Category: * News / Noodle News

The Ramen Rater Logo In Malaysian TV Commercial

This is really neat – so on the cups and packs of Mamee Chef’s Laksa Kari, they’ve got my logo. The cup was #1 on my annual cups list and the packs made my top ten for 2014. In the commercial, you can see the logo twice – once when he holds up the cup towards the end and on the package at the very end in the upper right corner. Pretty neat! ...see full post

Product Samples From A-Sha Dry Noodle

Got a box from A-Sha yesterday – let’s see what’s inside!

Hey neat – from left to right, we have a new black sesame variety, hakka noodle with za jiang sauce and a new tomato variety. Sounds interesting! ...see full post

Friday Video: A Message To Taiwanese Instant Noodle Manufacturers

After being asked ‘how can Taiwan make the annual The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time lists,’ I decided a video with an idea was in order. Here is a special message for Taiwanese instant noodle manufacturers. ...see full post

Product Samples From MyOri Of Malaysia

Here’s another Malaysian company now on my radar – MyOri! MyOri means Malaysia Original. Let’s see what’s inside! ...see full post

New & Improved White Curry Samples From MyKuali

FedEx came a knockin’ at my door but missed them. Then they came back a little later and brought me this! ...see full post

A Message To Taiwanese Instant Noodle Manufacturers

After being asked ‘how can Taiwan make the annual The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time lists,’ I decided a video with an idea was in order. Here is a special message for Taiwanese instant noodle manufacturers. ...see full post

2015 Birthday Trip To Canada

For the last three years, we’ve been hopping in the car and heading up north to Canada for my birthday. There are a lot of varieties of instant noodles that aren’t easily found down here and usually I bring back all sorts of new and interesting things. This year my son Andy and my sister Sue joined us for the trip! Let’s go! ...see full post

New Hokkien Mee Samples From MyKuali

Got a big box from MyKuali on Friday! Let’s see what’s within!

Lots of noodles! Awesome! ...see full post

Friday Video: Instant Noodles Taste Test

I hunted around for a good video for this week and found this one. Dennis from superadrianme.com and Wilsurn from metropolitant.com decided to do a taste test on spicy soupy instant noodles found in Singapore. Pretty interesting video – check it out and Happy firday! ...see full post

Momofuku Ando’s 105th Birthday

March 5th, 2015 would have been Momofuku Ando’s 105th birthday! Google has honored the inventor of the instant noodle by putting up these alternate logos – I will explain them below. ...see full post

Samples From Twenty-Twenty Of Malaysia

I saw a picture of some white curry noodle on instagram I’d never spotted before and thought to myself that I’d like to try them. I commented on the pic and it turns out the person who posted it was with the company. After a long trip across the Pacific Ocean, samples arrived today! ...see full post

Friday Video: Leonard Nimoy 1931-2015

All of my life, I’ve been a fan of Star Trek and of course Leonard Nimoy’s portrayal of Mr. Spock. ...see full post

New Products From MAMA!

Here’s a package of new products from Thailand! These are all rice-based products – let’s check ’em out! ...see full post

Samples From Chering Chang Of Taiwan

Another big box? Wow!

Four flavors to try – Thanks!

New Samples From Deshome Of Taiwan

A big box! What’s inside?

A detailed list!

New camelia oil noodles!

Cookies!

...see full post

Friday Video: Happy Lunar New Year!

