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I’ve got to say – it’s been quite a while since I’ve had this one – #1167! Seems like it’s been forever since I’ve reviewed anything from the UK as well. Well, let’s kick this Meet The Manufacturer off with one of their first varieties, miso! Here’s something to note – over in the UK, these aren’t commonly referred to as ‘cup noodles’ – they refer to these containers as ‘pots.’
Yesterday, I reviewed a chilli chicken offering from Kabuto Noodles. Today, its just chicken ramen. I’m curious if it will just be a less spicy taste or something completely different (yesterday’s pot mentioned it having a lime element while this does not). Either way, sounds good to me. By the way – in the United Kingdom, they refer to noodle cups as noodle pots! Let’s go!
Chilli chicken, eh? This sounds interesting – not a flavor I think I’ve seen coming out of the UK before (and I’ve seen a lot of interesting ones). By the way – if you’re wondering what coriander is, it’s the same thing as cilantro. Okay – let’s have a look inside this neat ‘pot’ of noodles!
Wow – samples for the first UK Meet The Manufacturer!
Six cups (click to enlarge) – they call them ‘pots’ in the UK – and a card!
I’m happy to report that this is the first post I’m doing using my new computer setup. Took a while to get everything all happy but now it’s quite happy as am I. Anyways, we found these in Lynnwood, WA at a store called BigLots. I’ve found varieties there in the past – kind of like a liquidation place. This one seems to definitely be for the western market although made in Thailand. Let’s check it out.
Vegetarian instant noodles are ones I often get asked about. I often have been asked to do a top ten list on vegetarian and vegan varieties, gluten-free and others. The issue is that I’m neither a vegetarian nor am I someone requiring a gluten-free diet, and so I would definitely not want to come up with a list and say ‘these are great for vegetarian/vegan/gluten free folks’ and have someone eat what they don’t want or what they shouldn’t. One thing I can say is that foreign varieties coming into the United States that are chicken or beef flavored generally are free of said animal products, as the CBP/USDA/FDA are rather strict about their import. But there are always exceptions, of course. Many companies will also use things like bonito which is a fish in all their varieties. Anyways, when I say in my review ‘looks to be meat free but check for yourself,’ I’m saying that my poor-eyesighted, legally blind eyes have pored over the ingredients list, but I could be wrong and have missed something. Anyways, here are some mixed veg flavor instant noodles today by Ko-Lee. They’re made in Thailand and generally for the UK market. Let’s check ’em out!
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.
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!
Here’s one that Joe B. and Sarah B. sent me from Nottingham, UK – thanks! Very curious about this one as I really like curry. But it’s from the UK – will it be strong or weak? Let’s check it out.
British noodles! Thought maybe this would be a good one to let my son try today. Not spicy (at least I don’t think it will be) and pretty mellow. Right now he’s knee-deep in LEGO blocks and listening to a video game documentary. A good day! Let’s check this one out.
Here’s one that is made in one country for sale in another. This is made in Malaysia, but most easily found in the UK. Anyways, let’s check this one out!
Here’s one that Joe B. and Sarah B. sent me from Nottingham, UK – thanks! I’m getting towards the end of the noodles that they sent – been a lot of fun trying all sorts of British varieties! I usually get some cues on what I’ll ad at the end from a picture on the front of a package, but this one doesn’t have any ‘suggested serving’ or anything like that, so I have to go with my gut. I looked around on Google for ‘peppered steak British’ and found quite a few leads. The peppered steak there looks to be basically steak with a decent amount of black pepper. Sound simple enough. Of course, things like a dash of brandy aren’t readily available, so I think pepper is going to be my friend for this one. Anyways, let’s see what’s within.
Here’s one that Joe B. and Sarah B. sent me from Nottingham, UK – thanks! This is a common variety you would find at a store called Sainsbury’s. Sainsbury’s is a chain that can be found throughout England which sells pretty much everything by the looks of it. British varieties usually tend to be on the blander side, as is the way with a lot of food from over there, but sometimes they’re really good. Let’s see which end of the spectrum this one falls into.
Here’s one from the UK! Thanks to Joe B. and Sarah B. of Notthingham for sending these my way! Well, let’s check ’em out!
Here’s one that’s been hiding in the noodle bin for a while! Thanks to Martin A. of Devon, UK for seonding! Let’s check it out!
Here’s another one from Joe B. of Nottingham, England – thanks! Sainsbury’s is a chain of supermarkets in the UK that were founded in 1869. They make two lines on instant noodles – the basics and a more premium version. Let’s check it out!
