September 18, 2019 By Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3287: Itsuki Neapolitan Spaghetti – Japan

Today, we have one that was part of Japan Crate’s Umai Crate. So Japan Crate is a subscription service which has all sorts of different options for you. pretty neat stuff from Japan! There’s a coupon code for you too – just use THERAMENRATER to get a special discount at check out.

Here’s what they had to say about this one – ‘Stir up the heat this winter and enjoy Japan’s take on Neapolitan spaghetti for lunch or dinner! This pack contains a tomato sauce that is full of yummy flavor. Even when it’s cold, it’s equally as delicious and Kumamon thinks so, too!’

Kumamon is the character on the package – he’s the spokesanimal-thing for Kumamoto prefecture in Japan. Let’s get started!

Itsuki Neapolitan Spaghetti – Japan

Detail of the package (click to enlarge). Unsure whether it contains meat – check for yourself. To prepare, heat 1 tablespoon butter or oil in a pan. Add in any meat or vegetables you wish. Add in noodles and cook funtil done. Add in sachet contents and stir fry until combines. Finally, enjoy!

A pouch of fresh noodles.

The dry seasoning base.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added barbecue pork and spring onion, fried garlic, and chili flake. All in all, things end up very tasty. The only problem is that everything is extremely dry, which isn’t how I usually find spaghetti to be. Just seemed a little on the off side. 3.25 out of 5.0 stars. JAN bar code 4901726005040.

176gX10 pieces Kumamoto ramen of Itsuki food Kumamon

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September 17, 2019 By Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3286: INA Pan Mee Perisa Sup Laksa Nyonya Melaka – Malaysia

I’m truly stoked on this one – another one found again at that Smart N Save up in Richmond, BC Canada. This is one I decided not to get last time I was in Taiwan that I saw at Carrefour because, well, it was such a big package and I had limited space. What’s great is that they’ve got quite a few varieties up there so I’ll be trying more – and they’re cheap!

The region of Malacca summons images from my youth time and time again. There used to be a TV commercial I would see almost daily for Malacca Rattan Furniture in the Vancouver, Canada area. Now, I’ve never lived in Canada, but I lived close to the border, which meant that we got lots of Canadian TV stations. I’d be watching Star Blazers, there’d be a commercial break, then this African guy in a white suit and top hat would come on and talk super cool about this furniture. It just seemed s interesting and cool. Well, in 2014 I was awestruck as I was on a ferry with my wife travelling across the Strait of Malacca. Where I grew up, ferries went between the various islands in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Not only that, Penang is an island joined to the mainland by bridge – and so was Fidalgo Island where I grew up. So far away, but so many parallels. Anyways, let’s give this laksa a try!

INA Pan Mee Perisa Sup Laksa Nyonya Melaka – Malaysia

Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Contains fish and crustaceans. To prepare, add everything to 350ml boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. Finally, stir and enjoy!

One of four packages inside the outer wraps. Watch the episode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time below to see everything opened up and used.

The noodle block.

A wet sachet of paste.

Dry soup base powder.

Dry non-dairy creamer.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added soft egg, Dodo fish balls, fried tofu, coriander, chili flake, and Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts. The noodles in this one are great. Nice chewiness and gauge for sure – really happy about them. The only issue here is that the amount of time vs the amount of water. Five minutes with 350ml cooks everything down so much that you really don’t end up with a broth but more of a sauce. This doesn’t make me unhappy by any means, but doesn’t make garnishing all that nice. But the broth/sauce/gravy is a nice curry, somewhat monotone, but pretty darn good. 3.75 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code 9555123500841.

INA Pan Mee Malacca Nyonya Laksa Soup

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September 16, 2019 By Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3285: Aji-no-men Sabor Gallina Picante – Peru

#3285: Aji-no-men Sabor Gallina Picante - Peru

I received a package with a couple of varieties of Peruvian instant noodles last week, then one with even more the next as well as a TON of Brazilian ones! I have to say, I have the nicest readers and want to thank you for your continued support in sending samples I couldn’t source otherwise!

Today, it’s Gallina Picante, which is spicy chicken. Let’s hit it up!

Aji-no-men Sabor Gallina Picante – Peru

#3285: Aji-no-men Sabor Gallina Picante - Peru

Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Contains chicken. To prepare, boil noodles in 500ml water for 3 minutes. Add in soup base. Finally, stir and enjoy!

The noodle block.

A dry sachet of soup base (watch me use this below on Instant Noodle Recipe Time).

