When you think of Korean ramen, you probably picture fire-breathing, tear-inducing red noodles. But contrary to popular belief, Korea is full of people who cannot handle spicy food at all. We lovingly call them “Map-jjil-i” (맵찔이)—a portmanteau of Mae-un (spicy) and Jjijil-i (a nerd or weakling). It is an endearing local slang for someone with zero spice tolerance.
If a true Map-jjil-i forces themselves to eat extreme Korean spice, the pain doesn’t stop at the mouth. It haunts them the next morning in the restroom. In Korean slang, we call this fiery aftermath “Pi-ttong ssan-da” (피똥 싼다), which literally translates to “pooping blood.” It is a dramatic, hilarious way to describe the burning ring of fire you experience after eating something way out of your spice league.
(Check out the classic movie scene embedded below where a character famously yells about experiencing “Pi-ttong ssan-da”! skip to 0:40.)
Now, I know there are completely non-spicy instant noodles out there like Sari Gomtang, Twigim Udon, and Gamja-myeon (Potato Noodles). But in my book, those are a completely different genre, not “traditional ramen.” I mean, Sari Gomtang literally has “Gomtang” (traditional beef bone soup) in its name! I will cover those unique offshoots in a separate post.
You might also be thinking of Jin Ramen Mild (the blue package) that I mentioned in a previous post. But here is a crucial local secret: even Jin Ramen Mild has a slight kick if your spice tolerance is genuinely zero. If we rank the famous Shin Ramyun at a 10 on the spice scale, Jin Ramen Mild is still a 3.5.
So, to save you from the dreaded Pi-ttong experience, here are two authentic red-style Korean ramen that lower the heat and maximize the flavor.
1. Nongshim Ansungtangmyun Soonha-gun (Scoville 0)
If you cannot handle even 1% of spice, this is your ultimate savior. “Soonha-gun” translates to “Mild,” and the Scoville heat scale on this product is exactly 0.
- The 0% Spice Secret: When you boil it, the broth turns slightly red, which might trigger your PTSD. Don’t panic! That color comes from sweet paprika powder, not chili peppers. There is absolutely zero capsaicin in the broth. (Highly sensitive tastebuds might detect a tiny hint of black pepper or garlic, but that is it).
- The Flavor: It takes the classic Ansungtangmyun base—a rich, savory blend of Korean soybean paste (Doenjang) and beef—and adds chicken broth to deepen the umami. It replaces the painful heat with a comforting, savory depth.
2. Ottogi Jin Ramen “Slightly Spicy” (The Purple Package)
If Jin Ramen Mild is a 3.5 and Shin Ramyun is a 10, this brand-new product sits perfectly at a 4.5. As the name suggests, it hits the exact sweet spot between the Blue (Mild) and Red (Spicy) versions. Even the packaging is purple—a clever visual mix of red and blue.
- The Flavor: It maintains the rich, savory beef bone broth base that Jin Ramen is famous for, but carefully calibrates the heat. Instead of a stinging, stomach-burning sensation, it delivers a clean, gentle, and pleasant kick.
- Who It Is For: This is the ultimate compromise for the Map-jjil-i who feels the Blue package is slightly too boring, but finds the Red package way too intimidating.
The Korean convenience store ramen aisle is not just filled with fire-breathing monsters. If you want to taste the deep, savory broths of true Korean ramen without fearing the morning-after consequences, grab one of these two on your next late-night run!
