#823: Meet The Manufacturer: Paldo Kokomen Spicy Chicken Flavor

Finally after a long wait, Kkokkomyun has come to the United States as Kokomen! This is the instant that brought about the whole ‘white broth’ craze in Korea. Here’s an excerpt from my interview with Paldo:

TRR> After a very long wait, Kokomen has just been released in the United States. Could you tell us about Kokomen and how it came into existence and what makes it special?

PALDO> Usually New Ramen comes out from existing similar types. For instance, Jjajang, Jjambbong, Yuk-gye-jang, Cold Noodle, Kissmyon, Nagasaki Jjambbong Etc. But, Kokomen is very unique and prototype of all recipes. Kokomen was introduced through a Cooking Contest and food critics and people were amazed by the taste of it. Paldo took this recipe and developed to a total brand new product to our consumers.

I reviewed the Korean version in the past and now, here’s the US version. I should also mention is nabbed 8th place in my Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time recently!

Here’s the back of the package.

The big noodle block.

The seasoning packet.

Lots of tasty powder!

The veggie packet.

Lots of veggie here – a definite plus!

Finished. Added some over baked chicken I made with Jane’s Krazy Mixed Up Salt.  The noodles are plump and plentiful – they have a very nice texture. The broth is awesome – has a strong jalapeno flavor as well as a great chicken taste. The veggies are of a nice quantity and are really quite tasty! These components come together to create an original and extremely tasty noodle soup which I am happy to again give 5.0 out of 5.0 stars – excellent! I recommend it. UPC bar code 648436100682 – get the Korean version here.

The Kkokkomyun commercial – with Lee Kyung-Kyu!

Here’s Lee Kyung-Kyu – I think this might be an interview about Kkokkomyun.

Meet The Manufacturer: Paldo Interview

I’m very happy to announce that today begins Meet The Manufacturer Week: Paldo~ There will be many reviews and information about this great South Korean company. Here, we shall start with the interview. Enjoy!

THE RAMEN RATER> Thank you very much for agreeing to do this interview! Could we start off with some information about Paldo; when was Paldo founded, where and by who?

PALDO> Paldo was the Brand name of Korea Yakult Company in 1969. End of last year in 2011, it was separated from a brand name to a complete food manufacture company with our CEO, Choi, Jae-moon. We are still same company but, we are different in the management part.

TRR> For those of my readers who are not familiar with your line of products, could you tell us a little about them?

PALDO> Our Products are consisted of three big categories. 1.Noodles, 2.Beverages, 3.Retort processed products.
For Noodles, we have Bibim-men, Hwa Ramen, Kokomen Packet and Bowl noodles. Also, have Doshirak, and King Noodles.
For Beverages, we have Aloe Vera Drinks, Shikhye(Rice Drink), Soojeonggwa(Cinnamon Drink), Coffee, Pororo(Kid’s Drink).
For Retort Processed Products, we have Soy Bean Broth, Cold Noodle, and other Snacks.

TRR> How did you come to the ‘Fun & Yum’ motto? What’s it all about?

PALDO> Fun & Yum is changing this world happier with different color of the taste. It contains our challenge and philosophy. Also, ”Yum” pronunciation in Korean also represents the sound of delicious eating sound.

TRR> After a very long wait, Kokomen has just been released in the United States. Could you tell us about Kokomen and how it came into existence and what makes it special?

PALDO> Usually New Ramen comes out from existing similar types. For instance, Jjajang, Jjambbong, Yuk-gye-jang, Cold Noodle, Kissmyon, Nagasaki Jjambbong Etc. But, Kokomen is very unique and prototype of all recipes. Kokomen was introduced through a Cooking Contest and food critics and people were amazed by the taste of it. Paldo took this recipe and developed to a total brand new product to our consumers.

TRR> When did you decide to the the United States, and why in California?

PALDO> Paldo’s America’s office was established October of 2010. California located at the major ports in the west coast. For Paldo’s Products to come-in, From this location, we will expand to Mid-west and east coast in near future.

TRR> What does the name ‘Paldo’ mean?

