The Definitive Source For Instant Noodle Reviews Since 2002
But that’s not ramen! The throng of people screamed in unison! They wept openly. Well, that was silly – this one could be found on the instant ramen aisle . This is popular stuff in Hong Kong and I found it locally and figure hey why not. Macaroni only seems to enjoy the company of cheese here, but not elsewhere. Let’s cook.
Another one found at S*Mart. I know, it’s not ramen or instant noodles per se, however it’s something you might find on the instant noodle aisle as I did. Usually these aren’t bad – definitely not a thick broth or anything, but a nice flavor and thin walled macaroni. First found this kind of thing years back in Canada with some Nissin varieties. Anyways, let’s proceed.
Another great one sent by Pher Engi – thanks again! I used to see these very commonly – never this variety though. They’d have ton of them at 99 Ranch Market and now I don’t see them at all. Very strange. Well, this one looks really good so without further ado let’s cook ’em up!
Been lagging on doing top ten list editing – my apologies. The weather’s been really good for walking, and in May I did over 500 miles. I included a special post at the bottom about it. I also included something of a change from how I’ve been doing things as well involving AI. Anyways, this is the annual The Ramen Rater’s Global Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls – these are my favorite varieties out of review up to #4440 which are in the bowl style. Hope you enjoy! Top Ten Cups and Bottom Ten lists should be coming soon!
First off, thanks to Daniel over at Exotic Noods for sending this and a few others over recently – check out his website!
Ham flavor macaroni soup? Yeah – for really though! I’ve had the chicken flavor by this brand as well, and there are a few other brands out of Hong Kong that do different flavors including tonkotsu! Let’s give this ham variety a try.
Yep! I know! Not ramen! But it was with the ramen, it’s from Hong Kong, and it’s something interesting. I’ve reviewed a few macaroni varieties in the past. Let’s give this one a try.
This is one found during a Saturday hunt for more varieties for review. Found it at a store called S-Mart in Bellevue, Washington (yeah like in Army Of Darkness!). This is one by the same company that actually sent me a pallet – 400lbs of samples!!! Let’s check it out and give it a try!
Lots of people enjoy bowls full of noodles from around the world. They often come with a utensil, and all you need it hot water. For a quick meal, they’re hard to beat insofar as convenience. Some bowls however go above and beyond a utilitarian sense and are truly gourmet. This list is comprised of my favorite bowl varieties from all reviews up to #4120. All scoring is done prior to garnish being added. Do you want me to review something I haven’t? Drop me a line! With that, let’s peruse my top picks on The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2022 Edition!
Well, today it’s the second of the two Little Q varieties they sent. The non-spicy was absolutely wonderful stuff – curious how this one will be. The sheer amount of beef in the first one was really amazing – and it was really succulent. How spicy will it be? Let’s find out!
Look at that cow licking it’s lips – cannibal! Well, probably not but hey! These are made in Taiwan for the Hong Kong market and I’m really curious about them so… Let’s give ’em a go!
This one arrived in an Exotic Noods subscription box – check ’em out and use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
A bit of a packaging change has netted this one a new review. I’ve enjoyed this one in the past many times and there have been a few packaging changes. Curious if any of the contents have changed at all in this new iteration. Let’s find out!
Today, we combine a noodle made in Hong Kong with a broth concentrate from the United States. I decided this would be a great venue to try out the homemade chashu we made this weekend – I’ll include the recipe in a video below as well. Let’s give this combo a try!
This one arrived in an Exotic Noods subscription box – check ’em out and use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
I must admit, it’s been an interesting stroll down memory lane retrying these about ten years after I had them previously. I remember back then I would walk every day to the Asian grocery store, pick a pack, come home, then review it. Much has changed since those reviews pre-1000, that’s for sure. This one I remember being quite nice. Let’s check it out!
I got contacted a couple weeks ago about receiving some samples from Hong Kong. An interesting new beef noodle made in Taiwan for the Hong Kong market. Well, they arrived today and very excited to give them a try. Let’s check out what’s inside the package!
Here’s another Doll variety I’ve not had in what seems like millennia. Spicy pork from Hong Kong? Sign me up! Let’s give it a try!
Another one that I’ve not samples in many, many years – October of 2010. Curious how it’ll be – I generally remember liking all of these Doll brand ones so we shall see.
Haven’t had this variety in years and it looks to be a little different. There’s a fellow on YouTube named FirstNameLastName that’s been following my channel for quite a while, offering insightful comment and input on my episodes of Instant Noodle Recipe Time. He mentioned what I figure was this one, so seemed right to me to give it a go. Let’s check it out!
Time for some more Doll noodles! I reviewed these very early in my reviewing career and they definitely need another look. Since it’s been so many years, this one gets a fresh look. Let’s check it out!
Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free, but check for yourself. To prepare, boil the noodles in 500ml of water or 3 minutes. Add in sachet contents. Finally, stir and enjoy!
