Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#5441: Nissin Cup Noodles Protein Rich & Savory Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup – United States

#5441: Nissin Cup Noodles Protein Rich & Savory Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup - United States

Another one I found at Safeway which wasn’t there the day before when I found that Hot Pot Fusion one I reviewed this week. I’ve got strong opinions on this one. If it is indeed rich and savory, that’s what should be concentrated on. I don’t see people looking to instant noodle cups for protein; they’re health conscious. Another point on the whole of the big ‘protein push’ is that chicken is gram for gram protein. You sauté up a small piece of chicken breast – it’s ALL protein. I’ve seen a lot of things come and go in the instant noodle world and I hate to say it, but this looks like it’ll be gone possibly before this posts. But hey – it’s a competitive market and companies have to throw a lot of products at the wall to see which ones stick. Good luck – maybe it will, but I have my doubts. ...see full post

#5440: Nissin Cup Noodles Hot Wings Buffalo With Ranch Flavor – United States

#5609: Nissin Cup Noodles Hot Wings Buffalo With Ranch Flavor - United States

This is a special limited edition – one of three that I’ll be rushing out over the next few days. So soon is the Super Bowl. American Football. What’s more, local team the Seattle Seahawks will be in it. I couldn’t care less – it gets really silly here when football is going on. We like baseball. But hey, we’ll watch it. Honestly, I’m hoping to go out during the Super Bowl – it’ll be like when we had the COVID lockdowns – I really liked those. Anyways, let’s try an instant noodle that should be a little weird. Sure with they’d do cheese burger, taco, and pizza, but so far they haven’t heard my (and the throngs of other people’s) call. On with it. ...see full post

#5439: Nissin Top Ramen Hot Pot Fusions Korean Spicy Beef – United States

#5439: Nissin Top Ramen Hot Pot Fusions Korean Spicy Beef - United States

Hey Nissin you’ve been holding out! This is a new one I found at my local Safeway supermarket of all places. There are two siblings in this range – a tonkotsu and a coconut curry – both of which I’m all over. Let’s try this one. ...see full post

#5438: Good Seoul Rapokki Original – South Korea

#5438: Good Seoul Rapokki Original - South Korea

Rapokki is a combo of rice cake and noodle and usually has a sweet and spicy sauce – this sounds like it’ll be a good one! Let’s have at it! ...see full post

#5437: Samyang Buldak Birria Spicy Ramen Spicy Chicken Artificially Flavored – United States

#5437: Samyang Buldak Birria Spicy Ramen Spicy Chicken Artificially Flavored - United States

I’m very excited about this one – so first off, it is looking like you can only get it from Albertson’s chain store like Safeway, Von’s, Jewel Osco, etc. Second, my son Miles spotted it in our local Safeway. He’s been really keen on doing mukbang lately and trying these variants. What’s a surprise is that he’s autistic and always been very particular about what he eats – never eating hot food, nothing squishy and chewy… That all changed – he’s actually eating this stuff – he even voiced interest in Cheetos mac and cheese. While not the most healthy stuff out there, he’s exploring new foods and that’s a big deal. Anyways, this is new and so I’m rushing it out. It should be noted that birria is primarily beef, goat, or sheep meat and the idea of chicken birria tends to be pretty unheard of in research I’ve done. Let’s go! There will be a cooking video below as well as a mukbang with Miles. ...see full post

#5436: Paldo Volcano Carbonara Chicken Noodle – United States

#5436: Paldo Volcano Carbonara Chicken Noodle - United States

Found this at 99 Ranch Market and really stoked. I am not a huge fan of the flavor of the ol’ Volcano Curry, and expecting great things from this one. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

A Couple Neat Varieties Sent By James From Lakeside, California

A Couple Neat Varieties Sent By James From Lakeside, California

I really should try and wrangle a count of how many boxes James has sent over the years – it’d be a lot, that’s for sure. I’ve dubbed him ‘the noodle whisperer’ as he always tends to find stuff I don’t get here and 9 out of 10 are ones I’ve never reviewed! Amazing! Let’s crack this box open and look at what’s inside! ...see full post

#5435: Vifon Hot Salted Egg Noodle – Vietnam

#5435: Vifon Hot Salted Egg Noodle - Vietnam

Another one sent by James from Lakeside, California – thanks! Very curious about this one and hot it compares to the other salted egg varieties I’ve had in the last while. Let’s cook it up and give it a try. ...see full post

