Ramen noodles are versatile, easy to cook, and inexpensive. It’s no wonder Ramen has worldwide popularity.
But if you plan to have noodles daily, you might want to up your game by getting a Korean noodle pot. These nifty appliances are great for getting the perfectly chewy noodles you want. They’re also great for other dishes, as well.
I like the AHIER noodle cooker because it’s easy to use and produces consistent results. But there might be other considerations, such as accessories. This article breaks down all the pros and cons of several options to help you make the best decision.
Which Korean noodle pot is right for you? Keep reading to learn more.
Contents
About Korean Ramen Pots
History of the Korean Ramen Cooking Pot
When we talk about Korean ramen noodles, it’s important to distinguish between ramen and ramyun or ramyeon. When Koreans talk about Ramen noodles, they are referring to Japanese ramen.
Ramyun, on the other hand, refers to the pre-packaged instant noodles. Even though there is a distinction, for the sake of simplicity, we’ll use the terms interchangeably.
Japan developed instant noodles in the late 1950s. Japanese ramen was an inexpensive, revolutionary food that became wildly popular. But instant noodles didn’t reach Korea until 1963.
In the early 1960s, many Koreans were experiencing extreme poverty in the aftermath of the Korean war. Hunger was a real and rampant problem.
To help solve this problem, a company called Samyang introduced instant noodles to Korea. They sold them for 10 won to make them affordable for the masses. That’s equivalent to 1 penny.
Ramen played an essential role in overcoming the country’s food shortages, and it’s still a staple food for Koreans today. In fact, Ramen and Ramyun noodles occupy a large niche of Korean culinary culture.
And what did people in Korea use to prepare this inexpensive meal? You guessed it, a “yellow” Korean ramen noodle pot. These traditional pots were made of aluminum, which was readily available. The aluminum had a nickel-silver coating that would turn the pot a yellow-brassy color.
Today, a Korean noodle pot can be made from a variety of materials, but there is certainly a real nostalgic value to those yellow aluminum cooking pots.
What to Look for in a Korean Ramen Noodle Pot
Searching for the best Korean noodle pot? There are some key features to look for when making your decision.
Material
First, you want a pot made from quality materials. Aluminum is still very popular because of its high thermal conductivity and fast heating. Aluminum pots are also lightweight and portable.
Some people do worry about aluminum because it can leach into food. It’s also reactive with acidic food. However, studies have shown the amount of leaching is minimal and not enough to be harmful. And since ramen noodles are not highly acidic, you needn’t worry about reactivity.
Steel pots are better for long-term use due to their durability and even heating. But stainless steel is more expensive and slower to heat. They’re also heavier pots.
For the best results, I recommend looking for a Korean noodle pot made with a high-quality aluminum alloy.
Size & Capacity
The standard diameter for a Korean noodles pot is 6.3 inches (16 cm). This will cook enough food for one person. While single-serving pots might sound impractical, they cook ramen so quickly, you can easily cook multiple servings in a short amount of time.
Still, if you have a large family or frequently make noodles for a crowd, you might want a larger capacity Korean pot.
Electric or Manual
Electric pots are specifically designed to cook the noodles to perfection. These cookers are best for inexperienced cooks or those who want the ultimate convenience.
However, old-school manual cookers are just as effective at cooking noodles. They’re also more versatile, easier to maintain, and won’t break down or suddenly quit working.
In my opinion, a manual cooker is the best long-term solution. It’s easy to use, and you’ll get great results. All the Korean noodle pots on our list are manual.
Accessories
Many manufacturers will include accessories like tongs, a spoon, chopsticks, ladles, or more. This makes it even easier to cook all types of dishes in addition to cooking ramen. Some of the products on our list have different accessories bundled together.
How to Cook Ramen
Ramen is a quick, simple dish, but it does require a little finesse to get the best results.
Generally, the noodles need to be submerged in water and require 3-5 minutes to cook. For thinner noodles, you might be able to reach the desired doneness in 2-3 minutes. The goal is to get a tender, yet chewy texture.
The precision required to cook perfect noodles requires superb heat control. That’s one reason aluminum pots are popular. They are highly responsive to heat changes, so you can quickly cool down the dish once your noodles have reached perfection.
Watch this video by a couple from South Korea on 9 ways to cook Ramyun noodles:
Korean Ramen Pot Reviews
AHIER Korean Ramen Pot: Best Overall
This AHIER Ramen Pot has an inner diameter of 6.3 inches (16 cm), the perfect size for a single serving of instant noodles, ramyun, kimchi jjigae, or instant curry.
