Found this one up in Canada at Smart N Save as well. It turns out that this brand is actually related to Nongshim. It’s produced by Taekyung Nong San, which is part of the Nongshim company as can be seen on their logo. Interesting! This is a combo of tteokbokki and noodles. Let’s check it out!
Detail of the side panels (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free from the sticker, however the sticker mentions items not present; may not correctly correlate to this products so check for yourself. To prepare with microwave, Add 80ml water to the line in the cup. Add noodles, veggies, and seasoning. Microwave for 3 and a half minutes. To prepare on the stove (how I’ll be doing it) Add 160ml water to a pot and boil. Add noodles and cook for a minute and a half. Add veggies and seasoning, stir in, and cook an additional minute and a half.
A wet sachet of sauce (see it being implemented on the episode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time below).
Finished (click to enlarge). Added spring onion, soft egg, sesame seeds, and chili flake. Wow – this one is amazing. The noodle is a glass style and works well with the sauce and tteokbokki. Tteokbokki came out splendidly. The sauce is literally full impact yummy. I don’t eat many instant varieties except for mukbang, and I’m happy to say there are two more varieties of these bowls I have to review and they will both get mukbang-ified. The flavor is a sweet, spicy one with a thick luxuriant sauce. This is absolutely excellent and it was very hard not to go caveman on this and gobble it down. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code 8809061679000.
So you might be wondering – you haven’t reviewed this popular South Korean variety before? Well, yes and no. I’ve had it quite a few times – South Korean versions as well as ones manufactured in the United States. However this particular version is made for Europe and Oceania, so a different export version. I try to hit every version of everything- especially ones people have lots of access to. This one is generally a nice spicy seafood soup – let’s check it out.
Nongshim Neoguri Seafood & Spicy Ramyun – South Korea
Here’s the back of the package (click to enlarge). Contains fish and crustaceans. To prepare, add everything to 550ml boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. Note the instructions mention dried kelp, which was not present. Finally, stir and enjoy!
The noodle block.
A dry base sachet (watch this being used on the episode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time below).
A sachet of flake.
Finished (click to enlarge). Added spring onion, shrimp, carved squid, Busan fishcake, egg yolk, sesame seeds, and pepper flake. The noodles are just about the thickest ramyun I’ve found and work just perfectly with a broth. Strong seafood flavor and great heat and hallmarks of this variety. Lots of seaweed and bits of vegetable galore. 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 031146150304.
So here’s the second of the POP varieties I’ve seen. This one however is one I found at HMart up in Richmond, BC. Why’s it called Pot Or Pan? Well, you can make it as a broth version and a dry noodle version. Interesting! Let’s check it out!
Nongshim POP (Pot or Pan) Beef Flavor – United States
Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Contains beef. To prepare, add sachet contents and noodles to 400ml boiling water and cook 4 minutes. Finally, stir and enjoy!
A noodle block.
A dry sachet.
Has a beef scent to it.
Another dry sachet.
Salt.
A sachet of garnish.
Lots of little bits.
Finished (click to enlarge). Added Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts, soft egg, sprin onion, and boiled beef. The noodles are great – good gauge and light chew. The flavor honestly reminds me of Kentucky Fried Chicken original recipe – but leaning slightly towards a beef back. It’s fascinating! I definitely recommend checking this one out. 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 031146043286.
What a week! So last week I didn’t do a single regular review. I was knee deep editing all sorts of unboxings and episodes of The Chocolate Break. While we were out I found this one. I’ve seen it many times before, but buying 5 packs isn’t something I like to do at all anymore as first they’re expensive and second I end up with three extra packs to give a home to.
First, this is made in South Korea. However this is an export version and definitely labeled for sale in the United States. This is what is called an export product, and since you wouldn’t find it in this manner in South Korea, even though it’s manufactured there and not at Nongshim in the United States, it’s getting the United States stamp. What’s interesting about this is that it contains pork bone broth and pork fat, so don’t know how they’re getting around that.
Now, this looks really promising. However I think this may just be a new version of one that’s been around for a while. I’ve seen potato pork from Nongshim up in Canada from their Chinese factory. It’s really tasty stuff! Then again, this one seems to have a little more emphasis on spiciness so that’s interesting. Let’s check it out!
Nongshim Gamjatang myun – United States
Detail of the entire package (click to enlarge). Contains pork. To prepare, add everything but liquid base to 500ml boiling water and cook for 4 minutes. Add in liquid contents. Finally, stir and enjoy!
The noodle block.
A dry sachet.
A lot of powder.
A wet sachet.
A liquid paste.
A garnish sachet.
A colorful mixture.
Finished (click to enlarge). Added pork for Korean BBQ, green onion, sesame seeds, and fried crispy garlic. The noodles are just right – nice thickness and chew. The show stopper is the broth which has a nice spiciness and rich pork flavor. I really liked the varied included garnish as well – everything comes together in a very tasty dish. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 031146041732.
