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November 2024

Who invented ramen?


Ramen is a Japanese noodle dish which has Chinese origins. It features Chinese-style wheat noodles, served in a warming broth. With its roots deeply entwined with Chinese noodle dishes, ramen is a staple of Japanese cuisine. However, it is a dish that many Asian cultures have adopted and fused with their own flavour profiles to create delicious, satisfying dishes.

Why is it so popular?


While a growing interest in Japanese cuisine has certainly played its part in elevating ramen to new heights, Korean fire noodles have taken this popularity to a whole new level on the global stage on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. There is no denying it, fire noodle challenges have produced some of the funniest social media content of all time. The streaming eyes and noses, the violent hiccups, the groans from palpable pain and the sweat pouring off foreheads, together with the obligatory glass of cold milk, all add to the theatre of extreme spice.

Korean fire noodles, in particular, are infamous for being so savagely spicy, even spice lovers struggle to eat them.

Internet personality duo Josh Carrott and Ollie Kendal, behind the YouTube channel Korean Englishman (6 million + subscribers), claim to have given birth to the fire noodle challenge. They produce content in both Korean and English, celebrating South Korean culture and food. In this video Josh & Ollie explain how they created the challenge, eating, what they described as ‘Satan’s ramen’.

In typical, thrill-seeking social media fashion, even noodles that got banned by the Danish authorities for dangerous levels of capsaicin, earlier this year, continued to be explored in the news and on socials as fun and daring news content.

Our Sun Hee Inferno Spicy Ramen and Volcano Spicy Ramen feature our warrior panda, who likes it hot! Are you ready to take the Sun Hee fire noodle challenge? We’d love you to share your videos to our socials.

Quick & Easy Ramen


Traditional ramen broths can take up to 24 hours to perfect, time many of us cannot afford. However, our Sun Hee ramen noodles are quick and easy to prepare, delivering all that delicious umami taste with minimal effort.

Move over ‘stir fry’. The term ‘ramen’ has officially overtaken the Chinese favourite in Google searches.

The latest social media frenzy has seen sales of block noodles enjoying rapid growth as UK home cooks give the fiery fare a try. Milder versions are also increasingly popular.

The fire noodles hashtag on the TikTok platform has racked up over 550 million views this year. Here you can explore the 10 most popular hashtags relating to #firenoodles on TikTok in 2024.

Some of the hottest products on the market come in at around 13 thousand Scoville heat units on the Scoville Scale; by comparison sriracha sits at around two thousand.

However, if spice is not your thing, our plain Sun Hee ramen noodles are a great base for creating your own ramen dishes from online recipes or you can try our tips below for taming the heat.

How to Cool Down Super Hot Noodles

Spicy noodles are a beloved comfort food for many, delivering a kick of heat that tantalises the taste buds. But sometimes, the spice level can go from thrilling to overwhelming. If you’ve found yourself sweating over a bowl of super-hot noodles, don’t fret! There are simple ways to tone down the heat while keeping the dish delicious.

  • 1. Add Dairy

    Dairy is a natural spice soother. Stir in a dollop of plain yogurt, a splash of milk, or a drizzle of cream. These will help neutralise the capsaicin (the compound responsible for the heat) and add a creamy texture to your dish.

  • 2. Incorporate sweetness

    A bit of sweetness can balance the fiery flavours. Add a spoonful of honey, a sprinkle of sugar, or some sliced fruits like pineapple or mango. The natural sweetness contrasts beautifully with the spice.

  • 3. Mix in vegetables

    Cool, crunchy vegetables like cucumbers, shredded lettuce, or grated carrots can mellow the spice while enhancing the texture and nutrition of your noodles.

  • 4. Dilute with broth or more noodles

    If the spice is too intense, try adding more noodles or a splash of broth to dilute the heat. It spreads the spice over a larger volume, making it less concentrated.

  • 5. Add nutty flavors

    A spoonful of peanut butter or tahini can tone down the heat and create a rich, savoury profile. Stir it in to make your noodles more balanced and creamy.

  • 6. The magic ingredient – KEWPIE MAYONNAISE!

    Kewpie mayonnaise is a secret weapon for cooling down super spicy noodles. Its creamy texture and rich, umami flavour help balance the heat while enhancing the dish’s overall taste. The egg yolk base in Kewpie neutralizes capsaicin, the compound responsible for spiciness, providing a soothing effect. Simply stir a

    generous dollop into your noodles for a silky, mellow finish that complements the spice without overpowering it. It’s an easy and delicious way to tame the flames!

    Pro Tip: Adjust Gradually

    When taming spice, go slow and taste as you adjust. It’s easier to add more ingredients than to take them out!

    The next time you’re sweating over a bowl of blazing-hot noodles, don’t panic - use these tips to enjoy the heat at your own pace. Happy slurping!

    There is no doubt about it, ramen is good for the soul and this is Seoul food, Sun Hee style. So if you are looking to warm up this winter, be sure to pick up a pack of Sun Hee ramen from Tesco today.

    Explore our fiery ramen range here.