Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#1427: Miso Ramen At Osaka Ramen In Dublin, California

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Last week, we went on our big summer vacation! We drove from Lynnwood, WA all the way to Livermore, CA – over 800 miles. Did it in 14 hours – only 3 quick stops, too! We did a bunch of neat stuff – went to the Alameda County Fair, caught a Giants game in San Francisco, and went out for ramen – and not the instant kind. Nope – this is the moment I think many of you have been wanting to see more of. It’s not going to be a common thing around here anytime soon, but I thought I’d share my experience. ...see full post

#1426: Ottogi Cheese Bokki

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I thought I’d make one for my wife today. Kit loves cheese. I mean she really loves cheese! I don’t know anyone who gets happier when cheese is mentioned! I thought this would be a perfect one for her. Cheese noodles for a cheese lover. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#1425: Hao Way Instant Penang White Curry Noodles

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It was only a matter of time that I would get to try yet another Malaysian Penang white curry variety. There are quite a few out there now! Unfortunately, most of them are only available in Malaysia, so it’s tricky to get them. If I can get enough of them, I’d like to do a top ten of those! As far as I know, there are ten varieties, but now there could be more. Win Onn makes this Penang white curry  – and they really wanted me to try it! After the first try and the noodles being destroyed by the US Department of Agriculture for having a little chicken in them, they tried again with some documentation – and the USDA saw fit to let them through! Yay! Let’s have a look at this, the third Penang white curry variety I’ve gotten my hands on. ...see full post

#1424: Sainsbury’s Curry Flavour Instant Noodles

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Here’s one that Joe B. and Sarah B. sent me from Nottingham, UK – thanks! I think I’ve only got one more they sent – been fun doing these British varieties! Curry is a really popular British flavor. I’m calling it a British flavor, because there are so many interpretations of curry; the British make curry powders and cook with them – they’re usually less spicy and exotic than something you’d find in Southeast Asia. Anyways, I thought I’d make some chicken to go along with this and use some of the curry leaf that’s growing in my wife’s garden. What’s interesting is that curry leaf isn’t used in curry! It smells like curry powder though. Should be interesting! Let’s check it out. ...see full post

#1423: Vina Acecook King Chef Seafood With Kimchi Flavour

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Here’s another one we got up in Canada earlier this year during my birthday trip! I wasn’t sure at first if I’d reviewed these; a long time ago I reviewed a series of products by Vina Acecook called King Cook. This is King Chef, so it’s different! I wasn’t sure when I was looking at them up in Canada – glad I went ahead and snagged them. The more noodles, the better. Let’s have a look! ...see full post

#1422: Nissin Pan Asian Kitchen Spicy Szechuan Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodles

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Hey here are some noodle made here in the USA! Interesting – spicy Szechuan… I’m curious how spicy it will be. I’ve had many different takes on Szechuan before – I’m hoping this one is good as usually I don’t tend to like Szechuan variants so much. Actually, I like the ones like this usually more than the ones actually made in China! Let’s see how this one comes out. ...see full post

#1421: Nongshim Korean Clay Pot Ramyun Noodle

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As with many instant noodle companies, Nongshim has plants all over the world. Usually, these factories produce flavors that are popular in the countries they are located in, as well as well known favorites. This one is a variety made in China and I found it up in Canada. It seems that many of the ones made in China are available up in Canada, although I’ve never seen them here in the USA – curious. Let’s have a look! ...see full post

#1420: Maruchan ‘I Want To Eat Ramen’ Shio Flavor

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I like the title of this one, because to be honest, I do want to eat Shio ramen today! Shio translates to salt in Japanese, but it’s not like you get a block of noodles and a packet of table salt. There are four main variants of Japanese ramen, with Shio being one of them. Here’s what wikipedia has to say about Shio: ...see full post

Friday Video: Cup Noodles + Pudding; Ramen Pudding

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Fridays are usually a slow day on the site so I thought I’d start putting up a video from YouTube on Fridays (unless of course it’s Meet The Manufacturer time!). Recently, a story came out on RocketNews24 about putting a little pudding cup in with Cup Noodles. As it turns out, this is a big new craze in Taiwan. It’s kind of like cigarettes; why would someone who had never done it before roll up leaves, set them on fire and stick them in their mouth?! Why would someone dump pudding or what is also known as cup flan in their noodles? Bizarre! These guys give it a try. ...see full post

Product Samples From Nissin Foods SG

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Got a package yesterday! These are samples from Nissin Foods Singapore!

