<p>“I have finally found something that is so spicy that it hits the spot!” said my spice-loving friend. Even before she said what it was, I knew she was talking about these spicy Korean ramyun noodles that have been populating grocery shelves and <a href="https://fluentinhealth.com/blog/ageing-like-milk-gen-zs-are-getting-older-faster" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">social media trends </a>for a while now. </p>

<h2>The spicy noodle challenge</h2><p>In 2018, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/International/foodies-globe-taking-part-fire-noodle-challenge/story?id=59594235" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube users in Seoul started the “fire noodle challenge”</a> with an instant noodle from South Korea called buldak. The challenge required a person to waffle down this incredibly spicy food as soon as possible. The same challenge trickled down to India a few years later; in 2020, Buzzfeed India created a video that had three of their employees try 6 levels of these fiery noodles, and this led to a wave of content creators participating in this challenge. This was just the beginning, though, and soon, Indians became obsessed with all things Korean, from K-pop to K-drama and ramyun, thanks to the Hallyu wave that swept through the world. Korean noodles in<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/korean-wave-made-in-korea-gorged-and-loved-in-india-101630670553337.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> India witnessed a growth of 162% in terms of volume in 2020 and were expected to grow by 178% in 2021</a>. In late 2021, Hwang Il-Yong, director of the Korean Cultural Centre India, said in an<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/korean-wave-made-in-korea-gorged-and-loved-in-india-101630670553337.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> interview</a> that “K-cuisine is all the rage, especially on social media in the form of food challenges such as mukbang [a trend that started in 2010 of people live-streaming themselves eating food that first emerged in South Korea]”.</p><p>As Indians, we are not new to the concept of instant noodles; the two-minute evening snack has been a staple in most homes. We also don&#39;t shy away from anything spicy; we love our spices, and<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072051/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> India has the highest consumption of spices in the world.</a> The question, though, is while we (Indians) do love an extra sprinkle of spice in our food, how much spicy is too spicy for our guts, especially concerning Korean spicy ramyun?</p>

<h2>The noodle-gut conundrum</h2><p>Over 200 years ago, Hippocrates said, “All diseases begin in the gut”. The gut microbiome, which hosts up to<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009898115000170" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> 1000 bacterial species that encode about 5 million genes</a>, performs many of the functions required for host physiology and survival; it plays a role in the maintenance of a healthy state in adulthood. Dr Vijay Hangloo, HOD &amp; Senior Consultant at the General and Laparoscopic Surgery Department at Batra Hospital, said, “The gut is responsible for the absorption of nutrients and has a healthy bacteria, lactobacillus; this bacteria helps maintain a balance. These noodles lack fibre, protein and crucial vitamins and minerals but are high in sodium content that negatively affects your health by increasing the risk of heart disease, stomach cancer, and metabolic disease.”</p>

HOD & Senior Consultant at the General and Laparoscopic Surgery Department at Batra Hospital

Korean spicy noodles should not be eaten daily; instead, they should be had in moderation and balanced out with gut-friendly foods like bananas, yoghurt, sour cream, nuts, whole grains, oats, garlic and mushroom, among others. 

Dr Vijay Hangloo.

<p>Korean spicy ramyun comes neatly packaged with a block of fried noodles that&#39;s made of wheat flour and tapioca starch, among other things. The real hero, though, is in the tiny sachets of seasoning that predominantly contain pepper powder, curry powder, MSG and other such powders that add the spice. Dr Sundeep Shah, a Gastroenterologist, said after studying the ingredients, &quot;Most of the listed ingredients are essential for the maintenance of normal health. However, when they are consumed in excess quantity over prolonged periods, it can <a href="https://fluentinhealth.com/blog/mind-your-gut-does-your-gut-affect-your-mood" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">lead to gut intolerance</a>. Again, the tolerance of each individual is different based on their genetic profile. Ingredients like Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), capsaicin (the active component in chilli peppers), wheat gluten and allergens can cause digestive issues either alone or in combination, like heartburn, acidity, burning sensation of the tongue, nausea, headache, chest pain, flushing, bowel abnormalities, bloating and cramping and few reports even suggesting increased risks for development of peptic ulcer.”</p>