A Box Of Rad Stuff From The Fat Hipster

I was recently contacted by my friend The Fat Hipster about an incoming package he was sending. You should check out his channel – he reviews a lot of really interesting stuff on there. In this one is a lot of interesting and rad stuff as well – let’s take a look at everything; some you’ll see reviewed very, very soon. ...see full post

#5434: Samyang Tangle Garlic Oil Pasta – United States

#5434: Samyang Tangle Garlic Oil Pasta - United States

This one came by way of James from Lakeside, California – thanks again! I must admit that this range seems to be pretty good stuff. Maybe this is a kind of aglio olio thing? Let’s find out. ...see full post

#5433: Maggi Spicy Garlic 2 Minute Noodles – India

#5433: Maggi Spicy Garlic 2 Minute Noodles - India

Another from James from Lakeside, California – thanks! This is a four pack and one in pretty good condition. I have a feeling this is gonna be spicy! Let’s find out. ...see full post

#5432: Vifon Seafood Tom Yum Flavour – Poland

#5432: Vifon Seafood Tom Yum Flavour - Poland

Here’s one from James of Lakeside, California – thanks! This one’s made in Vietnam for the Poland market. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#5431: Good Seoul Bulgogi Topokki – South Korea

#5431: Good Seoul Bulgogi Topokki - South Korea

Here’s another one and this has a twist – it has a noodle with it but isn’t rapokki. Let’s delve deeper… ...see full post

Prima Taste Sends LaMian Blind Box Collection From Singapore!

This is a rad box with a story. Months ago, they were kind enough to send this over. However, customs got very freaked out about a box with little stuffed figures inside it; like it was a terrifying threat to national security! Well, I found this at my doorstep yesterday and was thrilled. A bonus was that my daughter Mimi had the day off from school, so we were able to do an unboxing together. She is really into these kind of things and the closest I can relate is I’m legally blind and these are blind boxes, so I must be compatible with them. So sit back and enjoy the video! Huge thanks to everyone at Prima Taste over in Singapore for sending this over – we had a lot of fun opening them! ...see full post

#5430: Otoki Jin Ramen Spicy Noodle Soup – United States

#5430: Otoki Jin Ramen Spicy Noodle Soup - United States

Here’s another form factor of the Jin range – cups. I’ve reviewed the mild as well. Let hit the spicy! ...see full post

#5429: 3 Mien Beef Flavored Noodle Soup – United States

#5429: 3 Mien Beef Flavored Noodle Soup - United States

Another neat one from James of Lakeside, California. This is an export for the US market from Vietnam. The first one I tried was chicken and it was pretty good. In comes beef. Let’s give it a whirl. ...see full post

#5428: Good Seoul Rapokki Carbonara – South Korea

#5428: Good Seoul Rapokki Carbonara – South Korea

Time to go for another rapokki. It’s both tteokbokki and ramyun – together – with sauce. Truly a wonderful texture thing to be sure. Let’s dig in! ...see full post

#5427: K-Town Spicy Hula Ramyun – United States

#5427: K-Town Spicy Hula Ramyun - United States

Big thanks to James from Lakeside, California for this one! Never seen this before. I don’t know who makes it, however its distributed in New Jersey. Neat packaging… Let’s try it! ...see full post

#5426: Cota Snoopy Beef Flavor Instant Noodles – Taiwan

#5426: Cota Snoopy Beef Flavor Instant Noodles - Taiwan

Thanks to James from Lakeside, California for this unique variety! This appears to be made in Vietnam although I saw online that it was made in South Korea, I also used that QR code and found an infosheet from Taiwan, so that’s what I’m going with. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#5425: Good Seoul Topokki Cheese – South Korea

#5425: Good Seoul Topokki Cheese - South Korea

Previously, I tried the cheese rapokki, but here we have just the tteokbokki. I know, it isn’t ramen – however, it’s definitely something you’d find on the ramen aisle. Let’s cook it up! ...see full post

#5424: Paldo Volcano Chicken Curry Noodle – United States

#5424: Paldo Volcano Curry Chicken Noodle - United States

Found this one at a Grocery Outlet bargain market here in town over the weekend. $2.99 for a 4-pack is pretty good I figure. Last time I tried this it had different packaging – back in 2017. This one took a long time to edit as the pictures had the expiration date over the words ‘That’s Crazy Hot.’ But it came out nice. Let’s cook it up! ...see full post

