Explore 8 must-try Korean ramen noodle soup recipes full of bold, authentic flavor. This roundup includes quick, comforting meals from top food blogs—perfect for spicy cravings, easy dinners, or cozy nights at home.
When it comes to comfort in a bowl, few dishes rival the warmth and bold flavor of a Korean noodle soup. Whether you’re craving spicy, savory, or something a little creamy, Korean ramen has something to offer every palate. This curated roundup features 8 authentic and easy-to-make Korean ramen noodle recipes, handpicked from top food blogs to bring the best of Korean home cooking to your table.
From fiery kimchi broths to fusion favorites like cheesy ramen or bulgogi-infused bowls, these recipes are perfect for cozy nights, quick lunches, or flavorful meal prep. Ready to explore the world of Korean noodles, one slurp at a time? Let’s dive in.
Contents
Why This Recipe?
Korean noodle soup is more than just a meal—it’s a full-on comfort experience. These ramen dishes are popular because they’re quick to make, rich in flavor, and endlessly customizable. Whether you like it spicy, mild, meaty, or plant-based, there’s a version that fits your taste.
Korean ramen recipes blend bold ingredients like gochujang, garlic, and sesame oil with soothing broths and chewy noodles. They’re perfect for busy weeknights or slow weekends and can be made with pantry staples or fresh add-ins. Plus, most of these dishes come together in under 30 minutes—no fancy skills needed.
If you’re looking for a warm, satisfying dish that’s easy, affordable, and packed with flavor, Korean noodle soup is your new go-to.
8 Authentic Korean Ramen Noodle Soups to Try Today
1. Spicy Kimchi Ramen
Flavor Summary: A bold and warming bowl filled with tangy kimchi, rich gochujang, and savory broth that delivers comforting heat and deep umami in every slurp.
Quick 5‑Step Summary:
- Stir-fry garlic and kimchi until fragrant.
- Add broth, gochujang, and soy sauce; simmer.
- Optionally add protein (tofu or chicken).
- Cook ramen noodles directly in the broth.
- Garnish with green onions.
Time: 25 minutes
Tags: Spicy, Comfort Food, Weeknight Meal
Recipe Credit: RecipeTin Eats (by Nagi)
💡 Tip: Let the kimchi simmer a bit longer to deepen the flavor.
👉 Check full recipe: recipetineats.com (recipetineats.com)
2. Janchi Guksu (Banquet Noodle Soup)
Flavor Summary: A gentle yet savoury noodle soup built on a delicate anchovy‑kelp broth, topped with fresh julienned vegetables and optional egg strips—light, soothing, and elegant.
Quick 5‑Step Summary:
- Simmer anchovy‑kelp (or stock) until flavorful.
- Boil and rinse somyeon noodles.
- Prepare toppings like julienned veggies and egg.
- Place noodles in bowls and ladle hot broth over them.
- Add toppings and seasoning sauce.
Time: ~20–30 minutes
Tags: Light, Traditional, Celebratory
Recipe Credit: My Korean Kitchen
💡 Tip: Double the broth to freeze extras for quick future meals.
👉 Check full recipe: mykoreankitchen.com (mykoreankitchen.com)
3. Maangchi’s Spicy Guksu
Flavor Summary: A vibrant twist on guksu that blends homemade anchovy stock and spicy kimchi mix for a lively, tangy, and satisfying noodle soup with warmth and character.
Quick 5‑Step Summary:
- Prepare anchovy‑kelp stock.
- Mix kimchi, green onions, hot pepper paste, honey, and sesame oil.
- Cook somyeon noodles, then rinse.
- Heat noodles with warmed stock.
- Top with the kimchi mix, sesame, and poached egg.
Time: ~30 minutes (plus stock)
Tags: Spicy, Umami, Traditional with a kick
Recipe Credit: Maangchi
💡 Tip: Serve immediately so noodles stay snappy.
👉 Check full recipe: maangchi.com (maangchi.com)
4. Korean Comfort Noodle Soup (Kim Kim Cooking)
Flavor Summary: A hearty and warming noodle soup featuring tender ground beef, anchovy‑based broth, and veggie matchsticks—pure comfort in every spoonful.
