Standard instant ramen noodles have a clean bite, but instant potato ramen distinguishes itself with its addictive chewy bite. There are several brands – mostly Korean – and this here is Samyang Potato Ramen.
The noodles are Korean, but aside from the name, the majority of the text on the packaging – including the instructions – are in Japanese. Each package has a cake of dried noodles, a sachet of soup powder and a sachet for toppings (mostly leeks with specks of chilli).
Prepare the noodles by simmering in 550 mL of water with the soup powder and the toppings for 3-4 minutes.
The potato noodles here are wavy and delectably chewy and retain their chewiness even after cooking and resting in the soup for ten minutes. The soup base is savoury and the noodles take on a saltiness, but it does not have a distinctive flavour of its own, relying on the toppings for a strong leek flavour and a very subtle heat. Unfortunately, this means that if like me, you’re not a fan of leeks – a mainstay of Korean cooking – then not including them leaves you with a bowl of salty, though chewy, noodles.
This Samyang Potato Ramen contained 118 g. It was produced in South Korea and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2017.