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Holy cow – what a week. On Tuesday, we had a huge storm – a bomb cyclone. Areas around here had gusts equal to hurricane force. The cyclone sucked air out to sea, which made winds go the opposite direction they usually do – causing power outages… We had just shy of a 2 day power outage. It sucked. Well, I’m back. Let’s do it up!
Found this at S*Mart! Yup – shop smart, shop S*Mart! Well, let’s give this one from Samyang in South Korea a try!
So I got this from two sources. First, from Nissin in a promo box for National Noodle Day. Second, one from James from Lakeside, CA – thank, man! These are very popular with my daughter – she tried the one in the pictures here and the other gets opened for the review. Well, she liked it – let me have a try…
Well, I think it’s time for a break. I’ve done quite a few reviews this week and I’m so far ahead. As I write this it’s May 2nd, 2024. Weather’s getting nicer. I might do some more soon though as there’s a lot of rain in the forecast… But anyways, I had one the other day that mentioned Shaxian style noodles and this one sounded interesting as that one the other day was incredible! Well, let’s give it a go!
I’ve seen this on Amazon and elsewhere kind of recently but never in the ‘wild’ until this last weekend. Well, as I type this I mean September 28th 2024 last weekend. My lovely wife Kit took us over to S*Mart in Bellevue, Washington for a quick noodle hunt and three varieties of this range were lurking. It wasn’t really a quick hop over there – there was some insane traffic on the way home. However there was a bit of rain and a nice rainbow for the kids to enjoy on the way back while we sat in traffic. This one is made in South Korea by Samyang let’s check this out!
We arrive at the last of the three fresh varieties from Yoko Street. Miso! Let’s give it a try.
Here’s one that came out of a box from ExoticNoods.com – thanks! I haven’t had a lot of products from this company, but always stoked to get something new to try. Let’s give it a go!
Very rarely have I found instant pho that I’ve enjoyed. Like twice. But maybe this will be a third time. We shall see.
A final big thank you to the person who sent me these – they work in a prison and didn’t want to be identified, so if you’re reading this, thank you very much! This is the last of the four prison varieties they sent. A little background – they’re clear so as to make it hard to smuggle in or hide contraband – stuff you mustn’t have in prison. This flavor is one you won’t find outside of prisons or correctional facilities; period. A special distributor deals with these for Maruchan. They definitely aren’t interested in hearing from you – I called them up once and they were very uninterested in selling or sending me samples and said try going to prison. So don’t bother them as you’d be wasting your time. Well, with that, let’s try this one.
Big thanks to James from Lakeside, CA for sending this along. I have to say, I don’t understand what jjajang has to do with Italian influence. Chapagetti, Chacharoni – and this guy. Jjajangmyeon (black bean sauce noodle) is a fusion of Chinese and South Korean cuisine. I will say the chef is kinda funny insofar that if his moustache was larger, he could be dastardly twisting it like a bad guy in an old cartoon. Nothing bad about topokki though – let’s give it a try!
Thanks go to Pher Engi for sending this one – much appreciated! This one’s got quite a long name. I think this is a spicy beef variety. Let’s find out.
Another one sent by James of Lakeside, CA – thanks again! Nope – no noodles here, but definitely something you’ll find on shelves next to instant ramyun bowls, that’s for sure. tteokbokki are tubes of rice cake which are soft and chewy – and in this one they’re in a spicy, sweet sauce. Let’s check it out and give it a try!
Big thanks to James from Lakeside, CA – awesome! What a day. July 1st. Well, it’s the first day I’ve dragged the kids out for a long walk. They did really quite well – just a smidge over 6 miles. The weather was crappy though – warm, yes – but very cloudy and humid; like walking through a world that feels like walking into a bathroom after someone took a shower. I was going tyo get these posts ready to do my reviews this morning, but I slept in a little bit, and when I got home with the kids and planned on doing it then, I got to call my internet service provider since my bill went up $40 a month, then when they screwed my downgrade up, I had to call back. Sheesh. But lunch is over and I’ve got some caffeine at my side. Let’s get ‘er done.
Here’s one sent by James from Lakeside, CA – thanks! This one’s kind of funny – I’ve reviewed products by Dujosoo before, but this is like My Little Pony meets Pokemon meets onions! Let’s see what happens!
Here’s a variety that I found in one of MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles subscription boxes! Inside, they have 8-10 different varieties from Japan! If you’d like to get one, don’t forget to use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Let’s see what they had to say about this one – “Did you know that Nagano has three different areas on the top 100 list for sakura viewing in Japan? That’s why we have this gorgeous cup of shoyu ramen for you from Kuze Fuku, a Nagano based shop. The soup combines shoyu and dashi for some great umami flavor!”
Okay so it’s konjac, its sesame sauce. But these look very interesting. Let’s delve into it.
This one was sent by Daniel over at ExoticNoods.com – thanks! I reviewed this in late August of 2011 – way back. I reckon 13 years can end up with a lot of changes. The packaging seems to be pretty much the same, but this one’s so far back I wasn’t even scanning packaging. Wow. Well, let’s give this one another look.
