Definitive Guide Series – Samyang Buldak * Nongshim Shin Ramyun * Indomie Mi Goreng
Category: * News / Noodle News
Fire Noodle Samples From Samyang Foods
You’re probably thinking ‘wow – he’s sure getting a lot of stuff from South Korea lately’ and you’re right! My birthday is on Tuesday and I’ll be rolling out something special – The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Buldak Bokkeummyun. The ‘Fire Noodle Challenge’ has been done over on YouTube plenty of times and I thought it would be good to give a little background on these noodles and what they’re all about. Let’s have a look in this box.
The March Box From Japan
Javier over at www.boxfromjapan.com is working hard to bring you the best from Japan! He hand picks the best every month – ones you definitely can’t find here in the United States. Box From Japan is a subscription service – check it out! Here’s this months offering.
Samyang Foods Sends 2x Fire Noodle & Others
Buldak Bokkeummyun is the Korean name for what people all over the world have been enduring in the Fire Noodle Challenge. It’s a seriously spicy variety – #3 on my Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time 2016 Edition. Well, they’ve come out with a spicier version that’s supposed to be just amazing. I contacted them and they sent me some along with other varieties – let’s check it out!
A Package Of Spicy From 1theKorea’s eBay Store
Check it out (click to enlarge)! So I decided for the first time to get some noodles off of eBay. 1theKorea has a TON of great South Korean instant noodles – definitely check them out if you’re in the mood for some! Let’s look at what’s inside!
Nissin Mexico Sends Cup Noodles Gourmet!
I recently did a Meet The Manufacturer of Nissin Mexico and they said if I needed anything, let them know. Well, there was one thing. I really loved the Nissin Cup Noodles Gourmet Caldo De Camaron, a really tasty shrimp variety. They were very kind and sent some! Let’s see!
Spicy Korean Noodles From Anders & Ji-Min!
I got an email a few weeks back asking if I’d tried the new 2x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun. I hadn’t and really wanted to. The email was sent by Anders and his girlfriend Ji-Min who live in South Korea and were kind enough to send some varieties along! Let’s see what’s inside!
Prima Taste Ready Meal – Curry Chicken With Rice
I know, I know – you don’t have to tell me that this isn’t an instant noodle, but the folks at Prima Taste sent me some of these neat meal pouches and I wanted to let people know about them. You cut a little slit in the side towards the top and microwave for 90 seconds. Boom – curry chicken rice! Here’s a quote from the company:
Another Big Donation From Colin
I got an email a week or so ago from Colin, a reader from Massachusetts who has been regularly sending me noodles from time to time. Let’s see what’s inside this big box!
Box From Japan: Ramen Subscriptions Are Back!
After a short hiatus, I received an email from Javier. Javier runs Box From Japan, a website where you can get different subscription boxes full of interesting Japanese things! They have a ramen box – which comes with 4 varieties of instant noodles from Japan. They also have a cando box which has a ton of different kinds of Japanese candies which are odd and interesting. Even a Pokemon box! Let have a look inside this one!
Exotic Noods Sends Their New Premium Box
Exotic Noods (www.exoticnoods.com) is a monthly subscription box – 4 varieties from around the world arrive at your door with chopsticks and info on them. Pretty great, especially if you don’t know what to try, don’t have an Asian grocery anywhere near where you live… Many reasons to check out an instant noodle subscription service. I think the best reason is to try something new and expand your palate! This box is a ‘premium’ box – wioth a lot of extras! Let’s look inside!
More Product Samples From Prima Taste
When I get a package here, it’s turned into a kind of celebration. So the head of festivities is Miles – a box comes and he’s ready to beat on it like a drum! I think he’s going to be a percussionist when he grows up – which I’d definitely be okay with. However, maybe he’ll be a noodle reviewer and follow in my footsteps – who knows; he’s not even two years old yet haha! Let’s open the box!
Ramen Posters & Stickers By Fanny Chu
I was contacted last year by Fanny Chu, a California artist with a true love for ramen. In fact, she designed a ramen poster, highlighting many of the different varieties of ramen in Japan. Well, she’s done a big update to the poster and now it includes a whopping 42 different varieties. They can be bought here. Let’s have a look!
More New Samples From MyKuali
Here’s another box from MyKuali – hoping that it’s got what I am hoping it has inside! Let’s see!
