Category: * News / Noodle News

Binders Full Of Women? Nope – Noodles

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Binders Full Of Women? Nope - Noodles

Since my 200th review or so, I’ve been keeping the packaging from the instant noodles I review. Why? Well, there are a few reasons. First, it’s kind of a physical representation of the varieties I’ve sampled. Also (and more importantly), the bar codes are on them all. These can be added as tags to the posts and be added. I started adding bar codes in the tags around review 800 or so. The Ramen Rater apps all have bar code scanning capability and so adding these in makes the app more functional for the site. Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of tedious work to do in that area. Anyways, Someone asked about how I store my noodle packaging and was curious to see some binders, so here you go! ...see full post

The Ultimate Instant Noodles Collection

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The Ultimate Instant Noodles Collection - ramen - the ramen rater

Okay so some of you may be wondering – and some have asked as well: what do you noodle holding pens look like? Well, they’re next to my desk – actually next to and under. ...see full post

Product Samples From Tseng Noodle

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Product Samples From Tseng Noodle - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater

I asked for one four pack of their noodles. They sent a whole box! Let’s look inside.

Product Samples From Tseng Noodle – Taiwan

Product Samples From Tseng Noodle - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater ...see full post

An Enormous Gift From Nissin Mexico

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An Enormous Gift From Nissin Mexico - Gourmet - Cup Noodles - Caldo De Camaron - The Ramen Rater - Instant Noodles

So Nissin Mexico’s Gourmet Caldo De Camaron was #1 on this year’s The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups Of All Time 2017 Edition – and well deservedly so. Big shrimp, lots of veggies and a broth to die for as well as some great noodles in these cups. Well, they were enthused and wanted to thank me, so they sent me a couple of cups. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Singaporean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

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Singaporean Singapore The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Singaporean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

So for the past few years I’ve been thinking about putting out a top ten list for Singapore. It took me a while though; I wanted to have a TON of Singaporean varieties that I’d tried before doing so. Well, I’ve tried a TON of them now and I felt it would be nice to put out a new list. I’m posting this on Singapore’s National Day – thought it would be fitting. If you’re not familiar with the half lion half fish image in the picture above, that’s a Merlion. It’s the national symbol of Singapore. Here’s a little more about it here. Well, it’s time. These are my favorite varieties that come from Singapore from the over 2,500 reviews I’ve done to date. All these Singaporean varieties are most definitely shiok – so grab your favorite beer (mine’s Tiger) and check it out! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater In… GQ? Really?

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The Ramen Rater In… GQ? – Taiwan

Yeah – really! So I had no idea until it came out, but I’m in GQ Taiwan. Definitely didn’t expect that! If you want to read the article, it’s here (note – you’ll need to use Google Translate if you can’t read Chinese). Posts will resume Friday. I’ll do a couple Throwback Thursdays on Instagram though – oh yeah – follow me on Instagram! I post there every day as well. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

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NOTE – THERE IS A NEW TOP TEN SPICY LIST FOR 2018 – HERE IT IS

The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

It’s that time of year again! Actually, this is the first time the list is coming out in July although at the tail end of July. I usually have the lists come out on the Monday closest to the date it came out the prior year. So this list is a compilation of absolutely hottest and spiciest varieties I’ve had out of the 2,500+ varieties I’ve tried thus far. Something you think belongs on this spiciest of lists? Let me know – I’ll give it a try. Let’s get started! ...see full post

Pringles Top Ramen Chips & Where To Get ‘Em

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Pringles Top Ramen Chicken Flavor Potato Crisps

Just In! Pringles Top Ramen Chips & Where To Get 'Em - United States - The Ramen Rater - chicken top ramen raman ramon roman chips crisps pringles

Okay so you may have seen that there are new Pringles Top Ramen Chicken Flavor Potato Chips on the market. This is a pretty surprising thing for the US – less so elsewhere. Apparently, the only place you can buy them in stores is at a place called Dollar General. There aren’t any in Washington State, so I had to look elsewhere. I found an eBay Seller who has them and at a very reasonable price. Some people are selling six cans of Pringles for $99! That’s $16.50 per can! Egad; what has this world come to… Anyways, yeah I don’t think they currently have any in stock but I asked and they said that they were going to restock again ASAP! ...see full post

Samyang Foods Samples Including New Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun

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Samyang Foods Samples Including New Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun - South Kroea - The Ramen Rater - mala fire noodle challenge hot chicken ramen spicy

