Category: * Stars 4.1 – 5.0

#2416: Xiuhe Hot & Sour Beef Noodle

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#2416: Xiuhe Hot & Sour Chilled Beef Noodle - China - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s another one that was sent to me by Colin from Arlington, Massachusetts – thanks again! This one has really proved to be a touch one to translate this morning. Cooking shouldn’t be an issued, however figuring out what the name/variety is on this one is tough. Searched by image, searched by barcode, hit the company’s website… I see other ones with the little ‘angelic baby’ on the packaging, but none that look just like this one. UPDATE – Thank you to Bobby Y., my friend from Toronto – he figured it out. It was too late for my friends in Southeast Asia so I had to look west! So the noodles are hot but I guess I will put chilled prepared beef in with them. Alright – let’s check it out! UPDATE #2 – my friend Mengzhe Z. who is in China told me actually it isn’t chilled beef – just beef. ...see full post

#2415: Nissin Kitsune Udon Donbei (West)

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#2415: Nissin Kitsune Udon Donbei (West) - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle

I’m happy to say that I got an email from Javier over at Box From Japan telling me that they’re back! They offer s subscription service – instant ramen bowls direct from Japan! You get 4 bowls every month! It’s pretty neat – should go check it out! ...see full post

#2414: Little Cook Thailand Green Curry Instant Noodle

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#2414: Little Cook Thailand Green Curry Instant Noodle - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

I found this one on my trip to Taiwan in November 2016. It was at the Jason’s Market at the bottom of the Taipei 101. That was a cool day – here’s a little about the Taipei 101 from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2407: Just Way Noodles Chuan Wei Spicy Hot Guan-miao Noodles

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#2407: Just Way Noodles Chuan Wei Spicy Hot Guan-miao Noodles - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle

This variety comes by way of Colin, a reader from Massachusetts – thank you! It was originally said by Oscar Wilde: ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.’ I have often found this to be true fr the most part. Indeed, why would someone want to imitate exactly what you do unless they want to attain something that you did prior? Well, sometimes it just seems like it takes a bit of a spiral from flattery to pure copying. ...see full post

#2404: MyKuali Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle Soup

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#2404: MyKuali Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle Soup - Malaysia - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Her’s one you may not have seen from MyKuali before. Actually, you have on here , but with different clothing. So this is what is now known and seen more commonly as MyKuali Spicy Prawn Noodle Soup. However, it is dressed differently for the Singaporean market. Curious about what Hokkien Prawn is all about? Here’s something from wikipedia: ...see full post

#2403: Goku-Uma Yakisoba Japanese Style Noodle

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#2403: Goku-Uma Yakisoba Japanese Style Noodle - United States - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle

We recently took a trip to Asian Food Grocery in 130th & Aurora and found this one. My wife likes yakisoba a lot and so I like to make it for her. This one has a little interesting thing though. On the sticker, it mentioned ‘This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.’ Wait, what? So I took a look at the ingredients list and found something I’d not seen before – an ingredient called Rebaudioside A. I looked that up and wikipedia had this to say: ...see full post

#2401: Sichuan Baijia Chongqing Noodles Burning Dry Noodles

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#2401: Sichuan Baijia Chongqing Noodles Burning Dry Noodles - China - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

I tried the pack version a little while back and really liked it. I’m curious about the bowl – I’m guessing it’ll be exactly the same, but in a bowl. Indeed, it’s got the bonus of portability. So what are Chongqing noodles? Here’s a little about Chongqing from wikipedia: ...see full post

#2400: Nissin Cup Noodles Tom Yam Seafood Flavour

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#2400: Nissin Cup Noodles Tom Yam Seafood Flavour - Singapore - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

This was sent to me by Ippin, a purveyor of wonderful Japanese items! Thank you again! This is one from Singapore. Tom yum is a very popular flavor in Southeast Asia – here’s a little about tom yum from wikipedia: ...see full post

