Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002
Big thank you to Pher Engi for sending this one along! Ah it’s Wednesday and time to cook. Mi is noodles and gelas is like ‘glass’ as in a glass of water. It’s also like cup, so these are cup or mug noodles. Kari ayam is chicken curry!. To the stove!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop box – here’s what they had to say about it – ‘We made sure to include a lighter option among the strong flavors in this month’s box. Thanks to the refreshing topping and how long the chicken and pork rested in the soy sauce base, you get a soup that perfectly pairs with thin noodles and hits you with a crisp soy sauce flavor. A great way to start the day as it’ll fuel you for whatever’s to come!’
Another find at HMart. Found the pack versions there as well. The packs were certainly underwhelming; both insofar as flavor and heat, however the noodle was pretty good. Let’s give this one a shot.
This is the second variety I’ve found recently. The other was spicy, this one is not. If all goes well, my daughter will get to try this one for lunch – first day of ‘mid winter break’ for the kiddos today.
Here’s one that came in a now defunct subscription box. Here’s what they had to say about it – ‘The forbidden fruit, er, no, the forbidden Ramen! “Akan” is Japanese Kansai dialect for “No way!” often used with the subtext of something you shouldn’t do because it’s surprising or a little crazy. The famous Ramen shop “Tenkaippin” cleverly uses this with a wordplay on the word as it also alludes to the color red, which happens to be the color of the stock. As you can likely guess, you’re in for a spicy treat! Its base is chicken, pork and garlic, while it also comes with added spices and toppings.
Was surprised to find this where I did but there it was so I got this and the non-spicy version. Maruchan had a bit of a fanfare about this – that it was bringing back something people were clamoring for. I completely expected their often asked about tomato flavored Ramen Noodle Soup, but this ain’t that which I think really disappointed a lot of folks. Regardless, this sounds interesting so let’s give it a try.
This one comes by way of Pher Engi – thanks again! These are very small – they’re mug-sized. That’s small! Actually, I just realized that the name makes sense – mi for noodle gelas for cup. Ayam bawang means onion chicken. Let’s cook it up!
This one came by way of Pher Engi – thanks again! Ayam Bawang translated to onion chicken, a very popular and standard mi kuah (noodle soup) variety. Let’s see how this one is!
Here’s the third of the Yoko Street fresh varieties they shipped – figured I’d better cook them up quick as they’re fresh. This one sounds particularly nice! Let’s get started.
Here’s the second of the three varieties that Yoko Street sent me – thanks! This sounds quite interesting – curry! I’m a curry junkie, so I have high hopes. Let’s cook it up!
Here’s another neat one thanks to Pher Engi – thanks again! Ayam Bakar Limau means charcoal grilled chicken with lime. Pretty simple – and recently I’ve enjoyed a citrus chicken mi goreng from another brand which was quite good. Let’s see how this one goes.
Here’s one tyhat Pher Engi sent – thanks! So lime chicken mi goreng – sounds interesting! Let’s give it a try.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
I’ve tried many of the Nissin Singapore range of Cup Noodles varieties, but not this one. Seems like this is a variety that would do well here in the states – definitely one popular in the UK… Let’s give it a try!
Here’s one that was sent by Pher Engi – thanks again! I’ve tried Hot Gulai Chicken varieties in the past and been quite enthralled – here’s a little background on Gulai from Wikipedia –
Here’s the last of the varieties I found at an Indian grocery next to Chuck E. Cheese in Bellevue, Washington. The place was called Apna Bazar and it was pretty great to be honest. Anyways, let’s give it a try!
Big thank you to Pher Engi for sending this all the way from Australia! This one is interesting, and my years of reviewing instant noodles has been instrumental in giving you a little info on this one. First, the name. Mi means noodle – and gelas means glass, as in a glass of milk, etc. This is quite literally a noodle you put in a glass or mug with some water to steep. Soto ayam? Chicken soto – usually a lime and chicken affair. Let’s give it a try!
Big thanks to James from Lakeside for sending this one over! I think I’ve heard of this brand – kind of curious one here. Who’s making this? It’s made in the US it says – and lists a distributor. Private label? The cup itself is on a design that I’m not familiar with for any co-packer, so kind of weird. Noodle itself looks unfamiliar as well. Hmm. Well,, let’s delve into this chicken cup.
Ah, chicken! This is a variety ratyher interesting to me. Such a basic one – we have a counterpart in the United States, I’ve tried chicken Cup Noodles from Germany as well. It’s all over. Well, how is Singaporean chicken Cup Noodles? Let’s find out!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box. Here’s what they had to say about it – ‘If you’re familiar with the classic Chicken Ramen (チキンラーメン), the very first of all instant ramen produced by Nissin, then you’re in for quite a surprise. We know that Nissin likes to innovate, but we didn’t expect them to come out with this! Here’s their Japanese take on western cuisine, a Showa era (昭和) inspired Chicken Ramen. The Showa period (1926–1989) was one of economic growth and prosperity, during which Japan started important a lot of foreign cuisine, adapting it to their own taste. This Chicken Ramen was turned into a creamy gratin, with the flavor of charred cheese and the sweetness of roasted onions, for a creamy experience. 😋’
The last of the Turkish Indomie sent by James from Lakeside, CA – thanks again! Sounds like a simple chicken noodle – let’s find out.