These are two new varieties of ramen noodles – Tokyo Shoyu and Kyushu Black! Sound interesting! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2014 Edition

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Another year, another list. With a range of zero to five stars, there are some that, well… Do quite poorly. These are my least favorite varieties I’ve ever tried – and I’ve 1,419 at the time of this posting. That’s a lot of instant noodles. Here they are, in all of their non-glory, the Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2014 Edition.
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Hao Way Penang White Curry Noodle Samples From Win Onn Foods Of Malaysia

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Right after the 2014 Top Ten List was pudblished, I got contacted by a person from Win Onn Foods in Malaysia. They were keen on me trying their variety of instant Penang white curry noodles, and I liked the idea of trying more iterations of them, so I said please send some. Well, the first time they tried to send me some, I received this box. ...see full post

A Donation From A Reader

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I got this colorful package a few weeks ago from a reader. She had asked if I could identify and find an instant noodle for her. ...see full post

#1419: Vifon Ngon-Ngon Mi Tom Yum Thịt Băm Tom Yum Minced Pork Noodle

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Here’s one with an interesting name. ‘Ngon-ngon?’ What could that mean? So I plugged ‘ngon-ngon’ into Google translate and it came up with ‘delicious’. I thought it interesting that only one ‘ngon’ came up with ‘tasty.’ I thought then, well hey – what about a trifecta of ‘ngon?’ Well, ‘ngon ngon ngon’ comes up with ‘delicious delicious.’ Anyways, it sounds like these Vifon minced pork tom yum noodles should be delicious. I hope they are! Let’s have a look. ...see full post

#1418: Ottogi Ppushu Ppushu Noodle Snack Grilled Chicken Flavor

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Sweet – another noodle snack! I think we’re pretty close to an annual noodle snack top ten list soon – just trying to figure out a good time to release it… Halloween perhaps? Superbowl time? If you have an idea, shoot me a comment below! Anyways, here’s another one of Ottogi’s Ppushu Ppushu line. This is the first one I’ve seen that’s chicken flavored that I can remember from them. Let”s have a look! ...see full post

Ramen Fads: My Public Facepalm Manifesto

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I guess I have come to the point where my crankiness has pushed me beyond the edge. What’s more, I think it’s a sign of my impending doom as someone who is getting older and coming to the point of no return: the cranky rant. Strangely enough, my love for instant noodles has influenced me to put pen to paper, or in this case, fingers to keyboard. ...see full post

#1417: Sau Tao Oat Noodle Abalone Flavored

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Here’s one I got up in Canada a while back. These noodles are made with oats. A lot of different ways to make noodles – different gauges, lengths, colors – and ingredients make them all different. Oats sound like a logical way to go – wondering if anyone has ever heard of a soybean noodle ever made? Hmm… I bet someone’s made one! Anyways, let’s try these ones – abalone flavor! ...see full post

#1416: Myojo Chukazanmai Szechuan Style Miso

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Here’s an interesting one. Myojo does this premium Chukazanmai line and there are quite a few different varieties! This one has me a little worried though. I haven’t really liked Szechuan style much of anything in the past. Hopefully this will turn the tide! Let’s check it out. ...see full post

#1415: Chewy Instant Rice Vermicelli Original Flavour

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I’ll admit, I have a problem. I have a TON of noodles waiting to be reviewed. Today, I went and put them all on the floor as sorted them by expiration date. No small task, that’s for sure! It took a little while, but everything’s all sorted out and ready to go in the most efficient way I can figure. Today I’m going to review this Chewy variety from Hong Kong. I got it up in Canada a while back – let’s have a look. ...see full post

#1414: Paldo Cheese Ramyun (US Version)

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Hey look – it’s the return of the happy little cheese guy with the sign! He looks so happy that he will be eaten – after having been reduced to a powder mix! I wonder how he would look if he really knew he would be eaten? ...see full post

#1413: Chering Chang Curry La-Men

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Found this one at Uwajimaya in Bellevue. What I found particularly interesting was that it was a curry variant from Taiwan. I think I’ve only had one curry instant from Taiwan before and it was truly excellent. I thought maybe I’d try some of the new stuff my wife is growing with it! ...see full post

#1412: Chewy Non-Fried Ramen Noodles Taiwan Roast Pork Flavour

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Here”s another one from a birthday trip to Canada. This one isn’t fried and really low fat. But will it be low on flavor? It seems that many companies are now offering options for those interested in low fat instant noodles. Let’s see how this one comes out. ...see full post