Thought this sounded good for today. Made in Thailand for the UK market. Gonna use a new bowl that was made in Thailand I received from my sister in law Dee for Christmas. She just had her birthday! Happy birthday!!! Let’s check it out!
Here’s one that Joe B. and Sarah B. sent me from Nottingham, UK – thanks! Tesco’s a big grocery store chain in England. Let’s try out their chow mein!
Being the four consecutive numbers that 1, 2, 3 and 4 are, I thought I’d try something a little weird today. This was sent to me by Joe B. of Nottingham, UK – thanks! Barbecue beef, eh? Let’s check it out!
Andy decided to pick this one to try today after I told him we had shrimp. I know, I know – shrimp aren’t prawns but he likes both and they’re both sea crawlies so he’s happy. Let’s check this one out.
Here’s another Joe B. of Nottingham, UK sent – thanks! Low fat noodles eh? I’ve actually been on a diet and exercising a lot lately – down 15 pounds already – and yes, I’m eating an instant noodle every day too! Let’s see how this low fat variety is…
Here’s another one that was sent to me by Joe B. of Nottingham, UK – thanks! Super Noodles – are they ‘super?’ Let’s see.
Here’s one that’s made in Malaysia but sold in the UK. Tomato! Usually a good bet. Some varieties taste like tomatoes au natural while others have a ketchup taste. Sawadee is Thai for hello. Let’s see how this one fares.
Here’s another one from Joe B. of Nottingham, England – thanks! Sainsbury’s is a chain of supermarkets in the UK that were founded in 1869. They make two lines on instant noodles – the basics and a more premium version. Let’s check it out!
This one was sent by Joe & Gill from the UK! Thanks! Hot and spicy from Britain? Let’s try it!
Here’s one of the varieties that Joe B. kindly send me from England – thanks again! This is a British product that has a very Indian flavor. Let’s give it a try!
Here’s one from my friend Martin A. in the UK. This one’s pretty cool – very vertical! Those Brits, they sure come up with neat cups. Let’s check it out!
Here’s one I’ve been hoping to try for a while! Thanks to Joe B. of Nottingham, UK for sending this my way! Beef & Tomato! Let’s check it out.
Here’s a cup I got today that was sent to me by Joe B. from the UK – thanks! Curry. Sounds good to me! Turns out Tesco is a big grocery chain in the UK. Let’s check this one out.
Here’s one sent to me by Xavier over at Ko-Lee in the UK – thanks! These are made in Thailand for the UK market. Has directions for dry noodles as well as with soup – I’m going to prepare the latter. Let’s check this out!
Here’s one my friend Martin in Devon, England sent me a little while back. Though it was a good day for something fusion – British and Mexican? Sure, why not.
These noodles are made in Malaysia, but primarily sold in the UK. Thanks go to Xavier over at Kohlico for sending them! There will be more Sawadee as well as Ko-Lee reviews coming soon. For now, let’s check out some curry!
Here one I got from Martin A. of Devon, England! Thanks! He says this is one of his favorites – I think it’s time to give it a try. I have a big hamper full of instant noodles that don’t get picked out of as much lately what with all of the Meet The Manufacturers I’ve been doing… This one is sold in England but made in Singapore – let’s check it out!
One of the last that Joe & Gil from the UK sent a while back – thanks again! I like chow mein, but what’s ‘super’ chow mein? Let’s see!
Wow – here we are; this is the precipice of a very large psychological number! First things first – thanks to Joe & Gil of the UK for sending such a nice mix of interesting noodles! Okay so this is a Pot Noodle – they’re always interesting as the British seem to come up with some really interesting flavors to lend to instant noodles and this is definitely one of them. Doner Kebab. So, what is a Doner Kebab? Well, click here for the seriously huge amount of info from Wikipedia,. Basically what they’re saying is that you have a meat that’s roasted on a vertical spit and then sliced thin and garnished with tomato, lettuce, onion and other things. At least that’s what I’m getting from it. The packaging mentions this is lamb flavor, but beef is also common (and what I’ll use as a garnish).
Here’s another one from Joe & Gil of the UK! Thanks again! So here we have a pack of noodles that are made in Malaysia for sale in the UK. Beef! Let’s check it out.
Here’s one from Joe & Gil of the UK!!! Haven’t had anything that was Tom Yum in a little while – let’s check it out!
Here’s another one of the great varieties sent by Joe & Gill of the UK – thanks again! Chilli Beef Pot Noodle. Looks interesting to me!
Here’s another one from Joe & Gill of the UK! Thanks again! I’ve heard of this one and always wanted to check it out. Definitely one of the more odd flavors out there!