Quick 5‑Step Summary:
- Make anchovy‑broth base with dried seafood and kombu.
- Sauté or simmer ground beef with mirin, garlic, and soy.
- Prepare and add sliced zucchini, onions, and potatoes.
- Cook noodles in broth until tender.
- Combine all, add spicy sauce, and serve.
Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes (includes resting time for broth)
Tags: Hearty, Comfort Food, Family Meal
Recipe Credit: Kim Kim Cooking
💡 Tip: Let broth rest for richer flavor before serving.
👉 Check full recipe: kimkimcooking.com (kimkimcooking.com)
5. Quick Spicy Korean Noodles (Gourmet Martha / Tasiahub style)
Flavor Summary: A deeply savory, gochujang-forward broth full of garlic and ginger, paired with vegetables, mushrooms, and optional protein—simple yet richly flavored.
Quick 5‑Step Summary:
- Simmer garlic and ginger in sesame oil.
- Add gochujang, soy, sugar, and broth.
- Cook noodles separately and rinse.
- Blanch veggies like bok choy and mushrooms.
- Serve noodles with broth and toppings.
Time: ~25 minutes
Tags: Quick, Flavorful, Flexible
Recipe Credit: Tasiahub (based on Gourmet Martha)
💡 Tip: Rinse noodles post-cooking to preserve their chewy texture.
👉 Check full recipe: tasiahub.com (tasiahub.com)
6. Maangchi’s Ramyeon (Classic Instant Ramen)
Flavor Summary: A comforting, nostalgic bowl of classic Korean instant ramen elevated with Maangchi’s tips on stock, egg, and garnish for upgraded flavor and simplicity.
Quick 5‑Step Summary:
- Boil water and seasoning packets.
- Add ramen noodles whole, avoid breaking them.
- Apply the “fan” trick for perfect texture.
- Crack raw egg on top, let cook with lid on.
- Serve immediately with garnish.
Time: ~5–8 minutes
Tags: Fast, Comfort Food, Nostalgic
Recipe Credit: Maangchi (ramyeon guide)
💡 Tip: Fanning the noodles while cooking keeps them al dente.
👉 Check full recipe: maangchi.com (maangchi.com)
7. Quick Kimchi Ramen with Shiitake & Egg (via Serious Eats)
Flavor Summary: A speedy ramen enriched with kimchi, miso, and earthy shiitake, topped with a soft-cooked egg—spicy, rich, and satisfying in minutes.
Quick 5‑Step Summary:
- Combine kimchi, miso, soy in broth.
- Add shiitake for depth and umami.
- Cook ramen (or substitute noodles).
- Top with soft-cooked egg.
- Serve hot and fragrant.
Time: Quick (likely under 15 minutes)
Tags: Quick, Spicy, Umami-rich
Recipe Credit: Serious Eats (Quick Kimchi Ramen feature)
💡 Tip: Use baking soda in water to mimic authentic springy noodle texture.
👉 Check article: (Quick Kimchi Ramen feature) (Serious Eats)
8. Cold Korean Noodle Soup (Mul Naengmyeon)
Flavor Summary: A refreshing cold noodle dish with chewy buckwheat noodles, a tangy, icy broth, and crisp vegetables—perfect for cooling down and light, vibrant flavor.
Quick 5‑Step Summary:
- Prepare cold, savory broth (vinegar, stock, sweet-and-sour agents).
- Boil and chill buckwheat noodles.
- Rinse noodles in ice water for texture.
- Place noodles in chilled broth bowl.
- Top with cucumber, pear, and possibly egg or radish.
Time: ~20–30 minutes
Tags: Refreshing, Summer, Light
Recipe Credit: Serious Eats (Cold Korean Noodle Soup feature)
💡 Tip: Chill broth and noodles really well for crisp bite in every slurp.
👉 Check article: (Cold Korean Noodle Soup feature) (Serious Eats)
More Recipe Details
Looking to customize these Korean noodle soup recipes to fit your needs? Here are some practical ideas to help you adapt, store, and serve each bowl with confidence:
🌶️ Spice Level Adjustments
- Mild it down: Use less gochujang or skip red pepper flakes.