It’s been so long since I’ve seen a Nongshim product that’s been in an individual pack I’ve not tried it’s making my head spin. I used to get samples from them all the time, but not in quite a while. I miss them! I found this at a Fred Meyer store in Lynnwood, Washington last night! This looks like an interesting new concept for them – make it wet or dry. The name was a little confusing to me at first – I thought it was just called Pop then looked a little closer and thought Pot Por Pan? Ahhh – Pot OR Pan.. That makes more sense. I think I’m going to try pot today. Let’s check it out!
Nongshim POP Pot Or Pan Chicken Flavor – United States
Here’s the back of the package (click to enlarge). Contains chicken. To prepare in a pot, add everything to 5400ml boiling water and cook 3~4 minutes. To cook in a pan, add everything except the salt sachet to 220ml boiling water in a pan and cook 3 1/2~4 1/2 minutes. Finally, stir and enjoy!
The noodle block.
A dry sachet.
Chicken scented powder.
Another dry sachet.
Salt.
A vegetables sachet.
Looks like something other than just vegetables here.
Finished (click to enlarge). Added soft egg, Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts, spring onion, sesame seedsm and sous vide chicken. Noodles have a very nice chew to them which was great. The broth was very homemade. This was the ticket! Impressed!!! 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 031146043033.
Found this one up in Canada. Nongshim products in Canada are interesting because unlike in the United States where you can find ones made here as well as from South Korea, Canada also has products that come from the Chinese Nongshim factory. That’s a lot of sources for one brand! Let’s check it out!
Nongshim Oolong Men Beef – United States
Detail of the side panels (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. To prepare, I’m going to go with the microwave instructions. First, completely remove the lid. Add sachet content and room temp water to fill line. Microwave at 1000W for 3 minutes. Finally, stir and enjoy!
Finished (click to enlarge). Added boiled beef, fried garlic, soft egg, and green onion. The noodles came out of the microwave piping hot and most certainly done. The doneness of them was very much acceptable given their microwave ride and enjoyable. The broth had an initial beef taste that gave way to a mushroom flavor. Included garnish included mushroom which sadly did not hydrate and was like chewing a piece of wood. 2.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 031146271245.
It’s January 2019, and so it is time for the first of many Top Ten Lists. I always start the year with the latest South Korean Top ten. This list was compiled as of posting 3,058 unique reviews of instant noodles, 349 of which are South Korean. All varieties are manufactured in South Korea. If you are a company interested in having your products showcased, please drop me a line. Let’s begin!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2019 Edition
Video Presentation
Watch the full video presentation of this year’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time! Don’t forget to subscribe to the YouTube channel for daily videos!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2019 Edition
#10: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black
When Shin Ramyun Black came onto the scene a few years back it was a huge hit and still is. An upgraded version of their popular shin Ramyun, it includes a sachet of Sul-Long-Tang soup base which gives an extra heartiness to the broth. Thick ramyun noodles and a spicy bite round out the scene. It took me some time to get a pack made in South Korea, a requirement of this this. Original reviewGet it here
#9: Paldo Cheese Noodle
Paldo’s Cheese Noodle has been on the list for awhile now and with good reason. The way the cheese intermingles with the red spicy broth is amazingly good. The noodles are nice and thick ramyun and there’s a large quantity of them. Definitely one that everyone should try – and now there’s a spicier version on the market. Original reviewGet it here
Nongshim Champong is a spicy seafood noodle soup. It combines what you are used to with the beefiness of a standard Korean ramyun but replaces the beef with seafood flavor. This more ‘of the sea’ variety works very well with the chewy ramyun noodle. It’s kind of like a seafood stew to be honest. Excellent when paired with seafood. Original reviewGet it here
Neoguri Spicy Seafood Soup is a long time favorite of many and now it’s been converted in this new version as a dry noodle, sans broth. To be honest, I like this much better – not only does it have the great flavor of Neoguri, it’s got a plethora of garnish included – featuring little pieces of fishcake with the raccoon mascot on them. Original reviewGet it here
#6: Paldo Rabokki Noodle
To understand Paldo’s Rabokki Noodle, you have to understand tteokbokki. It’s also spelled topokki – but however you spell it, tteokbokki are thick cylindrical rice tubes that have a nice chewiness to them. They’re often paired with a thick red sauce which is spicy as well as sweet and served with fishcake, egg and other garnish. These noodles are paired with the sauce in a very tasty representation and crossover of the dish. Original reviewGet it here
#5: Ottogi Jin Jjambbong Spicy Seafood Ramyun