PALDO> The word “Pal” means number 8 in Korean and “Do” means Province. If North Korea and South Korea combines together, there are 8 Provinces. Our philosophy is that we as Korean wishes to be united in someday. Even though Korea has separated into North and South after the Korean war, people from 8 provinces are still in Paldo. As unique people work in Paldo, also provide unique and the best quality products nationwide and furthermore internationally. The logo of Paldo represents our customer’s excited moments of our products expectations and pleasures as our customers open our products. Paldo creates remarkable tastes through our times to our customers’ satisfaction. Our logo’s red color represents “passion of our quality” and the color green represents “nature and health”. In addition, “Pal-Do” could mean, “Friends(Pal), let’s become Friends”

TRR> Is Paldo involved in the local community around you?

PALDO> We are yet involved in the local communities, but we are planning on a significant contribution in near future. From last year, we started a little support to a charity foundation near New York.

TRR> How many packs, cups and bowls of instant noodles do you make in a year?

PALDO> We produced 343,773,000 in sales counts in the year 2011. In the year of 2012, we expect more than 446,905,000 in sales. Our prediction is about 130% sales growth compare to the last year.

TRR> Are there any new products that will be coming out soon that you could tell us about?

PALDO> We are planning to introduce “Kokomen Jumbo Cup and Small Cup”, Namja Ramen(Pack/King/Small), Rabbokki, Milk Tea, Energy Drink, and Snacks etc.

TRR> A lot of people wonder about the health factors (sodium, etc) when it comes to instant noodles. How do you recommend people made instant noodles a healthy part of their diet?

PALDO> Usually our consumers adds vegetables, eggs, and meats or takes out little portion of our soup-mix to control the sodium level. Paldo recommends adding mushrooms, bean sprouts, or corns. Mushroom will add rich taste, bean sprouts gives fresh tastes. For your diet, you can cook half portion of the noodle or DO NOT take the soup all the way down.

TRR> I noticed on the Dosirac, the packets have writing in cyrillic – not something I commonly see. Can you tell us why?

PALDO> The Dosirac in Cyrillic writing is the most popular product in Russia. Dosirac Ranks Market share #1 Product in Russia, so you can say that we are the TOP 1st.

TRR> Do you make/sell products other than instant noodles?

PALDO> As previously mentioned, we have beverages, Retort processed products, and snacks etc.

TRR> What was your first product?

PALDO> 3 Noodles were introduced in September 1983. 1. Sooeh-gogi(Beef) 2. Chlorella, 3. Sesame Flavor

TRR> I hear Paldo pronounced with an ‘i’ instead of an ‘l’ in Korean commercials – is this the correct way to
say the company name?

PALDO>I think the pronunciation “L” in Korean differs from English Pronunciation that makes little different and it sound a bit like “paido” for you. But, it is really Pal-Do with” L”

TRR> How does the process in which you make your noodles differ from other brands?

PALDO> 4 Major Korean Noodle making company’s Facilities and processes may be very similar to each other. If we were to bring out what Paldo is really different from others is that we have tried more to come out with better products. For instance, we came up with liquid soup mix NOT dry, we built facilities to make Retort processed products, we spent more time to develop our products and these make a major different from others. As a result, for the first time in the history, we have applied this liquid mix to Bibim men, and Jjajangmen’s Retort processed technology would be our valuable outcome from our longtime effort.

TRR> When you make instant noodles for yoursself, do you add anything or have any recommendations?

PALDO> In Korea, there is a very special soup that increase energy, boost metabolism, promote fitness, made out with Chicken, Ginseng, jujube, sticky rice, and Whole Garlics in a pot. We call this “Sam-Gye-Tang”. As a special recommendation, you can start with our soup mix, a strip of ginseng, some jujube, and garlics. Boil these for about 20 min (recommend to put a little more water than recommended) and put your noodle and cook this with your toppings if you like. This recommendation will be the most Healthier and wellbeing Ramen Cooking for you.
We do not have any other recommendations than this, but if we really have to recommend, we recommend the instructions in the back of our noodle packs. Especially, adding water portion could make a big difference. Cooking equipment and time also makes difference, but when you cook our new product, we recommend not adding anything because we want you to taste our original taste provided.

THE RAMEN RATER> Thank you very much for this opportunity to learn more about Paldo!

