Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002
Was able to get out to a local Asian market hoping to find some cool Lunar New Year stuff. Didn’t find that, but found a couple varieties I was into using to try out the Ramen Bae products. So, here’s one of them. I tried this way back – it was a kimchi version – back in review #564. That’s around ten years. Let’s give this one a try.
Well look at this. Wow. Only 99 reviews until I’ve tried 5000 varieties. That’s crazy! Now I have to figure out what I’m doing for the 5000th review. Has to be something awesome. Well, here goes with 4901!
This one comes by way of Pher Engi – thanks again! These are very small – they’re mug-sized. That’s small! Actually, I just realized that the name makes sense – mi for noodle gelas for cup. Ayam bawang means onion chicken. Let’s cook it up!
This one came by way of James from Lakeside, California – thanks again! This is kind of interesting – a global export version. Let’s give it a try!
Here’s one that came in asubscription box – here’s what they had to say about it – ‘Sapporo Ichiban re-released their classic Consommé Soy Sauce instant ramen in a new Pokémon collaboration. ⚡ The dish is simple, taste, well-balanced and comes with the umami of chicken! Even the noodles are slightly seasoned so that every slurp bring you some flavors. On the topping side you’ll find some cabbage, minced meat, onions and carrots 🥕 What’s new, is the original Pokémon packaging and a new series of stickers to collect! Keep them safe, they might be worth gold in the future!’
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop box – here’s what they had to say about it – ‘Toyo Suisan delivers a symphony of flavors and ingredients with this duck, bonito based ramen cup. The soba noodles are a perfect transistor for the tingle of the seven spice chili seasoning. But this tingle dances upon not only the elegant fatty duck flavor, but also the umami of shiitake and seaweed. Duck based stock is known to be a healthier alternative in Japan, though we won’t promise any effect in that department… That said, the amount is very satisfying, especially coming in a convenient cup!’
This one came by way of Pher Engi – thanks again! Ayam Bawang translated to onion chicken, a very popular and standard mi kuah (noodle soup) variety. Let’s see how this one is!
Here’s one that came by way of James from Lakeside, California – thanks again! These can be found with the instant noodles however certainly aren’t. These are made in the US but for the Filipino crowd here. Let’s get it started.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box . Here’s what they had to say about it – ‘Who needs a Michelin star restaurant when you have ZenPop? This bowl is a remarkable dish to have been transformed into instant format, thanks to master chef Kasahara-san, who supervised its creation while also running several restaurants and writing a million seller cookbooks.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box . This one came in a special ‘triple box’ from Zenpop. It didn’t come with descriptions of everything, but Cup Star is a popular range from Sapporo Ichiban – and they’re generally pretty good. Let’s miso it up!
Here’s a neat one that was sent by Pher Engi – thanks again! Yeah, I really have no idea on this one. I found it’s a Maduranese yellow beef soup. Soto is often from my experience a beef and lime kind of affair. Let’s find out what we have here.
Here’s one I think came by way of James from Lakeside, California – thanks! This is the second of two from this brand. Sounds good – let’s give it a go.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Here’s one that came by way of James from Lakeside, California – thanks again! This is the second of two varieties he sent. Let’s give it a go!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Here’s one that came by was of James from Lakeside, California – thank you! I haven’t reviewed anything by Kiki in quite a while – really great stuff from these folks as I remember and looking forward to this! Let’s give it a try!
Lanzhou! This should have a nice beef flavor – usually does in varieties I’ve tried. Let’s check it out! First a little blurb on the history from Wikipedia –
Big thanks to Pher Engi for this one! Wikipedia had this to say about Padang cuisine –
Padang food or Minangkabau food is the cuisine of the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is among the most popular cuisines in Maritime Southeast Asia. It is known across Indonesia as Masakan Padang (Padang cuisine) after Padang, the capital city of Western Sumatra province.[1] It is served in restaurants mostly owned by perantauan (migrating) Minangkabau people in Indonesian cities. Padang food is ubiquitous in Indonesian cities and is popular in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore.
Well, I thought it was quite a while since I reviewed this but it was only a couple years. What I’d really like is to be able to get more varieties from this and other instant noodle companies in Taiwan – I get a lot of dry noodle varieties, yet not many instants… Well, let’s kick this into high gear.
So here’s one I reviewed way way way back – here’s the last time I tried it, review #923 – from November 20212. That’s a while back! Curious what I’ll think of this this time around. Let’s find out!
