Category: * Stars 4.1 – 5.0

#2345: Sempio Clam Flavor Soup Kal-guksu

#2345: Sempio Clam Flavor Soup Kal-guksu - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - instant noodfles

Here’s one sent by Colin – thanks! I think I saw this one years ago up in Canada – I honestly think I got it but never reviewed it back then. Here’s a little about kalguksu from Wikipedia: ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2335: Nissin Cup Noodles Gourmet Sabor A Caldo De Camaron

Meet The Manufacturer: #2335: Nissin Cup Noodles Gourmet Sabor A Caldo De Camaron - Mexico - The Ramen Rater - fideos instantanea

Hey now this looks interesting! Reminds me of the look of Hong Kong Cup Noodles or ones from Japan. So this is a new line from Nissin Mexico – Gourmet – hopefully the first of many to try. But what is gourmet? Dictionary.com had this to say – ...see full post

#2329: Patanjali Atta Noodles Jhatpat Banao Befikr Khao

#2329: Patanjali Atta Noodles Jhatpat Banao Befikr Khao - India - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Another sent by Colin – thanks! So this is one of a new line from India within the last year or so. Looks to be vegetarian and to have peas in there. Here’s a little about the company from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2324: Paldo Jjajangmyeon Instant Noodle

#2324: Paldo Jjajangmyeon - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s a new jjajangmyun from Paldo of South Korea sent by Yongmin Park of Paldo. Thank you very much!  For those of you unfamiliar with jjajangmyeon, here’s some info from wikipedia: ...see full post

#2323: Ogasawara Kirin Giraffe Shio Ramen

#2323: Ogasawara Kirin Giraffe Shio Ramen - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s one I got at the Carrefour store in Taipei at the bottom of the Miramar Entertainment Park mall. It was on sale and definitely something I didn’t expect to see. There was a bunch of articles that came out about this variety a while back – it was popular many years ago and discontinued and then brought back to the delight of consumers. Noodles with a picture of a giraffe in a bow tie on the front? Yeah; this sounds neat. Let’s check out this revisited classic from Japan! ...see full post

#2321: Sau Tao Black Pepper XO Sauce Flavour

#2321: Sau Tao Black Pepper XO Sauce Flavour - Hong Kong - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s another one from Colin – thanks! So, wwhat’s CXO sauce? Here’s some info from wikipedia: ...see full post

#2318: Happy Cook Sichuan Spicy Flavor

#2318: Happy Cook Sichuan Spicy Flavor - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

This is one I brought back with me from Taiwan! Happy Cook is a brand that one of the factories in Taichung makes. ...see full post

#2316: Nissin Cup Noodle Spicy Chicken Curry

#2316: Nissin Cup Noodle Spicy Chicken Curry - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

This was sent to me by Ippin, a purveyor of wonderful Japanese items! Thank you again! They informed me that this one has been discontinued, but I’m reviewing it anyways. I really like curry, spicy things and chicken. What’s more, it’s snowing today! Let’s give this Cup Noodle with a famous tennis player on the front! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Mom’s Dry Noodle Vegan Chilli With Sesame Sauce

Mom’s Dry Noodle Vegan Chilli With Sesame Sauce - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater

A lot of people these days are giving up meat and switching to the Vegan lifestyle. So, what’s the difference between Vegetarian and Vegan? It seems like there are many different ‘flavors’ of Vegetarianism. For example, I have a friend who claims to be vegetarian, however he eats bacon, eggs and Jack In The Box fast food tacos. Here’s what wikipedia has to say about Veganism: ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Mom’s Dry Noodle Sour & Spicy Flavor

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Mom's Dry Noodle Sour & Spicy Flavor - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater

Here’s one I really like. It has what I like to call a ‘back and forth effect flavor.’ It’s like you get one flavor lingering then your palate gets the hint of another flavor, then back to the first. It’s really unique in this way – reminds me of one of my favorite hot sauces – not in the taste, mind you, but this kind of back and forth. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2312: Xiao Ban Mian Traditional Shallot & Onion Oil Noodle

