Everyone! Come quick! MEP is here! What’s MEP? MEP is the newest ramyeon (Korean instant ramen) from Samyang, makers of the cult-favorite Buldak line of extra-spicy instant noodles. Excited? I tried all three new MEP flavors to find out if your excitement is warranted.
Okay, but what is MEP?
After some digging, I found out that MEP is short for Maptaeng, Samyang’s Korean-version of this line of instant noodles. Map translates to spicy and taeng relates to the firm, chewy texture of ramyeon noodles.
So, are all these new MEP noodles spicy?
Nope! MEP is more about providing you with a “kick” of flavor—and also improving your mood? Per a press release, “MEP is made for those who crave more than just spice—they want bold flavor, cozy comfort, and a little extra dopamine.” How do they accomplish this? Are there crushed up antidepressants in the seasoning packet? No. They aim to lift your mood through flavor alone.
Available at H Mart, Zion Market, Hanam Chain, and on Amazon, there are currently three flavors of MEP: Garlic & Clam, Black Pepper & Beef, and Red Pepper Chicken & Cilantro. I cooked up a bowlful of each flavor and carefully assessed the flavor of the broth and any change in mood. Here’s our official review of Samyang’s new MEP ramyeon.
Pros: This is the spiciest out of all the MEP flavors and it’s a really great spice. It’s spice with flavor rather than just spice for the sake of scorching your throat. And it definitely tastes like clam. You might not get clam at first taste, but after it sits for a bit, you definitely get clam. It’s unlike most instant ramens you’ll find in America. And, personally, I found it hard to stop eating. Also, the noodles are the squiggly kind of ramen noodles—they’re a springy pleasure to eat in each MEP flavor.
Cons: First, a quibble. There’s not a lot of garlic flavor. If you call out garlic in the name of the product, then I want to taste garlic. Second, something more serious. If you are at all sensitive to seafoodiness, you will not like this MEP flavor. My colleague Gwynedd Stuart likened the aroma to that of an aquarium, and I can see where she’s coming from. It has a bit of an algal smell. It didn’t bother me but it’s certainly not for everyone.
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
Rating:
7.5/10
Sporks
Black Pepper & Beef
MEP Black Pepper & Beef Flavor (with Beef Bone Broth)
Pros: This ramyeon tastes a lot like other beef instant ramens I’ve had in the past—just with a bit more depth. Perhaps that’s thanks to the bone broth. It has a hint of heat, which adds some complexity. And I like that they put some dried shiitake mushrooms in the mix. They elevate the soup.
Cons: The reconstituted beef bits are offensive to cows. They’re spongy and taste nothing like beef. The clam noodles didn’t need freeze dried clam bits to convince me it was clam soup. There’s no need for grey-brown bits of cow confetti.
Pros: I applaud MEP for making a chicken ramyeon that doesn’t taste like every other instant chicken ramen. It’s a touch sweeter, like roasted red pepper. While it’s not terribly interesting or groundbreaking, this is a cozy bowl of noodle soup and one I could happily slurp down.
Cons: I really could have used some heat. A bit of spice could have really played well with the peppery sweetness. Sure, I could add my own hot sauce. But that’s not the point of instant noodles. MEP’s cousins with legendarily spicy Buldak. Let’s get some more of that Buldak heat in these noodles! And, again, there’s spongy bits of chicken meat. Get ‘em outta here.
Hi! I’m the editor-in-chief of Sporked. I will never turn down a fresh-shucked oyster but I’ll also leap at whatever new product Reese’s releases and I love a Tostitos Hint of Lime, even if there is no actual lime in the ingredients.
Why you should trust me: I have been writing about food and beverages for well over a decade and am an avid at-home cook and snacker. I began my career writing about fine dining and recipes, moved into cocktails and spirits, and now I talk about groceries. If you can eat it or drink it, I’ve probably written about it.
What I buy every week: Trader Joe’s dried okra. Appleton Farms prosciutto from Aldi. Some sort of Trader Joe’s cheese (I’m into the aged gouda at the moment). Frozen waffles (usually the Eggo Cinnamon Toast Minis). Spindrift water (loving the Cosmopolitan right now).
Favorite ranking: Smoked salmon. Imagine me as Scrooge McDuck but instead of coins I’m diving into a vault of slippery smoked salmon slices. Pure joy. I also found some real steals in that taste test!
Least favorite ranking: Canned oysters. I had such high hopes for this but it quickly became a chore. The kitchen smelled like an uncleaned aquarium.
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