
In this box are two different varieties of ramen – one miso, one shoyu. The noodles appear to be the same, just the sachets are different. Let’s kick off this short Meet The Manufacturer series with some miso!
Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002

In this box are two different varieties of ramen – one miso, one shoyu. The noodles appear to be the same, just the sachets are different. Let’s kick off this short Meet The Manufacturer series with some miso!

Found this one at the Asian Family Market on 130th & Aurora in Seattle. They’ve got a lot of premium varieties – this one is in a little box which is pretty neat. I’ve had some from this brand in the past I really didn’t like but I’m hopeful – I mean, they’re mentioning night market in the title and night markets are really, really cool – at least when I visited Taiwan. Let’s check it out!

I have this and one more fresh variety that I need to cook up of these great Myojo USA refrigerated varieties – they’ve been extremely good! My wife has been a fan of yakisoba for a long time as have I, but my daughter could be heard while I was finishing up the reviews that day I tried the savory miso version. ‘Mama, can I have another bite?’ She’s definitely one for repetitiveness, and like a happy broken record, I want to say I heard her say it a good couple dozen times. Curious how they’ll like this one – I think they will!

Here’s one that came via Exotic Noods – check ’em out and use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!

Saw there was some neat new things going on over at Myojo USA so I contacted my friend Taku-san and he sent some great fresh varieties! I’ve had a ton of different yakisoba varieties but never have I seen a miso flavored one. Let’s give it a try!

Here’s another one I found at Asian Family Market in North Seattle at 130th & Aurora. This one is konjac and being konjac noodle, it’s exceedingly low in calories – it’s saying it’s 16 calories for 100 grams. Like I said – way low cal. Let’s check it out – by the way it’s a cold noodle!

I’ve seen a lot of these Yopokki variants lately and this one definitely piqued my interest and my wife loves tteokbokki and cheese – and then there’s ramen in there too! It’s a win, win, win! Found this at Asian Family Market on Aurora and 130th in North Seattle – rad store – go check it out! Let’s crack this big pack open and see what dwells within!

You know, I was going to make this review #4000 – and I thought that would be pretty darn cool. But things change and I decided not to, obviously. Well, I’m glad I made the change as this was a mukbang and the spiciness didn’t result in any screaming or anything truly noteworthy – other than this one is impressive for other reasons – let’s check it out!

Who’s house? Run’s house? I’m curious how this will go – it’ll either be good or bad. Let’s have a look at this one.

Here’s one I found at the local grocery store. The shoyu I tried previously wasn’t bad, so hopefully the miso will be good and not a boatload of red miso. Warning – there will be corn in this. If you’re not afraid of corn, smooth seas ahead. But if corn freaks out your tender sensibilities, turn back!

Yesterday we found ourselves in Bellevue and about to go home, Kit asked me if there was anywhere we should go over there before we left. I looked to see if there were any Asian grocery stores I’d not been to and found a few, but one had a name that stood out. S-Mart. Yeah – if you’re familiar with the film ‘Army Of Darkness,’ you know why this piqued my curiosity. It seemed that Korean grocery stores usually have a letter followed by the word Mart. It was only a matter of time; we have an HMart nearby, and a GMart (formerly KS Mart), and there’s more of them. Well, we decided to shop smart and shop S-Mart. That’s where I found this one – something I’ve never seen before. It always floors me – I’ve been to tons of Asian grocery stores in this area and then whammo – one that has a variety I’ve never seen around here. In fact, I found a few of them. Let’s give it a try!

I’ve never made a pie before. I know they make pie crusts you don’t have to make yourself. My mom used to get them and put pudding in them and they ended up really good. I thought I’d try my hand at making a pie, but of course it’s not going to be that.

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!

The reactions I’ve seen to this stuff range from curiosity to disgust. Personally, I find it to be something really awesome. You see, I spend a lot of time with instant noodles. A lot. When I see something like this, I see something that’s a shift. This really is a risky proposition, but the reward is high. Look at SPAM – they did pumpkin spice SPAM. Is it good? No clue – but I do have one my wife got me. This however is good and very easily obtained if you want to do the legwork. But not for long – this is only available at Walmart stores – specific ones – and so if you get on it quickly, you can enjoy some – or not. What’s nice is they’re only 88 cents apiece which is very reasonable, especially for a limited edition specialty item. Rest assured though – people will sell them for a great deal more on eBay once they disappear.


This review is dedicated to my mother, whom we lost since review 3000. She is missed every day.

Last time this came across the desk was June of 2011. This one came from an Exotic Noods subscription box. You can get one or a subscription to them and they’ve got all sorts of neat varieties in them. Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Let’s delve into this one!

This one looked interesting – saw it at our local 99 Ranch Market… Was really struggling with the translation of the directions, however my friend Bobby from Toronto came through right when I needed clarification and here we are – thanks! Let’s give this a try!