#5423: Nissin Top Ramen Picante Beef Flavor – United States

#5423: Nissin Top Ramen Picante Beef Flavor - United States

A big thank you to Aimee J. for sending this one! This is the first time I’ve gotten a Nissin product for the corrections industry. This is prison ramen. The packaging is clear in order to make it difficult to hide things. I’ve never had a reason to hide things in a pack of noodles so I find that fascinating. I wonder what other flavors there are out there? Would like to review them all, so if you’ve got any, please contact me! Well, let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#5422: Simply Asia Soy Ginger Noodle Bowl – United States

#5422: Simply Asia Soy Ginger Noodle Bowl - United States

I dedicate this one to my late friend Jamie. These were the kinds of noodle things we generally poked fun at a lot. I must say though that the absence of the words inspired, authentic, and fusion seem to be missing where something like this may even have all three. Those are generally the opposite of what is found. Let’s give this one, found at Grocery Outlet Bargain Market. ...see full post

#5421: Ching’s Secret Machurian Instant Noodles – India

#5421: Ching's Secret Machurian Instant Noodles - India

Another from James of Lakeside, California – thanks again! Manchurian tyle in India in a combo of Indian and Chinese, usually fried veg and meat and noodles from what I gather. Sounds interesting – let’s cook! ...see full post

#5420: 3 Mien Chicken Flavored Noodle Soup – United States

#5420: 3 Mien Chicken Flavored Noodle Soup - United States

Here’s another one from James of Lakeside, California. This an interesting one – he sent a bunch by this brand. These are made in Vietnam for the US market and say ‘made with Korea technology.’ Curious how they are. Let’s find out. ...see full post

#5419: Good Seoul Topokki Chili Lime – South Korea

#5419: Good Seoul Topokki Chili Lime - South Korea

Say! I love tteokbokki but I’ve NEVER heard of a variety in this flavor! I’m really quite curious… One way to find out – let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#5418: MAMA Thai Connext Instant Thai Boat Noodles With Braised Pork Flavour – Thailand

#5418: MAMA Thai Connext Instant Thai Boat Noodles With Braised Pork Flavour - Thailand

Another awesome donation from James of Lakeside, California! I recently sampled the Tom Kha from this range and it was excellent. Let’s give this one a try! ...see full post

#5417: Ramen-Aid Electrolyte Soup Supplement + Immune Support – United States

#5417: Ramen-Aid Electrolyte Soup Supplement + Immune Support - United States

Okay I’m really fascinated by this. Ramen-Aid is a ramen supplement, containing vitamins and minerals. There’s this version and an energy version – with caffeine! I’m thinking the best way to review this will be to add it to a standard instant and see if it modifies the flavor. I don’t think it will. ...see full post

#5416: Little Cook Dried Instant Cup Noodle Sriracha Sauce Flavor – Thailand

#5416: Little Cook Dried Instant Cup Noodle Sriracha Sauce Flavor - Thailand

This one came by way of James from Lakeside, California – thanks again! So this is a brand I’ve not reviewed anything from in a long time so I’m pretty excited about it. Little Cook is in Thailand as well as Taiwan. As a matter of fact, I met people from Little Cook in Taiwan back in 2017! They make some great stuff and I’m very curious about this one. Let us begin! ...see full post

#5415: Samyang Cream Carbonara Buldak Spicy Ramen – United States

#5415: Samyang Cream Carbonara Buldak Spicy Ramen - United States

Just over 2 years ago, I reviewed the local Korean version of this one. Found this at HMart which was a bit of a shock; their single pack selection has been abyssmal recently… I wish we had the RT Mart that was in Taiwan I got to visit – holy crap that place had the mother of all noodle aisles – singles and multipacks of everything – both sides, long as a Costco aisle – no joke. Anyways, enough thinking about that – let’s give it a try. ...see full post

#5414: Good Seoul Rapokki Cheese – South Korea

#5414: Goods Seoul Rapokki Cheese - South Korea

So first, I did a pack like this of original topokki. Next, a carbonara cup. This is rapokki – a combo of noodle and rice cake. It’s usually a really great melding of textures. This should be awesome – let’s give it a try. ...see full post

#5413: Maggi Spicy BBQ Instant Noodles With Seasoning – India

#5413: Maggi Spicy BBQ Instant Noodles With Seasoning - India

Just opened a big box from James of Lakeside, California and this was in there – thanks, man! This is an interesting one – unsure what BBQ is like in India – maybe smoky? This is a four pack – pretty crunched up – they usually are. Let’s cook it up and give it a try! ...see full post

