Samyang Buldak is the Korean "fire chicken" ramen sold in black packets. We stock the Hot Chicken (the Original), Carbonara and Cheese flavours as single packets and multipacks. Here are plain answers to three common questions: is it halal, how hot is it, and how many calories are in a pack?
Quick answers
- Halal: the Buldak Hot Chicken, Carbonara and Cheese ramen packets we sell are listed as halal, with "HALAL" in their product names. Our Buldak cup noodles and bottled sauces are not listed as halal.
- Heat: Carbonara is milder than the Original. Samyang doesn't print a Scoville rating on the packs we sell.
- Calories: about 518 kcal in a 140g Original pack, 555 kcal in a 130g Carbonara pack and 556 kcal in a 140g Cheese pack.
What is Buldak?
Buldak (불닭) means "fire chicken" in Korean. Samyang's Buldak ramen is a stir-fried noodle, not a soup: you cook the noodles, drain away most of the water, then stir in the sauce. With no broth to dilute it, the sauce coats the noodles. Follow the instructions on the pack.
Is Samyang Buldak halal?
These Buldak ramen packets are listed as halal on our site, with "HALAL" in their product names:
- Buldak Hot Chicken (Original) 140g and the 5-pack
- Buldak Carbonara 130g, the 5-pack and the box of 40
- Buldak Cheese 140g and the 5-pack
Our Buldak cup noodles and bottled Buldak sauces are not listed as halal. Halal status belongs to each product, not to the brand, so if you follow a strict halal diet, check for the halal mark on the pack. See all our halal-listed groceries.
How hot is Buldak?
Samyang doesn't print a Scoville heat rating on the packs we sell, and the figures quoted online vary, so we don't quote one. Here's how our three flavours compare:
- Carbonara: the sauce includes milk, cream and mozzarella cheese powders, and it's milder than the Original. It's still properly spicy.
- Cheese: a cheese-flavoured version of the hot chicken sauce.
- Hot Chicken (Original): the classic Buldak flavour.
If you're new to Buldak, Carbonara is the one to try first. If you already like spicy food, go for the Original.
How many calories are in Samyang Buldak?
| Pack | Energy per pack |
|---|---|
| Hot Chicken (Original) 140g | 2,167 kJ (about 518 kcal) |
| Carbonara 130g | about 555 kcal (427 kcal per 100g) |
| Cheese 140g | about 556 kcal (397 kcal per 100g) |
These are for the whole pack, including the sauce, worked out from the nutrition panel. Each product page lists the full nutrition information.
Allergens: all three contain wheat and soy. Carbonara also contains milk, and the Original and Cheese contain sesame. Cheese also contains celery. Always check the pack if you have an allergy.
Making it milder
A few common ways to take the edge off:
- Use less of the sauce sachet.
- Stir in a slice of cheese or a splash of milk.
- Top it with an egg.
- Add vegetables, or cook an extra block of plain noodles to share the sauce.
Where to buy Samyang Buldak in the UK
Tuk Tuk Mart stocks Buldak ramen packets, multipacks, cups and sauces. See the full Buldak range or all our Korean noodles. Orders go by DHL from our Manchester Asian supermarket, with free standard delivery over £75. See our delivery details.
Samyang Buldak FAQs
Is Buldak Carbonara halal?
The Buldak Carbonara 130g packets we sell, and their multipacks, are listed as halal, with "HALAL" in their product names. Our Buldak cup noodles aren't listed as halal. If you follow a strict halal diet, check for the halal mark on the pack.
How many calories are in Buldak Carbonara?
About 555 kcal in a 130g pack, based on the 427 kcal per 100g on the nutrition panel.
Which Buldak is the least spicy?
Of the flavours we stock, Carbonara is milder than the Original. Samyang doesn't print Scoville figures on these packs, so we don't quote one.
Is Buldak a soup noodle?
No. It's a stir-fried noodle: you drain most of the cooking water before stirring in the sauce. Follow the instructions on the pack.
Where can I buy Samyang Buldak in the UK?
At Tuk Tuk Mart: Buldak Hot Chicken, Carbonara and Cheese ramen in single packets, multipacks and a box of 40, sent by DHL from our Manchester Asian supermarket, rated 4.9/5 from over 2,700 verified reviews.