This video lets you in on some info about Lunar New Year and how people celebrate it around the world – and it’s funny, too! I thought I’d include some other videos as well. CCTV-1 did a 7+ hour Chinese New Year Gala. Here’s a long video showcasing traditional Chinese New Year music. In Singapore, you can see the fireworks from Marina Bay. Here’s a recipe for South Korean Tteokguk New Year’s Soup! Taiwanese artist Chen Forng-shean celebrates the Year of the Goat by delicately carving miniatures of the animal onto pencil tips. ...see full post

Friday Video: TV Show About Top Ten

Found this video by accident yesterday – turns out a TV channel called MUCH runs a show called ‘Who Alone Tonight’ in Taiwan. It’s a variety show. Well, they decided to devote this episode to instant noodles and did an in-depth survey of my top ten list for 2014. Check it out and happy Friday! ...see full post

Friday Video: Flashback Friday

I woke up today with this song in my head. It’s kind of weird – I got a bunch of hand-me-down audio cassettes from my sister Sue when I was a kid. All sorts of disco and soul stuff – I listened to them over and over and over – lots of Bee Gees and Spinners and O’Jays. It’s kind of like I went through the 70’s pop thing even though I was 5 when 1980 came around. Thought I’d post this one today – my sister and I will be visiting Thailand in May and I’ll have more info about that soon. Some things I can say now is that it’ll have instant noodles, rice, and factory touring involved! Happy Friday to all! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2015 Edition

The Ramen Rater’s top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time made it’s debut last January and I thought this would be a good day to release the new one for 2015! South Korean instant noodles (known as ramyun) are characteristically thicker and chewier than most instants. Spiciness is a common trait as well as beef flavors. Here are my top picks of the South Korean varieties I’ve reviewed of my 1,573 reviews to date. ...see full post

South Korean Varieties From A Kind Reader

Lots of boxes lately! This one comes from South Korea from reader Anders E. Thanks! He’s a reddit guy who offered to send me some stuff from South Korea that I’ve been wating to get for a while now! ...see full post

Friday Video: Japan Introduction – Instant Noodles

So today’s Friday Video. This is actually a pretty good one – a few interesting little tidbits of knowledge are gained, so enjoy. Happy Friday! ...see full post

Curry Prince Samples From Malaysia

Saw this brand called Curry Prince on facebook and thought maybe they’d like me to sample their noodles. They did! ...see full post

4th Annual Momofuku Ando Day Photo Contest: And The Winner Is…

I am pleased to annouce that we have a winner! Check it out!

Cindy S. submitted this one of her son – he’s a big fan of Nissin top Ramen Oriental Flavor and his dad’s hooked on Cup Noodles! Congratulations! Check your email! Yay! ...see full post

4th Annual Momofuku Ando Day: Good Cook Instant Noodle Maker

My sister got me this for Christmas (thanks, Sue!). She called when she was at a grocery store and asked if I wanted it and of course since it has to do with instant noodles, I said yes. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

Nissin Foods USA Samples For Momofuku Ando Day Review

Got a box the other day. I’d been talking with Nissin Foods USA about the photo contest and other things and they wanted to send some samples for one of today’s reviews involving Cup Noodles. ...see full post

4th Annual Momofuku Ando Day: #1567: Nissin Emergency Cup Noodle

Having an emergency? Well then, hunker down in your shelter and boil some water! This is a fine dinner for two of Nissin Cup Noodle in a neat metal can, sealed for long life. ...see full post

Friday Video: Get Ready For Momofuku Ando Day!

This is one of my favorite videos about instant noodles – it’s long and goes in depth. From Momofuku Ando to the science behind the fried noodle. Check it out! Monday is Momofuku Ando Day! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater App – For Android & iPhone

For Android

Developed by Mike Koval, a reader of the blog for a long time, this app will let you browse and search the site easily. What’s more, by using the bar code scan option, you can scan the bar code of an instant noodle at the grocery store and get results (provided I’ve reviewed it of course). Enhancements will be coming soon as well! best of all, it’s free! Check it out now! ...see full post

New Hao Way White Curry, Laksa Bowl Samples

Got another package from Hao Way this week!

They’ve adapted their Penang White Curry and Penang Laksa varieties into bowl form! I’ll be reviewing these soon – thanks! ...see full post

Friday Video: Takeru Kobayashi Chugs Down A-Sha Noodles!

