Ramyeon

Korean 라면 (ramyeon) comes from Japanese ラーメン (rāmen), which itself came from Chinese 拉麵 (lā miàn, 'pulled noodles'). But Korean ramyeon is a distinctly different thing.

While Japanese ramen is a restaurant art form with handmade noodles in elaborate broths, Korean ramyeon is instant — packet noodles cooked in boiling water with a spicy seasoning mix. It's comfort food, not cuisine.

Samyang, Shin Ramyun, Jin Ramen — these brands are Korean icons. Students eat ramyeon from the pot. Soldiers eat it in barracks. Couples eat it as a late-night ritual.

The phrase 'Want to come up for ramyeon?' (라면 먹으러 갈래?) is Korean slang for a romantic invitation — the instant noodle has become a cultural euphemism.