Hello!

This post is inspired by International Hot and Spicy Food Day, and the idea is to share the snacks we turn to when gaming gets stressful. I had never heard of this occasion until now, but apparently it falls on January 16 every year and celebrates spicy dishes and their ingredients from around the world.

Here in Korea, hot and spicy food is so much a part of everyday life that we hardly need a separate day for it. In a way, I suppose it is only natural that the occasion has not attracted much attention here.

My stomach protests almost immediately if I eat anything beyond a certain level of spiciness, so anything too ambitious is out. I stick to the milder options and only indulge occasionally. With that in mind, here are a few personal favorites for anyone whose limit, like mine, is about Shin Ramyun.

Spicy Shrimp Crackers

Shrimp Crackers have quite a history: they first went on sale all the way back in 1971 and remain popular today. Apparently, there are currently 4 flavors—original, Black, wasabi, and spicy—but I only eat the spicy version. It has a little heat, but nothing I cannot comfortably handle.

I am not particularly fond of snacks, shrimp, or even spicy flavors, yet I occasionally find myself craving these and picking up a bag. By my own standards, they are something of a mystery. While looking them up for this post, I also discovered that, as the description above explains, they contain rather more shrimp than I had expected.

These are tasty on their own, but they also work well with a dip of ketchup, mayonnaise, or another sauce. If you get the chance, I recommend trying them that way.

용사라면

Anyone who actively seeks out spicy food has probably already tried 용사라면. Those with a tolerance like mine might wonder what it is doing on a list of mildly spicy recommendations. Naturally, I mean the basic version, without the extra seasoning packet.

As the mushroom's expression on the rare chair suggests, the basic seasoning delivers only a modest amount of heat—and it is surprisingly tasty. A game collaboration product marketed so heavily around its heat rating does not exactly inspire confidence at first glance. Still, it is not just me: plenty of other reviews say the flavor is quite good, too.

Of course, the extra seasoning packet is presumably included in the price, so leaving it out might feel wasteful. But if you are sensitive to spice and use it just to get your money's worth, you are bound to spend more on medicine afterward. My advice is to let that packet go.

Kokomen

Kokomen has a rather unusual backstory for instant noodles. Comedian Lee Kyung-kyu first introduced it on a variety show, and it went on to become a commercial product that is still sold today.

It had been so long that I could not quite remember the details, but the show [Qualifications of Men] held an instant noodle contest as one of its segments. This was the recipe Lee Kyung-kyu developed himself for that contest. Apparently, it was the only entry to reach store shelves, and it caused quite a craze when it launched.

Its popularity eventually settled down from that initial peak, but considering that the show aired in 2011, I think it is fair to call it a success. It is also regarded as a pioneer of white-broth instant noodles, which is quite impressive. The fact that its creator was not even a professional food developer is worth noting, too.

Anyway, Kokomen is not something I would eat every day, but it is surprisingly moreish, with just the right peppery kick. I keep some on hand for whenever the craving strikes. If you have never tried it, I recommend giving it a go at least once.

These noodles, meanwhile, have a base that is not spicy at all, but a little chili powder gives them a pleasantly warming kick. This is another option I turn to whenever the craving strikes.

Thank you for reading!