Xiao Ban Mian Traditional Shallot & Onion Oil Noodle - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater

During my trip to Taiwan in November of 2016, I had the opportunity to try the three varieties of the new Xiao Ban Mian line. I remember this one in particular; it was really quite good and I only got a bite or two of it – my sister actually scarfed this one down quickly! Now, back in the controlled environment of my noodle lab (sounds more amazing than it is, really), I’m really excited to give this a try. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Mom’s Dry Noodle Sichuan Spicy Flavor

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Mom's Dry Noodles Sichuan Spicy Flavor - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater - Instant NoodlesSo I remember the first time I tried this one a couple years ago. Indeed, it is spicy! Sichuan pepper is a little different kind of spicy in contrast to a jalapeno or wasabi – here’s a little info about the Sichuan pepper from wikipedia: ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Mom’s Dry Noodle Onion Oil & Shrimp Flavor

Mom’s Dry Noodle Onion Oil & Shrimp Flavor - Taiwan - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater

Here’s one I’ve liked for a while . In fact, it’s on the Taiwanese op Ten list! I really like shrimp as well as onion! I thought since I’ve had the opportunity to try a nice amount of Taiwanese food now, I’d share this info about their food from wikipedia: ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Mom’s Dry Noodle Pepper & Sesame Sauce

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Mom's Dry Noodle Pepper & Sesame Sauce - The Ramen Rater - Taiwan

So today we kick off Meet The Manufacturer with a unique variety – pepper and sesame sauce. First, this is black pepper, not hot chill. Second, sesame sauce is completely different from sesame oil. Sesame sauce has a more peanut butter kind of texture and flavor whereas sesame oil has that strong sesame scent and saltiness. Let’s dig into this one and get things started! ...see full post

#2304: Maggi 2 Minute Noodles Masala Spicy

#2304: Maggi 2 Minute Noodles Masala Spicy - India - The Ramen Rater

Here’s one sent by Marvin R. from Texas – thanks again! I have trouble getting new varieties from India. It’s prertty far away and usually my only source are Indian grocery stores here.  Here’s a little about Maggi instant noodles from Wikipedia: ...see full post

#2302: Nissin Yakisoba Instant Noodles

#2302: Nissin Yakisoba - Japan - The Ramen Rater

It’s kind of interesting. Indeed, I review two products a day but generally only post one. This ensures two things. First, I get to everything before it expires. Second, I have a buffer in case I don’t have time to do a review. Meanwhile, the buffer has grown and is quickly reaching 80 reviews! I did this review on November 13th, 2016 and today is Inauguration Day, January 20th, 2017. It’s kind of funny; I did this review about as many days before my daughter Miriam was born as days since she was born (December 17th). Another interesting thing is while unplanned, this review follows Momofuku Ando Day yesterday where I did a video about Nissin Yakisoba. Weird. Finally Happy Birthday to my sister Sue! ...see full post

#2293: Nissin Nupasta Bacon In Carbonara Sauce Flavour Instant Noodle

Another leftover from the Nissin Hong Kong Meet The Manufacturer – thanks again! Been waiting for the right day to review this one – I should mention today actually is November 8th, 2016 – election day here in the United States. You see, I’m about sixty reviews ahead of myself. How? Well, I usually try to do two reviews a day – and been doing that for a while. I used to only do one a day and if I missed a day I would have to scramble to do a review and post it the same day etc etc. I can hear it ‘oh my god you eat two packs of instant noodles every day?’ Of course not; people reviewing wines don’t chug down a whole bottle to decide what they think of it. I take a couple spoons of broth and a few bites of noodle. In fact, I would say that after reviewing two bowls of noodles, I’ve maybe had the equivalent of 1/3 of a bowl, so there you go. This way if I need to take a couple days off, I can. Well, by now we know who is the new president when you’re seeing this. My daughter Miriam will have been born and Christmas may be over. Crazy. Well, let’s try this one – the cup version was in this year’s The Ramen Rater’s top Ten Instant Noodle Cups Of all Time list – let’s check the pack out! ...see full post

