Category: * Stars 4.1 – 5.0

#4621: Tapatio Ramen Noodle Soup Birria Flavor – United States

#4449: Tapatio Ramen Noodle Soup Birria Flavor - United States

Very curious about this one. So here’s a little background on birria –

Birria (Spanish: [ˈbirja] (listen)) is a Mexican dish from the state of Jalisco. It is a traditional soup or stew made from a combination of chili pepper-based goat meat adobogarliccuminbay leaves, and thyme, and cooked at a low heat. Birria is slow-stewed in a pot (olla), and differs from barbacoa, which is cooked underground. Beeflambsheepchicken, or vegan meat substitutes are alternatives for goat. It may be seasoned and garnished with onioncilantro, and lime. It is commonly accompanied with handmade corn tortillas.[1] Birria is one of the most famous dishes from Central Mexico including Jalisco and Michoacan. Each municipality and state is said to have its own version of this dish. The most famous are goat birria from ApatzinganMichoacan and from Guadalajara, Jalisco San Pedro Tlaquepaque, are also well known for the quality of their birria.[2] ...see full post

#4616: Nissin Chicken Ramen Donburi – Japan

#4616: Nissin Chicken Ramen Donburi - Japan

Back in 2016, I reviewed this one before my son Miles was a year old. This was my 2000th review at that time, and I found it to be really quite good. It came in a special sunscription box (which I’ll tell you about below), and I figured it was due another look. Nissin Chikin Ramen was the first variety on the market in 1968 – and it didn’t have a seasoning sachet; the seasoning was in the noodle. This one is that way as well, and includes a freeze dried block with egg and other ingredients. This was also the first instant noodle I fell in love with when my favorite at age 8 or so was discontinued (Nissin Roasted Ramen). When my parents took me to Seattle to Uwajimaya, a big Japanese grocery, they asked them what was comparable and they steered me towards Nissin Chikin Ramen. I also saw all the different varieties on hand as well and was instantly transfixed; so much foreign text! Exotic flavors! I’m making this bowl today and going to let my daughter Mimi try it when she gets home from school. ...see full post

#4614: Cielo Pozole Flavor Instant Ramen Noodle – United States

#4614: Cielo Pozole Flavor Instant Ramen Noodle - United States

You might not be familiar with pozole – I have tried a pozole ramen in the past but unfortunately I still haven’t sampled the actual dish. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about it – ‘Pozole (Spanish pronunciation: [po’sole]; from Nahuatl languagespozolli, meaning cacahuazintle, a variety of corn or maize) is a traditional soup or stew from Mexican cuisine. It is made from hominy with meat (typically chicken , but possibly pork), and can be seasoned and garnished with shredded lettuce or cabbage, chilli peppersoniongarlic, radishes, avocado, salsa or limes. Known in Mesoamerica since the pre-Columbian era, today the stew is common across Mexico and neighboring countries, and is served both as a day-to-day meal and as a festive dish.’ ...see full post

#4606: A-Sha Meteor Noodles With Braised Beef Sauce – Taiwan

#4799: A-Sha Meteor Noodles With Braised Beef Sauce - Taiwan

This sounds great and I’m really quite curious. Braised beef noodle is a really wonderful thing in Taiwan. I’ve had the fortune of trying it over there and it’s just spectaular – rich flavor and beef that’s melt in your mouth wonderful. A-Sha also makes a boxed premium noodle with beef that’s been on the global top ten for a couple of years now. Let’s see what this new braised beef noodle tastes like – it can be prepared two different ways, too! ...see full post

#4603: Nissin Cup Noodles Tom Yam Seafood Flavour – Singapore

#4603: Nissin Cup Noodles Tom Yam Seafood Flavour - Singapore

Back in 2017 when the world was young (before I started Instant Noodle Recipe Time), this one graced my desk with its packaging exclaiming ‘more shrimptacular.’ The packaging has changed a bit and I got this one as part of a media kit espousing the virtue of their new Cup Noodles Fish Head Curry (which were quite good, I might add). Nissin Singapore has sent some really quite amazing and well thought out media kits as of late – can’t wait for more of them! Let’s give this new packaging cup a try. ...see full post

#4596: Red Chef Sesame Clear Soup Noodles – Malaysia

#4596: Red Chef Sesame Clear Soup Noodles - Malaysia

Of all the Red Chef varieties, this one I understand the least. I like to revisit it again once in a while as it’s something I just don’t quite understand. That’s most certainly not the product’s fault . So that being said, I walk towards it again in hopes a new sampling will bring me closer to understanding it. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#4595: Burung Layang Terbang Mie Goreng Rasa Sambal Terasi – Indonesia

#4595: Burung Layang Terbang Mie Goreng Rasa Sambal Terasi - Indonesia

Thanks again to Pher Engi for this crazy train of neat Indonesian varieties, of which I’ve barely scraped the surface! This is a shrimp paste flavored mi goreng – and it’s not like anything I’ve seen thus far in my reviewing – look at everything in this thing! Let’s get cooking! ...see full post

