“This stuff made my father cry”: Users react hilariously to spicy Buldak ramen

Buldak Ramen is a noodle dish that doesn’t just bring the heat; it brings the entire furnace. This spicy food trend skyrocketed to fame thanks to the Fire Noodle Challenge.

Back in 2014, YouTuber Josh Carrott set the internet ablaze by challenging his friends to devour these noodles without drinking water. This spicy dare quickly spread across social media, sparking countless videos and posts that fueled a surge in demand for Buldak Ramen.

The internet, of course, has plenty to say about this fiery feast. One X user quipped,

“That bird got no reason to be doing all this it cannot be that spicy man.”

For the uninitiated, the bird on the packaging is on fire, just like your taste buds will be. But don’t take our word for it.

Another user chimed in with a slightly more dramatic take:

“This stuff made my father cry.”

“Wait till you find out about the x2 and x3 versions,” one user warned.

Another user confessed, “I had a 3x spicy version of this with no prior knowledge and I ended up crying on the floor that day.”

One brave eater recalled, “I remember eating this once and my number 2’s made the toilet bowl look like the microwave when you leave food in too long and it explodes.”

“Famous last words,” a comment read.

And if you’re still not convinced, let’s not forget the user who dropped this bombshell:

“This put me in the ER at the hospital.”

For the skeptics, another user had a preemptive message:

“Thoughts and prayers for the inevitable 'thought this was white people spicy' post 🙏.”

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What makes Buldak so hot?

Now, let’s break down what makes Buldak Ramen the fiery monster it is. The magic—or madness—lies in the sauce: a blend of gochugaru (Korean chili powder), gochujang (chili paste), soy sauce, garlic, and sometimes sesame oil.

It’s this concoction that delivers the signature heat that Buldak fans have come to love... or fear.

The Buldak Ramen series features a range of heat levels, with the 2X Spicy version being a fan favorite for those who like their spice intense but manageable. But for those who seek the ultimate challenge, the 3X Spicy variant cranks the heat to levels that can even make seasoned spice lovers break a sweat.

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How did Buldak become known?

Launched in April 2012, Buldak Ramen became a global sensation. By August 2022, more than 4 billion packets had been sold, making the product Samyang Foods' biggest seller.

The pandemic only fueled its popularity further, especially in the U.S., where it became a staple for spice lovers looking for a thrill.

But how does Buldak do in comparison with the spiciest ramen? In January 2025, the title holder for the world's spiciest ramen noodle is Culley's World's Hottest Ramen Noodles 2.0, which possesses an insane level of 1,041,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU).

This beast is made with Naga Jolokia (Ghost Peppers) and Carolina Reaper peppers, making it a no-go zone for the faint-hearted.

Then there's the Daebak x TNTCO Carolina Reaper Spicy Chicken, which clocks in at a scorching 2,000,000 SHU.

For comparison, Buldak 3X Spicy is 13,000 SHU, which would be tame if it weren't for the fact that it is still hot enough for most humans.

There are a few other challengers who have earned their place in the Spice Hall of Fame. First up, there's The Devil of Fire Ramen, which packs a punch with approximately 14,444 SHU.

Then, from Malaysia, we have the Mamee Shinsegae Ghost Pepper Spicy Chicken ramen, which is estimated to hit around 1,000,000 SHU.