Today we have a Zenpop.JP variety – so what’s Zenpop? They’re a subscription service for all things Japanese! Definitely, check them out. By the way, use coupon code RAMENRATER to get $2 off! Here’s what they had to say about this one – ‘This is a brand new ramen just debuted. It’s an updated version of an original that came out in 1982. The simplicity of this bowl of ramen is just right and irresistible. You can taste the kikurage (wood ear mushroom) as one of the toppings. Kikurage is low in fat and calories but rich in protein and other nutrients and is a particularly good source of the B vitamins, too. The tonkotsu broth is excellent – can you taste the umami from the dried sardine? There are two chashu pork slices on top to satisfy your mouth!’
I definitely enjoy tonkotsu – let’s give this one a try!
Maruchan Yellow Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen – Japan
Detail of the side panels (click to enlarge). Contains sardine, chicken, and pork. To prepare, Add powder and garnish sachets and boiling water to line. Cover 3 minutes. Add in wet sachet. Finally, stir and enjoy!
Detail of the lid (click to enlarge).
The noodle block.
Loose bits from the bowl.
A dry powder sachet.
A wet sachet.
Chashu!
Finished (click to enlarge). Added spring onion, sesame seeds, Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts, hard boiled egg, narutomaki, and shichimi togarashi. The noodles are nice – not crazy nice but work very well here. Broth is on point tending toward the saltier side but has a very nice character to it. Inclusion of kikurage and chashu really helkp a lot. 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. JAN bar code 4901990362696.
Watch me cook on Instant Noodle Recipe Time!
The noodles are thick – more like ramyun. They have an alright chew; although they seem almost doughy- and not Hakata style ramen noodle doughy. The broth does taste of garlic and pepper, but it’s so very bland. It really is like you could boil some pepper and a clove of garlic and achieve the same results. Not at all to my liking. 
The noodles in this one were flat instead of round. They came out very nicely. The flavoring however was just strange. I expected maybe something of a Korean-Chinese fusion dish, but those are hearty and rich and not savory and sweet. In fact, this one was a little too sweet for me. The thinly sliced bamboo shoots don’t work for me either; leaving them whole would be nicer I think. What’s more, it has a kind of chemically aftertaste; like chlorine or soap. 
First, this is a lot of food. There’s reason for the warning on this pack. 700cc water and a few minutes cooking brings you a huge bowl of noodles. While in general that’s not a complaint, the flavor is. It’s violently spicy for starters. It does have a curry flavor, which at first glance is great. Then you have to taste it. You’d think all that water would dilute the sachet that comes with it but no dice here. Too much flavor and heat are the theme here, and it’s a bitter song to swallow. 
I was told by a guy from the company that this indeed was believed to be medicinal and helpful to women having their ‘time of the month.’ I’ve also been told by a reader that people generally don’t like black bone chicken soup even in China. Very slimy sweet potato noodles, thick, greasy broth and horrid veggies that didn’t hydrate well was just a flavor, texture, and complete food hole nightmare for me. This was just horrible stuff that I couldn’t stand. 