- Make it hotter: Add chili oil, extra gochugaru, or sliced fresh chilies.
🥬 Ingredient Substitutions
- Noodles: Swap ramen for udon, rice noodles, or somyeon.
- Protein: Use tofu, tempeh, eggs, or rotisserie chicken.
- Broth: Vegetable, chicken, or anchovy stock all work well.
- Gluten-free: Try gluten-free ramen noodles or soba and tamari instead of soy sauce.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Top with soft-boiled eggs, nori, or sesame seeds.
- Serve with a side of kimchi, pickled radish, or steamed rice.
- Add fresh greens (spinach, bok choy) for a nutrient boost.
🧊 Storage Tips
- Refrigerate: Store broth and noodles separately if possible. Use airtight containers.
- Lasts: Up to 3–4 days in the fridge.
- Reheat: Warm the broth on the stovetop or microwave, then add noodles just before serving.
- Avoid sogginess: Don’t let noodles sit in broth too long after cooking.
History or Origin of the Dish
Korean ramen—often called ramyeon—is a fascinating fusion of Korean and Japanese food traditions. While Japan introduced ramen, Korea transformed it into its own spicy, soulful comfort food using native ingredients like gochujang, kimchi, and anchovy-based broths.
Instant ramyeon became hugely popular in Korea in the 1960s, and since then, it’s evolved into a deeply personal and creative dish in many Korean homes. From army stew (budae jjigae) inspired by post-war shortages to vegetarian temple-style noodle soups, Korean noodle soup represents both history and modern-day innovation.
Whether served hot and spicy or chilled and refreshing, it’s always built on the foundation of bold flavor, simplicity, and heartwarming comfort.
Tools & Equipment Needed
You don’t need fancy gear to make great Korean noodle soup—just a few kitchen basics. Here’s what you’ll want on hand for most recipes:
- Medium or large soup pot: For boiling noodles and simmering broth.
- Ladle: Helps portion and serve soup cleanly.
- Noodle strainer or colander: For draining and rinsing noodles.
- Kitchen knife & cutting board: Essential for prepping veggies, toppings, and proteins.
- Measuring spoons & cups: To get seasoning and broth ratios just right.
- Small mixing bowls: For sauces, marinades, or toppings.
- Chopsticks or long spoon: For serving and enjoying your noodles authentically.
💡 Optional but useful: A ramen bowl with a wide mouth and deep base makes the final dish feel more special.
FAQ Section
Can I make these recipes gluten-free?
Yes! Just use gluten-free ramen or rice noodles, and swap soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Always double-check gochujang labels—some include wheat.
What kind of noodles should I use for Korean ramen soup?
Classic Korean ramyeon noodles (instant or fresh) work great. You can also use somyeon (thin wheat noodles), udon, or even soba for a twist.
Are these dishes very spicy?
Some are! But spice levels are easy to adjust. Use less gochujang, skip red pepper flakes, or dilute the broth if needed. Many recipes include milder options.
Can I prepare these recipes ahead of time?
Yes—just store the broth and noodles separately to prevent sogginess. Reheat the broth and add noodles just before serving for the best texture.
What proteins can I add to these soups?
Common add-ins include tofu, soft-boiled eggs, sliced beef, rotisserie chicken, or shrimp. They cook fast and pair beautifully with spicy broths.
What are good side dishes to serve with Korean noodle soup?
Try kimchi, pickled radish (danmuji), steamed dumplings (mandu), or a bowl of plain rice to balance spicy flavors.
How long do leftovers last in the fridge?
Broth can last up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. Keep noodles separate and add fresh when reheating to avoid mushiness.
Can I freeze Korean noodle soup?
You can freeze the broth for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing cooked noodles—they tend to break down and get mushy after thawing.
Conclusion
Whether you’re new to Korean cooking or just craving a cozy, satisfying meal, these Korean noodle soup recipes offer bold flavors, easy steps, and serious comfort. They’re fast, flexible, and deeply flavorful—perfect for solo meals, family dinners, or lazy weekend nights.
💬 Tried one? Share your favorite in the comments!
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👩🍳 More coming soon: Follow for future recipe roundups featuring global comfort food favorites.