Ottogi’s Jin series added a couple of new varieties recently, and this is my favorite of the two. During a recent trip to Taipei, I went to a restaurant called Love Instant Noodleswhere they doll up packs of instant noodles and serve them piping hot. This is the one I chose from their selection. Jjambbong is a kind of spicy stew and this one has a nice kind of grilled flavor to it, alongside the popular broader ramyun currently spreading around – great stuff! Original reviewGet it here
#4: Paldo Budae Jjigae
Here we have 2017’s #1 from this list and it was also on the annual The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 list. So, what’s Budae Jjigae? Well, take donated rations from US soldiers from the Korean War and mix them with the local South Korean cuisine. This interesting fusion works so well including tastes from both cultures. Original reviewGet it here
#3: Ottogi Budae Jjigae Ramen
Ottogi also has a Budae Jjigae – and it’s my favorite of the varieties to spring onto the market in the last couple years. With bits of processed meats and other niceties, it combines with South Korean flavors into a crescendo of tasty goodness. Budae Jjigae translates to ‘troop stew’ or army stew’ as it originated from donated rations from US forces during the Korean War. Original reviewGet it here
#2: Samyang Foods Samyang Ramen Spicy Flavor
This last year I’ve really fallen for Samyang Ramen – both the regular and spicy version. It’s a bit different from most South Korean varieties as they usually lean towards beef, these have a ham flavor. The thick, chewy noodles and the rich and very tasty broth bring these to this list this year, and while I type this, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Original reviewGet it here
#1: Gookmul Knight Of Ribs
With imagery heralding to days of yore, a very unique and tasty one from South Korea tops this year’s list. A thick noodle is complimented with a retort pouch (a metallic sachet) which brings a sweet and savory sauce full of real pork – really like a pulled-pork noodle. What’s surprising is that this was the first variety I’ve found with one of these from South Korea – and it was excellent. Original reviewGet it here
Here’s one I found at the new T&T Supermarket in Lansdowne Center up in Richmond, BC. A Shin Black bowl! I knew they must exist; I mean, there’s generally a pack, cup and bowl for everything that comes out of South Korea. Well, here it is. What’s interesting is that this isn’t available in the United States, and up in Canada it’s not a product of the Nongshim China factory, which most bowls up there seem to be.
I don’t know if I’ve seen it referred to as ‘spicy rich bone broth flavor’ either, but as ‘spicy pot au feu’ in the past. Also something interesting to note is that this one’s microwavable. Anyways a neat find and sounds like something neat to try today. Let’s get started.
Nongshim Shin Black Bowl – South Korea
Detail of the side panels (click to enlarge). Contains beef, pork, shrimp and fish. To prepare, remove lid and add in sachet contents. Fill to line with room temperature water. Microwave (1000W) for 4 minutes. Finally, stir and enjoy!
Finished (click to enlarge). Added Chinese sausage, scallion and Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts. Noodles hydrated well and had a great texture to them from the microwave. Broth had that standard Shin Black flavor – no surprises here. Tasty! 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 031146042517.
Here’s one that was sent by Exotic Noods – a company that sells subscription noodle boxes. Thanks! This one is a spicy take on Zha Wang, a popular product from Nongshim – this one’s their spicy version. Zha Wang might sound a lot like Jjajang – that’s no accident. Zha Wang is basically jjajang but with a different name. Let’s give it a go!
Nongshim Spicy Zha Wang Noodle Dish With Roasted Bean Sauce – United States
Here’s the back of the package (click to enlarge). Contains beef and shrimp. To prepare, add everything but liquid sachet and 350ml water to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir frequently for 5~6 minutes. Add in remaining liquid sachet. Finally, stir and enjoy!
The noodle block.
The sauce mix sachet.
A lot of powder!
A vegetables sachet.
Looks to be predominately peas and carrots.
A liquid sachet.
Something to add in at the end.
Finished (click to enlarge). Noodles are just superb – nice thickness and width. The sauce works very well and coats everything – there’s only one problem. It’s spicy, and I really don’t feel like spicy works for me in this situation. It’s like if you made spicy Lucky Charms – kind of a ‘wha – huh?’ feel to it. I really hoped for a light spicy but it was pretty strong. Give me the non spicy any day – it’s excellent – but not a fan of this. 2.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 031146041190.
In the past few years, I’ve noticed some shifts in the domestic instant noodle world. Shifting towards a little more healthy being the main thing, but also playing with more exotic flavors and ideas. Here are my favorite varieties out of the reviews up to #2,943 that are made in the United States. What you should also know is that if you live in the United States, these aren’t too hard to come by. If you’re a manufacturer or just a reader who has a variety you’d like to see reviewed, please contact me using the CONTACT form. With that, here’s The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2018 Edition!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2018 Edition
Video Presentation
A visual presentation of The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2018 Edition.