This cooker is made from high-quality aluminum. It has high thermal conductivity for fast heating and cooling. The thin and light construction makes this AHIER ramen pot portable and stackable.
You can use this Korean pot on gas, electric, or ceramic stovetops. It is not induction compatible, however. You can even use this pot on an open flame, making it ideal for camping.
The manufacturer advertises this ramen pot as oven-safe, but the description does not list a maximum temperature. I wouldn’t recommend putting these pots in an oven hotter than 400°F (204°C) without confirmation from the manufacturer.
The double handle design features rivets for a sturdy and comfortable grip. The lid is vented to release pressure and prevent the pot from overflowing.
It may be obvious, but this product is not microwave-safe. Just like you wouldn’t put aluminum foil in the microwave, you should never put an aluminum pot in the microwave.
And even though the manufacturer advertises it as dishwasher-safe, customers had a different experience. They all agreed this pot did not hold up in the dishwasher.
That being said, most users were happy with their AHIER ramen pot. They liked how fast this ramen pot could cook food. They also said it was quite easy to wash by hand. Several did warn that the handles get hot, so you’ll want to use a potholder while cooking.
This Korean ramen pot comes with a lid, spoon, and chopsticks. Some users said the utensils were a little small, but others liked having them included with the noodle pot.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Heats quickly
- Easy to wash by hand
- Oven-safe
- Includes spoon and chopsticks
- Affordable
Cons
- Doesn’t hold up in dishwasher
- Prone to warping
- Small size
Korean Noodle Pot/Hot Shin Ramyun Pot: Best Bargain Pick
This traditional hot pot has an inner diameter of 6.3 inches (16 cm). That’s large enough to cook a single serving of soup, vegetables, or instant ramen.
This pot for ramen is made from aluminum, so you’ll spend less time heating than with other materials. Even though it isn’t dishwasher-safe, cleanup is still a breeze.
Users were pleased with the cooking performance of this pot. They liked how fast it cooked ramen, spicy soup, and more.
The double handles make this Korean noodle pot easy to transport. But be careful! The handles can get extremely hot while cooking ramen.
Several customers did say they were missing the knob handle for the lid. It comes unattached, so you have to screw it into the lid. A quick and simple task, for sure, if you have all the pieces.
Others had issues with denting and/or warping. Some said the pots arrived dented, while others had problems after use.
As with any aluminum product, it’s best to use low or medium heat on the stovetop. High heat is a surefire way to warp aluminum.
Pros
- Fast heating
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
- Handles get hot
- Reports of dents, warping
SERENITA Korean Noodle Cooker: Best for Lunches
With a diameter of 16.3 inches (16 cm), this SERENITA Korean noodle cooker can make enough food for 1-2 people. It’s perfect for cooking ramen, pasta, soup, stew, eggs, and more.
This SERENITA cooker features a thin and lightweight design and aluminum construction. The finish changes from silver to gold.
The pot can get boiling liquid within just 2 minutes of direct heating. And with riveted double handles, this cooker is easy to carry.
Speaking of carrying, this SERENITA pot for ramen includes an insulated carry bag. So it’s perfect for lunch at work or on the go.
You can use this ramen pot on electric ceramic stoves and gas stoves. It can also handle an open flame, but it’s not compatible with induction cooktops.
The handles do get hot while cooking, so you’ll want oven mitts handy. The lid is not vented, so make sure not to overfill this aluminum pot.
Customers loved how fast this SERENITA Korean pot cooked ramen, vegetables, soup, and more. They liked the performance and the ease of hand washing.
But this pot is NOT dishwasher-safe. Several people put their pots in the dishwasher, only for the gold finish to come off. Hand wash this cooker and you shouldn’t have any problems.
Pros
- Excellent heat responsiveness
- Double handle design
- Includes insulated carry bag
- Easy to clean
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
- Handles get hot
DAEWON Rapid Noodle Cooker: Best for Gifts
From DAEWON comes this 6.3-inch (16 cm) diameter rapid noodle cooker. But this Korean cookware can handle more dishes than just cooking noodles. It’s great for boiled eggs, spicy soup, glass noodles, porridge, and more.
This DAEWON cooker includes stainless chopsticks and tin bowls for serving makgeolli, a Korean rice liquor. What’s more? You can use the same pot as serving ware, turning the lid into a shallow bowl for your ramen noodles.
