Category: South Korea

#925: emart Dare You! Habanero Ramen

Here’s something new from emart. emart (이마트) is the biggest store in Korea! They sent samples of their white broth ramyun a few months ago and now this, their ultra hot and spicy. ...see full post

Re-Review: Paldo Bowl Noodle Soup Spicy Artificial Chicken Flavor

Been a while since I reviewed this one! Had it for #346 (check out the original review). I’m hungry – let’s go. ...see full post

New Product Samples From Korea’s emart!

I got a couple packages today. They came from a company in Korea called emart  (이마트) – they sell everything you could imagine, and have their own brand of instant noodles! ...see full post

Re-Review: Paldo Namja Ramyun (Men’s Ramyun)

I have fallen ill with some kind of head cold it seems and I thought something spicy would be good. My lovely wife Kit was kind enough make me some noodles for breakfast – she’s so good to me! Thought I’d have these – they’re available in the US now, but this is a Re-Review of the pack that is sold in Korea. The version sold in the US will be being reviewed soon! Here’s the link to the original review I did during Paldo’s Meet The Manufacturer. ...see full post

#921: Ottogi Jjajang Bokki

Currently, I have only four new varieties in my noodle hamper and this in one of them. The ‘jjajang’ is a black bean and noodle dish which is brothless. Every Korean brand seems to have their own variation – here’s Ottogi’s bowl version. ...see full post

Re-Review: Paldo Lobster Taste King Noodle

Last night, Obama got re-elected as the President, and here in Washington state, same-sex marriage was approved – as was the recreational use of marijuana. Quite an evening! Anyways, was fun watching the political process wind up and come to a close for this cycle. Now, on to the urgent task of noodle reviewing!  The last time I reviewed this one was back in February of ’11 and was #287 (link). I forgot how awesome the picture on this one – I love how it says ‘serving suggestion.’ It makes me think that this is one enormous king of the lobsters that wants you to serve it these self-flavored noodles! Roarrr!!! On a side note, if you look at the lower right hand side of the cup, you can see it says “Chitosan Oligosaccaride 2 mg.” What the heck is that?!?! What I got out of this Wikipedia article is that this is something that comes from the exoskeletons of crustaceans. It got me thinking – Chitosan… ChitoSlim? I remember commercials for ChitoSlim, a weight lossupplement. I found it and lo and behold it contains 1000 mg of Chitosan. I figure it’s basically like a super-fiber. Anyways, let’s continue. ...see full post

Re-Review: Nongshim Jinjja Jinjja (Really Really) Ramyun

You’re probably wonder ‘gee, he sure reviews that Jinjja Jinjja quite a lot – what gives?’ Well, they sent me a lot of it and since I really like it, I want to enjoy it before it expires. Well, actually it expired in September, but I’m just about out of it. Here’s the last full review of it. ...see full post

Re- Review: emart Ramen e Ramen White Broth Noodle Soup

I reviewed this one a little while back – was review #787. Use this link to see everything about it. By the way, emart has informed me that they have a new product that just launched – should be here soon! Can’t wait to review it! ...see full post

Re-Review: Paldo Hwa King Cup Noodle Soup

Yep – another re-review! Had this one back in February of this year for #658. Today I felt like something spicy from Korea! ...see full post

#918: Nongshim Tempura Udon Flavor Cup Ramyun

Here’s the last of the new Nongshim cups – looks like a good one too!

Here’s a close-up of the lid. ...see full post

Nongshim Jinjja Jinjja For Lunch

Lunch (click to enlarge)!!!So I decided to have some of the Nongshim Jinjja Jinjja that they sent me a while back for lunch. I’ve reviewed it before – here’s the link. I added a slice of cheese, Crystal hot sauce, some Urashima Sesame & Salt furikake, an egg that I boiled with the noodles, some new odeng and onions. Oh – and of course kimchi! This is the first instant noodle that I devoured with the help of chopsticks! Yep – The Ramen Rater is going to be a chopstick eater! Funny; I wasn’t able to use them very well before but I tried them with kimbap, then some yakisoba I had at a restaurant and finally today and I’m stoked! Woot woot! ...see full post

The International Lunch

Here’s what I had for lunch today (click to enlarge) – not a new review or anything, but thought it was interesting how many international flavors came together on this one. First, FMF Chow Noodles Masala Flavor from Fiji. Added kimchi, a Korean dish, some Urashima Sesame & Salt furikake from Japan, Dua Belibis chili sauce from Indonesia, some ham, stirfry veggies and sweet onion, and a 2 egg omelet with 2 slices of processed cheese and some Tabasco Jalapeno hot sauce – which I presume is all from the United States but might not be. Was pretty good – quite an interesting combo! ...see full post