#1411: A-Sha Prince Katsu Snack Noodle

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Woot – snack noodles! This is one of the last ones I got at my old apartment. Really looking forward to seeing new stuff arrive at our new place! Anyways, this is a big bag with twenty little bags inside of it. That’s a lot of snacking! Let’s check it out! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2014 Edition

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Bowls of noodles. They’re made all around the world and are a great option for those with access to boiling water and are ‘on the go.’ Some are basic and have very little imagination to them or perks, while others are really full meals that include meat and vegetables, seafood and other niceties. I’ve review 1,410 different noodle varieties and of those, many have been bowls. Here’s a list of the best, most memorable bowls I’ve come across is my adventure in tasting. ...see full post

#1410: Adabi Mi Segera Tom Yam Instant Noodles

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Here’s another one sent to me by Annie T. of MyKuali awhile back – thanks! Today I took a walk in my new neighborhood to HMart. HMart is a big Asian supermarket chain. What’s awesome is they have a little endcap in the frozen foods section devoted to fishballs, little crab claws and seafood flavor tofu pieces! I thought maybe I’d get some and try it with this tom yam. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

Samples From A-Sha Dry Noodle

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Got a package the other day – samples from A-Sha Dry Noodle! Curious as to what’s inside… ...see full post

#1409: Baixiang Noodles Spicy Artificial Beef Flavour Instant Noodles With Soup Base

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Wow so I am really happy to say that our move is done. A lot of work is an understatement, but it was well worth it! All the noodles are in their new spot and seem to be quite ahppy. This will be the first review here! I got this one earlier this year on my birthday trip to Canada. Never seen this brand before! Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#1408: Pamana Chicken Sopas Creamy Macaroni Soup

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The other day we headed south to check out Ikea. I’d never been there before – wow pretty crazy place! I even tried the meatballs – not bad. Nearby Ikea is Seafood City, a big grocery store that sells mostly Filipino stuff. I have only been there once before and found lots of great instant noodles I’d not reviewed before. Sadly, I only found one – and this is it. Actually, my wife Kit found it! Thanks, Kit! I like the name; it looks like Panama and my spellcheck is insisting is should be spelled Panama, but it’s Pamana. One thing to note – so by the time this is posted, we”ll have moved. I’m quite a few reviews ahead which is nice. No time today to do the pics of sachet contents (actually I packed my little bowls already). Let’s see what’s inside! ...see full post

#1407: Annie Chun’s Ramen House Thai Coconut Ramen

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Here”s something new from Annie Chun’s! It was sent a little while back and ended up at the bottom of my noodle hamper… I’ve been going through everything lately as we’re moving and found it! It sounds really good – very curious… Let”s see how it comes out! ...see full post

#1406: La Fonte Spaghetti with Mushroom Sauce

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Here’s another one sent by a friend in Indonesia – thank you! La Fonte is a line by Indofood, makers of Indomie. I don’t usually review boxed instants like this but this one’s really interesting. I reviewed a different one a while back and though I ought to give this one a try. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#1405: Maggi Masala Dumdaar Noodles

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My friend Matt B. and I hit up a small Indian grocery the other day and found these. I thought the name sounded interesting. I haven’t reviewed a huge amount of instant from India, which surprises me as they”re very popular there. Well, I don’t know if this is remotely correct, so if someone out there wants to correct me, feel free! I looked around on the Internet and read that Dumdaar is a variety of biryani – Hyderabadi biryani. I kept finding a film actor named Dumdaar repeatedly which didn’t help. Anyways, I found a few recipes and thought I’d try and take some bit and pieces from them to do this instant justice. So again, if you can give me any info about what Dumdaar is, please feel free to comment and I’ll eventually insert your comments here. With that, let’s have a look at this unique one from India. ...see full post

#1404: Thai Choice Instant Noodles Seafood Flavour

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Here’s another one sent by Charles – a serviceman stationed in Afghanistan – thanks! Looks like most of them will be coming back to the states soon. I thought seafood sounded good today. Let’s see what’s inside this little cup! ...see full post

#1403: Tesco Everyday Value Chicken & Mushroom Flavour Noodles

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Here’s one that Joe B. and Sarah B. sent me from Nottingham, UK – thanks! Tesco’s a big grocery store chain in England. One thing I’ve found that is a little difficult are European nutrition facts on instant noodles. It’s odd; they like to do a per 100g showing, then a per serving. The number often seem ridiculously off; a lot of the time it’s a calorie vs joule issue (yep – they use a different measure of energy over there too). Let”s see how this chicken and mushroom flavor cup goes! ...see full post

