Buldak Original or 2X Spicy: which hot chicken ramen should you try first?

Published Nov 3, 2026 · Gatgooun

Written with AI assistance and reviewed by the Gatgooun editor. We have not tried these products; ages, sizes, directions and allergens are the makers' and listings' own. For information only.

This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our suggestion: try Buldak Original first and buy 2X Spicy once you know you like the line; Samyang's directions, listed allergens and storage are the same for both.

Both are Samyang's stir-fried hot chicken flavor noodles, sold on Amazon US as five-packs. We read Samyang America's product pages, the Buldak US site and the Amazon listing titles on November 1, 2026. We don't list prices, and we haven't tasted either one.

What's the same and what's not

Samyang's directions, for either one

Samyang America's pages give the same four steps for Original and 2X Spicy, word for word. Our suggestion: read them once before the water boils, because the drain step comes quickly.

• Samyang's ingredient lists start the noodles with wheat flour, modified food starch and palm oil, and the sauce with water, an artificial chicken flavor powder and a soy sauce seasoning, for both versions.
• The flakes go in last. Samyang lists sesame and dried seaweed in them, and sesame is one of the three allergens on both packs.
• The two sauce lists aren't identical further down. Our note: read the full list on each product's page or package if you track specific ingredients.

1. Boil 2 1/2 cups (20 oz) of water. Add the noodles and cook for 5 minutes.
2. Keep 1/2 cup (4 oz) of the water and drain the rest.
3. Add the sauce and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
4. Add the flakes, stir well and serve.

Checking the heat level

• The Buldak US site uses a Buldak Spicy Level and says products with the same flavor name can have different levels by format.
• Our note: the level on a sauce bottle doesn't tell you the noodles' level, so read the level printed on the pack you receive.
• Samyang America's Buldak page also links Carbonara, Cheese and Habanero Lime noodles as related items, each a separate product with its own page.

Which one to buy first

• Our suggestion if you've never had Buldak: Original. The Amazon pack is a fixed five.
• Our suggestion if you already like Original: 2X Spicy, which has the same directions on Samyang's page.
• Our suggestion if you're buying for someone else: Original, unless you know they already eat Buldak.
• For Carbonara noodles or the Original hot sauce, see Buldak Carbonara noodles or the Original hot sauce.

Sources

• Samyang America: Buldak Original
• Samyang America: Buldak 2X Spicy
• Buldak US: Buldak Beyond Ramen
• Amazon US listing: Samyang Buldak Original, pack of 5
• Amazon US listing: Samyang Buldak 2X Spicy, 4.94 oz, pack of 5