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Eunpyeong Hanok Village, Seoul: Modern Hanok Homes Below Bukhansan

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Eunpyeong Hanok Village (은평한옥마을) is a modern hanok (traditional Korean house) village in Jingwan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. It was created after Bukchon and Seochon as a newer hanok area, and it forms a historic and cultural village together with Bukhansan National Park and Jingwansa Temple. Photo: Korea Tourism Organization (KOGL Type 1) About the Village The land here was sold to individuals on the condition that they build only hanok. Each owner built according to their own taste, so the houses differ in shape and in the color of their wood, which makes them fun to look at. Photo: Korea Tourism Organization (KOGL Type 1) Things to See and Do Hanok streets: Walk past houses that each have their own design. Walking paths and cafes: The village has walking paths, cafes and other facilities. Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum: A museum with a rooftop observation deck (admission fee: KRW 1,000). Jingwansa Temple: The temple that gave Jingwan-dong its name is close to the...
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Nongshim Shrimp Cup Noodles Review: A Mild Korean Ramen

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A familiar cup ramen in Korea

Walk into a convenience store, supermarket, or tiny neighborhood shop in Korea and you are likely to spot Nongshim’s small shrimp-flavored cup noodles. The Korean name, Saeutang (seh-oo-tahng), refers to shrimp soup. It is one of those everyday products I see almost as often as Shin Ramyun.

Nongshim shrimp cup noodles small cup with a red lid and seasoning packet

Korean convenience stores seem to have new cup noodles every time I visit. Many cost more and promise extra toppings, but I am not always convinced they taste better. To me, the appeal of instant ramen is still a quick, affordable meal.

Two red seasoning packets included with Nongshim shrimp cup noodles

Shin Ramyun is the Nongshim cup nearly everyone in Korea knows. This smaller shrimp cup is less famous, yet it quietly stays on the shelf year after year. You do not see much fuss around it; it is simply always there.

Dry instant noodles and vegetable flakes inside the shrimp ramen cup

What is inside this shrimp ramen cup?

Under the lid are a compact noodle cake, a few dried toppings, and seasoning. Do not expect the deep flavor of a restaurant seafood soup. The shrimp note is lighter than that.

Orange soup powder sprinkled over dry noodles in the shrimp ramen cup

Still, the little dried shrimp pieces make it taste different from an ordinary cup of Korean noodles. The seafood flavor is gentle rather than overpowering, which makes this an easy cup to enjoy.

Close-up of dried shrimp and green vegetable flakes from the cup noodles

I get the impression there are fewer dried shrimp flakes than there used to be. Maybe rising food costs are part of the reason.

Cooked Nongshim shrimp cup noodles with broth and vegetable toppings

Price and taste

I remember paying about ₩500–700 for this small cup at a Korean convenience store. Now it costs well over ₩1,000 where I shop. Given the portion size, it no longer feels especially cheap.

Close-up of noodles in the orange shrimp-flavored broth

Once prepared, the broth has a subtle shrimp flavor. It is not very spicy or aggressively seasoned; I find it pleasantly clean and refreshing.

Chopsticks lifting noodles from the shrimp ramen broth

Look closely at the last photo and you can see just how tiny one of the dried shrimp pieces is.

Final spoonfuls of shrimp cup noodles with a tiny dried shrimp piece

I do not eat this cup often, but I still reach for it now and then. If you are curious about Korean ramen and want a mild shrimp-flavored cup noodle, this familiar Nongshim option is an approachable place to start.

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