#2292: Sichuan Baijia Chongqing Noodles Spicy Hot Flavor

This is the third of this line of new products from Sichuan Baijia that I’ve tried recently and what’s neat is that there are bowls too so I’m going to have to try those soon too. The others have definitely been spicy hot but this one says spicy hot. I think this may be a contender! Yesterday’s review of the cheese buldak bokkummyun fire noodle challenge noodle was super hot! Let’s give this a looksie and see how hot it is! ...see full post

#2290: Nissin Demae Ramen Straight Noodle Black Garlic Oil Tonkotsu Flavour Instant Noodle

One of the more interesting varieties left over from the Nissin Foods Hong Kong Meet The Manufacturer. This one’s very new; a two-serving pack with a pork bone broth and black garlic oil fun! Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#2286: Kamfen Noodle King Artificial Abalone And Chicken Soup Flavoured

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I haven’t generally been a fan of abalone and chicken instant noodles. I’m crossing my fingers here though. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#2283: Nissin Raoh Pork Bone Soy Soup Noodle

This is another one sent by Colin from the east coast – thanks again! So pork bone broth is hugely popular in Japan and this sounds like a soy and pork variety to me. Let’s check out this premium variety! ...see full post

#2282: Samyang Foods Gold Jjamppong Fried Noodle

I’ve liked jjamppong for a while now. For those of you not familiar with it, it’s kind of like a spicy Korean seafood hnoodle soup. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#2279: Nissin Demae Iccho Spicy Tonkotsu Flavour Instant Noodle

Here’s another one left over from the Nissin HK Meet The Manufacturer – they sent so many varieties! Thank you again! So, everyone knows what tonkotsu is, right? No? Here’s a snippet from Wikipedia: ...see full post

#2278 – Nissin Raoh Japanese Instant Ramen Dandan Noodles

Here’s another one from Colin from the east coast – thanks again! So to start with, a little about the originin of these noodles. You se here they’re referred to tantanmen, however they’re also dandanmein – Wikipedia, if you please: ...see full post

#2273: Uni-President A Q Bucket Noodle Koream Kimchi Flavor

Here’s another one I found in Taipei – this one was the last instant noodle I bought there. ...see full post

#2271: Sichuan Baijia Chongqing Noodles Burning Dry Noodles

Leave to my wife Kit to notice things I don’t. This is art of a series of three varieties that they got in at 99 Ranch Market in Edmonds, Washington that I’d not seen before – but she did! I asked her which of the three to review first and here’s what she picked. Burning! Here’s a little snippet from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2268: Nissin Nupasta Neapolitan Flavour Instant Noodle

This one is leftover from the Nissin Hong Kong Meet The Manufacturer I did a little while back! They sent almost 60 different unique varieties of instant noodles! Thanks again – rarely does a company do something like this! So these Nupasta varieties have been really enjoyable thus far. This one looks like a noodle with marinara sauce. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#2263: Sichuan Baijia Broad Noodle Artificial Beef Flavor Hot Pot

When it says these are broad noodles, its definitely not an understatement. I’ve had mixed feelings about the offerings from this brand in the past – let’s see how this one pans out! ...see full post

#2262: Dream Kitchen Curry

Here’s one we found when in Renton, Washington’s Uwajimaya a while back. From what it looks like on the label, this is a private label for a big distributor here in the USA by a company in Singapore.I love curry but have been a little confused by this series. Let’s give it a looksie. ...see full post

#2261: TableMark Tohokuno Aji Yonezawa Ramen

Here’s another one sent to me by Javier from Box From Japan. Box From Japan has subscriptions for all sorts of neat Japanese things. I regret to say that I was informed that they won’t be taking subscriptions for their ramen boxes for now – hopefully that will start again soon. He mentioned that you can purchase instant noodles from them here. Here’s what he had to say about this particular variety: ...see full post

#2260: Uni-President Science Noodle (X’Mas Edition)

Since Christmas is just around the corner, I thought I ought to review this one that I found in Taiwan during my visit to Mom’s Dry Noodle in mid-November! This usually has a different packaging actually – a wizard with a wand. ...see full post

