Category: Nissin

The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

The Ramen Rater's Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

Quite a few years ago, July 8th, 2013 to be precise, I came out with my first The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time. I got the idea from a guy who worked at one of the world’s leading instant noodle companies. He asked ‘you have top tens, why not a bottom ten?’ I weighed the idea carefully. I could really piss off a great deal of people with my list. But what the hell – I do that already with my top tens – people are always disagreeing, and that’s fine. Ten years later, it’s time for my tenth installment of The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles list. These are the worst (in my personal opinion) varieties I’ve ever had – mind you this is out of 4,400 reviews. Definitely not a list anyone wants to be on. What companies like I’m sure is when a product falls off the list and a new one gains my ire. This time it’s a horror show theme, done up with AI. Well, let’s check them all out – and remember, if you like some of these, that’s fine with me – just don’t expect me to eat them with you. ...see full post

#4525: Nissin Top Ramen Soy Sauce Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup – United States

#4525: Nissin Top Ramen Soy Sauce Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup - United States

Back in mid 2018, I reviewed this right after their ‘new recipe’ change for review #2910. Around that time, it seemed that US manufacturers decided to change the product names of economy pillow packs that were initially known as ‘Oriental’ flavor to Soy Sauce. The term ‘Oriental’ has come under fire in recent years, hence the change. What does Oriental mean? Basically it derives from Latin, meaning ‘of the east’ – the opposite being Occidental being ‘of the west.’ From what I’ve gathered from running the Ramen Junkie facebook group for a while as this has come up from time to time is that many things and businesses will use the term; ‘insert city name here’ Oriental Market for example, however it isn’t a term to be used for people, at least that’s what I found. I read an L.A. Times article about this very subject that I thought was very interesting – you can read it here. One particular quote from the author I found fascinating was ‘A funny thing I noticed is that my Caucasian colleagues, not my Asian colleagues, are most eager to remove Oriental from public discourse.’ ...see full post

#4500: Nissin Miojo Lamen Doce Sabor Beijinho – Brazil

#4500: Nissin Miojo Lamen Doce Sabor Beijinho - Brazil

A long time coming, this one. A reader named Cian sent me this one (thanks again!) as well as a few other Brazilian varieties. He sent the chocolate version of this which was a real score – but this one led me down a research rabbit hole, but yesterday I caught the rabbit. Beijinho is a Brazilian treat – see those little balls in the bowl? Beijinho is basically condensed milk and powdered sugar mixed with unsweetened coconut, chilled, made into balls, and then rolled in more unsweetended coconut and topped with a clove. Problem is the cloves alone were kind of spendy and all the coconut you find here is sweetened. It seemed that making it myself would be a little tricky as well as expensive. I asked in local groups and people mentioned Kitanda, a Brazilian cafe/bakery/mini store in Kirkland, Washington. First time we went, no dice – they only had the chocolate ones. The second time, however – they had what I was looking for, but sans clove and that’s what I’ll be using for garnish. So, let’s do up this 4500th review! ...see full post

#4498: Nissin Miojo Turma Do Chico Bento Sabor Caldinho De Feijao – Brazil

#4498: Nissin Miojo Turma Do Chico Bento Sabor Caldinho De Feijao - Brazil

Pretty stoked – found this locally in Kirkland (no, not Costco, but the city of which is where Costco started, actually) at a coffee shop/store called Kitanda. What’s kind of a bummer though is that caldinho de feijao is a creamy black bean soup and what it appears is a standard garnish is nothing I have in my kitchen. Hmm… Well, I’ll make do with what I’ve got . ...see full post

#4492: Nissin Miojo Turma Da Monica Sabor Galinha Suave – Brazil

#4492: Nissin Miojo Turma Da Monica Sabor Galinha Suave - Brazil

I’m very happy to say that I found this one locally! Brazilian instant noodles only a town over! So, I’m trying to find something specific to go with review #4500 – abd the only place I can get it is a coffee joint called Kitanda. Really great place with coffee and acai smoothies and a baklery and a small grocery selection – all Brazilian. They’ve got instant noodles! What I’m looking for is something called Beijinho – so that’s a giveaway for what it’s going to be. Anyways, let’s do up this one which is flavor of young hen. ...see full post

#4471: Nissin U.F.O. Korean Hot Chicken Flavour – Singapore

#4471: Nissin U.F.O. Korean Hot Chicken Flavour - Singapore

This is definitely a challenge to the popular spicy Korean varieties that are so popular right now. I’m really curious if it will also bring a Singaporean savoriness. Logically, this will be formulated to appeal to Singaporeans; like how we have American Chinese cuisine here, perhaps there’s a Singaporean Korean cuisine there? I don’t know but I think I’ll find out shortly! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Japanese Instant Noodles Of All time 2023 Edition

The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Japanese Instant Noodles Of All time 2023 Edition

I get asked to do different top ten lists often – ones for people with dietetic restrictions, one for specific types of noodles, etc. The return of the Japan list should satisfy those who have wanted it to return. The problem with the Japan list is that Japanese varieties  often come and go very quickly like the seasons; they are to be enjoyed and then remembered. Hopefully you’ll be able to find most of these, but if not it is because of this reason. This list is comprised of my ten favorite varieties from Japan out of my reviews up to number 4,400. If you’re in Japan and have varieties you think I should try or are a manufacturer there, please contact me. With that, here is The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Japanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Nissin Cup Noodles Breakfast