Chinese Instant Noodles From A Reader In China
I got a message from a reader whose name is Zou from China. He has this instant noodle he said I have to try – and so we start chatting. So it came in the mail a couple days ago! Let’s check out what he sent!
Donation From ‘Ramen Regret Rater’ of Australia!
I found out recently there’s now a group that’s reviewing spicy instant noodles in Australia – they call the blog RamenRegretRater, and they talk about the poops they have after eating spicy instant noodles – I shit you not! I’ve been chatting a lot with Kamran R. about instant noodles a lot recently and kindly sent some stuff he found while on vacation in Bali. Thanks, man! Let’s take a look!
Product Samples From Prima Taste
Got this neat dual box package in the mail the other day! What’s inside? Let’s see…
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Chinese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition
恭喜发财 and Happy Lunar New Year to all! I had a look at my lists I hadn’t updated in a while and saw it was in January of 2014 last I did a top ten Chinese list. Why so long? Well, I like to have done quite a few reviews in a year when it comes to country lists for that specific country. If I’d done only two and there weren’t any big changes, I’ll kind of let it go until the next year. This one seemed ripe and ready for a new version. Of the almost 150 reviews I’ve done of Chinese instant noodles, these are my favorites. I should mention that if you are an instant noodle in mainland China and interested in having me review your products, please contact me to set up a review series. With that, let’s have a look at The Ramen Rater’s top Ten Chinese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition.
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles 2017 Edition
South Korean instant noodles are known around the world as being spicy and beefy for the most part. However, there are many different styles. In fact, seafood jjamppong, black bean jjajang, cold noodles, and creamy beef noodles exist in the scene. Today, I’ll do a rundown of my favorites – the best of the highest rated South Korean varieties from over 2,300 unique varieties I’ve reviewed from around the world. Finally, I would like to note that it’s tougher to find South Korean varieties. Therefore, any instant noodle companies from South Korea should contact me promptly to be considered for upcoming top ten lists. Let’s get started.
MyKuali Sends Long-Awaited Samples From Malaysia!
Hooray a new box of MyKuali samples! I’ve been a big fan of their products ever since they released their Penang White Curry way back in 2013 I believe. Since then, they appeared on my top Ten Spiciest list and then my Top Ten annual. They’re known nowadays worldwide as something unique and different. Let’s see what’s in this package!
The Ramen Rater’s 6th Annual Momofuku Ando Day
Every year, I celebrate the life and innovative achievements of Momofuku Ando, the inventor of the instant noodle. This year, I thought it’d be neat to show different varieties of Cup Noodles, a global brand that celebrated its 45th anniversary last year.
The January Box From Exotic Noods!
Exotic Noods is a monthly subscription service where you can get a few neat varieties of instant noodles shipped to your door! This is really great for those who are nowhere near an Asian grocery – or those of you who are but have no idea where to start or what to try. Their picks are usually pretty good – stuff most people will enjoy. Let’s crack this box open and see what’s inside!!
Announcing ‘The Ramen Rater Select:’ The Ultimate Instant Noodles
January 1st, 2017
Happy New Year! I have something very special to announce: The Ramen Rater Select. What is it? The Ramen Rater Select is a line of premium instant noodles – ones that I consider to be the best in the world. The first variety will be available soon, and soon I’ll let everyone in on the flavor and where it can be purchased.
Happy Holidays!
I’ll admit – I made this image before the arrival of our little girl Miriam, so here’s a new picture of her too!
Introducing Miriam!
On Saturday, our daughter Miriam was born! 6lbs 1 oz (2.75kg) and 18 inches (46cm). We’re really proud and happy!
A Special Announcement
Well I’d first like to say Happy Holidays to everyone who reads the blog and follows it. Second, this will be the last post for a couple days. Why? Because we’re off to the hospital to have our baby girl today! It’ll be a day or two for new posts to start up, – don’t worry there will be picture 🙂
New Advertising Samples From CarJEN
I like to collect posters and advertising stuff dealing with instant noodles and really wanted one of the new CarJEN posters featuring their new Hot Curry – so they were kind enough to send some! Thanks! Let’s check them out among the other neat stuff they sent!
Help Support The Ramen Rater When You Shop On Amazon!
Just wanted to let everyone know – when you go to Amazon and do any shopping during the holidays (actually, any time of year) and use this link, The Ramen Rater gets a referral bonus! When you click the link, it brings you straight to Amazon – but if you look, the link will have a little mention in it of ‘theramrat’ (short for The Ramen Rater). It helps a lot and I appreciate those who already do – thanks! Bookmark the link now!