<h2>Do we break up with our spicy Korean ramyun?</h2><p>Despite knowing everything, especially the potential disadvantages of these spicy Korean noodles, is there a way we can give in to our cravings? Should we eat spicy Korean ramyun noodles at all? The answer to that is simple yet tricky.</p><p>“Korean spicy noodles should not be eaten daily; instead, they should be had in moderation and balanced out with gut-friendly foods like bananas, yoghurt, sour cream, nuts, whole grains, oats, garlic and mushroom, among others,” said Dr Hangloo.</p><p>Your gut will be okay with an occasional bowl of spicy ramyun. Dr. Frank B. Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard, highlighted in a New York Times article: &quot;Once or twice a month is not a problem,&quot; he said. &quot;But a few times a week really is.”</p><p>Dr Shah adds, “Your body needs different ingredients in proper proportions for good health, which cannot be achieved solely by consuming these instant noodles. The ways to maintain balance are by using homemade noodles (e.g. whole wheat noodles, veggie noodles), adding fresh vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, spinach, corn, leek, corn etc), adding proteins (paneer, tofu, eggs, fish, chicken etc), fibres, salads, kimchi, sauerkraut, spices, salt and seasoning as per individual taste, liking and tolerance.”</p><p>All in all, your gut will let you enjoy that slurpy bowl of ramyun, so long as you keep it happy.</p><p><strong>Medically reviewed by:</strong></p><p>Dr Amey Sonavane, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist</p>

ScienceDirect: The role of the gut microbiome in the healthy adult status

NCBI: Measurement of spices and seasonings in India

Cleveland Clinic: The health risks of spicy food

The New York Times: How healthy is your gut microbiome?

Science Direct: Microbiomes

The New York Times: From BTS to ‘Squid Game’: How South Korea Became a Cultural Juggernaut

Pattern: The History of Mukbang and How It’s Taking Over the Internet

The New York Times: Instant Noodles Tied to Heart Risk

The Rise of Ramyun: Do You Really Have the Guts for It?

Discover if it's safe to eat Korean spicy Noodles daily. Learn about potential health impacts and expert tips for moderation. Find out more on Fluent Health's blog.

Is It Safe to Eat Korean Spicy Noodles Daily | Fluent Health

Browse Topics

Sources:

Be first in line

Doctor Login

Blog

Our Process

Privacy Policy

Terms of Services

Delete Account

Instagram

Linkedin

Facebook

Threads

<h2>What is our editorial process?</h2>
<p>Every article is written with great attention to detail, undergoing both medical and editorial reviews. Our goal is to ensure accuracy, accessibility and inclusivity, while ensuring we stay relevant and create debate and community.&nbsp;</p>
<ol>
<li>Our editors ensure that all our sources are up-to-date, credible, correctly interpreted and cited.</li>
<li>Our primary sources include peer-reviewed scientific journals and renowned research institutions.</li>
<li>All our content is reviewed by our medical review team, which comprises specialists in their respective fields.</li>
</ol>
<h2>How do we select our doctors?</h2>
<p>Fluent gives you control over your health journey and collaborates with healthcare professionals to look at health as a continuous journey, not an end state. We aim to provide best-in-class healthcare with the Fluent network of doctors. Our team is made up of progressive, licensed, judgement-free and experienced doctors who welcome patient questions and novel approaches to healthcare. You can trust us for safe and effective access to care and knowledge.</p>
<ol>
<li>Licensed and board-certified, our doctors have the expertise to provide superior online medical service.</li>
<li>Each Fluent doctor is carefully vetted to ensure credible, clear and judgement-free guidance.</li>
<li>Our care team respects and believes in the power of your knowledge and privacy.</li>
</ol>