Buldak Carbonara

This one broke TikTok for a reason. The spicy, savory kick of Buldak noodles paired with a rich, eggy carbonara sauce is the kind of thing you make once and then can’t stop thinking about. It comes together in 25 minutes, and yes, it’s as good as it looks.

Ingredients

  • 2 packs Buldak Hot Chicken Ramen noodles
  • 4 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Buldak sauce packet (from the ramen)
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Chopped scallions for garnish
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Noodles

Boil the ramen noodles according to the package. Drain them, but keep them slightly underdone since they’ll finish in the pan. Set the sauce packets aside.

Step 2: Crisp the Bacon

Chop the bacon and fry it in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until golden and crispy. Pull the bacon out with a slotted spoon and leave all that beautiful fat in the pan.

Step 3: Make the Carbonara Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, heavy cream, grated Parmesan, and one Buldak sauce packet. This is your liquid gold. If you want less heat, start with half a packet and adjust.

Step 4: Bring It Together

Drop the garlic into the bacon fat and cook for 30 seconds. Pull the pan OFF the heat. Add the drained noodles and toss them in the fat. Pour the carbonara sauce over the noodles and toss everything quickly. The residual heat will cook the eggs into a silky coating without scrambling them.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Plate it up. Top with the crispy bacon, a handful of sliced scallions, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and more Parmesan. Hit it with fresh black pepper.

Serving Suggestions

  • Add a soft-boiled egg on top for extra richness
  • Serve with pickled cucumbers or kimchi to cut through the heat
  • Pair with cold beer or a fizzy lemon soda

Tips

  • The key to carbonara is OFF-HEAT. If the pan is too hot when you add the egg mixture, you get scrambled eggs instead of a sauce. Pull it off the burner first.
  • Use the thick ramen noodles, not the thin ones. They hold the sauce better.
  • Start with half a sauce packet if you’re not a spice person. You can always add more.
  • Save the extra sauce packet for drizzling on top if you want it nuclear.