#5412: Otoki Tempura Udon Noodle Soup – United States

#5412: Otoki Tempura Udon Noodle Soup - United States

Here’s another Otoki variety for the United States and another packaging redesign. I don’t recall doing a tempura udon bowl before though… Yeah, no – I haven’t. Let’s give it a whirl! ...see full post

#5592: Samyang Buldak Original Spicy Ramen Artificial Spicy Chicken Flavor – United States

#5592: Samyang Buldak Original Spicy Ramen Artificial Spicy Chicken Flavor - United States

We end the year on an interesting note today! My son Miles is very interested in trying out Buldak. Now, he’s very food sensitive – he generally only like non warm, crunchy things (Cheez-Its, chips, apples) , pudding, chocolate milk, soda… It’s kind of an uphill battle introducing new things for him to try that he’ll go for, Noodles are definitely not going to be an easy go except for the fact he really wants to do Buldak. We saw this at 7-Eleven and he was all over it, so we got it. I’m going to cook it up, add nothing, and let it cool. I can’t think of any time he’s eaten anything hot temperature wise in years. He used to eat oatmeal and peanut butter with me, and he did used to eat noodles – but at a certain point he stopped. Is this the turning point? There will be a mukbang below – so watch and see. ...see full post

#5411: Good Seoul Carbonara Topokki – South Korea

#5411: Good Seoul Carbonara Topokki - South Korea

Now this one sounds good. In the last post, I complained about all the creamy and spicy varieties out there, but this is tteokbokki and it’s hard for me to get cranky about tteokbokki. Let’s hit the start button on the microwave! ...see full post

#5410: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Toomba Stir Fry (Soup) – United States

#5410: Nonfshim Shin Ramyun Toomba Stir Fry - United States

Note – I prepared this incorrectly, however in an upcoming review it is prepared correctly. ...see full post

#5409: Otoki Jin Ramen Mild – United States

#5409: Otoki Jin Ramen Mild - United States

I’m slowly finding more of the cup, bowl, and pack versions of Jin Ramen lately – tried both of the bowls, trying this pack, and got two of the cups, so just need to find the spicy pack. Honestly. I think these are among the best of Korean ramyun. The noodles have been great, flavors as well. Let’s give it a go! ...see full post

#5408: Good Seoul Topokki Original – South Korea

#5408: Good Seoul Topokki Original - South Korea

This is the first of a lot of tteokbokki varieties I’ll be reviewing from Good Seoul. This product is made in South Korea and at this point distributed in the GCC and soon Europe. That’s great – everyone need tteokbokki in their life I swear! This came out of a big box of varieties they sent from Dubai! Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#5407: Nongshim Premium Yukgaejang Spicy Beef Ramyun Noodle Soup – United States

#5407: Nongshim Premium Yukgaejang Spicy Beef Ramyun Noodle Soup - United States

Another find at GMart in Lynnwood, WA. Out of Rancho Cucamonga comes an old standard in the Korean ramyun world. I believe  the classic bowl noodle hot they made was a yukgaejang but this one seems more premium at the outset. Sounds good – let’s cook it up! ...see full post

#5406: Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein – United States

#5406: Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein - United States

Update 12/26/2025 – Now that Christmas is over, back to the standard daily posts. This was done July 7th, 2025, so that should tell you how far ahead I’ve been. I’m going to attempt to let things catch up a wee bit and work on top ten lists for you in the interim, so you should be seeing one sometime soon – I’ll come out with a post regarding them as usual before the day they post. Some regular annual lists haven’t come out as firstly, I’ve not been able to source enough varieties for a logical update and secondly, the top tens are a lot of work and honestly not always that much fun to work on – a lot of video editing and keeping from reviewing. So, since I’m nearly six months ahead, I’ll be working on them in a more mellow way instead of trying to last minute slam them out. Hope all that enjoy holidays enjoyed the previous and upcoming ones and those that don’t avoided the ridiculousness they can entail. For now, that is all. I should note my ten year old son Miles is really amped about trying Buldak. He is a very picky eater though; he won’t eat anything hot temperature wise and he doesn’t like certain textures. I can let it cool down, but I’m curious to see if he is up to the texture of it. So we shall see. I might release that for NYE. Anyways, we continue and thank you so much for your continued support of what I do! ...see full post