In recent years, Buldak Ramen has become a popular food for many young people. It’s more than just instant noodles; it’s a new food experience and a symbol of K-food. Its fast spread is closely linked to spicy food trends and the videos of online creators.
This trend has led to a big increase in searches for terms like “Buldak Ramyun,” “what does Buldak mean,” and “Buldak mukbang.” This article will follow the journey of Buldak noodles to answer the question:
Why is Buldak so popular?
At the same time, we’ll explore its history to find out “what does Buldak mean” and the culture behind it.
Origins and Meaning of Buldak – The Birth of “Fire Chicken”
To understand its global fame and to answer the question, “why is Buldak so popular,” we need to go back to its name.
The word Buldak (불닭) comes from two Korean words: “bul,” meaning fire, and “dak,” meaning chicken. When people search for “what does Buldak mean,” the simple answer is “fiery chicken.”
This name came from a spicy chicken dish that was very popular in Korea in the early 2000s. The hot, fiery taste became a key part of Korean spicy food trends. This is why, when consumers look up “what does Buldak mean,” they learn not just the meaning but also the deep food culture behind it.
In 2012, Samyang Food saw the potential of Korean spicy food. Samyang Foods CEO Kim Jung-soo, often called the “mother” of Buldak Ramen, tested over 1,200 chickens and 2 tons of sauce to get the recipe right. This hard work showed the company’s “Joy to Challenge” spirit—a belief in always trying new things to create unique products, focusing on fun experiences and the joy of beating the spice.
After it came out, Buldak noodles were a big hit in Korea. By 2014, the brand began to sell them in other countries: across Asia, Europe, the U.S., and the Middle East. It quickly became a leader in the global spicy food trends wave.
The numbers show how popular it is:
- From 2012 to mid-2024, more than 7 billion packs were sold, making over $3 billion USD. (Source: Samyang Foods Official Press Release, Federation of Korean Industries)
- Buldak Ramyun is now sold in over 100 countries.
- To meet global demand, Samyang built a new smart factory to increase production.
These actions prove that Buldak Ramen is not just a passing trend. It has become a global product with deep roots and large-scale production.
From a “fire chicken” dish in Korea, Buldak Ramyun has grown into a global symbol of Korean spicy food. With huge sales and lasting popularity, Buldak noodles are now a key part of spicy food trends, proving the brand’s global power.
From Mukbang to Viral Fame – Buldak and the YouTube Challenge
The big moment that helped Buldak Ramen become known worldwide was the power of the internet. In 2014, the YouTube channel Korean Englishman posted a “Fire Noodle Challenge” video. It quickly became a huge hit with over 100 million views. This turned Buldak Ramyun from a Korean spicy noodle into a global trend.
The word mukbang definition comes from Korean, meaning “eating broadcast.” It refers to creators filming themselves eating large amounts of food, often with fun or extreme reactions.
What’s great is that this trend took off without any normal ads. After the first video, many YouTubers from the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia also did the challenge. This started a chain reaction of Buldak mukbang. YouTube became the main stage for the trend, turning Buldak Ramen into a famous spicy challenge.
From there, the Buldak mukbang trend spread to TikTok and Instagram. In just a few years, it had over 50 million related posts. Videos of funny or teary reactions turned Buldak noodles into part of global culture. It became a way for people to connect through the fun of a challenge.
The brand’s popularity has not gone down. It has made many people ask again:
Why is Buldak so popular?
Samyang showed how to turn viral moments into lasting connections, as seen with the story of a girl in Texas. The company sent a pink truck full of noodles to her, proving that a viral moment is just the start. What makes a brand different is how it turns that moment into a long-term brand experience.
Global Mapping: Buldak’s Place in Spicy Food Trends
The trend of eating spicy food is growing around the world, especially in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. Studies show that 95% of people enjoy some level of spice. Also, 3 out of 5 people say they eat spicier food now than they did a year ago. This is more than a simple liking; it has become a clear buying habit.
Because of this, Buldak Ramyun has become a symbol of Korean spicy food culture. As Buldak became a global icon, searches for phrases like “Buldak Ramen” and “what does Buldak mean” also rose, showing that people care about the culture behind the food.
When we ask “why is Buldak so popular,” the answer is not just the spice. It’s a mix of three things: finding joy in the spicy pain, the spirit of a challenge, and trust in the brand. This appeal is also reflected in search data. In July alone, searches for Buldak Ramen and Buldak noodles increased by millions.
All of this shows that Buldak Ramen is not just part of spicy food trends. It has become a cultural symbol with a special flavor that builds strong connections with fans. This is the true reason for its lasting popularity.
Brand Expansion and Market Response – Beyond Buldak
At first, Buldak Ramen was simply a way for people to try Korean spicy food. But Samyang has taken the brand much further. Buldak is no longer just ramen. It has grown into a full line of spicy Korean products:
Buldak Ramyun, Buldak Sauce, Buldak Snacks, Buldak Tteokbokki, and Buldak Dumplings. This variety has turned Buldak from a single product into a complete K-spicy food brand.
Now, Buldak Ramen has become a global trend with many layers of experience. Its spicy flavor is not only in noodles. It now appears in snacks, fast food, and sauces you can use every day.
This is how the brand moved from being a “viral product” to a “cultural brand” with long-lasting reach.
Why Is Buldak So Popular? – Final Thoughts
From a spicy Korean noodle, Buldak Ramen grew into a global icon of spicy food trends. This journey started with Buldak mukbang and the YouTube Challenge.
It then moved into the mainstream with strong support from fans around the world. The search numbers and positive feedback prove that Buldak noodles are not just a product. They are a brand experience and a cultural movement.
🔥 “From Mukbang to Mainstream” — Buldak Ramyun is now the global standard for spicy food.
👉 Experience Buldak noodles yourself at Buldak.com
📲 Share your own story on social media with hashtags #BuldakRamen #SpicyFoodTrend
