Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002
Found these at Saar’s Super Saver on Aurora neat Seattle. So it is just vexing me – those little words by the hammer kid – don’t boil it – smash it. I’ll follow the rules, but honestly, I have to try this as a dry noodle soon. Boil it, drain it, add seasoning, stir it up. I bet it’s good! I’ll get one next time at a store. I will reveal the upshot to you! For free! I am happy to! Anyways for now, let’s smash it.
I tried these initially years and years ago. Now they’ve got different packaging and I figured hey why not give them a fresh review. These aren’t cooked, although I’ve been curious what would happen if you did. Anyways, let’s give this snack noodle a go.
Found these are Saar’s Super Saver on Aurora in Seattle. I haven’t reviewed these since their packaging change – it’s been years. Take the power back with a portable snack! Let’s give it a go.
Here’s a low cal variety from Otoki (formerly Ottogi). Interesting. I wasn’t a huge fan of the first variety, hopefully this one will fare better.
Alas, another new package Otoki variety! It used to be Ottogi, however they changed the brand name here in the United States. I’m in the mood – found it at HMart – let’s do it.
Here’s another form factor of the Jin range – cups. I’ve reviewed the mild as well. Let hit the spicy!
I’m slowly finding more of the cup, bowl, and pack versions of Jin Ramen lately – tried both of the bowls, trying this pack, and got two of the cups, so just need to find the spicy pack. Honestly. I think these are among the best of Korean ramyun. The noodles have been great, flavors as well. Let’s give it a go!
I was kindly given this one by my kids’ morning bus driver. He’s a really nice guy and we’ve talked a lot about instant ramyun from Korea – he’s Korean I should add. As I write this, it’s been almost a month since my last review. I took a week to do editing and readying 5 top ten lists – it takes a lot of time. Then I took a couple more weeks off. It’s been a nice break, but I’m done I need to do my work lol – I really enjoy it and productivity is like a drug to me when it comes to this stuff. What’s funny is that by the time this comes out, my kids will have a new morning bus driver and it’ll be the new school year. I posted #5212 today, so that’s…. Hmmm… Oh wow – mid November? Heck, I could take summer off… But I like doing this. Let’s do this one up real nice and big thanks to my kids’ bus drivers – they’re really nice people.
Found this one at HMart. Nothing pleases me more than when a brand changes its name. I think they did this for US export varieties so people would pronounce the name closer to the correct way. This one sounds good to me – let’s cook.
The second of the Jin Ramen bowls from Otoki. Excited to try this with my new add-in! Let’s hit it!
Well, as I type this is January 30th, 2025. Just had almost a full week of kids being sick and at the tail end while the kids are now back to school, we’ve got a cold. Feels like I got punched in the nose, my eyes are drippy, and I feel beat. Chicken instant noodles sound like a nice restorative, although I’ve got to go to the store and get scallions this morning. I feel the whole ‘I don’t want to do anything’ voice in my head but I learned a while back that if you listen to that voice, it’ll get its way. So onward! This one was sent by James from Lakeside, California – thanks again! I did get another from this interesting Ottogi range a while back. I want to say this is one that ends up in Mexico often – unsure. Anyways, on with it.
This one came by way of James from Lakeside, CA – thanks again! So I haven’t had Japchae in years – it’s a dry sauce vermicelli! Let’s try it out.
Here’s the first of many that will be from Noodle Journey – a fellow reviewer – thanks! Kalguksu is a knife-cut noodle soup – during the unboxing I mention I thought it referenced clams but I was mistaken. I know, but it happens. Let’s give it a try!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2025 Edition is an annual list of my favorite instant noodles that I’ve reviewed. This last year, I’ve kit some milestones I’m rather proud of, Toward the end of last year, I published by 5000th review. That’s a lot of instant noodle to try throughout the years! With my 500th review, I did a documentary as well as a behind the scenes – check those out to find out about me and what I do here. This list is based of reviews up to #5160. If you are a manufacturer or simply want to see me try a variety I’ve not, please reach out – always happy to try something new. I would also like to mention this list is dedicated to my friend Jamie Burridge, who passed earlier this year. With that, let us look at The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2025 Edition.
Well, it’s Tuesday and Kamala Harris just announced Tim Walz as her running mate. I’m guessing you know how it pans out for them at this point, but for me it is August 6th. This one sounds good – tteokbokki is a rich cake in tube form. When prepared, they’re chewy and usually paired with a spicy and sweet sauce. This one is also including noodle, so this is ‘rabokki.’ Let’s cook this huge pack.
An interesting one found at 99 Ranch Market in Edmonds, WA. Guess we’ll have to give it a try! Certainly is bright red…
Hey it’s time for some Korean seafood noodles! This one comes with some sea tangle (kelp) that helps season the soup! I’m kind of excited about this one. Let’s hit it up.
This one comes by way of Exotic Noods – you can get great subscription boxes from them full of interesting varieties. Try using THERAMENRATER coupon code for a discount. Cheese and South Korean noodles go great – let’s give it a go.
I think I’ve mentioned recently being almost out of instant noodle varieties to review. Well, I went to HMart today. It’s a Monday. That doesn’t usually happen as it’s probably a two hour or more walk each way. Anyways, I went with my wife, the lovely Kit. See, she got a tooth pulled that was giving her trouble on Friday. Then she had to go back because they missed a couple bits on Saturday. It’s been pure hell for her. Today, we went back to the dentist to look – was worried about dry socket (nope) and infection (nope) – but they gave her more meds and other stuff so hoping that helps. Anyways, got to spend the day with her as she works in a call center and talking on the phone all day when you have trouble opening your mouth as it hurts… This is one that should hurt pretty good – I’ve been wanting to do this spicy one for quite a long time. Well, let’s give it a go!
