We try the new KFC Samyang Buldak Carbonara collaboration, launching April 8

Missed KFC’s previous collaboration with Samyang Buldak noodles? You’re in for a treat, as KFC is back with yet another Samyang collaboration, featuring its signature fiery noodles, though this time it’s with Samyang’s Buldak Carbonara flavour instead of the regular Buldak one.

For those who might not be too sure about what the difference is, the Samyang Buldak Carbonara noodles, as its name suggests, comes creamier and cheesier than the original Buldak noodles, and is a tad less spicy, but still packs a punch.

Available from April 8 to May 19, this collaboration introduces four new menu items — the Samyang Buldak Carbonara Double Down, Samyang Buldak Carbonara chicken, Samyang Buldak carbonara loaded fries, and strawberry cream cheese mochi. 

What’s new in the KFC x Samyang Buldak Carbonara collab?

Similar to its past Samyang collaboration, this edition features a Double Down burger, spicy chicken, and a jazzed-up box of loaded fries. 

The star is undoubtedly the Samyang Buldak Carbonara Double Down (S$8.70), a spicy and creamy twist on the beloved KFC menu staple, the Double Down, which uses Zinger fillets in lieu of burger buns. 

This limited time Double Down features Samyang Buldak Carbonara noodles sandwiched between two crispy Zinger fillets, just like before, but with a new addition of parmesan cheese and a slice of smoked applewood chicken ham. 

More creaminess, more protein, with a more approachable spicy sauce — what’s not to love? 

Digging into the Double Down, we found it a lot tastier than what we imagined it would be, especially with the Buldak Carbonara noodles adding a spicy kick to KFC’s regular Zinger fillets.

The smoked applewood chicken ham — which we suppose is a riff on the usual guanciale you get in a carbonara — is thick and substantial, with a smoky, savoury-sweet edge that helps rein in the richness and heat of the Buldak Carbonara sauce.

While I found myself panting from the spice (given that I usually have my Buldak noodles with a mere quarter of the sauce packet), my spice-loving dining companion was exhilarated at how good the spicy kick was.

If her reaction is anything to go by, I’m sure those who relish a good burn will find joy indulging in this burger. 

If you want to enjoy the Buldak Carbonara flavour with just regular KFC chicken, sans the additional noodle carbs, the Samyang Buldak Carbonara chicken (available only in a meal, from S$10.95) is the one for you. 

It is essentially KFC’s Hot & Crispy chicken, served with Samyang Buldak Carbonara sauce and a side of Korean pickled radish cubes — which is very much like the quintessential Korean fried chicken experience! Except that you can get it in a smaller portion and more cheaply than you would at a regular Korean restaurant.

We’re fans of the Hot & Crispy, which is already a good level of spicy, but dousing in it the accompanying Buldak Carbonara sauce really brings the KFC classic to the next level.

The Buldak Carbonara sauce gave the chicken an intriguingly addictive flavour, which enticed me to continue dipping my chicken into the sauce, even as I struggle through the spice.   

The pickled radish, which is a new addition by KFC to this Samyang collaboration, helped quell the heat, cleansed our palate, and most importantly helped to cut through the oily richness.  

Doing that gave us more stomach space for tackling the next new item: The fries, because what’s a fast food meal without some fries, right? 

If all of that spice and sauciness wasn’t enough, there’s also the all-new Samyang Buldak Carbonara loaded fries (S$5.95), which is a (sorta) take on KFC’s well-loved cheese fries  upgraded with a drizzle of the fiery Samyang Buldak Carbonara sauce. 

KFC has gone all-in on the loaded aspect of this item, layering its already-cheesy buldak carbonara sauce over cheese sauce–drenched fries (sans the usual mayonnaise).

However, while we felt that the sauce elevated the Double Down burger and Hot & Crispy chicken, it doesn’t quite land the same way here.

You’re essentially getting regular cheese fries, just with an additional spicy kick. Still, if you’re the type who loves dunking your fries in chilli sauce, this amped-up version might just hit the spot.

Feeling the heat? Cool off with the all-new strawberry cream cheese mochi (S$3.80 for two pieces), featuring cream cheese with a sweet strawberry filling, encased within a pink mochi.

The mochi offers a refreshing reprieve from the spice-laden Buldak Carbonara items, with a light cream cheese filling that keeps things from getting too cloying, while balancing the strawberry filling’s sweetness.

All items, except for the Samyang Buldak Carbonara chicken, are available a la carte or in meals.

If you’re grabbing more to join you on this fiery pursuit, you’ll want to opt for the Samyang Buldak Carbonara buddy combo which features one Samyang Buldak Double Down, two pieces of Samyang Carbonara Buldak chicken, six pieces of Hot & Crispy chicken bites, two regular pickled radish, and two drinks. 

There’s also the Samyang Buldak Carbonara family feast, which feeds twice the amount of people and features more chicken and more sides. 

Both the buddy combo and the family feast are only available on delivery platforms such as GrabFood and KFC’s own delivery channel.

But if you’re looking to get more in stores, then you can get its one-person box meals, which go for S$13.80, with the option to choose between the Samyang Buldak Carbonara Double Down or the Samyang Buldak Carbonara Chicken, with a variety of sides, additional chicken pieces, and a drink.

Exclusive photobooth with photo opportunities!

To commemorate the return of KFC’s collaboration with Samyang and its flavours, KFC has teamed up with photobooth vendor Dollop Studios for an in-store photobooth experience. 

If you’re visiting the KFC Kallang outlet near the National Stadium, or Dollop’s photobooth concept, the Dollop Pit Stop at Scape from April 2 to May 3, you can snap photos and opt for themed photo strips at S$5 each.

Its KFC Buldak Carbonara-themed photobooths will come with two exclusive photo strip designs.

If you love all things Samyang Buldak, don’t miss the KFC x Samyang Buldak Carbonara collaboration running from April 8 to May 19. 

Do note that this limited-time menu is also available at all outlets, except the ones at Sentosa and Singapore Zoo.

This was a hosted tasting. 

For more ideas on what to eat, check out this affordable French restaurant in the CBD, or this My Little Pony cafe pop-up!