Think this is the last of the varieties that Nissin Germany sent – thank you! Really will be interesting what teriyaki will translate to insofar as sweetness is concerned. Let’s find out!
This came by way of James from LAkeside, California – thanks again! So this company is based in the United States and makes foods for the Filipino folks who live here. While this isn’t an instant noodle, chances are you’ll come across it on the instant noodle aisle. Let’s cook it up !
Well, damn. I thought that this was a rapokki but I was wrong. So, time to review a bowl of tteokbokki. Not quite a noodle, but found where the noodles live. Let’s cook it up.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box. Here’s what they had to say about it – ‘An offshoot from the Nissin Famous stores series! This special cup was inspired by young Japanese people’s interest in Korean food. It stands out by actually having tiny pieces of Japanese Chili baked into the noodles themselves! But the spiciness is balanced out with cheese, ginning it a sweet n’ sour touch.’
Well, look at this! Thanks to The Fat Hipster for sending this over! It’s kind of funny – this is the first of three varieties sent and I’ve been kind of slow to get to them as they’re not instant noodles, they’re curry sauces. However, lately I’ve been making curries constantly lately. I’ve learned the way of black cardamom too. But here we have one by a company also known for their spicy instant noodle. I actually made butter chicken last night too. Let’s see how this one goes.
Hey check out the new packaging on the Vite Ramen! This is version 3.0 – I tried the cup version which was pretty cool previously, and here is the new pack 3.0. They sent a slew of new stuff – let’s check it out!
A big thank you to Pher Engi of Australia for sending this! So there are many varieties of soto, and they are regiolnally different. Herew’s a translation of some info I found on the Indonesian Wikipedia –
Well, look at this! Thanks to The Fat Hipster for sending this over! It’s kind of funny – this is the first of three varieties sent and I’ve been kind of slow to get to them as they’re not instant noodles, they’re curry sauces. However, lately I’ve been making curries constantly lately. I’ve learned the way of black cardamom too. But here we have one by a company also known for their spicy instant noodle. I actually made butter chicken last night too. Let’s see how this one goes.
Found this at a local Indian grocery yesterday and very pleased that I did. I’ve seen these around online but never in a store and they had single packs which makes things much easier! Let’s crack it open and give it a try!
This is the third one of these. They’ve all been kind of Buldak copycats but definitely not the same heat level by any means – the extra spicy was spicy indeed, but not as spicy as 2x, yada yada yada. I really dislike comparing any individual variety to another, however this is such an obvious copy of a well known product that I’m going slightly rogue. I’m curious though – since this looke to be about the same style as the original Buldak, will it be as hot? Will it taste good? Well, let’s find out.
Definitely found this at 99 Ranch Market. They’ve had a ton from this brand lately. Time to cook!
Usually I try to track down the manufacturer and this one if rather difficult. It seems that Seoul Trading is distributing it, but not the manufacturer. It’s made in South Korea, however. There are three varieties of these – this carbonara, a spicy, and a fire spicy. This one gets a South Korea label since it’s an export version for many countries. Let’s see how spicy this stuff is.
I was contacted by Nissin USA a few weeks ago and learned about this one and it sounded interesting. Indeed, their Fire Wok bowls are quite good – especially the Sizzlin’ Rich Pork. Pack versions? Interested! So I hit them up and they provided. There’s this one and another. Let’s give it a try!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Massive thanks to Pher Engi of Australia for sending this as part of a huge haul of Indonesian varieties. Another from this range is in the 2023 Top Ten global list. They both used to be available in the United States, but not anymore – which is very sad. They really should bring these back… Special noodle, excellent flavor. I’ve not reviewed this is years and years so with new packaging heralding their 50trh anniversary, away we go.
Big thanks to the folks at Jasmine for sending this over from Malaysia! This is a chicken rice vermicelli – they sent another variety I’ll be trying soon – a white curry! This is XXL – and it is indeed a large pack. Let’s check it out!
Another Indonesian variety sent by Pher Engi – thanks again! Ayam bawang translates to onion chicken. I’ve always liked this flavor combo. Let’s give it a go!
Our local store sells these for $4 each. I thought this was a little high and then I went to a different store and they were $2 which seemed a bit more reasonable. These are the popular bowls Nongshim has been producing and selling for years – I have seen them be made! It’s a very impressive process, with lots of little interesting things. One is a machine that checks each and every bowl to see if say a screw from the machinery fell into a bowl – they don’t. It’s pretty neat stuff. Most people are really into the whole deal with making noodles, but I find it fascinating. Let’s cook one of these up.
Back in 2016, I reviewed this one before my son Miles was a year old. This was my 2000th review at that time, and I found it to be really quite good. It came in a special sunscription box (which I’ll tell you about below), and I figured it was due another look. Nissin Chikin Ramen was the first variety on the market in 1968 – and it didn’t have a seasoning sachet; the seasoning was in the noodle. This one is that way as well, and includes a freeze dried block with egg and other ingredients. This was also the first instant noodle I fell in love with when my favorite at age 8 or so was discontinued (Nissin Roasted Ramen). When my parents took me to Seattle to Uwajimaya, a big Japanese grocery, they asked them what was comparable and they steered me towards Nissin Chikin Ramen. I also saw all the different varieties on hand as well and was instantly transfixed; so much foreign text! Exotic flavors! I’m making this bowl today and going to let my daughter Mimi try it when she gets home from school.