Finished (click to enlarge). Added baked chicken with adobo, soft egg, Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts, fried garlic, and cilantro. Noodles have a nice, standard instant noodle chew to them. Broth is very much the usual salty chicken taste with a little tang and spice to the broth. 3.75 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code 7754487001670.

#3285: Aji-no-men Sabor Gallina Picante - Peru

Ajinomoto Ajipanda bottle 70g

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September 15, 2019 By Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3284: MyKuali Penang Gaeng Som Noodle – Malaysia

Here’s one of the new ones from MyKuali. I’ve enjoyed MyKuali’s stuff for years, with multiple appearances on the top tens. Here’s a new flavor – gaeng som – and a little something from Wikipedia to explain –

Kaeng som or gaeng som^[1] (Thai: แกงส้ม, pronounced [kɛ̄ːŋ sôm]) or Thai sour curry^[2] is a sour and spicy fish curry or soup with vegetables popular in central Thailand.^[3] The curry is characteristic for its sour taste, which comes from tamarind (makham). The recipe uses palm sugar (Thai: น้ำตาลปี๊บ, namtan pip) to sweeten the curry.

Following the popularization of the dish, currently the favored vegetables include cauliflower, white radish, cabbage, chinese cabbage, carrot, long beans and asparagus, as well as cha om omelet.

The versions using shrimp instead of fish are more popular; kaeng som with shrimp and cha-om omelet is now a standard dish in Thailand. Other types may include pineapple or seafood. The common point, however, is that coconut milk is not used in this sour curry.^[7]

Sounds good – let’s give it a try!

MyKuali Penang Gaeng Som Noodle – Malaysia

Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Contains fish and crustaceans. To prepare, boil noodles for 5~6 minutes and drain. Add sachet contents to 380ml boiling water and combine. Add in noodles. Finally, stir and enjoy!

The noodle block.

A wet sachet of paste (see contents on the episode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time below).

Finished (click to enlarge). Added shrimp, Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts, coriander, fried onion, and fried tofu. The noodles came out well, although a little on the softer side compared to their fried offerings. The broth has a sour and spicy bite to it somewhat like a tom yum of a different style. 4.25 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code 9555655005852.

MyKuali/Malaysia Best Brand/Red Tom Yum Goong Noodle/Piping Hot Flavor/Strong Thick Broth With Lemongrass, Shrimp Notes & A Nice Bit Of Sweetness from Food Heaven, Penang Malaysia (4 x 105g)

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September 14, 2019 By Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3283: O’taste Spicy Tteokbokki – South Korea

Found this one up in Canada at Smart N Save as well. It turns out that this brand is actually related to Nongshim. It’s produced by Taekyung Nong San, which is part of the Nongshim company as can be seen on their logo. Interesting! This is a combo of tteokbokki and noodles. Let’s check it out!

O’taste Spicy Tteokbokki – South Korea

An import sticker (click to enlarge).

Detail of the side panels (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free from the sticker, however the sticker mentions items not present; may not correctly correlate to this products so check for yourself. To prepare with microwave, Add 80ml water to the line in the cup. Add noodles, veggies, and seasoning. Microwave for 3 and a half minutes. To prepare on the stove (how I’ll be doing it) Add 160ml water to a pot and boil. Add noodles and cook for a minute and a half. Add veggies and seasoning, stir in, and cook an additional minute and a half.

Detail of the lid (click to enlarge).

An included fork!

A pouch of noodles.

Tteokbokki.

A wet sachet of sauce (see it being implemented on the episode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time below).

Finished (click to enlarge). Added spring onion, soft egg, sesame seeds, and chili flake. Wow – this one is amazing. The noodle is a glass style and works well with the sauce and tteokbokki. Tteokbokki came out splendidly. The sauce is literally full impact yummy. I don’t eat many instant varieties except for mukbang, and I’m happy to say there are two more varieties of these bowls I have to review and they will both get mukbang-ified. The flavor is a sweet, spicy one with a thick luxuriant sauce. This is absolutely excellent and it was very hard not to go caveman on this and gobble it down. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code 8809061679000.

Otaste Roasted Misugaru Multi Grain Powder, 2 Pound

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September 13, 2019 By Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3282: EDO Pack Spicy Flavour Noodle – Hong Kong

Okay so now that I’ve been doing a lot of weight loss and walking like a fiend (one might call me a White Walker – Game of Thrones reference, sorry), I’ve been running through shoes like crazy. I really like these $30 pairs I’ve been finding at Walmart up in Canada, but as you can guess, after a week there are holes in them. We went up in search for a new pair for me again (no luck grrr) and and during our time up there we hit Lansdowne Centre, a mall in Richmond. Well, there was a new store (at least I think it’s new but I don’t know how we could have missed it) that has a staggeringly wonderful noodle selection. The place is called Smart N Save and they’ve got some really neat stuff in there, including this one. Let’s check it out.

