If I didn’t already know Ottogi’s Cheolpan Bbokki was an emulated version of yakisoba, I would have thought they were a clew of earthworms. These bronzed noodles incorporate most of the flavors and ingredients found in a bowl of yakisoba, just without the soba part. Ramen noodles remain the beating heart of these instant noodles, while the cabbage, onion, and sweetened soy sauce base form the peripheral flavor components that tether this ramen organism together. For the most part, it’s yakisoba, but unlike any yakisoba you’ve ever tasted before. It’s as unique as it is familiar. And, that’s exactly why I like it.
Flavor:
Cheolpan Bbokki tastes like sweetened soy sauce mixed with plenty of salt and a touch of black pepper. Also, like I mentioned before, these instant noodles are basically a twist on yakisoba. If I didn’t know any better, I would probably think these instant noodles actually were Japanese yakisoba. They have a lot of the same ingredients too. There is a truckload cabbage in these noodles, along with some onion, which really boosts the satiety and flavor of the whole package. Toss a handful of MSG in these noodles and you’re looking at a perfect storm of deliciousness and neurological excitement, that’s tough to beat.
Spiciness:
These noodles are great for people who don’t want anything spicy. I feel like I don’t say this often enough, but there is zero spiciness to these noodles. This cup of noodles is definitely in the minority these days. It’s good to be different!
Smell:
Yakisoba! I smell yakisoba! Well, at least without the soba part. Since most of the flavors and ingredients incorporated into these noodles are often found in Japanese yakisoba, Ottogi’s Cheolpan Bbokki really does smell almost identical to it. It has that unique cabbage and onion aroma, that characterizes some delicious, Japanesey noodles.
Noodles:
The noodles found in a cup of Cheolpan Bbokki are thicker than your average ramen noodles. While these aren’t soba noodles, the ramen still tastes fantastic with the sauce and other ingredients. I didn’t miss the soba at all! The cook on the noodles ended up perfect, so make sure you follow the instructions to a T. If you’re looking for softer noodles, you could give it a tad bit more time, but I prefer my noodles a little more tender.
Overall:
If you’re familiar with Japanese yakisoba, then you’ll surely enjoy the flavor of Ottogi’s Cheolpan Bbokki. These noodles are remarkably similar, but are different enough because of their use of regular ramen noodles, instead of soba. What I enjoyed most about these noodles was the insane amount of cabbage in them. Ottogi really went all out! The soy sauce base is stellar too, with its sweet, salty, and savory flavor profile. Last, but certainly not least, these noodles aren’t spicy, so they can be enjoyed by everyone.
I guess I can recommend these noodles to anyone who is feeling a bit like Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. Someone who feels the need to satisfy a craving for both Japanese yakisoba and ramen noodles, but won’t allow one craving to eclipse the other. The struggle between man and beast has never been so real!
So, what has been on your Halloween movie list this year? Only a few short weeks to go. Also, do you prefer soba, udon, or ramen noodles? Let me know in the comments!
If you’re interested in hearing more about instant ramen, check out my on-going series, Noodle Story: An Exploration of Korean Instant Noodles, here on Medium.