#2395: Master Kong Chicken Noodle

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#2395: Master Kong Chicken Noodle - China - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s one sent to me by a reader named Colin – thanks again! So Master Kong has been in the news a lot lately. It seems they’ve closed a factory in Taiwan and people all of a sudden thought Master Kong was going to stop producing their products everywhere. However, this is definitely not the case. For example, here we have a Master Kong variety from China. Master Kang (also known as Kang shi Fu) is produced by Tingyi – here’s a little about Tingyi from wikipedia: ...see full post

#2392: MyKuali Penang Red Tom Yum Goong Rice Vermicelli Soup

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#2393: MyKuali Penang Red Tom Yum Goong Rice Vermicelli Soup - Malaysia - The Ramen Rater - rice vermicelli

Hey awesome! So I’ve been trying to get my hands on the full range of MyKuali rice vermicelli bowls for a while now. Indeed, they are only sold in Southeast Asia which can make it difficult. However, the kind folks at MyKuali sent me quite a few of their newer varieties and so I’ve got them all including a couple others! So today, it’s Penang Red Tom Yum goong. So, what does this mean? Wikipedia, if you please: ...see full post

#2391: Ottogi Jin Jjambbong Spicy Seafood Noodle

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#2391: Ottogi Jin jjambbong Spicy Seafood Noodle - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles - ramyun

It’s definitely been a while since I reviewed anything by Ottogi that’s for theSouth Korean market. Actually, this one is an export version, but the more recent ones have been for Mexico and so this is more of a South Korean variety. So, what is jjambbong? Wikipedia has this to say about it: ...see full post

#2388: Hua Feng Three Fresh Delicacies Flavor Noodle

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#2388: Hua Feng Three Fresh Delicacies Flavor Noodle - China - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s one that was sent to me by Mengzhe Z. all the way from China! Thank you! He contacted me a while back asking me if I’d ever reviewed these Hua Feng noodles and I hadn’t. He says they’re his favorite. So, what are the three fresh delicacies? Well, we’re going with chicken, shrimp and egg from the package, however it might not be egg but onion or perhaps shallot. Maybe mushroom. Let’s check out this variety from Hua Feng, all the way from China! ...see full post

#2385: Uni-President Man Han Feast Chilli Beef Flavor Instant Noodles

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#2385: Uni-President Man Han Feast Chilli Beef Flavor Instant Noodles - Taiwan - Ther Ramen Rater - 札幌一番 滿漢大餐 麻辣鍋牛肉麵

Well, it has been a long time coming but here it is. This is the one I’ve been looking for. For three years. Why so hard to get? It’s really popular in Taiwan – why couldn’t I get it? Simple. Beef. There’s a big pouch of beef in here – not artificial beef, but real beef. I got this in Taiwan and brought it back with me. It’s kind of stupid; if someone sent this to me in the mail, it’d get stopped by the USDA inspectors that check the mail. I go there and pack it in my stuff, it comes through fine. What’s nice too is that it is in perfect condition; like I went to the store here and bought it and brought it home. Let’s crack this thing open and take a gander at this huge pack of noodles. ...see full post

#2384: Sichuan Guangyou 9999 Chongqing Artificial Beef Flavor Instant Noodle

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#2384: Sichuan Guangyou 9999 Chongqing Artificial Beef Flavor Instant Noodle - China - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle

Here’s an interesting one I was sent by Colin recently – thanks again! A new brand to me – I mean wow – look at all those 9’s! This sounds interesting… Here’s a little something about Sichuan from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2381: Nissin Demae Iccho Seafood Flavour Instant Noodle (Cup Type)

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#2381: Nissin Demae Iccho Seafood Flavour Instant Noodle (Cup Type) - Hong Kong - The Ramen Rater

One of the waning few left from the Nissin Foods Hong Kong Meet The Manufacturer – thanks again! Indeed, Nissin Hong Kong was more than generous in sending over 50 different varieties! Nothing better than a great big injection of noodle varieties into my noodle hampers. At one point, I had to have them staying in their original box since they wouldn’t fit into the containers I have under my desk. Today, we have a seafood Demae Iccho cup. Looks pretty good from the picture of the front -. Let’s have a look at this one. ...see full post