Takeru Kobayashi is one of the most famous competitive eaters in the world. For those who’ve never heard of competitive eating, yes – there’s such a thing! In this episode of a popular Taiwanese TV show, watch him scarf down what looks to be ten bowls of A-Sha noodles! Very impressive! He’s doing some special stuff with A-Sha Dry Noodle right now, and I will have more on that soon! For now, enjoy and Happy Friday! ...see full post

Momofuku Ando Day Nissin Cup Noodle Photo Contest

Hey everyone! I’d like to announce the 4th Momofuku Ando Day here at The Ramen Rater will be on Monday, January 19th 2015. For those of you who aren’t aware, Momofuku Ando was the inventor of The instant noodle and he also started Nissin Foods. His first product, Chikin Ramen was sold in 1958. This year, I’m doing something a little different, and I’ll be featuring a couple video reviews dealing with Cup Noodles, which leads me to this year’s Momofuku Ando Day Photo contest! Here are the rules: ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time Hong Kong 2015 Edition

I thought to myself recently that it would be great to end 2014 and start 2015 with a new top ten list – but from where? A couple places came to mind, and Hong Kong sounded like a good one. I’ve found a lot of excellent instant noodles that have been from Hong Kong. Been hoping to see more arrive here in the United States, but many of the ones on this list I’ve found up in Canada. I would definitely like to reach out to instant noodle companies in Hong Kong to take part in Meet The Manufacturer; there’s not been a Hong Kong participant yet! With that, here’s the top ten instant noodles of Hong Kong – the best and most memorable – from the last 1,553 reviews. Enjoy and Happy New Year, Hong Kong! ...see full post

Big News For Mr & Mrs The Ramen Rater

Today’s a special day for us – five years ago today, we first talked to each other. We were both getting through the murky end of horrible relationships and found each other on an online dating website. She lived to far away – me in northern Washington, she in Northern California. That night we spoke on the phone for a whole 6 hours and all I wanted to do was to talk to her again. It was amazing; we found each other right when we most needed each other. Five years later, I’d like to announce that we’re expecting our first child together! We found out two weeks ago! We’re very excited and can’t wait to start this new adventure. To my wife – I love you and am supremely happy knowing you are in my life everyday. Happy Holidays to all! ...see full post

Friday Video: Instant Noodle

This is an absolutely perfect short film called ‘Instant Noodle’ about one man’s obsession with finding the ultimate spicy Korean ramyun. It was made by Dreamagine Productions Media. If you’re a fan of spicy instant noodles, you’ll love this! Season’s greetings to all! ...see full post

Friday Video: The Most Delicious Ramen ラーメン

Here’s a half hour documentary about Japanese ramen – enjoy and happy Friday!

Poster From Thai President Foods

So when I do a Meet The Manufacturer, I always try and see if I can get the company to autograph a poster for me and send it along. Well, Thai President Foods did! ...see full post

Promotional Items From Thai President Foods

Yay! A box from Thailand! What’s inside?

Coasters!

Awesome keychains!

They also sent a couple of these t-shirts! Too small for me but not for Kit! Thank you very much! ...see full post

New Penang Asam Pedas Product Samples From Nanyang Chef

Got a package in the mail today Penang Asam Pedas – a new product from Nanyang Chef!

Asam Laksa is a sour and spicy soup popular in Penang, Malaysia. But what’s the pedas part? ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s MyKuali Penang White Curry Pizza

One thing that really surprised me during our trip was seeing that a lot of the fast food chains that are popular here in the United States are also popular in Malaysia. Burgers, fried chicken and even pizza were well represented by popular chain restaurants over there (I will say that there was no sign of the ubiquitous taco chain here). They all had different ways of serving things to fit with the local taste; like spicy fried chicken with rice or seafood pizza. This got me thinking that maybe a fusion of pizza and MyKuali White Curry might work in some way. I thought about it for a while and decided today was the day. We got the ingredients together and The Ramen Rater’s MyKuali White Curry Pizza was born! Check it out! ...see full post