“Why throw away the jjajang broth?” What was the ramen video that enraged Koreans?

[Financial News] They use only half the seasoning packet and fill the pot with water. For jjajang ramen, they boil the noodles and seasoning together, then throw away the broth. A video that turns familiar ramen-cooking methods on their head has been drawing attention online. It turned out to be an official promotional video for the Gumi Ramyun Festival.
On the 2nd, online communities shared a video released by the Gumi Ramyun Festival’s official YouTube channel, titled “Ramen recipes that would make Koreans absolutely furious.” Posted on the 22nd of last month, it shows a performer dressed as a chef preparing soup ramen, bibim noodles, jjajang ramen and other dishes.
The performer, who introduces themself as an Italian chef, says Korean ramen is spicy and uses only half the seasoning. They then add plenty of water and boil the ramen. After tasting it, they react as if it is not as spicy as they expected.
While preparing Nongshim Neoguri, the performer describes the kelp included with the product as “paper” that adds flavor to the broth. Saying that more eggs are better, they add several and stir them in. They fish out the kelp after it has infused the broth, as if it were not meant to be eaten.
They mix the sauce into the hot bibim noodles without rinsing them in cold water. When preparing jjajang ramen, they boil the noodles and seasoning together, then pour the broth through a strainer and discard it. The performer puts the noodles, drained of their black broth, back in the pot and stir-fries them, then eats the finished ramen with satisfaction.

People who watched the video found it absurd but funny. Comments on one community where it was shared included, “They seem to know exactly what gets under Koreans’ skin,” and “Now I understand how Italians feel.”
The video uses bizarre cooking methods to provoke viewers’ reactions before encouraging them to visit the festival. In the description, the official channel wrote, “If just watching makes you angry... come boil some yourself!” It also introduced ramen that visitors can make to suit their tastes, unusual ramen dishes and more.
The 2026 Gumi Ramyun Festival will be held from the 6th to the 8th around Gumi Station in North Gyeongsang Province. It will feature a ramen restaurant where visitors can try unusual ramen, as well as a “Soup Lab & Self-Cooking Zone” where they can experiment with seasoning combinations. Admission is free, but food purchases and some activities are paid.

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