This thin aluminum pot is lightweight and rust-proof. It is not dishwasher-safe, but customers found this pot easy to clean.
User reviews said this noodle cooker boiled water quickly. They liked using this for making ramen, eggs, and more. There were the usual complaints about hot handles and the color coming off in the dishwasher. But overall? The user reviews were very positive.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Includes chopsticks
- Can eat food from lid
- Affordable
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
- Handles get hot
Daewon Korean Ramen Noodle Pot: Best for Cleaning
Another Ramen cooking pot from DAEWON, this version also has an inner diameter of 6.3 inches (16 cm). It’s the ideal size for cooking one standard pack of instant ramen. This cooker is made in Korea.
It features lightweight plated aluminum for fast boiling and cooling. This pot comes with a set of chopsticks and a dish scrubber. The cute dish cleaner is crocheted and brightly colored. Several users especially liked this accessory.
This pot is easy to use and easy to clean, but it is not safe for the dishwasher or coarse sponges. You can use this cooker on any electric, ceramic, or gas stovetop, but you can’t use it with an induction cooktop.
This DAEWON cooker is easy to clean, but it will not hold up in the dishwasher. Multiple user reviews confirmed this. As usual, some had issues with the gold coating wearing off.
Customers were happy with how this ramen pot cooked food. They were able to make dishes ranging from noodles and Japanese ramen to marinara sauce. Some people did complain their pots were dented upon arrival, however.
As with the other Korean cookers, be sure to use potholders or oven mitts when handling. Those handles can get hot!
Pros
- Fast heating & cooling
- Good for single servings
- Includes chopsticks and dish scrubber
- Affordable
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
- Complaints of denting
Korean Ramen Noodles Pot Set: Best Splurge
This Korean noodle pot is 6.3 inches across (16 cm) and is the perfect size for one package of Korean or Japanese Ramen. It comes with a lid, spoon, chopsticks, and other accessories.
This pot features aluminum construction for quick heating and cooling. You can boil water in a matter of minutes with this Korean noodle cooker.
It has a double handle design for sturdiness. And when those handles inevitably get hot, there is a silicone pinch-grip finger protector for easy and safe lifting. There is also a bamboo mat to place under the pot after cooking.
When it comes time to clean your noodle pot, it’s as simple as, well, cooking noodles. Just hand wash using the brightly-colored scrubbing pad that comes with the pot.
Customers were pleased with the rapid cook times. They liked the accessories that came with this pot. Some did complain that the scrubbing pad and the bamboo mat started to smell after a while.
There were also some reports of dented pots, and a couple of users had problems with a hole in the bottom of the noodle cooker.
Even so, the majority of customers were quite happy with their Korean noodle pots.
Pros
- Includes several accessories
- Quick heating and cooling
- Easy to use
Cons
- Slightly more expensive
- Complaints of holes/dents
Crazy Korean Cooking Stone Bowl: Best Ceramic Noodle Pot
This ceramic bowl and hot pot is the only option on our list made from a material other than aluminum. This is a large pot in comparison to the others, with a maximum volume of 5 cups or 40 fluid ounces (1182 mL). It’s especially designed for dolsot bibimbap, a Korean rice dish served in a hot stone bowl.
But this ceramic bowl is also great for noodle soups, stews, rice, risotto, baked pasta, chili, and more. It’s made in Korea and features high-quality clay fired twice with a natural glaze. And since ceramic is non-reactive, you can cook acidic food without worry.
Ceramic is slower to heat than aluminum, so this bowl will take longer to cook food. But the upside is that ceramic has excellent heat retention, so your food will stay hot for a long time.
This dolsot pot is suitable for gas or electric stovetops, ovens, or an open flame. It’s also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, although the manufacturer does recommend hand washing.
This bowl comes with a plastic trivet for easy serving. Some users had problems with the bowl making marks or melting the plastic trivet, while others didn’t have any issues.
Pros
- Versatile, not just for noodles
- Non-reactive ceramic body
- Excellent heat retention
- Dishwasher-safe
- Oven and microwave-safe
Cons
- Slightly more expensive
- Takes longer to heat
Final Verdict: What’s the Best Korean Noodle Pot?
If you want the best Korean noodle pot, I would go with the AHIER Ramen Pot. It has solid performance and good reviews. It has the most essential accessories while being affordable and efficient.
Rest assured, however, that whichever of these ramen pots you choose, you’ll be able to cook delicious noodles quickly and to your liking.
Interested in other Korean cookware? Check out my Korean Rice Cooker guide.