I figured I needed something scary for this pairing of Halloween varieties and so here’s something scary. I have no clue how truly spicy this one might be. I’m hoping it’s not going to kill my gut. This will have not only the cooking video at the bottom but the mukbang where I scarf the whole thing down if I can. Well, let’s see if I can handle it.

Was nice how Thai Chef sent everything in cup and pack versions – lots of varieties to go through! Cups and packs usually are a lot different. Let’s give this duck flavor variety a try – in a cup!

Here’s one that came via Exotic Noods – check ’em out and use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!

An apron, glasses, and a sunny demeanor. Yes, this is Uncle Fun. Fun? Foon? I’m guessing it’s pronounced Foon. When I opened this, the aroma was definitely nice. But what was difficult was the cooking part. I found a new way to image translate, but it was through google, so very confusing. Boiling noodles in cold water seems a little strange to me, but they’ve got some mad tech in China, yo… I hope I can figure out how the heck to cook this stuff… UPDATE – big thanks to Kyle K. over at Mom’s Dry Noodle for huge help in cooking instructions!

Today, we have one that was part of Japan Crate’s Umai Crate. So Japan Crate is a subscription service which has all sorts of different options for you. pretty neat stuff from Japan! There’s a coupon code for you too – just use THERAMENRATER to get a special discount at check out.

Had this just over 7 years ago – it can take another shot. Well, this is one I’ve enjoyed very much in the past – a Top Ten list variety. I think revisiting this with a heap of cheese is the right thing to do.

Here’s one that came via Exotic Noods – check ’em out and use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!

This looks interesting – it came in a 5am Ramen subscription box! Check em out at www.instantramen.jp and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!

Another one of the bowls sent by regular donor James from Lakeside, California – thanks again! These have been less than impressive thus far, but hopefully we end up with one of them being good. Still I’m shocked since their sauces are really quite good! Well, let’s give this one a chance to shine.

Found this in a Zenpop.jp box – you get seven varieties of instant noodles to try! I would say that almost every time I’ve gotten one of these, I’ve never tried any of them before which is really awesome. Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount! Here’s what they had to say about this one – ‘

This looks interesting – it came in a 5am Ramen subscription box! Check em out at www.instantramen.jp and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!

Here’s a classic one from Japan found in a Zenpop box – check out zenpop.jp and use the coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!

This looks like a fancy one – it came in a 5am Ramen subscription box! Check em out at www.instantramen.jp and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!

This looks like a fancy one – it came in a 5am Ramen subscription box! Check em out at www.instantramen.jp and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!

Here’s a classic one from Japan found in a Zenpop box – check out zenpop.jp and use the coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!

Here’s one that was in a box from Exotic Noods. They have monthly subscription boxes that are rad – full of varieties from around the world! If you want to get one, don’t forget to use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!

It used to be that I would shy away for the odd duck flavored instant noodle that would cross my desk, however these days I see them and a smile crossed my aging face. Duck. It reminds of when I have been in Asia, a place I so wish to see again. These are made by the same company that makes the MAMA range of noodle products, undoubtedly one you’re familiar with if you are a noodle aficionado. Let’s give this duck noodle a try as I look back wistfully at the days of dreams in Asia past and hopefully the future untold they will hold.

This looks like a fancy one – it came in a 5am Ramen subscription box! Check em out at www.instantramen.jp and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!

Found this in a Zenpop.jp box – you get seven varieties of instant noodles to try! I would say that almost every time I’ve gotten one of these, I’ve never tried any of them before which is really awesome. Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount! Here’s what they had to say about this one – ‘Acecook with some more innovation! With an original square-shaped cup, these Acecook yakisoba (焼きそば, fried soba noodles) are a treat for your taste buds. Ready to enjoy after a quick boil, and having drained the water, the noodles reproduce the texture of handmade noodles. It’s just like you’d make a dish of fried noodles at home, but instant! The dashi-flavored sauce together with the bonito is a perfect combination for an enjoyable meal.’ Let’s check it out!

I believe this is the last of the German Cup Noodles I was sent from Germany – big thanks to Anna from Nissin DE for sending these along! We arrive at duck. I so wish I could just go to the deli and say ‘yeah, can I have 50 grams of duck?’ Here in the US, nobody sells duck. Only place you’re going to find it is hanging whole duck at Asian grocery stores.I will admit that when I visited Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan, I was treated to some of the finest food in the world – and some of my favorites featured duck. Duck is very popular in Southeast Asia. Wish it were here. Ah well. I dream of someday returning to where I feel I belong. Let’s give this a try!

Today, we have one that was part of Japan Crate’s Umai Crate. So Japan Crate is a subscription service which has all sorts of different options for you. pretty neat stuff from Japan! There’s a coupon code for you too – just use THERAMENRATER to get a special discount at check out.