#4593: Red Chef Green Tom Yum Soup Noodles – Malaysia

#4593: Red Chef Green Tom Yum Soup Noodles - Malaysia

Haven’t has this in a while, and since they often change recipes and tweak them to bring customers better experiences with their products, I figure they’re due for another try. This one’s been on my top ten global list for a few years now. I also like to make sure these varieties should still hold their spots. My guess is this is still going to be good. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#4583: Indomie Mi Goreng Rasa Cabe Ijo – Indonesia

#4583: Indomie Mi Goreng Rasa Cabe Ijo - Indonesia

Another one that came by way of Pher Engi – thanks again! This one came out with a big promotion a few years back. What’s funny too is that I had this ten years ago. How do I know? Look at the pack here! So, what’s cabe ijo? Translates to green chili – and what’s neat it that the noodle ends up greenish from the sauce. Let’s give it a go! ...see full post

#4581: Indomie Hype Abis Mi Goreng Rasa Ayam Geprek – Indonesia

#4581: Indomie Hype Abis Mi Goreng Rasa Ayam Geprek - Indonesia

Again, thanks to Pher Engi for sending this, among many other neat Indonesian varieties. This is a newer variety – and I’m sure you’re wondering what ayam geprek is – I certainly was. From the looks of things, ayam (chicken) and geprek (crushed) is basically breaded and fried chicken. Kind of like chicken strips. I found a recipe for it, but it’s looking like it might just be easier to buy a chicken strip from the local deli counter already prepared. Kind of a busy day so that might be the route I take but I’m unsure.  Let’s give this a try. ...see full post

#4566: Nissin BIG Cup Noodles Tom Yam Seafood Flavour – Singapore

#4566: Nissin BIG Cup Noodles Tom Yam Seafood Flavour - Singapore

Well, shoot. We come to the end of the BIG Cup Noodles from Singapore with this one, which saddens me. They were a lot of fun, but I wager they may have saved the best for last. They mentioned this one is very popular. I love tom yam – nice and spicy, seafoody, and full of lemongrass flavor. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#4563: Kung Fu Noodle Aged Shaoxing Wine With Chicken Drumstick Soup Noodle – Taiwan

#4563: Kung Fu Noodle Aged Shaoxing Wine With Chicken Drumstick Soup Noodle - Taiwan

What we have here is a super premium box. It’s pretty special and we don’t really see this much in the United States, if at all. The product comes with the soup ready to go – it’s a huge retort pouch. Then, the noodle is a dry noodle in a bag. That’s it – and the varieties like this I’ve reviewed in the past have been really quite amazing. This one sounds really quite good so let’s go ahead and give it a try! ...see full post

#4555: Ah Lai Penang Favourite Hokkien Prawn Noodle – Malaysia

#4555: Ah Lai Penang Favourite Hokkien Prawn Noodle - Malaysia

First, a big thanks to Scott B. who sent this my way – it arrived a couple days ago and I did the unboxing today and now it’s getting reviewed tomorrow. I’m really stoked! Well, what is it? Hokkien Mee is a strong prawn soup with a great oiliness and noodle. I’ve had it in Penang quite a few times at multiple places – and it’s really great stuff. Go to Penang. You won’t be disappointed. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#4552: Nongshim Bowl Noodles Spicy Kimchi Flavor – United States

#4552: Nongshim Bowl Noodles Spicy Kimchi Flavor - United States

This should be pretty easy to be found by just about everyone in the United States. Good ol’ Bowl Noodles. They’ve gone through numerous changes over the years insofar as packaging, and this is the latest I’ve seen. It’s got a plastic wrap around it with the labeling. Thanks guys – makes it more difficult for me to scan when things are shrink-wrapped! ...see full post

#4550: GS Retail Premium Gonghwachun Instant Noodle With Black Bean Sauce – United States

#4550: GS Retail Premium Gonghwachun Instant Noodle With Black Bean Sauce - United States

This one ame by was of Daniel over at Exotic Noods – thanks again! This one’s a jjajangmyeon style noodle, so it’s got a thick and hearty black bean sauce with it. I’ve seen varieties made for GS Mart (a Korean chain) by Paldo, and everything about this package screams Paldo manufacture. If you look on the back by the barcode, you can see it’s made specifically for Us distribution. Anyways, let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#4540: Mamee Chef Perisa Lontong – Malaysia

#4540: Mamee Chef Perisa Lontong - Malaysia

Well, look here! It’s been a while – actually I reviewed this over 7 years ago, a couple weeks after my son Miles was born. I remember I liked it quite a bit. Since then I tried the Ghost Pepper Lontong that Mamee made and that was violently spicy. This one is significantly less spicy – and I’m really looking forward to trying it again. Brand new packaging as well. ...see full post