#1402: Pop Bihun Spesial Rasa Kari Ayam Pedas

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Here’s one a friend in Indonesia sent me a while back – thanks! So these are rice noodles – which are called bihun over in Indonesia. Rasa Kari ayam Pedas translates to spicy curry chicken flavor. This looks like a tasty one – let”s see how it comes out. ...see full post

#1401: Myojo Yomise No Yakisoba Shiodare Flavor With Black Pepper Mayonnaise

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I’m pretty excited – we’re moving to a new apartment soon! I’ve been going through everything, boxing stuff up. Actually, I’m currently flanked by a stack of boxes that’s getting really high – and they’re pretty heavy, too. What’s going to be insane is that we will be moving to a place on the top floor – only one flight of stairs, but it’s a decent amount of stairs. Should be quite a workout! What’s nice is that it’ll be close to a nice big Asian grocery – an HMart – so there will be easy access to everything I need to add to my noodles. Anyways, yeah – pretty big thing. I thought I’d have one I found while packing – no idea how it got to where it was as I usually keep everything in a couple big totes. Let’s check out this yakisoba – with black pepper mayonnaise! ...see full post

#1400: Pulmuone Nature Is Delicious Non-Fried Ramyun Noodle (Spicy Flavor) (New Version)

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Pulmuone is a South Korean company that makes products using their LOHAS philosophy. They really like the sustainable agriculture/green/etc thing over there. There’s a video at the end of this post that extolls their virtues. I thought I’d reviewed this one before but noticed that there were a couple minor changes in the nutrition facts as well as new packaging, so thought maybe I’d give it a try today. It’s called Nature Is Delicious, but it doesn’t say it on the packaging like the old version does, which is kind of weird. Well, actually it says it in Korean, and the only way I could figure it out was by comparing the UPC codes from the original review and this one. I’m kind of curious about how they got the name Pulmuone… Hmmm… Anyways, let’s see how low calorie instant ramyun tastes! ...see full post

#1399: Vina Acecook Oh! Ricey Phở Bò Instant Rice Noodles

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Phở is probably the most well-known dish of Vietnam. It’s also the most commonly incorrectly pronounced culinary item in the world – at least that’s my guess! It’s not pronounced like the word ‘foe,’ but f in ‘foe’ added to the o in ‘of.’ For Jersey folks, one could say it’s like the ‘fuh’ in ‘fuhgettaboutit.’ Phở is usually best when got from one of the zillions of Phở restaurants around. There”s a broth that’s cooked for hours and hours with beef, star anise, cinnamon and other spices. It’s then accompanied by different thinly sliced cuts of beef or chicken or meatballs. The Bò in Phở Bò translates to beef. You usually also get bean sprouts, sweet basil, jalapeno , and onion. Condiments can include sriracha, fish sauce and hoisin sauce. Lots of ingredients and lots of fun to eat! Let’s see how this instant version is and have a look under the hood. ...see full post

“Bite Of Dormitory” Parody Video Making Waves In China

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In China, there’s a popular program called “Bite Of China.” It’s all about cooking and cuisine. I just found out about this great video which is a parody of it called “Bite Of Dormitory,” which was made by University students and is all about instant noodles. It’s a short film and very good – you get to see a glimpse of a Chinese convenience store in China, and some pretty great footage of them making and enjoying instant noodles and the daily life of a Chinese University student. This is great stuff – definitely worth a look. It’s in Chinese of course, and would be better if you can understand Chinese, but I liked it immensely. Bravo, guys! 5.0 out of 5.0 stars! Now I wish I knew what you were putting in those noodles! If you want to see a video of the guys who made this short film getting their due respect, see here! ...see full post

#1398: Nissin Fried Noodles Specialist Tom Yam Mee Goreng Flavour

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Here’s another one that Annie T. over at MyKuali sent me – thank you very much! This looks interesting; a fusion of Tom Yam and Mee Goreng? Tom Yam is a spicy, citrus infused soup that”s very popular in Southeast Asia, Thailand in particular. Very curious about this one – let”s have a look inside. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater – Looking For Musicians!

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So I’m still looking for some more folks that might be interested in doing a short theme for The Ramen Rater to be used in my upcoming podcast show as well as when I do TV/radio/other podcasts. I can’t afford to pay anything other than my gratitude and I’ll plug you/your band a lot, exposing you to my large audience. Interested? Please contact me at hans@theramenrater.com for more info. ...see full post