Really happy I got to try this range thanks to a local Asian grocer. Quite a few, and this is the last. I’m wondering if this will be akin to tom yum? Let’s find out.
Here’s the last of the varieties sent by Pher Engi – thank you very much! Sop buntut, you ask? It’s oxtail soup. Let’s give it a go!
This one is only the second I’ve tried from this range. It sounds much better than the first I tried which I think was a mushroom variant years ago. Let’s give it a whirl.
Found this one at S*Mart a couple of weeks ago over the Bellevue, Washington. There’s a few versions of this range I’ve tried before and I think these are new. At least the packaging is. Let’s give it a whirl!
Hey look – another new one! I’m thinking maybe I’ll have to sauté some chicken and add in some Mandarin orange… Very curious how this noodle will impart such a flavor; in a good way, or like some Tang powder mixed in. Let’s find out.
I’m pretty sure there’s no panda in this. I’m a big fan of biangbiang – wide sauce noodle. Let’s give it a try.
Here’s another one from my recent visit to HMart. In English, this is Instant Noodle with Seaweed-Sesame Flavor. Makes sense now, eh? This is part of a new range I saw at the store. Let’s check it out!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop box – here’s what they had to say about it – ‘Soy and tonkotsu in umami harmony. The QTTA series is beloved in Japan for the warm, satisfying feeling you have after eating it. People let out an “aaaah! That hit the spot!” and continue their day a little more positively than before. Sporting an elegant purple fit, this cup is no trick and all treats, so don’t sleep on it!’
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box. Here’s what they had to say about it – ‘There’s plenty of hearty ramen bowls in this box so we’re happy to introduce you to this taste breaker! Chuka Soba focuses on a more crisp soy based soup that goes well with the chewy thin noodles. This combo creates a refreshing nostalgic taste that takes you back to the origin of Ramen in Japan. The toppings include green onion, bright egg, Naruto-maki, bamboo sprouts and even freeze dried grilled pork!’
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
I thought this one sounded interesting while I perused the noodle aisle at the Edmonds, WA 99 Ranch Market. I suppose it could be full of Sichuan peppercorn, either oil or dry powder, but I tend to doubt it. But, the proof is in the tasting – let’s give it a try.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Big thanks to Pher Engi for this one! Time to hit up Wikipedia –
Mi kocok is a beef broth-flavored noodle dish typical of the city of Bandung. This dish consists of yellow noodles served in thick beef broth, sliced kikil (beef leg tendons), bean sprouts, meatballs, lime, and sprinkled with sliced celery, green onions and fried shallots. Some recipes may add beef tripe.[1] The term kocok (shake) in the name of this dish refers to the cooking process, namely shaking the noodles in a hollow metal container with a handle, while dipping it in hot water.[2] The type of noodles used are flat yellow noodles which have a softer texture. To add flavor, you can also add sweet soy sauce and chili sauce. The basic recipe for shaken noodles is noodles, beef broth and beef kikil. However, there are several variations in presentation with the addition of certain food ingredients. For example, add chicken feet, beef, meatballs, even beef tripe.
The last of the Turkish Indomie sent by James from Lakeside, CA – thanks again! Sounds like a simple chicken noodle – let’s find out.
Here’s a Vietnamese beef pho, found at HMart recently. This one is a little interesting as instead of a rice noodle it’s a wheat noodle. Also, note that it’s not called pho, but it is a noodle soup. Mi means noodle and bo means beef. Pho? That means soup. Anyways, let’s see what happens.
This one was sent by His Grace, the Rev. Dick Gazinya of the UK – my gratitude knows no bound, my friend. This one is of a brand I’ve not seen previously. It’s also made in Bangladesh for the British company Meeran. Anyways, let’s crack this one open and check it out.
Now this is a name I can get behind – Ginataang Monggo sounds like something from Flash Gordon! But it’s not. It’s porridge – I really like foreign languages! Anyways, yeah this one sounds interesting – let’s give it a go – by the way big thanks to James from Lakeside, California for sending this along!
I’ve reviewed something like this before I’m pretty sure but this is new packaging so an update is in order. Couldn’t get that sticker off the side so unfortunately you can only imagine what’s underneath it, so put on your thinking caps… Imagine – hard! Yeah, not too exciting. Anyways, let’s make mi goreng!
Well, look at this! Thanks to The Fat Hipster for sending this over! It’s kind of funny – this is the first of three varieties sent and I’ve been kind of slow to get to them as they’re not instant noodles, they’re curry sauces. However, lately I’ve been making curries constantly lately. I’ve learned the way of black cardamom too. But here we have one by a company also known for their spicy instant noodle. I actually made butter chicken last night too. Let’s see how this one goes.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Another one found at S*Mart. I know, it’s not ramen or instant noodles per se, however it’s something you might find on the instant noodle aisle as I did. Usually these aren’t bad – definitely not a thick broth or anything, but a nice flavor and thin walled macaroni. First found this kind of thing years back in Canada with some Nissin varieties. Anyways, let’s proceed.
Made in South Korea and packaged for US sale. I’m curious if this one will work better than the last one which just kind of exploded in the microwave. Hopefully this one’s a gem.
