How Korean Noodles Became India’s Favourite Midnight Bite

Has it ever happened to you that it's 12 in the night and you are craving something spicy or flavourful? It has, right? It happens to all of us. As a foodie, every night I hit the kitchen to search for some tasty and fulfilling food. At first it used to be the leftover dinner, then Maggie, or bread and omelet, or leftover pizza. But in recent nights, I have found something more delicious, Korean noodles in India. 

Rise in Midnight Snacking

Midnight snacks have always been about convenience and comfort. Whether it is a student preparing for an exam overnight, or an office worker working late shifts, the idea of filling tummy at an odd hour is always tempting. Other than that, it is a lifestyle statement for many. 

In the past, midnight snacks would have comprised of 

• Bread and butter

• Leftover dinner

• Instant noodles

• Chips

• Milk and cookies

With the rise of globalizations, even Indian consumers are willing to explore flavours in the midnight that are beyond their regular staples. It is where Korean noodles come in.

Key Factors that Drove Curiosity

• Visual Appeal

Starting from the broth to sauces to the toppings looks delicious through the screen that tempts us to have a taste.

• Novelty

Unlike Indian instant noodles, Korean noodles come in bold flavours -  from cheese to buldak or the fire chicken.

• Cultural Connect

The rise of the k-pop, k-drama, and k-movies among the Indian has led to try out their delicious looking meals as well. 

When Korea met India’s Palate

1. The K-Wave

The wave of K-pop, K-drama, and Korean skincare, made India look towards Korea for inspiration. Scenes of actors eating a steaming bowl of ramen under warm lights has fans crave that too. The Korean fans want to share and taste the experience too. 

2. Social Media Hype

The Fire Noodle Challenge on YouTube and Instagram has gained viral popularity. Especially during late-night get-togethers, when we watch our friends sweat due the heat is actually funny.

3. Mukbang Culture

Indian audiences have started watching the Korean eating show- Mukbang. Watching the YouTubers take big bites and slurps create hunger in the tummies of viewers. The exaggerated slurps and glossy noodles are all we crave. 

What Makes Korean Noodles the Ultimate Midnight Snack?

1. Easy Preparation

The midnight hunger is unstoppable. A Korean noodle packet takes a maximum of 5 minutes to prepare making it ideal for students or late night workers. 

2. Flavourful

The bold flavours of Korean noodles makes it an all time favourite snack. That would not only cure hunger but also vanish cravings. 

3. Comfort & Indulgence

Midnight snacking is not only about sating hunger. They are about comfort. The warmth of the spicy broth and the chewy texture of the noodles feels like a hug in a bowl.

4. Versatility 

You can keep it simple or go full out with veggies, boiled egg, chicken, cheese, kimchi, or even paneer. Whatever you add, Korean noodles never disappoints. 

Pairing Midnight Snacks

Don’t know what to pair your Korean noodles with? Here’s an interesting twist- imported candies. Yes, the combination is hitting popularity because of all the right reasons:

• Balance

After a spicy noodle, a sweet taste of imported candies will help cool the palate. 

• Novelty

Just like Korean noodles, imported candies feel special as well. 

• Pop-Culture Pairing

Indulging into Korean noodles and imported candies is like pairing different pop-cultures together. 

Where to Find Korean Noodles in India?

While Korean noodles are available on multiple platforms, we don’t know which one is authentic. Elite Treats and Hamper you don’t have to worry about the originality. The Korean noodles packet available at Elite are of premium quality. Whether you are craving spicy Samyang Buldak Hot Chicken Habanero Lime or mild Samyang Cream Carbonara, you can get anything you desire at Elite. 

Conclusion 

From trend to tradition, what started as a curiosity has now become the main staple for sating midnight hunger. Whatever is the reason for you being awake in the middle of the night, a warm bowl of Korean noodles will give you a hug and a good night’s sleep.