EDO Pack Spicy Flavour Noodle – Hong Kong

Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Contains fish. To prepare, add noodles and sachet contents to 450ml boiling water. Cook 3 minutes. Finally, stir and enjoy!

The noodle block.

A dual sachet – powder base on the left and oil on the right (watch the Instant Noodle Recipe Time episode below to see sachet contents).

A dry garnish sachet.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added spring onion, soft egg, chili flake, black sesame seeds, boiled pork, and Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts. The noodles are quite nice – they’re for Hong Kong, they’re non-fried, but they are manufactured in Singapore. My gut tells me these are made by KOKA S’pore. Excellent noodles, and the broth is no slouch either. It has a nice heat level and the flavor is a nice spicy with a kimchi flavor which is tart and tasty. 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code 4895058312801.

luvoluxhome Shower Curtains 3D Digital Printing Set sian Dishes Thai Food Noodles and Rice Fabric Bathroom Set with Hooks W54 x L78

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September 12, 2019 By Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3281: Samlip Hi-Myon Spicy Katsuo Udon – South Korea

#3280: Samlip Hi-Myon Spicy Katsuo Udon - South Korea

Got this a little while back up in Richmond, BC at the HMart in Aberdeen Centre. This is the spicy counterpart to the non-spicy version I reviewed about 110 reviews ago. Let’s take a look.

Samlip Hi-Myon Spicy Katsuo Udon – South Korea

#3280: Samlip Hi-Myon Spicy Katsuo Udon - South Korea

Here’s the back of the package (click to enlarge). Contains fish and shrimp. To prepare, add udon and sachet contents to 350ml boiling water and cook 2 minutes. Finally, stir and enjoy!

The udon pouch.

A dry sachet (see contents on the episode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time below).

A wet sachet.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts, spring onion, barbecued pork, chili flake, and tempura. The udon in this one is extra nice. It has a thick wide and slightly flat gauge. Broth compliments well with a sweetness and a spiciness that I thoroughly enjoyed. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code 8801068090321.

#3172: Samlip Hi-Myon Katsuo Udon - South Korea

Korean History in Maps: From Prehistory to the Twenty-First Century

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September 11, 2019 By Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3280: Mama Pat’s Seafood Gumbo Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles – United States

#3280: Mama Pat's Seafood Gumbo Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles - United States

I’ve reviewed Mama Pat’s products in the past, however there have been some changesto the packs (no more drink sachet and no vegetable sachet either) and now there are cups (which I’m reviewing for the first time). I think these are neat ranges – very unique varieties Chef Ron is bringing to market. Let’s check out this cup version!

Mama Pat’s Seafood Gumbo Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles – United States

#3280: Mama Pat's Seafood Gumbo Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles - United States

Detail of the side panels (click to enlarge). Contains seafood/crustaceans. To prepare, add sachet contents and fill to line with boiling water. Cover for 3~5 minutes. Finally, stir and enjoy!

Detail of the lid (click to enlarge).

An included fork!

The noodle block.

A dry base sachet (watch Instant Noodle Recipe Time episode below to see contents).

A dry sachet of vegetable matter.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added shrimp, barbecued pork, spring onion, chili flake, hot sauce, fried garlic, and fried onion. The noodles were disappointing to be honest – they ended up with a kind of sponginess I didn’t like and just didn’t work. Broth flavor was overwhelmed by the vegetable sachet which was mostly herb. It just seemed to be thrown together quickly and not of the quality I’m used to from this brand. 1.25 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 757170500204.

Mama Pat’s Low Sodium Ramen Noodles, Seafood Gumbo Flavor, 24 Pack

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September 10, 2019 By Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3279: Palkin The knight of Fire ribs – South Korea

#3279: Palkin The Knight Of Fire Ribs - South Korea

Someone on social media alerted me to the existence of a new spicy variety on the market. This is The Knight Of Fire Ribs. I’ve reviewed The Knight Of Ribs (in fact, that was on the 2018 Top Ten Instant Noodles OF All Time list). This is a spicy version and we shall see exactly how spicy it is. Let’s give it a try!

Palkin The Knight Of Fire Ribs – South Korea

#3279: Palkin The Knight Of Fire Ribs - South Korea

Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Contains pork. To prepare, boil noodles in 550ml water for 4 minutes. Drain, saving 5 spoons water (5 * 15ml = 75ml). Add in sachet and reserved water and return to boil on low heat for 10 seconds. Finally, stir and enjoy!

The noodle block.

