From the Fire Noodle Challenge to PEPPO: 14 Years of Buldak
In 2026, Buldak opened a new chapter with PEPPO, its new character. With red feathers and a signature flame-shaped tuft, PEPPO brings Buldak’s bold, playful energy to life in a whole new way. 🐤🔥
Since Original Buldak Ramen’s debuted in 2012, Buldak has connected with fans around the world through the #FireNoodleChallenge and expanded the experience across flavors and formats, including Carbonara and Buldak Sauce. Today, fans can explore ramen flavors such as Swicy, Taco, Habanero Lime, and Truffle, along with Mac & Cheese, Tteokbokki, Dumplings, Wide Glass Noodles, and more.
Over the past 14 years, Buldak has expanded far beyond a single level of heat. From flavors and Buldak Spicy Levels to new formats and now PEPPO, Buldak keeps creating more ways for fans to find their own burn. Here is a look back at how Buldak has evolved over 14 years and where the brand is today.
3 Key Takeaways
A new brand icon, PEPPO: Born from spice, the red chick PEPPO brings Buldak’s bold and playful energy to life in a new way.
More ways to choose with Buldak Spicy Level: From Swicy at Level 1 and Carbonara at Level 2 to Truffle at Level 3, Original at Level 4, and 2X Spicy at Level 5, fans can choose the burn that fits their taste.
14 years of global growth: In May 2026, Buldak surpassed 10 billion cumulative units sold and has grown into a global brand enjoyed in more than 100 countries.
Meet PEPPO, the New Face of Buldak
PEPPO is Buldak’s new character. With red feathers, a flame-shaped tuft, and a fearless personality that expresses energy in a style all its own, PEPPO captures the playful, bold brand experience Buldak is known for.
PEPPO: A Chick Born from Spice
PEPPO is a red chick with the story of being “a chick born from spice.” That spice-born energy connects naturally with Buldak’s identity and gives the brand a new character who brings an unexpected spark to everyday moments.
PEPPO’s red body and flame-shaped tuft make the character instantly recognizable. By turning Buldak’s signature “burn” into a character, PEPPO helps bring the brand to life not only through products, but also through content and digital experiences. 🌶️🔥
| Item | PEPPO |
|---|---|
| Origin | A red chick born from spice |
| Signature traits | Red feathers, a flame-shaped tuft, and bold, playful energy |
| Brand experience | PEPPO WORLD, Buldak.com content, and new brand visuals |
From Digital Content to Packaging, PEPPO’s World Keeps Growing
In 2026, PEPPO is stepping into the spotlight as the new face of Buldak across digital content and brand visuals. New packaging and visuals featuring PEPPO are rolling out over time, so the package art fans see in stores may vary by product and retailer timing.
The first thing that stands out on the new packaging is PEPPO. Package art may vary by product and retailer timing, so for the most current imagery at the time of purchase, check the latest product pages on Buldak.com and current retailer listings.
A New Brand Experience Continues in PEPPO WORLD
PEPPO’s world goes beyond the package. In PEPPO WORLD, fans can explore the character profile, collect cards, draw, and enjoy GIFs and wallpapers. Available on both desktop and mobile without a separate sign-up, it expands PEPPO and Buldak into a digital space fans around the world can experience for themselves.
From the Fire Noodle Challenge to Today’s Expanding Buldak World
If PEPPO shows where Buldak is today, the past 14 years of product evolution show how many different ways the brand has expanded the “burn.” Fans can now choose across flavor, Buldak Spicy Level, and product format.
2012: Original Buldak Ramen, Where It All Began
Launched in April 2012, Original Buldak Ramen is where the Buldak story began. The signature experience—boiling the noodles, draining the water, then stir-frying them with sauce—paired with a spicy, savory flavor that has remained a defining part of Buldak ever since.
Then #FireNoodleChallenge spread rapidly online, inviting fans around the world to taste, challenge, and share Buldak for themselves. Buldak continued to grow beyond ramen into an icon of spicy food culture built around enjoying and sharing the experience together.
From 2018: Carbonara and Sauce Open Up More Ways to Enjoy Buldak
In 2018, Carbonara and Buldak Sauce expanded the ways fans could enjoy Buldak. From a creamy flavor profile to sauces that can be added directly to favorite foods, the signature Buldak taste began reaching far beyond a single bowl of ramen.