#2258: Kamfen Instant Wonton Noodles Scallop Lobster Soup Flavor

Been a while since I’ve had a Kamfen bowl… Scallop and lobster wonton favor? Definitely Hong Kong. It’s a seriously rainy day today and we’re going to have a power outage I predict. Ahhh. It’s not like we live in the middle of nowhere; we’re in the city! Weird. Noodle time! ...see full post

#2255: Daikoku Hiroshima Flavor Yakisoba

Saw this one at Uwajimaya a few weeks ago after visiting the Living Computer Museum and walking around the Seattle International District – good times with my homie Matt B. I thought today I’d make my lovely wife Kit some yakisoba – she really likes yakisoba and she’s been pretty miserable lately so I thought it’d be a nice treat. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#2252: New Touch Sugomen Sano Ramen

Here’s another one sent to me by Javier from Box From Japan. Box From Japan has subscriptions for all sorts of neat Japanese things. I regret to say that I was informed that they won’t be taking subscriptions for their ramen boxes for now – hopefully that will start again soon. He mentioned that you can purchase instant noodles from them here. Here’s what he had to say about this particular variety: ...see full post

#2248: Nongshim Shin Noodle Soup

Every year in January I come out with a Top Ten list of South Korean varieties. Much to the disappointment and anger of many people, this will never be on that list. Why? Simple. It’s made in the United States. People have debated me into the dirt on it too ‘so, why does it matter?’ Well, if I put Nissin top Ramen on the Top Ten Japanese list that would be a little ridiculous, wouldn’t it? The differences between the Nongshim Shin Cup manufactured here and manufactured in South Korea might be only geographic and packaging, but those are the rules. This could be on the Top Ten Made In The USA list at some point (I haven’t come out with a new one of those lists in a while – maybe next year perhaps). I’m working on getting some South Korean varieties soon, so I guess we’ll see this January! ...see full post

#2247: Nissin Sapporo Noukou Miso Ramen

Here’s one that Javier from www.BoxFromJapan.com – thanks! Box From Japan is a monthly subscription service where you can get 4 unique bowls of ramen from Japan a month. It’s pretty awesome – I haven’t gotten a duplicate yet! Here’s what he had to say about this variety: ...see full post

#2237: Nissin Cup Noodle Light+ Bagna Cauda

Okay, magna carta Cup Noodle? No, this is one based on an Italian food. Let’s consult Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2236: Maruchan Gotsumori Koku Tonkotsu Ramen

Here’s another one sent to me by Javier from Box From Japan. Box From Japan has subscriptions for all sorts of neat Japanese things. I regret to say that I was informed that they won’t be taking subscriptions for their ramen boxes for now – hopefully that will start again soon. He mentioned that you can purchase instant noodles from them here. Here’s what he had to say about this particular variety: ...see full post

#2234: Paldo Bibim Men

SPECIAL ELECTION MESSAGE

I wanted to take a second to talk about the events that have happened concerning the Presidential election here in the United States. I’ve got to say, I wasn’t expecting the outcome we’ve seen here. I live in Washington state – a very Liberal state – where Bernie Sanders won over 80% of the votes for the primary. Personally, I think we’d have a different President today if the DNC hadn’t played politics and made it impossible for him to win. Our delegates here all went for Clinton – even though the people voted otherwise. I decided not to vote for either Clinton or Trump as I didn’t like either of them. My friend Raffael over at Happy Souper in Germany has posted a review – and he mentioned people there are kind of freaked out about our new President. I guess we’ll see what happens. I’ll keep reviewing noodles. I did this video a long time ago – wish he would’ve gotten the nomination.  ...see full post

#2232: Nissin Spicy Chikin Ramen Donburi

Here’s one I was sent by Daisuke-san from Nissin Japan! Arigato! I really like Nissin Chikin Ramen – always have. By always, I mean always too; Nissin USA made something like it and that was the first variety I had when I was a kid. This looks like an interesting spicy one – let’s take a look! ...see full post