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5 Famous Korean Ramen Recipes Locals Swear By (Easy & Viral)

Try 5 famous Korean ramen recipes Koreans love: viral chef ramen, snack bar style, president ramen, Carbo Buldak cup ramen, and Jjapagetti tips.

Korean ramen has become incredibly popular in the U.S. in recent years — and for good reason. But here’s the secret: Koreans rarely eat ramen “plain.” We constantly upgrade it with small tricks, toppings, and famous styles that completely change the flavor.

In this post, I’ll share five well-known Korean ramen recipes that are truly popular in Korea — from a viral celebrity chef recipe to snack bar-style ramen, a legendary “president ramen,” a Carbo Buldak cup ramen upgrade, and two classic ways to cook Jjapagetti.

1) Celebrity Chef Ramen (Chef Yoon Nam-no’s Viral Recipe)

This recipe went viral in Korea after being featured on Korean TV. The key is simple: you stir-fry the seasoning first to build a deeper, richer broth.

👉 This video is in Korean, but the full recipe is explained in English on the right.

Time: 10 minutes (including prep)
Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients

  • 1 pack of ramen
  • 2 cabbage leaves
  • 1/4 green onion (scallion)
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 2–3 tbsp cooking oil

How to Make It

  1. On low heat, add oil to a pan and stir-fry the ramen powder + flakes seasoning (don’t burn it).
  2. Add 1 tbsp soy sauce and stir for a few more seconds.
  3. Pour in about 500 ml of water and bring to a boil on high heat.
  4. Once boiling, add green onion and cabbage. When it boils again, add the noodles.
  5. Cook according to the ramen’s cooking time (ex: Shin Ramyun 4 min 30 sec).
  6. Serve in a bowl, top with minced garlic, and mix well before eating.

My review: I normally don’t like garlic in ramen, but this one is surprisingly clean and flavorful. The broth tastes rich yet not heavy — and it’s perfect with rice.

2) Korean Snack Bar Style Ramen (Bunsik Ramen)

Have you ever wondered why ramen cooked at Korean snack bars tastes so different? This is the classic bunsik-style ramen — the kind Koreans grew up eating after school. The secret is slightly undercooking the noodles so they stay chewy.

👉 This video is in Korean, but the full recipe is explained in English on the right.

Time: 8 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

  • 1 pack of ramen
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 green onion (scallion)

How to Make It

  1. Add water, noodles, and all seasoning packets into a pot.
  2. Boil on high heat for about 3 minutes only.
  3. Move the noodles into a bowl (leave the broth in the pot).
  4. Add beaten egg and green onion into the broth and simmer gently.
  5. Boil for about 1 more minute, then pour the broth over the noodles.

My review: This tastes exactly like ramen from a Korean snack bar. The noodles stay chewy and the broth feels light, warm, and comforting.

3) Former President Roh Moo-hyun’s Ramen (Soybean Sprouts + Egg)

This ramen recipe became famous in Korea because it was reportedly enjoyed by former President Roh Moo-hyun. It’s simple, but many Koreans love it for the balance of texture and satisfaction. Soybean sprouts add a clean crunch that makes spicy ramen taste “lighter.”

👉 This video is in Korean, but the full recipe is explained in English on the right.

Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients

  • 1 pack of ramen
  • A handful of soybean sprouts
  • 1 egg
  • Black pepper

How to Make It

  1. Once the water boils, add soybean sprouts, noodles, and all seasoning packets.
  2. Cook for about 3 minutes 30 seconds.
  3. Move the noodles into a bowl (leave the broth in the pot).
  4. Carefully add an egg into the broth without breaking the yolk.
  5. Boil for about 30 seconds, then pour the broth and egg over the noodles.
  6. Sprinkle black pepper, break the yolk, and mix while eating.

My review: This recipe feels like “perfect ramen.” Spicy, filling, and satisfying — and honestly great as a hangover cure.

4) Carbo Buldak Cup Ramen Upgrade (Microwave + Cheese)

Buldak ramen is famous worldwide, but the Carbo Buldak version is especially popular for its creamy spicy flavor. This microwave shortcut is a common Korean way to make cup ramen taste richer.

👉 This video is in Korean, but the full recipe is explained in English on the right.

Time: 6 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

  • 1 Carbo Buldak cup ramen
  • Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or any kind you have)

How to Make It

  1. Remove the powder seasoning first. Leave only the noodles in the cup.
  2. Add about 250 ml water + the Buldak sauce packet.
  3. Microwave for 2 minutes.
  4. Flip/stir the noodles, then add the powder seasoning.
  5. Microwave again for 2 minutes.
  6. Add cheese and microwave for 1 more minute.

My review: After finishing the noodles, don’t waste the sauce. Add rice, or dip bread into the cheesy spicy sauce — the sauce is what you’ll miss the most.

5) Jjapagetti: Stir-Mix Style vs. Reduced Sauce Style

Jjapagetti is one of Korea’s most iconic instant noodles, inspired by Korean-Chinese black bean sauce noodles (jjajangmyeon). It’s savory, slightly sweet, and incredibly satisfying.

In Korea, people often debate two popular ways to cook it: (1) stir-mix (the classic package method) vs. (2) reduced sauce (using less water for a richer taste). There’s no “right” answer — it depends on your preference.

👉 This video is in Korean, but the full recipe is explained in English on the right.

Time: 8 minutes
Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients

  • 1 pack of Jjapagetti
  • (Optional) Korean chili flakes (gochugaru)
  • (Optional) onion + bacon/pork (for an upgraded version)

How to Make It (Two Popular Styles)

  1. Classic stir-mix style: Follow the package instructions, drain most water, then mix the sauce well.
  2. Reduced sauce style: Start with less water (about 330 ml) and boil everything together from the beginning for a richer taste.
  3. Add a small pinch of gochugaru for a cleaner, slightly spicy finish.
  4. Add onion + bacon/pork to create a simple “Jjapaguri-style” upgrade.

My review: Reduced sauce tastes richer, classic stir-mix tastes cleaner. Try both once — you’ll quickly find your favorite.

Bonus: Korean Tips to Make Any Ramen Taste Better

  • Follow the water amount on the package (unless you’re intentionally changing the recipe).
  • Use high heat from start to finish. Koreans often boil ramen aggressively for a stronger broth.
  • Decide early: Are you adding an egg or not?
  • Seafood toppings (squid, clams, shrimp) taste great — many Koreans skip egg when using seafood.
  • Vegetables like kimchi, cabbage, onion, chili peppers, and mushrooms always work well.
  • Meat toppings like bacon or pork belly are also great.
  • Rice cakes (tteok) and dumplings are perfect add-ons — and an egg makes it even better.

A famous Korean quote says: “Ramen can be forgiven for being salty — but never for being bland.”

When Does Ramen Taste the Best?

  • When you’re hungry
  • When you’re eating with friends
  • And honestly… even when you’re eating alone

That’s it for today’s list!

Next time, I’ll share the best Korean convenience store combos — the perfect pairing of ramen + kimbap + drinks (the way locals actually eat it).

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