So both the kids were interesting this box that came yesterday. Miri is just about to start crawling but Miles is running around like a beast these days! Let’s see what’s inside! ...see full post

New Product Samples From Mom’s Dry Noodle

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New Product Samples From Mom's Dry Noodle - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater

Got this box in the mail a couple days ago from Taiwan! Wonder what’s inside. Let’s find out! ...see full post

A Spicy Package From India

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A Spicy Package From India

My wife Kit was kind enough to get me a pack of noodles I’d heard about being ultra spicy! Let’s look inside! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Rice Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

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Now for the third year, I’m coming out with the latest Top Ten Instant Rice Noodles list. Rice noodles have some benefits as opposed to their fried wheat counterparts. First, they’re virtually fat-free. Also, they’re not fried. Rice noodles are gluten-free by nature, although the ingredients in the sachets that come with these varieties might not be. People ask me for a gluten-free list often, but that would be rather difficult as I’d have to pore over every ingredient list on every review to do this. Well, let’s have a look at these great rice noodle varieties – the best instant rice noodles varieties of the almost 2,500 reviews to date! ...see full post

The July Box From Japan

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The July Box From Japan - Japan - The Ramen Rater - samples - donations - instant ramen noodles

Every month, Box From Japan offers instant ramen subscriptions as well as candy and other special subscriptions! This is the July box. Thus far, I’ve never gotten a repeat, nor one I’d reviewed previously! Let’s have a look. ...see full post

Bokkeum Neoguri & Mr. Bibim Samples From Nongshim South Korea

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Bokkeum Neoguri & Mr. Bibim Samples From Nongshim South Korea - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - ramyun

A fellow reviewer from Happy Souper posted about these new Nonshim varieties and gave me the contact info for Nongshim Korea – I lost touch with my contact a while back. These were kindly sent by Danny – thank you very much! Let’s have a look! ...see full post

Vietnamese Crab Noodles Donated By A Reader

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Vietnamese Crab Noodles Donated By A Reader - Ther Ramen Rater - instant noodles - donations - samples

I got an email a couple weeks ago from Kimmy N. or Connecticut asking if I’d tried Binh Tay Crab noodles. I haven’t, and she offered to send some! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

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The Ramen Rater's Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

So today it’s the fifth annual The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time. On my other lists, I exclude varieties that no longer are on the market. On this list, everything’s fair game for the bottom ten. As I say in the video presentation, if you like some of these, there’s nothing wrong with you – I just find these detestable personally. These are my least favorite varieties of the over 2400 varieties posted to date. Without gurther ado, the bottom ten. ...see full post

New Product Samples From Nissin Hong Kong

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New Product Samples From Nissin Hong Kong - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles - demae ramen - cup noodles

Two boxes arrived taped together from Nissin Hong Kong! Awesome! What could be inside? Let’s have a look! ...see full post

Product Samples From Yamachan (Take 2)

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Product Samples From Yamachan (Take 2) - United States - San Jose - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

I got a box the other day with refrigerated samples that t had thawed. Yamachan decided to send another box – this time with overnight shipping to make sure everything stayed cold. ...see full post

Samples From Saraga – Columbus, OH

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Samples From Saraga - Columbus, OH

So a reader sent me an image of the 2016 Toip Ten list image that was at a grocery store in Columbus, OH called Saraga. They hadn’t asked to use it and so I got on their case a bit, although asked if we could work together. As a kind gesture, they sent some Korean noodles! ...see full post

New Samples From Yamachan (Take 1)

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New Samples From Yamachan (Take 1) - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Yamachan let me know about some new varieties! They sent some on ice – let’s check ’em out! ...see full post

2x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun Cups & More From Samyang Foods

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2x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun Cups & More From Samyang Foods - South Korea - The Ramen Rater

Got an email from Samyang Foods asking to verify my address for a shipment of samples a week or so ago! Today the box arrived in all it’s glory! Wonder what’s inside? Let’s see! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2017 Edition

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The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2017 Edition

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2017 Edition is a list of the best bowls I’ve tried of the over 2400 reviews posted to date. Bowls are interesting insofar as they often contain extra things, since there is more room for sachets, spoons, fork, etcetera. As always, I implore instant noodle manufacturers to contact me – I would love to review your products and all it costs is sending some samples and your time! So sit back, grab a bowl, some hot water, peel back the lid, stir – and enjoy! ...see full post

