Buldak SWICY Japan Review: Is This Limited Edition Ramen Worth It?
Curious about the Japan-exclusive Buldak SWICY instant ramen? We picked up this sweet and spicy noodle from a Japanese convenience store to give you the honest truth.
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Curious about the Japan-exclusive Buldak SWICY instant ramen? We picked up this sweet and spicy noodle from a Japanese convenience store to give you the honest truth.
This is an honest review based on my own purchase.
Hey there, fellow food adventurers!
Today, I'm bringing you a super fresh, hot-off-the-press review of a new product I grabbed myself!
It's none other than...
The Japan-exclusive Buldak Bokkeumyeon SWICY, only available at Japanese convenience stores!
I was browsing a Japanese convenience store when I spotted it prominently displayed as a "new release." My curiosity got the better of me, and I just had to pick one up!
SWICY
Looking at the product name, it says SWICY. Doesn't that just give you a hint right from the start?
SWEET + SPICY = SWICY
It seems like this product aims for a flavor that's both sweet and spicy, just as the name suggests.
Honestly, when it comes to food sold in Japan labeled "spicy," many Koreans often find themselves thinking,
"Hmm... is this really spicy?"
It happens quite a lot, right? So, I figured since it's Buldak Bokkeumyeon, it would at least have a decent kick to it, and I bought it with some expectations.
Plus, it had a big sign saying 「新発売」(New Release) on the shelf.
It's a new product! A brand new one!
And knowing it's a Japan-exclusive product just made me even more curious. Haha!
#JapanConvenienceStore #JapanExclusive #BuldakBokkeumyeon
Cooking Instructions
Once I got home, I immediately checked the back for the cooking instructions. They seemed a bit unusual.
You remove the included sachets, add water up to the marked line, then microwave it for about 4 minutes. After that, you add the sauce and mix it in!
Microwave cooking...? I was a little taken aback at first, haha!
Personally, I feel more comfortable boiling noodles in a pot rather than microwaving them in their container, so I opted for the stovetop method.
I poured an appropriate amount of water, boiled the noodles, and once they seemed cooked, I added the sauce.
First, let's talk about the smell – it's a winner!
It's not just the typical spicy aroma of Buldak Bokkeumyeon; there's a genuinely sweet scent too. Haha!
Alright, time for my first bite! Haha!
And the moment of truth, the very first taste!
Hmm..................
Uh..................
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Let me be completely honest with you.
Would this have sold well if it had been released in Korea...?
That was the very first thought that crossed my mind.
First and foremost, the all-important spiciness!
Maybe it's because I'm Korean, but considering the name "Buldak," it barely felt spicy at all.
If you go into it expecting a kick, thinking "It's Buldak Bokkeumyeon, so it must be spicy!" you might be a little disappointed.
So, is it sweet then?
That's also a bit ambiguous... haha!
It definitely has a sweeter note than regular Buldak Bokkeumyeon, but it's not like,
"Wow! That's super sweet!"
It doesn't have that strong of a sweetness.
The spiciness is ambiguous, the sweetness is ambiguous...
Yet, it's not entirely flavorless either...
It's genuinely a hard flavor to describe! Haha!
As I was eating, a thought suddenly popped into my head:
"Ah... so that's why it's Japan exclusive?"
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Of course, this is purely based on my personal taste!
Since the intensity of spicy food in Japan is a bit different from Korea, this level of sweet and spicy might actually be perfectly enjoyable for Japanese consumers, without being too overwhelming.
Conversely, for those accustomed to the classic Korean Buldak Bokkeumyeon,
"Huh? It's not as spicy as I thought?"
is likely to be the reaction.
So, for the most crucial question!
Would I buy it again?
I...
❌ probably wouldn't go out of my way to buy it again.
Trying it once out of curiosity is fine, but if you spot it in a Japanese convenience store, it's not a case of,
"Oh my! It's Japan exclusive! I absolutely MUST buy it!"
I don't think it reaches that level. Haha!
If it were the same price, I'd probably choose the familiar original Buldak Bokkeumyeon.
Of course, again, this is solely my honest review based on my personal taste!
Everyone's palate is truly different, after all! Haha!
Overall Verdict
✔ It sparks curiosity as a Japan-exclusive product only found in convenience stores.
✔ The SWEET + SPICY concept is interesting.
✔ The signature Buldak spiciness is surprisingly mild.
✔ The sweetness isn't strong either, leading to an overall somewhat ambiguous feeling.
✔ Since the base is still Buldak, it's not a bad or unpalatable flavor.
✔ However, I wouldn't repurchase it!
If you're on a trip to Japan and happen to visit a convenience store and think,
"Oh? Is that the Japan-exclusive Buldak Bokkeumyeon SWICY?"
I would politely tell you:
You don't necessarily need to buy it, haha!
But if you're genuinely curious, give it a try!
Especially if you love collecting Japan-exclusive products or can't resist trying new Buldak items, experiencing it once might not be a bad idea.
However, if you're like me, thinking,
"It's Japan exclusive, so I'm really looking forward to trying it!"
Then I recommend lowering your expectations a bit before you try it. Haha!
I'm satisfied with having tried it once!
This has been my honest, self-purchased review of the Japan-exclusive Buldak Bokkeumyeon SWICY from a Japanese convenience store!
Next time, if I find any new or interesting products in Japan that aren't available in other countries, I'll be sure to try them myself and share my honest review! 😆
See you in the next post!
This post was written after a personal visit and experience funded by the author.
All photos and text published are copyrighted by the author,
and unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, and commercial use are prohibited.
The Japan-exclusive Buldak Bokkeummyun SWICY is a product sold only at convenience stores in Japan. The product name SWICY is a portmanteau of SWEET+SPICY, conceptualized to offer a sweet yet spicy flavor.
According to the cooking instructions on the back of the product, remove the enclosed soup packet, add water up to the marked line, and microwave for approximately 4 minutes. Afterward, add the sauce and mix well before eating.
The article's author evaluated it as hardly spicy, considering it bears the "Buldak" name. Regarding sweetness, it was noted to be sweeter than regular Buldak Bokkeummyun, but not intensely sweet to the point of being "completely sweet."
The article's author stated they have no intention of repurchasing it. However, they recommended that if you enjoy collecting Japan-exclusive products or can't resist trying new Buldak items, it wouldn't be a bad idea to experience it at least once.
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