#913: Nongshim Spicy Shrimp Flavor Cup Ramyun

If you look at review #911, #912 and now #913, I think you can see a theme here. Yeah – shrimp! I don’t usually have any shrimp on hand so I thought I should take advantage of it. This is a new one from Nongshim – spicy shrimp. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#910: Paldo Namja Ramyun King Cup

Here’s a new one from Paldo not yet available in the USA – Namja cup! Namja translates to Man’s or Guy’s – gender-specific noodles – that’s something new! I think would like to know about the ladies’ ramyun and what that would be… Anyways, let’s give this new one from Paldo a gander. ...see full post

New TV Spot For Nongshim’s Shin Ramyun Black Cup With PSY

Unless you’ve been hiding under a proverbial rock for the last couple of months, you have heard the song ‘Gangnam Style‘ by South Korean pop star PSY at one time or another, seen the horse dance, etc. Well, After he sent Nongshim a video asking if he could do a commercial for them, they said yes. ...see full post

#907: Nongshim Neoguri Spicy Seafood Flavor Cup

Here’s something new – Neoguri Spicy in a cup! Kind of interesting; Neoguri usually has a wider Udon-like noodle and I don’t know that I’ve seen anything like that in a cup form before. Well, let’s have a look. ...see full post

#903: Han’s Korea Rice Noodles With Seafood Flavored Soup

Here’s the last of the Han’s Korea trays that I have found. I think seafood sounds good for today. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater Challenges PSY To A Ramyun Eating Contest!

10/17/2012

     I saw a video recently about PSY being a huge fan of Korean instant ramyun – Nongshim’s Shin Ramyun in particular. He sent a video showing him eating their noodles with a definite excitement and pride. He wants to be the next representative of their products! I got to say, this was really was cool to see. I feel a definite kinship with PSY on this matter – instant ramyun is amazing stuff! ...see full post

Something New From Paldo!

Our refrigerator has been on the fritz lately so I had just let the maintenance guy out when there was a knock at the door; I figured he left something. But it was our mailman! With a box! I really like when that happens! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater Noodle News #20

Been a while, but here we go with the 20th edition of The Ramen Rater Noodle News!

I search the ‘net for interesting news and view on instant noodles and beyond. Oldest articles start at the top. Here you go! ...see full post

#894: Han’s Korea Rice Noodle With Kimchi Flavored Soup

Here’s another one we picked up over at KS Mart in Lynnwood, WA the other day on our regular kimchi supply run. How fitting – kimchi noodle! Let’s hit it! ...see full post

#893: Paldo Bowl Noodle Soup Shrimp Flavor

I’d thought I’d had everyone’s bowl noodles by now but lo and behold, a shrimp flavor by Paldo. So let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#881: Han’s Korea Rice Noodle With Hot & Spicy Flavored Soup

Here’s something I got at KS Mart in Lynnwood, Washington. Looks pretty awesome – Han’s Korea! Well, let’s give it a try. ...see full post

Video Re-Review: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black & The Golden Pot

Decided to do up a video of the nice Golden Pot that was sent to me by Mr. Shin, President of Nongshim Holdings – very kind thank you! Thought it fitting to try it out with some Shin Ramyun Black. Check out the video! ...see full post

#879: Song Hak Rice Topokki Bowl

While at the KS Mart in Lynnwood, Washington, I saw this and had to give it a try. Wasn’t sure what (if any) noodles would be within, although I know one thing: topokki (or ttebokki) are really neat – they’re like enormous noodle chunks. Korean food is awesome stuff. Here’s what Wikipedia says about how it arrived in its current form: ...see full post

#877: Nongshim Shin Bowl Noodle Soup (New Version)

Realized I haven’t reviewed the new version of the Shin Bowl. A lot of people have asked if I noted any difference from the old version (non-microwaveable) and the new one. Well, I guess we shall see! ...see full post

#872: Nongshim Chapagetti Roasted Chajang Bowl Noodle

Here it is! This is the Chapagetti Bowl Noodle from Nongshim America. Pretty cool – got to sample this during my trip to Nongshim
America in May – even got to see them made. Let’s have a look at this new product! ...see full post

New Product Samples From Nongshim America!