Box From Japan – The June Box

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Box From Japan - The June Box - The Ramen Rater - www.boxfromjapan.com - Javier

My friend Javier over at www.BoxFromJapan.com sent over the new ramen box for June! Thank you! Box From Japan is a purveyor of not only monthly subscription boxes of instant ramen bowls but you can also get neat boxes of candy and other neat stuff! Let’s see what’s within! ...see full post

라면 완전정복 저 지영준 / ‘Ramen Conqueror,’ By Ji Young Jun

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About a year ago I was contacted by a man in South Korea. He was very interested in knowing my story – he also wanted me to help him and contribute to a book he was writing. He seemed like a nice guy so I figured hey – sounds like fun!My only stipulation was that when done, that he would send me three copies.Well, the book is finished! It’s in Korean and I can’t read it unfortunately, but I’m hoping someone will be able to help me out on that soon. ...see full post

The May Box From Japan!

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The May Box From Japan! - Boxfromjapan.com - javier - The Ramen Rater

My friend Javier over at www.BoxFromJapan.com sent over the new ramen box for May! Thank you! Box From Japan is a purveyor of not only monthly subscription boxes of instant ramen bowls but you can also get neat boxes of candy and other neat stuff! Let’s see what’s within! ...see full post

Mama Pat’s Sends Varieties From Africa!

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Chef Ron wanted me to try some varieties from Africa and find out how his varieties stack up against them. So I figured, why not? ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

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Well folks it’s that time again. This one’s a big deal – the list that people from around the world have been waiting for every year. Since the last list came out, I’ve reviewed over 400 varieties of instant noodles – a new record in one year for me. So many good ones this year! These are my absolute favorites of the over 2,400 reviews of instant noodles I’ve posted to date. There are some big announcements at the end of the video, so make sure to check them out! As always, I invite instant noodle makers to contact me so I can try your noodles! Now without further ado, The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition! ...see full post

Product Samples From CarJEN Of Malaysia

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Product Samples From CarJen Of Malaysia - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Got a big package today! In fact, two packages wrapped together! Let’s take a look!

Product Samples From CarJEN – Malaysia

Product Samples From CarJen Of Malaysia - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

In the smaller of the two packages (click to enlarge), instant noodle varieties! ...see full post

April’s Box From Japan

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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. ...see full post

Pounding A Plate Of Paldo Volcano Curry Kokomen

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I was sent these by Anders and Ji-Min to try a few weeks back and although I’m not posting the review today, I thought it would be fun to do a video and put it out there. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater Interviews: Happy Souper Of Germany

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The Ramen Rater Interviews: Happy Souper Of Germany

This is the 15th year that I’ve been running The Ramen Rater and I thought it was about time I did some of the things I thought might be kind of fun during the past years. One of these is the idea that it would be interesting to find out about other bloggers who review instant noodles. Indeed, there are a few of us out there. ...see full post

Prima’s Juzz’s Mee Samples For The United States

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Prima's Juzz's Mee Samples For The United States - Singapoire - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles - export

A knock at the door and a package in my hand. Wasn’t sure what this is but let’s open it and find out! ...see full post

The Definitive Guide To Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun

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Definitive Guide Series – Samyang Buldak * Nongshim Shin Ramyun * Indomie Mi Goreng

Samyang Foods Carbe Buldak Bokkeummyun       ...see full post

Fire Noodle Samples From Samyang Foods

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Fire Noodle Samples From Samyang Foods - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - buldak bokkeummyun

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. ...see full post

The March Box From Japan

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The March Box From Japan - The Ramen Rater - Javir - www.boxfromjapan.com

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. ...see full post

Samyang Foods Sends 2x Fire Noodle & Others

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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! ...see full post

A Package Of Spicy From 1theKorea’s eBay Store

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A Package Of Spicy From 1theKorea's eBay Store - The Ramen Rater - South Korea

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! ...see full post

Nissin Mexico Sends Cup Noodles Gourmet!

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Nissin Mexico Sends Cup Noodles Gourmet! - Mexico - The Ramen Rater - fideos instantanea

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! ...see full post

Spicy Korean Noodles From Anders & Ji-Min!

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Spicy Korean Noodles From Anders & Ji-Min! - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - Instant noodles

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! ...see full post

Prima Taste Ready Meal – Curry Chicken With Rice

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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: ...see full post