This one usually comes out in January, but a little late this year on edits. However, this one’s ready to go! This is my list of favorite South Korean varieties from my reviews up to number 4,650. Definitely want to try more South Korean varieties – especially those only found in South Korea – not export versions if at all possible. Anyways, let’s boil some water and check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2024 Edition!
Here’s the second of the new varieties of MyKuali’s new stuff, the other being their Black Curry. If you’ve never tried any of MyKuali’s offerings, you really owe it to yourself to do so. The flavors of Malaysia are simply more than you’ve probably ever experienced in the United States; bright, strong and truly wonderful. Surely, you’ve heard of mi goreng, but here’s a little on the term mamak from Wikiedia –
Found this one while looking for something completely different recently at HMart. I could tell they had the new noodle type (flat/broad) and thought that could be interesting, so here we are with today’s review. I should mention I have a special guest on today’s Instant Noodle Recipe Time at the bottom, so check it out. Anyways, let’s cook it up and give it a try!
Back in March of 2017, I reviewed this one for the first time. In November, I ended up going to Taiwan for the second time and it was really quite amazing. The first day there I think, I got to visit a little restaurant called ‘Love Instant Noodles.’
Found this one at HMart recently. Looks to be a Vegan version of Jin Ramen and that sounds neat as a change of pace. I’m in the mood for something different – haven’t done a lot of Korean varieties lately. This one is of course made in South Korea but packaged for sale in the United States. Let’s give it a try!
So this one might look like a variety simply for the US market but there’s a difference. The nutrition facts are valid for Canada as well. This one get’s the country of origin’s tag on it, although it’s most certainly an export product. It’s been quite a while since I’ve reviewed a South Korean variety I’ve not reviewed. Quite a while! Let’s hit it up and give it a try!
Been wanting to try this one for a while – Ottogi makes some good ones. My favorite has been the Jin Jjamppong – nice smoky seafood flavor. Let’s give this one a try!
After a couple years, here’s The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition. It’s been a sort of tough go lately; so few new Korean varieties have crossed my desk. Usually they’ve all been ultra spicy ones, and while good, they’ve not been ones that are top ten listers. There should be a few new ones to the list for next years list that have yet to be published, though. If you’ve an instant noodle company in South Korea, I’d love to review your products. I used to receive samples from the larger companies quite often, but unfortunately not so much recently. This list is comprised of varieties from South Korea that I’ve reviewed up to my 4,300th review. With that, here’s The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition!
Here’s one made in South Korea and packaged for the Us market. This is a spicy and sweet cold noodle, perfect for summer months. As I write this, it’s just turned to August. We just had a week of temps above 90 degrees – very hot for the Seattle area – record breaking actually. Today it’s much cooler which is a relief. First day in quite a while since I remember the air conditioning being turned off.
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.
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!
Did an interview for a Korean magazine and they wanted me to include a shot of various Korean instant noodles on my desk and this was one my wife picked up for me the other day. Let’s check it out!
This one came by way of Exotic Noods! Check ’em out and use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a nice discount! While made in South Korea, this one’s made for North America and distributed by Ottogi’s American arm. Sounds like fun – let’s give it a go!
Here’s a variety that’s perfect for the summer month – this one’s served cold. Here’s a little something from Wikiward on this one –
Okay so this one comes with an included… story! One day, the family went up to Canada to do the regular stuff – get some toys, peanut butter, hit up the Asian markets, etc. Well, we went to Smart’n’Save at Lansdowne Centre and saw these bowls. Got one and eventually drove home.
Here’s something I’d not seen before – I know, that’s kind of a redundant statement; I try to review something new every day, so… But this is very different. Often, cold noodle varieties from South Korea pop up, but not usually ones that come with a cold broth – they’re usually broth-free. I think that may have been the longest sentence I’ve ever typed on this blog, so apologies for that.
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!
Another one I found in Taiwan. This one is quite interesting as far as the packaging goes. Not only do you see Korean print but Chinese as well. This product is definitely for sale in Taiwan only – an export version. As far as the recipe changing from place to place, I have no clue. Here’s a little about kimchi from Wikipedia –
Kicking off Top Ten List season, I bring you the South Korean Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time for 2018. I looked at how many varieties from South Korea I’ve reviewed to date and got 326 so far. South Korean varieties continue to evolve and innovate in different ways in order to satisfy the changing needs and tastes of the consumer – definitely keeps things interesting. As always, I ask any companies, whether in South Korea or elsewhere – that would like me to review their products to send me an email! I am happy to talk to you! Without further delay, let’s have a look at the Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles list for 2018 – the best South Korean varieties available out of the over 360 South Korean varieties from the over 2,500 varieties of instant noodles I’ve reviewed thus far.
The first time I’d heard about Budae Jigae instant noodles was when I read an article in my nes feed about this brand making one. So what is budae jjigae? Let’s have a look at this from Wikipedia –
I reviewed this, however in a different package many moons ago. Back then the packaging said Ramyonsari. Recently, I did one called Sari Ramen. Basically, this is a plain instant noodle block in a plastic pillow pack.