Today I got a big box in the mail from Nongshim America! Wonder what’s inside…

Bowl Noodles! But wait – Chapagetti in a bowl? Yep! This is one of the things I got to try while at Nongshim America in May. Not only did I get to try these new bowl products in their R&D department but was able to watch them being made – from raw ingredients to wrapped bowl all in an efficient straight line. Twas amazing! I’ll be reviewing these very soon! Keep your eyes peeled! Thanks go to Mr. Ray Adams and everyone else at Nongshim America for sending these along! ...see full post

Nongshim Jinjja Jinjja For Lunch

Click image to enlarge. Not a new review today – here’s the last full review of Nongshim’s Jinjja Jinjja. Today I thought I’d add some peanut butter, a could slices of processed cheese, some oven baked chicken, an egg and some veggies. Was really good. Hope everyone’s having a good Saturday! [AMAZONPRODUCTS asin=”B00DSXERRI”] ...see full post

#868: CJ (CheilJedang) Katsuobushi Udon

This one was donated by Ramen Place – thanks again! I haven’t a clue of how this one will be. Looks like its celebrating the 10th anniversary of CheilJedang or this product. Well, let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#857: Sempio Seafood Vermicelli Soup Anchovy Flavor

Here’s an interesting one: you empty everything into the bowl, add boiling water and poof – it’s done. They’re called it ‘no wait.’ Let’s give it a try. ...see full post

#853: Dongwon RaUdong Unfried Noodle With Kimchi

Haven’t had a fresh noodle bowl in a while and thought this would be a good day to try one out. This is one my sister brought me back from a trip to Canada earlier this year – thank you! Kimchi flavor! Let’s give it a try. ...see full post

#845: Nongshim Doong Ji Authentic Korean Cold Noodles in Chilled Broth

Well, time for another try with cold noodles! Been really enjoying them recently – curious how these will fare – look pretty fancy! ...see full post

#841: Nongshim Chapagetti Chajang Noodle (Korean Version)

Thanks to Moon Hee Wi of the JoongAng Ilbo for sending me these! She wrote this article about me. So I’ve reviewed the Chapagetti that’s available here in the US, but this is the Korean version so it gets its own review. I’ve always done this and now I’ve got more reason to. I was talking to a manufacturer of instant noodles from Korea and they said that they use chicken in their instant noodles. The only problem is that the Food & Drug Administration doesn’t like Korean chicken for some reason. So they have to import chicken from a big poultry supplier in the USA into Korea, process it and package their product and then ship it back to the US for the blessing of the FDA. Not sure if that’s the case here, but regardless, it’s interesting to think that this kind of this has to happen to bring instant noodles to us from abroad. ...see full post

#839: CJ CheilJedang Mild Bean Curd Stew

Saw this at H Mart a while back and it piqued my curiosity. Was kind of pricy for a little cup – close to $3… Wonder what’s in there. ...see full post

A Gift From The President Of Nongshim America

It’s been a couple months since our trip to Nongshim in Rancho Cucamonga, California. I was sent a very nice gift from the president of Nongshim America to thank us for visiting and for our reviews! Thank you! This is a golden pot, a very standard cooking item in Korea used to make ramyun! ...see full post

Re-Review: Meet The Manufacturer: Paldo Bibim Men Oriental Style Noodle

It’s been quite a while since I’ve had this one – thought it’d be a good one to finish Meet The Manufacturer: Paldo with. Hot day, cold noodles. I should also mention the last time I had this was review #118 – over 700 packs ago – and my tastes have changed a bit. I’m happy to say I like cold noodles nowadays. ...see full post

Re-Review: Meet The Manufacturer: Paldo Jjajangmen Chajang Noodle

Here’s another interesting one – Jjajangmen. The last time I reviewed this, I had mixed it in like it mentions on the back. This time, I’m going to put it on top like in the picture! ...see full post

Re-Review: Meet The Manufacturer: Paldo Hwa Ramyun With Soy Peptide

Here’s Paldo’s standard hot & spicy variety. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be the hottest days of the year here in the northwest – temps are supposed to hit 94 degrees today and 96 tomorrow. Hot and spicy sounds just about right! What’s Hwa though? Couldn’t figure that one out but here’s what the health info on soy peptide is! Anyways – I’m hungry – time to noodle it up! ...see full post

#829: Meet The Manufacturer: Paldo Kko Kko Myun King Cup

In the US, it’s Kokomen, in Korea it’s Kko Kko Myun! They also have not only the package variety, but also in a King Cup! Let’s see if it’s as good as the package version. ...see full post