I think the last time I had this is was called Five Flavors Beef or Five Spice Beef – that was a long time ago let me look it up…
I thought it was a good time to do a post with a product from Hong Kong. As it turns out, Apple Daily has closed it’s doors. What’s Apple Daily? It was a pro-Democracy newpaper that I worked with a couple of times regarding my top ten lists and ramen in general. Really nice people and it’s sad to see that they’ve been put down by the mainland Chinese government. Makes me sad. So, I’m going to d something with some noodles from Hong Kong today.
After one very turbulent year, The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time is back. My mother died, we had an auto accident, the kids missed in-person schooling, and of course the pandemic. It’s been a really rough go but we’re back. Vaccines are rolling out everywhere and hopefully we can all get back together someday son. One thing I’ve found inspiration and enjoyment from during these times is a book I’d been hoping to find was sent to me by a noodle company exec called Momofuku Ando Speaks. It’s a book of quotes (kind of like the Ferengi Rules Of Acquisition if you’re a Star Trek fan) by the inventor of the instant noodle. I’ve been reading one on my show Instant Noodle Recipe Time every day – a lot of fun and a very interesting perspective. Little things like that have been really important as of late. Today, I’m proud to announce the show hits its 1000th episode!
It’s been years and years since I had this so it’s getting a fresh new number . If you haven’t tried this range of varieties (there’s a ton of flavors) then you’re missing out. Let’s check this one out.
Tried a ton of varieties made in Hong Kong this last year or two and thought I ought to update this list. Some really great new stuff to show you! If you’re a manufacturer of varieties in Hong Kong, please feel free to contact me to try out your products! This list is current as of review #3,702. With that, let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Hong Kong Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition.
I reviewed almost all the Demae Ramen – at least I thought. I used to get them on walks about ten years ago and then I did a Meet The Manufacturer with Nissin HK and they sent over 50 different varieties. Then this one comes in an Exotic Noods box (use coupon code RAMENRATER15) and there’s a new one to do. Let’s kick the tires!
Hey this sounds great – spicy seafood! I’m in; let’s give it a try!
Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Contains scallop. To prepare, boil noodle for 4 minutes in 500ml water. Add in sachet contents. Finally, stir and enjoy!
Was going through the box of remaining Sau Tao varieties and found this one last night. The others (shallot and chili) were both really great so curious that original means – maybe soy sauce? Let’s find out!
We had a great Thanksgiving yesterday – Kit made a wonderful turkey, chocolate chip banana bread too! My buddy Matthew Bellah (the highly acclaimed author) brough over homemade cornbread and traditional stuffing, mashed potaoes, and a loaf of fancy bread.
Today we’ve got another variety from Hong Kong’s Sau Tao. This one pairs the super tasty Tom Yum Kung with their Instant Noodle King noodles – which are really good. Let’s take a look.
I’m really not a mushroom fan, so I thought I’d see how much I disliked the variety. It’s pretty rare there’s a mushroom instant that I actually like, but it has happened… Let’s check this one out!
I had this one a while back but the packaging was a little different, so this one gets a new review. I’ve been incredibly impressed with the laksa and ton yum kung flavor profiles coming from Sau Tao – so much that they’ve been on the Top Ten for 2 years now. What’s more is they pair them with a myriad of noodle varieties. Let’s do up some laksa!
Time for more lobster from Sau Tao! This is one of the many varieties that came to my door a couple of months ago on a pallet. Yes, a pallet. Four hundred pounds of noodles. That’s a lot! Let’s crack it open and have a look.
Still have a ton of these varieties of Sau Tao noodles. This one features a huge pack of noodles with two blocks. Made in a process that includes soda water which causes the noodles to end up quite large. Let’s check ’em out!
I like how the characters have wheels! This is another one of the ‘trolley noodle’ varieties – still unsure what kind of trolley they’re referring to. Let’s give it a try.
Decided to start off the week with a couple Sau Tao varieties today (you should be seeing the second one tomorrow). They sent a ton for a Meet The Manufacturer series (okay, not a literal ton – just 400lbs of samples). Let’s check out their QQ Rice Vermicelli!
This yeah has just been rough – for everyone I know. After the hardest part of it for me – the passing of my mother – I took a week off from walking after doing 1,000,000 steps on my Fitbit in June and dove in to working on top ten lists. I did four of them, all current as of review 3545. This list hasn’t been updated since 2017. I’ll be rolling out lists here and there for the next couple of months and maybe do this again a little ways down the road. Here’s The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Rice Noodles Of All Time 2020 Edition.
Recently, I finished a Meet The Manufacturer series with Sau Tao. They shipped a whole pallet of samples of a myriad of different styles and varieties. A PALLET! Well, the upshot is that I still have so many different styles and varieties to review! Here is one of them.