Big thanks to James from Lakeside, California for sending this along! Never heard of this brand before, nor this variety. Let’s give it a try!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – here’s what they had to say about it – ‘Miso is a paste created by fermenting soybeans with other ingredients. So if you think about it, as the bean “dies” in the process of returning to life as tasty miso, it’s almost like the Zombie of the soy world! …what, no? A bit of a stretch to fit the Halloween theme, perhaps? No matter, the taste of the miso speaks for itself. This bowl is very portable and has wakame seaweed topping, really adding to the volume of ingredients.🎃’
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
This one comes by way of Pher Engi – thanks again! So, maybe Wikipedia has a clue…
Soto Banjar is a typical soto from the Banjar tribe , South Kalimantan , with the main ingredient being chicken and having the fragrant aroma of spices such as cinnamon , nutmeg and cloves . This soto contains shredded chicken, with the addition of perkedel , boiled potatoes, boiled eggs, pieces of carrot and ketupat . [2]
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – which no longer exist.
This came out of one of their ‘triple box’ offerings. It’s a spicy and extra savory version of their seafood variety. Let’s check it out.
This is pretty awesome. First, thanks to Pher Engi for sending this one! Second, I reviewed this waaay back in 2011 (right here in fact). Thirdly, it says baru in the corner – baru translates to new. Twelve years later, it’s still new! Let’s cook it up! Last time I had it I gave it five stars.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
This sounds interesting. I know there are Assi grocery stores around the US here and there… This sounds from the name like either a jjambbong or a kind of ganjjambbong – let’s find out what we have here.
All I can say about this one is that the letter E is well represented in the title. Let’s cook it up!
Here’s the last of the varieties I found at an Indian grocery next to Chuck E. Cheese in Bellevue, Washington. The place was called Apna Bazar and it was pretty great to be honest. Anyways, let’s give it a try!
I have to say since I first tried Sakurai Foods varieties, I’ve been impressed. This one looks interesting – very basic packaging and simply called ‘genuine ramen.’ Very curious! Let’s give it a go!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount! This was part of a ‘Triple Box’ – three boxes in one! Let’s give this little tonkotsu cup a try!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount! This was in a triple box they sent – basically three boxes all at once. It didn’t come with any documentation, so I don’t know much about it. It only takes two minutes to steep which is pretty short. Let’s give it a try!
Ah, tteokbokki. I really wish I knew about this stuff when I was a kid. Wondrous tubes of rice flour – like big Beefaroni, slathered in a nice sauce. Better yet, with cheese. If you’ve not tried it, you’re really in for a treat once you do, trust me on this. No, not ramen, but definitely something you’ll find on the instant noodle aisle at a Korean market.
This is the second of two varieties I found semi-recently. The other was a spicy one, this one seafood. Bah – it’s early morning – let’s get this day going!
Big thank you to Pher Engi for sending this all the way from Australia! This one is interesting, and my years of reviewing instant noodles has been instrumental in giving you a little info on this one. First, the name. Mi means noodle – and gelas means glass, as in a glass of milk, etc. This is quite literally a noodle you put in a glass or mug with some water to steep. Soto ayam? Chicken soto – usually a lime and chicken affair. Let’s give it a try!
Ah, chicken! This is a variety ratyher interesting to me. Such a basic one – we have a counterpart in the United States, I’ve tried chicken Cup Noodles from Germany as well. It’s all over. Well, how is Singaporean chicken Cup Noodles? Let’s find out!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box. Here’s what they had to say about it – ‘If you’re familiar with the classic Chicken Ramen (チキンラーメン), the very first of all instant ramen produced by Nissin, then you’re in for quite a surprise. We know that Nissin likes to innovate, but we didn’t expect them to come out with this! Here’s their Japanese take on western cuisine, a Showa era (昭和) inspired Chicken Ramen. The Showa period (1926–1989) was one of economic growth and prosperity, during which Japan started important a lot of foreign cuisine, adapting it to their own taste. This Chicken Ramen was turned into a creamy gratin, with the flavor of charred cheese and the sweetness of roasted onions, for a creamy experience. 😋’
Here’s a Thai variety sent by Pher Engi of Australia – thank you very much! This is definitely an export version for a great many places. Tom yum sounds really wonderful – I love it and looking forward to seeing how this one tastes. So, time to try it.
Think this is the last of the varieties that Nissin Germany sent – thank you! Really will be interesting what teriyaki will translate to insofar as sweetness is concerned. Let’s find out!
