Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002
Yeah I know – just did a Meet The Manufacturer series with Sau Tao. But they send a ton of different varieties and they’re taking up room in the bedroom so Going to be fitting a couple in every few days until I’ve gone through all of those too I think. It’s spicy time – let’s give these a try!
This is another one sent over by James of Lakeside, CA – thanks again, buddy! So man… It’s Wednesday at least. So Monday my wife Kit got a dreaded kidney stone so if you know what that is, your know what that is. I’ve never had one, but watching her go through dealing with one before, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Luckily, when I type here it’s generally 100 days down the road that it’s published, so hopefully that stone is long gone. Evil things, these stones…
This is a kind of rare occurrence. I reviewed this one yesterday. Usually the posts you see here every day are from at least 100 days prior – it’s nice being ahead of the game. But, this being a re-review, it doesn’t get a new review number or anything. I was at the store and thought it would be nice to have something easy to do up and post.
Hey look – another Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater! This one came today and we brought it inside set up the lights, shot the video, edited it and boom here it is! Lots of neat stuff in this box! Check it out! Get yours here: http://bit.ly/UmaiCrate
Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for extra discount!
Still just surprised with all the different varieties. Here’s a nice wide-style noodle from Hong Kong – Let’s cook some up!
There are so many varieties these folks make and I’m glad because this has been one of the most varied Meet The Manufacturer series yet. This is a flavor however I could revisit with a different noodle pairing repeatedly with enjoyment, as well as their Tom Yum Kung. Laksa is a tasty thing! Let’s make this one and see how this pairing goes as we march towards review 4000.
I’m still just amazed how many different styles of noodles this company has – they sent so many! This is a unique pack, too. Ten packs, ten sachets. Shall we give it a try?
I’ve had a lot of Taiwanese dry noodles in my day, but never any hailing from Hong Kong as far as I can remember. Maybe, but I don’t think so. These noodles are without a broth – they’re from simple ingredients, too. You boil, drain, add in some ingredients, stir and eat. These are also considered mix noodles. Let’s mix it up and see what we get!
I thought it would be a good plan to look up Jiangnan cuisine in order to impart a little more info about this variety aside from the XO Sauce reference – if you’re interested in that, look at yesterday’s review – but I found that Shanghai is in Jiangnan and got a list of notable seafood dishes from there you might find interesting and truly wonderful from Wikipedia –
Hey this sounds neat – but what are Trolley Noodles anyways? All I can surmise after doing some research is that Trolley Noodles are akin to cart noodles. Basically, hawker style. Let’s open this laksa flavor variety up and take a look!
To start things off, I grabbed something randomly ou of the massive pile of samples I have here. These are ho fan rice noodles – thin and flat. Wikipedia had this to say –
Here’s the third of three new single pack offerings from Hakubaku. Miso is a style of broth is either love or hate. I have a feeling this one isn’t going to fall into the latter category. I’ve been trying a lot of instants for a long time and really hoping this one fits the ‘approval’ bill. Let’s find out!
The second of three new single pack varieties from Hakubaku. They’re a pretty neat company – they’ve sent me lots of different products. One I’ve really liked is their Mochi Barley. They also make barley tea as well. The ramen I’ve tried before, but not this specific flavor – it’s brand new! Let’s give it a try!
Check this one out! You ready for a spicy snack? These are snack noodles. You eat them dry without soup – kind of like potato chips.
Ah – it’s curry day. I love curry in every way, shape, and form. Curry noodles, curry chicken, curried lamb, curry kimchi… Yeah curry everything. This is a spicy curry – let’s give it a go!
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.
I’ll be honest – I really don’t know for sure where this one came from. I’m going to guess Uwajimaya but I could be totally wrong on that. Either way, noodles, yakisoba sauce – usually something good comes of this combination! Let’s find out.
Here we have one from Japan sent by Zenpop. Zenpop does a few different kinds of subscription boxes you can get and they’re pretty neat! Use coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount at checkout!
Here’s another fancy one from Mom’s Dry Noodle! Now, many of you probably haven’t tried anything with blood in it. Let me reassure you that I have and there are some really great foods that do contain it from many places. Malaysian White Curry often contains coagulated duck blood, while in Taiwan I’ve tried pork blood rice cake which was absolutely wonderful stuff. I know it’s popular in a Vietnamese soup as well.
First off, yes – this is produced in Japan, however this product is packaged for distribution in the United States.
Here’s the second of the Boys & Girls varieties I’ve found up in Canada. The first was a tomato and egg one which was truly excellent. Let’s see is a spicy beef will follow suit.
Here’s one that came from a Zenpop.jp subscription box. Use the coupon code RAMENRATER at checkout for a discount!
Here’s one from an Umai Crate subscription box! Go to https://bit.ly/UmaiCrate and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount.
This one was sent by Nongshim America – thanks again! Tonkotsu is a Japanese style ramen, usually a creamy pork rich broth. This one is boasting an added spiciness which sound interesting. Not only that, it’s a microwavable variety. Let’s see how it tastes!
Thanks to Annie T. and Kyle K. for help in translation! This is yet another one we found up in Canada recently. Really digging the graphic on this one. Let’s give it a try!
Here’s another one I got at the Osaka Supermarket up in Richmond BC at the Yaohan Centre. These style cups have been a lot of fun and I’ve got three more! I think I’m going to do them all in a row.
Here’s a fancy one from Japan found in a Zenpop box – check out zenpop.jp and use the coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!
I got a few of these during a Lunar New Year promo at 99 Ranch recently. Special thanks to Annie T. for help in translation. Let’s check it out!
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.
I got this one up in Canada just like the one yesterday. I’ve seen a lot of these ice cream pint style noodle cups lately from China… I like them they’re pretty neat. Unsure who Mr. Meng is, but I found it at the Osaka Market in Yaohan Centre up in Richmond, BC. Now, let’s give it a go.
Here’s a fancy one from Japan found in a Zenpop box – check out zenpop.jp and use the coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!
Here’s a fancy one from Japan found in a Zenpop box – check out zenpop.jp and use the coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!
Little Couples sent me two varieties – an Onion one that was about as good as can be, and this one which I’m curious about. This one won’t be noodles with sesame oil. Instead, in Taiwan sesame is more of a sesame paste with peanut notes and soy sauce which pulls it all together. My wife found this out in the early years of my reviewing one time when we got some sesame noodles and she was very excited, but when she tasted peanut she was really quite unhappy. She is not a fan of peanut butter, and that’s what it reminded her of.
I got two of these packs sent to me from two sources. The First was from a reader named James from California. The second from a My Ramen Box subscription box (use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount). Thanks to both!
I recently tried the rice vermicelli version of this and really enjoyed it. Today it’s the cup noodle version. I’m curious how this will do with a wheat noodle. Let’s find out.
Oh wow so I saved what I’m hoping is the best for last. I love laksa. I love curry. It puts me in a place where I’m weightless, floating above the physical world, not caring one iota for the ridiculous problems humans complain about. Curry is life. Let’s see if this one makes me feel alive.
Today, we come to the next-to-last variety from Mr Lee’s and the only one devoted to seafood. Freeze dried shrimp inside? Let’s see!
Well, here we go!I did a Meet The Manufacturer with Mr Lee’s a couple of years ago, and now they’re going to be producing in the USA! Sounds like starting May 2020 their products will be available (and also made) here as well as in the UK. They’ll be available on Amazon and I’ll do reviews of the Us made versions when they become available. This one’s only 218 calories! Not only that, this is one of the few manufacturers that use freeze dried rather than dehydrated bits. Let’s check it out!
