Nongshim K-Pop Demon Hunters Ramyun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJmrwlHhHN8

The Reckless Gastronome

Martin Peyruc, Reporter

Hello readers, it’s Your Idol, the Reckless Gastronome. Or perhaps I should say annyeonghaseyo since today I am doing a Takedown of Nongshim’s K-Pop Demon Hunters line of Shin Ramyun. If somehow you live even deeper than I do under a rock, K-Pop Demon Hunters is a wildly popular animated movie on Netflix. If you can’t get the premise from the title, I don’t think any attempt I make to explain will help (it’s really good, it’s something you’ll Love Maybe). It also follows on Path of South Korean culture that has made huge inroads in recent years all around the world in cuisine (what I care about), fashion, music, and entertainment. If you are interested in finding out more about hallyu or as it’s more commonly known, the Korean Wave, you should check out the article by my coworker Sabrina Pineda here on Life News Today (hey editor, here is where you should put a hyperlink). https://www.lifenewstoday.com/post/the-korean-wave-reshaping-american-culture (wish granted - the editor).

As my past attempts can attest, I’m terrible at trying to summarize shows and movies, but I’d feel bad if I didn’t at least try to share some knowledge (I do consider myself an infotainer, among other lofty and ludicrous things), so let’s delve into the history of ramyun (also spelled ramyeon, because while there is an official Romanization for Hangul, both seem to be acceptable spellings). Ramyun as most of you have probably guessed is a variation on Japanese ramen. While the name itself is based on a Chinese dish, lāmiàn (which translates to pulled noodles) it’s not actually related, just being What It Sounds Like. Japanese ramen while invented in the late 1800s by the Chinese community living in Yokohama, Japan, didn’t achieve nationwide (Japan being the nation, in case that’s not clear) success until the end of World War II, due to the shortages of rice and the availability of wheat. This popularity grew even greater in 1958 with the invention of instant noodles. A few years later Korean businessman, Jean Jong-Yeon, brought the same method of flash frying wheat noodles to South Korea with the Strategy to help feed people after the Korean War.

So, what is the difference between ramen and ramyun? Linguistically ramen can be either fresh or instant, but ramyun is predominately instant (I did find some evidence that there are fresh options in South Korea, but most of my sources say these are far less common, so don’t yell at me). Initially they started out very similarly, but ramyun quickly adjusted to local palates. It became bolder and spicier, with many, having beef or chili-based broths. It is also a component of the iconic Korean Army Stew alongside kimchi, canned meat, baked beans, and American cheese.

There are three flavors in the K-Pop Demon Hunters line, each named after a member of Huntr/X. (Psst, you all want to hear some totally unverified and unrelated to this article scuttlebutt about the sequel? I hear that they are adding two new members to the group!) I am going to start in order of what I sincerely hope is least spicy to most spicy, mostly because I am a tremendous wimp and hopefully, I will still be able to actually taste things afterwards. Time to break out my fancy MoMA designed ramen sporks.

Let’s start with Zoey, the youngest and the only Korean-American in the group. Her ramyun is Burger Hero, which seems a bit on the nose for her American connection, but I’ll let it slide. I also chose it first because it is the only one that does not say spicy on the front, so maybe I’m safe. Nope, I am not safe at all. If this is what passes for mild, I am in serious trouble. Heat level aside, it is quite good, with an extremely beefy flavor and mock-hamburger crumbles (a mixture of pollock and soy proteins). I also feel like there is a slight sweetness on the aftertaste that makes it all (k)pop. I am going to give it three Saja Boys out of five for heat, but flavors are clear and distinct.

Next up we have Rumi, the leader of the group and main character in the movie. She is living between two worlds as a half-demon and hiding it from her teammates. (I probably should have put a spoiler warning, but honestly if you’ve gotten this far and still haven’t seen it you only have yourself to blame). Rumi’s Superstar Ramyun is described as Spicy & Smoky, probably a nod to her dichotomous nature. I’ll admit I’m a bit nervous about this one (and panicking about Mira). I’ve made no secret about being a wimp about spicy food, but I have been trying to raise my spice tolerance so let’s see if my work has paid off. Cup is prepared, I use an electric kettle to boil my water (I don’t trust the microwave which I normally call the Devil Box, but for today it’s the Demon Box), I add the packet of soup base and let sit for three minutes. Now I fully remove the lid and stir. The smell of the spice tickles my nose, but I think I’ll be ok.  Visually it looks good, it has little rectangles that are supposed to be ham (once again actually fish), little Golden stars that are meant to be fish cakes (and they are), and pieces of kimchi (no fish involved, it’s real dried cabbage and red pepper). Alright, I’m digging this, pulling the noodles from the broth they are powerful but nothing I can’t handle. The ham fish cakes (that feels weird to say) have an extra smoky bite and the stars absorbed the broth giving bonus flash of heat. I guess I should be thorough and try the broth on its own… Oh no, what have I done! I’m coughing, I’m crying, am I once again going to jeoseung (the afterlife, and yes, I’ve already had a couple short visits)? I’m ok, I’m ok, certainly if I keep repeating that I’ll actually be ok. I will say even though I feel like I’ve been chemically assaulted, and my entire body hurts from violently coughing, it really does taste good. If you aren’t a wimp like me, it really has a lot going for it. I want to rate it five Saja Boys, but since I’m expecting the next cup to be even hotter (I’m legitimately scared of what it is  going to do to me), I suppose I have to give it four Saja Boys out of five.

Now for the moment I’ve been fearing, Mira. She is known as a wild, problem child and is known for her fiery temper. Speaking of fiery (a subtle segue) her ramyun is called Spicy Queen and it lives up to the name. From smell, to appearance, to taste, everything is hot. I feel like I’ve got a hot coal in my chest. I would like to talk about how it has large pieces of mushroom (I’m no mycologist, but I’m guessing it’s shiitake) and how it has beef fat and beef bone extract, which I imagine gives it a strong umami flavor, but there is no golden honmoon, to protect me and the burning sensation has me feeling a bit Derpy. I can tell it is well made, but I have reached my limit and all that is left is (Jinu’s) Lament.  The burning is coating my lips, making my head cloudy, I’m covered in clammy sweat, my stomach is making a sound like Hallasan about to erupt, and this is all with just one mouthful. I’m sorry everyone but this is my limit. This gets all five Saja Boys plus Gwi-Ma. If it was any hotter it would probably require a safety waiver, but as always, remember I am a wimp so if you choose not to heed my warnings I understand (but think you are a fool).

I need to wrap this up guys, because I need to lie down in a dark room and think cold thoughts. Despite feeling like a human inferno, I do really enjoy the flavors that Nongshim came up with, and I really appreciate the thought that went into pairing the flavors with the personalities of the Hunters. I just wish I was a bit stronger so that I could fully savor them. I wholly endorse giving them a try, but I suggest you also get more than a little Soda Pop, to help put out the fire.

Found at H-Mart

Editor’s note: I am one of those people that liver deeper under a rock than the Reckless Gastronome and have not seen the movie.  For those like me, the italicized words throughout the article are either the names of songs in the movie or words in a foreign language.