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2018 Edition
#10: Mike’s Mighty Good Craft Ramen Vegetarian Vegetable Ramen Soup
Noodles came out quite nicely – good chew and gauge. The broth was kind of a vegetable and Western hot and sour affair with tart notes, sweet ones and a generally kind, giving disposition. The amount of vegetables was admirable and it all came together in a very good way. Original review
The noodles for this particular variety are just out of this world perfect. They have a decent and very standard gauge and suck up just enough broth. The broth has a very easy going creamy chicken taste, creaminess thanks to non-dairy creamer. Definitely my all-time favorite of the US Maruchan pillow pack range. Original review
#8: Nongshim Shin Black Spicy Pot-Au-Feu Flavor
Made in Rancho Cucamonga, California, this is the extra special version of their flagship Shin Ramyun product. Extra broth sachet and great vegetables. Original review
#7: Nongshim Kimchi Flavor Noodle Soup
First off, this is a Vegan product. What’s awesome is that it’s just got this bright and tangy broth going on that really impresses me. Lots of pickled cabbage in there and great noodles to boot. Original review
The rice noodles are awesome. They smelled great as they cooked. The broth ended up a happy, thick mess of wonderfulness. I’ve had my share of bad instant pho. Happy to say this isn’t one of them. Original review
#5: Sapporo Ichiban Japanese Style Noodles Chow Mein
I’ve loved this one for years and it’s actually been on the annual top ten once or twice at the beginning. A broth free noodle with a very tasty seasoning. Garnish includes seaweed. Original review
#4: Nissin Cup Noodle Seafood Ramen Noodle Soup
The noodles are your standard Cup Noodle fare. They are flat and thin gauged. Soft tooth and decent quantity. The nice thing about this one is the inclusions and the broth. The broth is a tasty and milky seafood one – salty and full of nice seafood flavor without being fishy. Clam and other seafood are abundant in decent size as well as scrambled egg as well as cabbage. Original review
#3: Sapporo Ichiban Tonkotsu Ramen Artificially Flavored Tonkotsu White Chicken Broth
A creamy broth with very hearty noodles. This is one of the first new things from this company in a long time – was worth the wait. Original review
#2 – Maruchan Bowl Taste Of Asia Tom Yum Ramen Noodle Soup
To be honest, I’m about as surprised by this one as you might be! But make no mistake – this US domestic variety is truly amazing. The tom yum flavor is just superb along with a huge quantity of noodles. You’ll fill up and be extremely happy as you do so. Original review
#1: Nissin Cup Noodles Very Veggie Spicy Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup
The noodles are thin and have a soft tooth. The flavor is a chicken with a lot of cumin and a bit of spiciness – not too much to fend off anyone I know, but enough to say ‘hi – I’m a little spicy.’ Just like the other three varieties in this range (chicken, beef and soy sauce), this one gets a lot of added flavor in the broth from the myriad vegetables included. Corn, bell pepper, and onion are omnipresent and just so welcome here. Of the quartet, this is my favorite, but each one deserves this spot – something newn innovative and delicious. Original review
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 –
“Ramen noodles in Korean-style hot chili soup. As you can imagine from the packaging, it’s pretty hot! But tasty! Topped with shiitake mushroom, green onion, and carrot. Have a glass of water ready before you eat!”
Curious if this will be any different from the other versions out there. Let’s find out!
Nongshim Shin Ramyun – Japan
Detail of the side panels (click to enlarge). Contains chicken and pork. To prepare, add boiling water to fill line and cover for 3 minutes. Add in sachet contents. Finally, stir and enjoy!
Finished (click to enlarge). Added chashu, Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts, hard oiled egg, spring onion and shichimi togarashi. The noodles came out slightly spongy. They’re thick and soak up a lot of the broth’s flavor, which is a plus. The broth has a spicy heat and a slightly bitter back to it. Expected something a little different but seems like standard Shin Ramyun cup form. 3.5 out of 5.0 stars. JAN bar code 8801043030694.
Here’s one I got up in Canada a few months back. Yeah – lately we go up to Canada almost once a month. It’s fun up there – I’m thinking though we’re going to have to venture outside of just going to Richmond and hitting Vancouver one of these days.
This is a Nongshim variety not made in Korea or the United States, but in China. Yep – lots of Nongshim factories around the world. Here’s a little on claypot cooking in South Korea –
In Korea, the earthenware pot is called ddukbaegi, often used for soups as seen in Korean restaurants. The stone pot is called dolsot, which is heavier and has a more marbled appearance, used to cook dolsot bibimbap.
Detail of the side panels (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. To prepare, add sachet contents and boiling water to fill line. Cover for 3 minutes. finally, stir and enjoy!
Finished (click to enlarge). Added spring onion, Salad Cosmo organic mung bean sprouts and roast beef. The noodles were extremely spongy which was a real disappointment. However, the broth was enjoyable – spicy with a nice tang to it. Included vegetables hydrated well. 3.5 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code 6920238081067.
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