A large retort pouch. See it in use on the Instant Noodle Recipe Time episode below.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added spring onion. Noodles are thick with a nice chew to them. The sauce from the retort pouch contains pork and potato and a lot of flavor. It doesn’t smell spicy to me, but once I took a bute it seemed like a bit of a dirty trick! This stuff is spicy – I think maybe habanero spicy going on. A very respectable heat, however I think the regular knight is much, much better; I just found myself wanting that flavor instead of the spicy infused one. 3.5 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code 8809402741410.

Maangchi’s Real Korean Cooking: Authentic Dishes for the Home Cook

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September 9, 2019 By Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3278: Uni-President Imperial Big Meal Beef Flavor – Taiwan

#3278: Uni-President Imperial Big Meal Beef Flavor - Taiwan

This is a big and somewhat heavy bowl from Taiwan. I’ve reviewed the version not made for export (this one usually goes to Hong Kong). What was funny about this one is that I found it up in Canada at a store in Aberdeen Centre – defintely not where this belongs. It’s full of beef and import restrictions would bar it from Canada. What a nice surprise! Let’s check out this one with Australian and New Zealand beef!

Uni-President Imperial Big Meal Beef Flavor – Taiwan

#3278: Uni-President Imperial Big Meal Beef Flavor - Taiwan

Detail of the lid (click to enlarge). Contains beef. To prepare, add in powder and liquid sachets and boiling water to fill line. Cover for 3 minutes. Add in large retort pouch. Finally, stir and enjoy!

The noodle block.

A dry sachet (watch these sachets get used on the episode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time below).

A wet sauce sachet.

A large retort pouch full of beef and sauce.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added spring onion, sesame seeds, egg, and chili flake. The noodle is thick and has a slight brittleness and chewyness at the same time. The broth is a very thick and tasty beef. Included beef is on point and the gravy it comes in really add a lot of rich flavor to the soup. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code 4710088412201.

3 Bowls – New Uni-President Chili Beef Flavor Instant Noodle 來一客杯麵川辣牛肉風味 (3碗)

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September 8, 2019 By Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3277: Marutai Kyushu Hakata Vegetarian Tonkotsu – Japan

#3277: Marutai Kyushu Hakata Vegetarian Tonkotsu - Japan

While being tonkotsu flavored (pork bone broth), it is meat free. Let’s give it a try!

Marutai Kyushu Hakata Vegetarian Tonkotsu – Japan

#3277: Marutai Kyushu Hakata Vegetarian Tonkotsu - Japan

Here’s the back of the package (click to enlarge). To prepare, boil one bundle of noodles in 4707ml water for 2 minutes. Add in one each of the sachets. Finally, stir and enjoy!

Two servings of noodle.

Two dry sachets of soup base powder (watch these get used on the episode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time below).

A pair of wet sachets.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added barbecue pork, Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts, sesame seeds, habanero togarashi, soft egg, and spring onion. The noodles are extraordinary in their niceness; they just shake hands with the broth which is rich, luxuriant and giving. This is a big sloppy bowl of hot lovin’. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. JAN bar code 4902702003111.

MARUTAI Hakata Nagahama Tonkotsu Instant Noodle Soup Ramen Non-fried For 2 servings (2pcs)

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September 7, 2019 By Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3276: Nongshim Neoguri Seafood & Spicy Ramyun – South Korea

So you might be wondering – you haven’t reviewed this popular South Korean variety before? Well, yes and no. I’ve had it quite a few times – South Korean versions as well as ones manufactured in the United States. However this particular version is made for Europe and Oceania, so a different export version. I try to hit every version of everything- especially ones people have lots of access to. This one is generally a nice spicy seafood soup – let’s check it out.

Nongshim Neoguri Seafood & Spicy Ramyun – South Korea

Here’s the back of the package (click to enlarge). Contains fish and crustaceans. To prepare, add everything to 550ml boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. Note the instructions mention dried kelp, which was not present. Finally, stir and enjoy!

The noodle block.

A dry base sachet (watch this being used on the episode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time below).

A sachet of flake.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added spring onion, shrimp, carved squid, Busan fishcake, egg yolk, sesame seeds, and pepper flake. The noodles are just about the thickest ramyun I’ve found and work just perfectly with a broth. Strong seafood flavor and great heat and hallmarks of this variety. Lots of seaweed and bits of vegetable galore. 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 031146150304.

Korean Hit Nongshim Noodles Ramen Variety 10 pack (Shin,Shin Black,Neoguri Udon,Kimchi Ramyun,Soon Veggie 2each) + (4) Mixx Snack Boxx Chopstick

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