Korean Ramen

Instant Noodles (Ramyeon) 라면

In Korea, instant noodle was first produced by Samyang Food in 1963 under technical assistance from Myojo Foods Co., Japan which provided manufacturing equipment. Its quick and easy preparation and cheap price made it quickly popular. In South Korea, instant noodles are more common than non-instant noodles; the word ramyeon (라면), generally means the instant kind. Most South Korean food stalls make instant ramyeon and add toppings for their customers.

Ramyeon is typically spicy. Shin Ramyun (신[辛], literally "spicy") is the best-selling brand in Korea. It has also become popular in China and the United States. The leading manufacturer of ramyeon in Korea is the Nong Shim ([農心], literally "Farmer Heart") company, which exports many of its products overseas.

In 2004, over 600,000 boxes of Shin brand Ramyeon were sent to North Korea as part of the aid relief program when Ryongchŏn train station exploded, injuring many North Korean civilians. However, insider sources state that most of it was sold in North Korean black markets, making its way to Pyongyang, instead of distributed as aid. North Korean visitors to China also frequently purchase South Korean ramyeon from Chinese stores, where Shin Ramyeon is known as "Korean Tangmi Ramyeon".

Indigenous production of Ramyeon in North Korea began in 2000. The first Ramyeon brand was "kkoburang guksu", which literally means curly noodles in Korean. Later, a joint venture by North Korean and Hong Kong-based companies began producing "jeukseok guksu" (즉석 국수), which literally means "instant noodles". Ramyeon are popular among North Korean elites who live in Pyongyang and Nampo. In contrast to hot and spicy South Korean Ramyeon, North Korean Ramyeon has a much milder and brothier flavor.

Ingredients:

1 package of Korean ramyeon
2½ cups water
1 egg
2 green onions, chopped

Directions:

1. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
2. Add the noodles and the included soup powder to the boiling water. Cover and boil for 1 minute.
3. Open the lid and turn the ramyeon over with a spoon.
4. Crack the egg directly into the boiling ramyeon, and cover and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Don’t stir, so the egg will be poached.
5. Remove from the heat. Open the lid and add the green onions and the included package of dried vegetables. Serve with kimchi and rice.

Sikssareul jal meogeottta. 식사를 잘 먹었다.