Here are links to the posts during Meet The Manufacturer: Paldo week

Interview * Promotional Gifts & Samples * Paldo Jang Ramyun Soy Flavor Noodle * Paldo Speed King Bowl (Prototype) * Paldo Kokomen Spicy Chicken Flavor * Paldo Cucumber Bibim Men * Paldo Shouyu Ramen * Paldo Gomtang Oriental Style Noodles With Soup Base * Paldo Chicken Flavor Korean Noodle * Paldo Namja Ramyun (Men’s Ramyun) * Paldo King Cup Kimchi Pot Stew Instant Noodle * Paldo Rabokki * Paldo Teumsae Ramyun * Paldo Seafood Noodle Soup * Paldo Seolleongtangmyeon * Paldo Hwa Ramyun With Soy Peptide * Paldo Jjajangmen Chajang Noodle * Paldo Bibim Men Oriental Style Noodle

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time

A couple of days ago, I received an email from a man who was angry. He was angry that the instant noodles he bought said that they were spicy Chicken flavor but weren’t spicy whatsoever and that I needed to change the seasonings ASAP. Every once in a while, I get a comment or email from someone who thinks that I make instant noodles or am affiliated with an instant noodle company. I decided to reply and do a review of the product he had problems with, adding some hot spices, sauces and peppers from around the world to really heat it up. It then occurred to me that a lot of people really like spicy instant noodles and that there’s really no list of the hottest ones out there. I figured I’d better do something about that, and so here’s the Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time!

#10: Koka Instant Non-Fried Noodles Spicy Black Pepper Flavour – Singapore
If you like black pepper, you’ll want to try this. It has a nice peppery sauce that has a rich and deep black pepper flavor that doesn’t quit. The garnish of dried veggies are an added bonus. Original review


#9: Wei Lih Good Good Eat Super Ramen Hot Chili Flavor – Taiwan
Has decent noodles and a deep red broth that exclaims ‘beware of fire!’ The broth also has an oily texture and sweet notes that make it quite unique in its fire. Original review

#8: Paldo (Korea Yakult) Kko Kko Myun – South Korea
The result of a comedian on a competition TV show in South Korea, Kko Kko Myun has been a huge craze. The flavor is a jalapeno chicken – and the jalapeno is nice and strong. Has a real good bite to it. Original review

#7: FoodMon DJ-DOC Jjolmyeon – South Korea
DJ-Doc is a hip-hop group in South Korea and they must be pretty happy to have their faces on this stuff. In this bowl, you have noodles, large pieces which are rice cake and a red sauce which has a wonderful heat and flavor. It all ties together to be like a hot and spicy lasagna ala South Korea. Wonderful stuff! Original review

#6: JML Instant Noodle Artificial Spicy Hot Beef Flavour – China
A very spicy Chinese noodle soup. Notice its not spicy beef, it’s spicy hot beef! Has decent veggies and a serious punch! Original review

#5: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Noodle Soup – USA
Yep – they make this is the USA now. A standard of the spicy noodle world! Hot and tasty with lots of thick noodles. Original review

#4: Namchow Mee Jang Noodle Soup Sour Spicy Chicken (Tom Yum) – Thailand
The packaging looks pretty tame but this stuff is anything but. The broth is enough to blow your head off – wow! Original review

#3: Nongshim Jinjja Jinjja (Really Really) Ramyun – South Korea
This is hot and unique. Based on pork broth and has some niceties like black sesame seeds and peanut powder. Has a strong heat but it’s got some really great taste to it – this is awesome stuff! Original review

#2: Indomie Curly Noodle With Chicken & Chilli Paddi – Indonesia
Sweet mother – this is intense! That little pepper (also known as a Bird’s Eye pepper) was enough to burn my lips, mouth and gut for a good long time! Heavy duty! I should also mention there’s a place that sells spicy noodles in Jakarta that has 75 to 100 of these peppers mixed in – Imagination fails me as to the scorching pain! Original review

#1: Paldo Teumsae Instant Noodles With Soup – South Korea
Hands down, bar non, this is the hottest stuff I’ve had. In over 800 varieties I’ve tried, this is the very hottest. From the first slurp to the end of the bowl, my mouth was on fire. If you are a big fan of all that is spicy, this is what you are looking for. Original review