The Ramen Rater Visits Taiwan – Day 5: A Fond Farewell
The Ramen Rater Visits Taiwan – Day 4: Media, Malls & Raohe Night Market
The Ramen Rater Visits Taiwan – Day 3: Taichung Noodle Factories & Taipei’s Huaxi Night Market
Day 1 * Day 2 * Day 3 * Day 4 * Day 5
Woke up at the Silks Place hotel and had some breakfast. Then we were off to the Tainan rail station. We said goodbye to Darren there and then goodbye to Perry who had to head back to Taipei as he was off to travel on business the next day. The rail stations were really fascinating; almost like a mall to themselves! Tons of people, but everything seems to work very logically. We took the train from Tainan to Taichung where three more noodle factories were to explore! Met Jason, Erickk and Paul and went out for lunch at a hot pot restaurant. Got to try plum drink – kind of tasted like American barbecue sauce to be honest, but went very well with the Taiwanese beef. Was an enjoyable meal for all and then we were off to visit three noodle factories. These factories are all part of a company called Hung Guang.
The Ramen Rater Visits Taiwan – Day 2: South To Tainan
The Ramen Rater Visits Taiwan – Day 1: Arrival & Immersion
Day 1 * Day 2 * Day 3 * Day 4 * Day 5
A couple of months ago, I was invited by Kyle Kao of Mom’s Dry Noodle – a company in Taiwan – to visit and check out their operation. Just like last time I traveled (last May to Thailand), my wife is pregnant and the trip would happen when she was too far along. Again, just like last time, she said it was alright to go and I was accompanied by my sister Sue. Like many of you know, I can’t see very well so I need a little help when travelling. In the following posts, I will chronicle everything we saw and did while there. Thank you so much to Kyle for extending this invitation, as well as to Perry, James and everyone else we met there – You made us feel welcome and we had an amazing time! I hope you all enjoy the posts!
A Big Box Of Donations From Colin
A reader named Colin has again sent another big box of instant noodles – thank you so much! He’s sent two others that have been absolutely awesome – lots of kinds I’ve never seen! Let’s see what’s in here!
Japanese Noodle Samples From Ippin!
I got an email last week from a company that sells all sorts of neat Japanese stuff – Ippin! A marketer named Lee contacted me! There’s Ippin for the United States and Ippin for Singapore. Let’s see what Lee put in this neat package from Japan!
Product Samples From Nyor Nyar Of Malaysia!
Okay so I live in a small town in between a lot of bigger ones called Kenmore. We get a LOT of power outages here, and it looks like we’re probably going to have one tonight! Remnants of typhoon Songda shot out of the south pacific and made a beeline right for western Washington state. This neat box of samples arrived about an hour ago – I asked for more of these since I really like them a lot and they were kind enough to send some! Let’s crack this box open!
A Recipe Using Prima Taste Laksa
Prima Taste Laksa Rice
(click to enlarge)
I usually wake up at 5 in the morning, take a ton of pictures, edit them, get a post ready and then around lunchtime do the actual pictures and cooking and review. I’ve done it this way for a while and it’s a pretty good schedule for me, especially with a one year old in the house with his own schedule. Today I thought I’d take a day off and maybe have something different for lunch.
Tseng Noodles – Coming To America!
This is a box I’ve been really excited about – and I think a lot of you will be excited as well. People have been asking me about Tseng/Zeng noodles and where to get them since they were #9 on my annual The Ramen Rater’s top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2016 Edition. They just made #1 on my Taiwan Top Ten list2 days ago. Well, I have it on good authority that they will be available in the United States at 99 Ranch Market in California around Christmas time – that’s all I know for now but if I hear more, I’ll let you all know!
New Cup Noodles From Nissin Foods USA (2 of 2)
Nissin Foods USA recently changed their instant Cup Noodles recipe for the first time in decades. Why? To lower sodium, MSG and artificial flavorings. Here are the samples they kindly send – they got new clothes as well!
New Cup Noodles From Nissin Foods USA (1 of 2)
Nissin Foods USA recently changed their instant Cup Noodles recipe for the first time in decades. Why? To lower sodium, MSG and artificial flavorings. Here are the samples they kindly send – they got new clothes as well!