Two different Korean ramen collaborations today. Both were also sold in the USA and Australia, so if they sound appealing check your local stores.

Aespa is a K-Pop band that earlier this year did a promotion with the Korean company Nongshim to promote their instant ramen brand Shin Ramyun. Above is a cup ramen we purchased recently in NYC, in the ‘creamy spicy’ flavour.

It came with noodles and two packets of powder, one of which was obviously spicy. Since I’m mortally weak to spice, this was to be a KLS-only taste test.

She tried it, and her review is: “As creamy and smooth as NingNing’s voice. It was pretty good!”

NingNing (who neither myself nor KLS had heard of until a few minutes ago) is a member of Aespa and the above photo shows a double-sided photocard of her which was printed to promote this ramen collaboration.

We only purchased a single cup ramen but it turns out some four-packs of the brick version include these photocards! I’m no fan of Aespa (or this ramen) but I’m going to keep my eyes open for one of these packs next time I see it in a store…

The above is another Nongshim collaboration ramen, this time with K-Pop Demon Hunters. This is the USA version of the product, and we bought the only meatless one – ‘Superstar’ flavour – featuring the character Rumi on the packaging.

It looked like every other ramen when opened, with the exception of (only) four tiny stars that were included. The packaging suggests a deep red creamy broth but once prepared it was clear and didn’t stick to the noodles at all.

Since the packaging said it was spicy I once again chickened out and let KLS review it, and her verdict is: “It was surprisingly bland but the stars were nice and chewy!”

Once again it seems I purchased the wrong format of this product, since certain versions of the 5-pack of brick ramen come with collectible stickers! They’re small and cute and there’s forty different ones. Since they’re the perfect size for a postcard I guess I’ll be looking for these as well 🙂

If you’re wondering about the absence of chicken ramen on this blog it’s because finding new versions has become almost impossible. Do not despair, since my search never wanes and I’m confident the series will return one day!