After watching the South Korean Oscar-winning movie Parasite — I was running to make this dish! Ramdon, also called Jjapaguri, combines the best of two worlds: cheap instant noodles and luxurious, premium beef. Chewy instant ramen noodles are coated in a savory and spicy sauce. Tender chunks of beef make it feel extra special. A 10-minute noodle dish that’s indulgent, easy, and absolutely delicious!

this recipe

What is Ramdon or Jjapaguri?

Ramdon, also called Jjapaguri (Chapaguri), is a Korean instant noodle dish that gained instant notoriety when it appeared in the Oscar-winning South Korean film Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon Ho, it won several Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Jjapaguri combines two different types of instant noodles — Chapaghetti (black bean sauce) and Neoguri (spicy seafood flavor). The combination of chewy noodles and spicy, savory black-bean sauce is so good.

In the movie Parasite, the rich mother innocently requests that Hanwoo beef be added to the Jjapaguri. By adding Hanwoo beef to cheap instant noodles, the movie highlights the extreme wealth of the rich family. Hanwoo beef is luxurious, expensive, and very upscale. Considered the Wagyu or Kobe beef of Korea, it’s eaten rarely and only at special occasions.

But this particular family is so rich, they can afford to keep Hanwoo beef in the fridge year-round. They don’t think twice to add this posh cut of meat to a bowl of instant noodles!

In North America, we don’t have access to Hanwoo beef (it’s a special South Korean beef) but any premium cut of beef will add that same indulgent flavour. I recommend a well-marbled ribeye or sirloin steak.

Jjapaguri noodles have all the ease and convenience of instant ramen noodles. And the rich indulgence of beef steak. An easy and delicious way to upgrade instant noodles.

The flavour is quite unique — savoury with a spicy kick of seafood flavour. Add all the black bean paste seasoning powder and half of the spicy seasoning packet. Chewy, saucy noodles with indulgent bites of steak — YUM!

Why does the dish go by two names?

This dish goes by two names: Ramdon and Jjapaguri (Chapaguri).

• In Korean, it’s called Jjapaguri. The actual Korean name comes from combining the names of two instant noodles: Chapagetti noodles (black bean noodles) and Neogori noodles (spicy seafood noodles). Chapaghetti + Neoguri = CHAPAGURI (or Jjapaguri).
• In English, it’s called Ramdon. Translators thought it best captured the hybrid nature of this dish. Ramen + Udon Noodles = Ramdon.

Whatever you choose to call it, it’s unbelievably delicious!

Ingredients:

• Chapagetti. Korean instant noodles flavoured with blackbean sauce (jjajangmyeon).
• Neoguri. Korean instant noodles flavored with spicy seafood flavour.
• Beef Steak. A premium cut of beef steak makes Ramdon especially delicious. Look for a well-marbled steak that’s at least 1 inch thick. I recommend AAA ribeye steak, New York strip, or sirloin steak. If you’d like an even more luxurious cut of meat, look for Wagyu or Kobe steak.

*Note: The Instant Noodle packages contain dehydrated noodles, seasoning packets, and dehydrated vegetables. The Chapagetti also comes with a tiny vegetable oil pack. You will need all of these elements, so don’t throw them away!

Instructions:

1. Cube steak. Cut an 8 oz steak into bite-size pieces or 1 1/2-inch cubes. Salt and pepper generously.
2. Sear steak. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak cubes and sear until nicely browned. Set aside.
3. Cook instant noodles + vegetable packets. Fill a medium pot with 2 inches of water (about 1.5 cups of water) and bring to a boil. Add instant noodles and dehydrated vegetable packets (from each instant noodle package) to the boiling water.
4. Drain noodles. When the noodles are al dente or 80% cooked, drain. Make sure to reserve 1/2 cup of starchy liquid.
5. Add sauce. Add drained, cooked noodles back into the pot. Sprinkle 1 instant seasoning packet of Chapagetti soup base and 1/2 instant seasoning packet of the Neoguri soup base. Add reserved starchy water to make a sauce. Cook on low heat until the sauce is glossy and thick, mixing well with tongs.
6. Add steak cubes. Add beef cubes (and juices) and oil packet from the Chapagetti. Mix well and enjoy Chapaguri or Ramdon immediately!

PRO Tips:

• Use a fine mesh strainer. When draining the water, a fine mesh strainer will keep all the vegetables from going down the drain.
• Sear steak. To get a good sear, use a cast iron pan. Also, make sure to heat it well! If the pan is too cold, the steak will steam.
• Make sure to add the steak juices. As the steak rests on the plate, juices will release. Scrape all the juices to enjoy the full beefy flavor.

Instant noodles in South Korea:

Koreans are the biggest consumers of instant noodles in the world. In fact, the average Korean consumes 76 packs of ramen per year! Fast, easy, and satisfying, instant noodles are a universally popular pantry item.

Many times, people add different items to make it more substantial. Common additions — egg, green onion, thinly sliced meat, fish balls, kimchi, or fast-cooking vegetables such as bok choy or spinach.

For Jjapaguri, the addition of beef steak makes it extra special and delicious!

More easy 15-minute Korean dishes:

• Carbonara Tteokbokki with Bacon
• Buckwheat Soba Noodles with Perilla Oil (Memil Guksu)
• Bibim Guksu (Spicy Cold Mixed Noodles)
• Tornado Egg Omelette with Ginger Fried Rice
• Korean Street Toast