Spicy Korean Food | The Ultimate 5 Level Test
How much spiciness can you handle?
Most Koreans love their spicy food, and because of this trait, Koreans have levels in spiciness. I have listed spicy foods in Korea from levels 1 to 5. This is a personal rating, so it could be different for some of you.
Shin Ramyun
The lowest on the spicy meter is the Shin Ramyun. This is one of the representatives of spicy Korean food. If your first-ever Korean instant noodle is Shin Ramyun, you might be shocked as it could taste really spicy. You might be sweating and drinking water constantly.
However, for me, the spicy level of Shin ramyun was not that bad as I expected it to be much worse. I was probably mentally prepared, so after eating it a few times, I got used to the spiciness.
Have you tried Shin Ramyun? If you haven't, I recommend you try one and see if you can handle level 1!
Jjamppong
Jjamppong (Korean spicy seafood noodle soup) can be eaten in every Chinese fusion restaurant in Korea.
Can you feel the spiciness just by looking at it? In fact, it is spicy, and it will make you sweat. However, it's one of those foods that you want to devour again, even though it is spicy. It has a distinct taste that makes you come back for more. Strange right? But you will know what I'm talking about once you've tried it.
Usually, Koreans eat jjamppong with tangsuyuk (sweet and sour fried pork) as it neutralizes the spiciness. This combination is a must-try in Korea!
Tteokbokki
You are probably thinking tteokbokki is not that spicy. Rather, it's more sweet than spicy so it shouldn't be on level 3, but you are mistaken.
But in fact, authentic tteokbokki can get really spicy; especially the rice cakes cooked in the bright red sauce until they turn soft served at the stalls by express bus terminals.
The tteokbokki stalls that most tourists have tried have adjusted the spiciness to lower than level one, so it's not spicy at all. If you try tteokbokki stalls that are placed in bus terminals or on local streets, it can get frightening so consider yourself warned!
Buldak Ramen Series
Among the Samyang brands, the most famous product is buldak-bokkeummyeon, or Buldak Ramen. In English, there are many versions to its name. Some call it 'Korean fire noodle', 'fire spicy noodle', 'hot chicken flavoured noodle', 'nuclear fire noodle,' and many more.
There are many spicy noodle flavours, and they are all spicy in different ways.
You cannot compare the spiciness of Buldak Ramen to Shin Ramyun. It will bring you to tears and make your tongue sore. You will be screaming for water while frantically jumping up and down.
Spicy Chicken Feet Stew
I know eating chicken feet can be really gross and unthinkable to some of you, but many Koreans love this dish. Spicy chicken feet stew are notably spicier than spicy chicken feet by itself.
In Korea, spicy chicken feet stew and soju make one of the best combinations.
It is recommended that when you eat spicy chicken feet stew, you should order gyeranjjim (steamed egg) and rice balls as they can neutralize the spiciness.
The above was a spicy dish acknowledged by Koreans, but besides these, there are other foods in Korea that foreigners find it spicy.
Cheongyang Chilli Pepper (★★★☆☆)
There are many kinds of chilli peppers in Korea, and some look exactly like Cheongyang chili pepper but are not one bit spicy. So ask the waiter if this chilli pepper is spicy or not.
Even I can't eat Cheongyang chilli pepper as it is really spicy.
Budaejjigae (★★☆☆☆)
The history of how budae-jjigae (army stew) created is a bitter story to Koreans. After the Korean war ended in 1953, food was extremely scarce, and the U.S. military bases provided Koreans with American-processed meats like luncheon meat, ham, bacon, and sausage.
Koreans started to mix these ingredients into kimchi stew, and this became what is known today as budae-jjigae. Since then Budae-jjigae has become one of Koreans comfort food. If you like meat and spicy stew, this is a must-try food in Korea.
Kimchi (★☆☆☆☆)
Kimchi is served in every Korean restaurant. Usually, kimchis are not spicy at all, but there is a chance where you'll come across spicy kimchi. This spicy kimchi can help you with your appetite.
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