Today, the Buldak Ramen lineup includes flavors such as Swicy, Carbonara, Cream Carbonara, Rose, Cheese, Quattro Cheese, Taco, Truffle, Original, Habanero Lime, Yakisoba, and 2X Spicy. Buldak Spicy Level also makes it easy to choose by heat level—for example, Swicy at Level 1, Carbonara at Level 2, Truffle at Level 3, Original at Level 4, and 2X Spicy at Level 5.
Beyond Ramen: More Ways to Enjoy Buldak
Today, Buldak is available in a wide range of formats, including Pouch Noodles, Cup Noodles, Sauces, and Snacks. The ramen lineup also continues to grow beyond Original and Carbonara with flavors such as Swicy, Taco, Habanero Lime, Yakisoba, Rose, and Truffle.
Beyond ramen, Buldak flavors continue into new formats. Carbonara and Sweet Corn Mac & Cheese, Original Tteokbokki, Original and Carbonara Dumplings, and Rose Wide Glass Noodles bring the signature Buldak taste into more meals and snack occasions. New flavors such as Truffle Ramen continue to add even more ways to enjoy the brand.
Product availability and package art may vary by launch timing and retailer. For the latest lineup and the Buldak Spicy Level listed for each product, check the current product pages on Buldak.com.
The Buldak Experience That Has Stayed at the Core for 14 Years
Buldak has continued to expand through new flavors, formats, and now PEPPO, while the core brand experience has stayed true to the same bold direction.
The signature stir-fried method: Boiling the noodles, draining the water, and finishing them by stir-frying with sauce has been a defining Buldak experience since Original launched in 2012.
Find your burn with Buldak Spicy Level: Buldak Spicy Level offers an intuitive way to compare heat across products. From Level 1 through Level 5, fans can choose a burn that fits their taste and mood.
Expanding across flavors and formats: From Original to Carbonara, Swicy, and Truffle, the flavor world keeps growing. From Ramen to Sauce, Mac & Cheese, Tteokbokki, and Dumplings, the formats keep growing too—while Buldak’s bold, playful energy stays consistent.
14 Years of Buldak by the Numbers
By the end of May 2026, cumulative global sales across the Buldak brand lineup surpassed 10 billion units. Exports that began with three countries in 2012 had expanded to more than 100 countries by 2026, with about 2 billion units sold annually in overseas markets alone. What began with one bowl has grown into a global Buldak experience shared by fans around the world.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Buldak development begins, inspired by spicy food in Myeongdong, Seoul |
| 2012 | Original Buldak Ramen launches, followed by early exports to markets including Japan, Germany, and New Zealand |
| 2015 | #FireNoodleChallenge spreads online and expands Buldak’s global fandom |
| 2018 | Carbonara and Buldak Sauce launch, expanding Buldak across flavor and format |
| 2021 | Cumulative sales of Buldak Original surpass 3 billion units |
| 2025 | Buldak Sauce package redesign launches |
| May 2026 | Cumulative Buldak brand sales surpass 10 billion units |
| June 2026 | PEPPO and PEPPO WORLD are introduced |
| 2026 | The flavor portfolio expands with products such as Swicy and Truffle, alongside new brand experiences featuring PEPPO |
Buldak 14-Year FAQ
Q. Who is PEPPO?
A. PEPPO is Buldak’s new character—a red chick born from spice. With red feathers, a flame-shaped tuft, and a bold, playful personality, PEPPO brings Buldak’s energetic brand mood to life.
Q. Can I find the new PEPPO packaging?
A. Yes. New packaging and brand visuals featuring PEPPO are rolling out over time. Package art may vary by product and retailer timing, so check the latest product imagery on Buldak.com.
Q. How do I choose a Buldak heat level?
A. Check the Buldak Spicy Level. For example, Swicy is Level 1, Carbonara is Level 2, Truffle is Level 3, Original is Level 4, and 2X Spicy is Level 5, making it easy to choose the level that works for you.
Meet Today’s Buldak with PEPPO
From Original in 2012 to #FireNoodleChallenge, Carbonara and Sauce, and now PEPPO in 2026, Buldak has spent 14 years expanding flavors, formats, and brand experiences so fans can enjoy the burn in their own way.
From Swicy at Level 1 and Truffle at Level 3 to Original at Level 4 and 2X Spicy at Level 5, explore Buldak.com to find the Buldak Spicy Level that fits you—and enjoy today’s Buldak with PEPPO. 🔥
Related Reads
• Say Hello to PEPPO: Buldak’s New Mascot and the Launch of PEPPO World
• Buldak Hit 10 Billion Packs: What That Number Means
• Buldak Ramen Flavors Explained: Original, Carbonara & More
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