi-flavoured instant noodles. Kimchi is both spicy and sour, so maybe this combination will be more tolerable for you in terms of spiciness.
Since Japanese cuisine doesn’t have a lot of spicy or hot flavours, most Japanese instant ramen that I can think of from the top of my head, are not spicy. However, you may want to try out shichimi. Shichimi is a Japanese spice mixture that is not too spicy. You may want to try adding a little bit of it to any non-spicy ramen to give it a little kick!
I’ve been eating these for a while since I really like the noodles, but the spice is a bit much for me which is kind of disappointing since I’m not able to add much of the seasoning. I’ve been looking around for a good alternative which feels similar in texture and hopefully taste, do you have any recommendations?
Hi Adriana,
Thanks for leaving us a comment! Adding it to your fish stew is such a great idea – the spicy seasoning packet is sometimes a little too hot for me, so I must give this a try!
I saw these at our local HEB, they were more $ than the rest. I said they must be GOOD. They were delicious! I adrede them to a fish stew it just hit the spot. My favorite noodle.
Hi Seth,
Thanks for reading my article!
I hope you enjoy these noodles. Let us know what you think of them!
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