A couple years ago, Nissin Foods USA came out with something called Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice. Honestly, I really enjoyed it and made many different recipes out of it, stretching it to the limit. This time, it’s a breakfast variety. I couldn’t find it, but luckily Stumpy from North Little Rock, AR, James from Lakeside, CA and Nissin Foods sent me cups which I truly appreciate. Here, I will go into meticulous detail about the product, and create five different things with it. With that, here’s The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Nissin Cup Noodles Breakfast. ...see full post

Nissin Singapore Sends Limited Edition Creamy Tom Yam!

Nissin Singapore Sends Limited Edition Creamy Tom Yam!

The folks at Nissin Singapore keep sending me these wonderful boxes in the mail – they usually are about a brand new product (well, they always are) and they have such interesting things inside. It seems my postal carrier doesn’t like to deliver them though. They’ll say it need a signature, leave a slip, I’ll sign it, leave it for them, and either they won’t do anything with the slip or not even fill out the info so I can have it redelivered. They’re really a pain. However, their incompetence led to some fun in this one – check out the video and you’ll see and of course a neat limited edition Cup Noodles variety from Singapore! ...see full post

#4447: Nissin U.F.O. Osaka Takoyaki Flavour Yakisoba – Singapore

#4447: Nissin U.F.O. Osaka Takoyaki Flavour Yakisoba - Singapore

Takoyaki is a little octopus ball – here’s what Wikipedia had to say –

Takoyaki (たこ焼き or 蛸焼) is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special molded pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus (tako), tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger (beni shoga), and green onion (negi).[1][2] The balls are brushed with takoyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce) and mayonnaise, and then sprinkled with green laver (aonori) and shavings of dried bonito (katsuobushi). ...see full post

#4440: Nissin Cup Noodles Breakfast Ramen Noodles In Sauce – United States

#4440: Nissin Cup Noodles Breakfast Ramen Noodles In Sauce - United States

Well, I got one. More coming. There will be a definitive guide. That being said, it’s spring break and the kids are home with me. I’ve been walking ten miles a day for the past 44 days. I think I broke them; I did almost 7 with them today in two walks. I think they had fun, but they look pretty tired. Only four more days of it, kids! Anyways, I went crazy on the Nissin Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice Ramen Noodles In Sauce a couple years back; did a whole definitive guide and even a poster heralding it’s existance, with a graphic combination of that cup, a 2001: A Space Odyssey (it was review 4001) as well as references to Dune which had just come out. Now it’s time for a Cup Noodles Breakfast meltdown. Let’s give it a try. ...see full post

#4416: Nissin Talharim Sabor Frango – Brazil

#4416: Nissin Talharim Sabor Frango - Brazil

Big thanks toa reader named Cian for shooting these over from his trip to Brazil! I dunno, but South American instant noodles make me exceedingly happy. These are sabor frango – chicken flavor. I’m guessing that’s about all they will be, but they’re from Brazil! I don’t get Brazilian varieties incredibly often and when I do they’re really fascinating to me. Instant noodles are quite popular down that way. Well, let’s give them a try! ...see full post

#4410: Nissin Lamen Doce Sabor Chocolate – Brazil

#4410: Nissin Lamen Doce Sabor Chocolate - Brazil

After over 4400 reviews, finally. It’s happened. A chocolate instant noodle. To make things even more wonderful, it’s from Brazil. Thank to Cian for sending this along – yeah this has been a dream of mine for quite a while. Dessert ramen is a very fascinating thing to me. I’m guessing if you’re reading this, you’re somewhat fascinated as well. So let’s give it a try. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

The Ramen Rater's Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

This one usually comes out earlier than now, but it’s been rather busy. There’s a couple more lists coming, so stay tuned. These are my favorite varieties I’ve samples thus far. This list is current as of my 4,300th review. Hopefully there will be more great new varieties to try during the next year to add to the list. If you’re a company with some varieties I’ve not tried, please by all means drop me a line! With that, I present The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition. ...see full post

#4282: Nissin U.F.O. Truffle Carbonara Flavour Yakisoba – Singapore

#4421: Nissin U.F.O. Truffle Carbonara Flavour Yakisoba - Singapore

This is pretty cool – it only arrived a day or so ago and it’s only around for a short time I believe, so I’m rushing it out. I definitely like carbonara. Truffles are interesting from what I’ve experienced of them. I used to visit a restaurant every once in a while called Perche No in Seattle – an Italian restaurant whose head chef was Malaysian! Anyways, he made all sorts of fascinating fusions. Was at a special dinner there once and he brought out a big container of truffles and let us check them out. Truffles are hard to describe; kind of like the finest old book smell but edible. It’s really different and compelling. Well, this yakisoba has aromatics of truffle which is very interesting to me. Big thank you goes out to Nissin Singapore for contacting me about these and sending some! Let’s get to it. ...see full post