Why Lee Min-jung Never Finishes Her Ramen — She Finally Explained It on Her ‘MJ’ YouTube Channel
Actress Lee Min-jung recently got candid on her YouTube channel Lee Min-jung MJ about something surprisingly relatable: she loves ramen, but she’s never once finished an entire bowl. And the reason behind it reveals a lot about her long-held eating philosophy — and her deep, unwavering love of meat. Let’s take a closer look at how one of Korea’s most beloved actresses stays in incredible shape in her mid-40s while still eating exactly what she wants.
She Loves Ramen — So Why Can’t She Finish a Bowl?
Make no mistake: Lee Min-jung is a genuine ramen enthusiast. She has her own go-to recipes — Shin Ramyun loaded with cheese and a soft egg, Neoguri stirred together with rehydrated seaweed, and her signature “healthy” bibim ramen upgraded with cabbage and other vegetables to cut down on sodium. This woman knows her noodles. So why can’t she ever clean her bowl?
The answer isn’t about portion control or dieting. It’s about meat. Lee Min-jung has openly admitted that midway through a bowl of ramen, a familiar craving kicks in — she’d rather have a piece of perfectly cooked meat than keep slurping carb-heavy broth. She actively saves room in her stomach for protein, and finishing the ramen would mean no space left for what she really wants. It’s a deliberate, honest trade-off — and honestly, it’s kind of genius.
Her Love of Meat Follows Her Everywhere — Even Into the Kitchen
Anyone who’s watched her YouTube channel knows that Lee Min-jung’s relationship with meat goes far beyond a casual preference. One of her most-talked-about cooking moments is her homemade kimchi jjim (braised kimchi). She uses pork neck, seasons it with black pepper and minced garlic to eliminate any gamey smell, then layers onions, kimchi, and meat before letting everything simmer low and slow. The result? Her production crew declared it better than the famous kimchi jjim restaurant nearby.
Lee Min-jung’s reaction was priceless — she tasted it, lit up with a “Wow, this is actually incredible,” and then caught herself before adding, “I should probably save a little for my husband (Lee Byung-hun)… not that I was planning to.” The audience loved it.
Interestingly, her husband Lee Byung-hun is known for being pretty strict about what their kids eat — he’s not a fan of fried foods or junk food for the children. But Lee Min-jung? She doesn’t compromise when it comes to her own meat cravings. She’s even shared a story about sneaking ramen late at night after their son Junhu had fallen asleep. Which brings up another reason she often can’t finish her bowl: when she eats in front of the kids, she inevitably ends up sharing, and the ramen disappears before she’s halfway done.
Even Abroad, She Can’t Leave Korean Food — or Meat — Behind
In a video released on June 16th, Lee Min-jung was shown stocking up on food at home before a trip to Italy. She revealed that whenever she travels overseas for work or leisure, cup noodles and kimchi fried rice are non-negotiables in her suitcase — she recreates Korean meals on the road, no matter where she is. “I can never finish ramen,” she admitted, “but I feel lost without it.”
That one line says a lot. For Lee Min-jung, ramen isn’t just food — it’s comfort. It’s a psychological anchor. And that honesty is exactly why her channel resonates so deeply with viewers. This isn’t the carefully curated “celebrity diet” content people expect. It’s real life: eating what you love, strategically leaving room for what you love even more, and packing instant noodles for a trip to Italy just in case.
Where Is the ‘MJ’ Channel Now?
When Lee Min-jung MJ launched in March 2025, its very first video hit one million views within 24 hours — a spectacular debut by any measure. Since then, the channel has grown into a home for hundreds of thousands of loyal subscribers drawn to its mix of home cooking, candid family moments with Lee Byung-hun, parenting stories about their son and daughter, and genuinely fun lifestyle content.
What sets the channel apart is Lee Min-jung’s reputation as a “queen of engagement” — she replies to comments personally and frequently, making followers feel like they’re watching a friend, not a celebrity. The content range is also expanding: from her gal-style makeup transformation to her Italian travel diary and a cooking collab with renowned Napoli Matfia chef Kwon Sungjun, there’s always something new to watch.
In the end, the reason Lee Min-jung never finishes her ramen is beautifully simple and deeply human: she likes meat more. And that kind of refreshing honesty is exactly why Lee Min-jung MJ keeps winning hearts — one unfinished bowl at a time.
Sources
- “Seaweed in Neoguri, egg in Shin Ramyun” — Lee Min-jung reveals her ramen recipes — Newsis
- Lee Min-jung (♥ Lee Byung-hun): “Cup noodles and kimchi fried rice are essential when traveling abroad” — Newsen
- Lee Min-jung tastes kimchi jjim and says “I should save some for my husband” — Nate News
- Lee Byung-hun is apparently a super-strict dad — Lee Min-jung admits she sneaks ramen when their son’s asleep — Asia Artist Awards
- Lee Min-jung’s first YouTube video hits 1 million views in one day — Korea Economic Daily