#2378: Sau Tao Non-Fried Mix Noodle Black Pepper XO Sauce Flavoured

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#2378: Sau Tao Non-Fried Mix Noodle Black Pepper XO Sauce Flavoured - Hong Kong - The Ramen Rater

Today, I’m reviewing something from Hong Kong. These are in 5 packs – and the individual packs haven’t got bar codes. Indeed, I have wondered why I couldn’t find individual servings of this one, but that definitely makes sense now; hard to sell a variety without a bar code. Why don’t they put bar codes on them? I don’t know, but they definitely want you to buy a pack.  For those who aren’t in the know about XO sauce, here’s a little something from wikipedia: ...see full post

#2377: MyKuali Penang White Curry Noodle (Japan Version)

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#2377: MyKuali Penang White Curry Noodle (Japan Version) The Ramen Rater

Wow check this out! This is one I’ve reviewed many times before but this is a new version that comes in a little box! Thank you to MyKuali for sending this along! Indeed, their Penang White Curry was #1 on my annual top ten list is 2014, and it’s appeared on top ten lists since then. It’s amazing stuff; very strong flavors and aroma. When I visited Malaysia in 2014, I got to get a real sense of the foods there. In fact, I got to try many, many varieties of their cuisine! I tried lots of seafood of which I really liked the sunfish. ...see full post

#2375: Uni-President Man Han Feast Braised Pork Flavor Instant Noodles

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#2375: Uni-President Man Han Feast Braised Pork Flavor Instant Noodles

Here’s one I got at 7-Eleven in Taipei, Taiwan in November of last year. I’ve been wanting to review these bowls for a very long time, but never have been able to get any through – nobody’s ever tried though. So what is this ‘Man-Han Feast’ anyways? Here’s some info from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2374: World O’Noodle Mi Goreng Garlic Flavour Fried Noodles

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#2374: World O' Noodle Mi Goreng Garlic Flavour Fried Noodles

Here’s one I got in the Jason’s Market on the first floor of the Taipei 101 in Taiwan last November. I believe this World O’Noodles line is from a big grocery store chain in Southeast Asia – not 100% sure on that, but pretty sure. Garlic Mi Goreng? Oh yeah – sign me up! I’m hoping that this will be a delightful and delicious instant from Indonesia. Let’s have a look at this World O’Noodle variety. ...see full post

#2373: Nissin Top Ramen Atta Noodles Masala

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#2673: Nissin Top Ramen Atta Noodles Masala

After a long time, I finally go to visit a little store I used to frequent a lot. I went to visit Indian Sweets And Snacks yesterday in north Seattle/Shoreline. First off, you’ll note that these are indeed Nissin Top Ramen. Second, you’ll note that they don’t look like any you’ve seen before. Indeed, these are from India – where masala, curry and other flavors are very popular. Who is the character on the front? Top Boy! We usually don’t see a lot of this kind of thing in the United States. In conclusion, Ultimately, I call on all noodle companies to have a cartoon character! I think it’s kind of fun. Let’s check this Top Ramen Masala out. ...see full post

#2370: Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun Zzaldduck Snack

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#2370: Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun Zzaldduck Snack - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - 짤떡

Part Of The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Samyang Foods’ Buldak Bokkeummyun

ZZALDDUCK SNACK / 짤떡 / Zzaldduck / Launch 2014.12

Well, today is my birthday and I’m up at 5am getting this post ready. Actually it’s 6am now – I’ve been getting all my ducks in a row (actually chickens har har) in order to post The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Samyang Foods’ Buldak Bokkeummyun. It’s a total of 9 posts including the guide itself that I’m putting up today. A lot of work, that’s for sure and I’m rushing to get it up. ...see full post

#2369: Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun Curry Flavor

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#2440: Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun Curry Flavor - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - fire noodle challenge

Part Of The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Samyang Foods’ Buldak Bokkeummyun

HOT Chicken Flavor Ramen Curry / 커리불닭볶음면 / Curry Buldak Bokkueummyun   Launch 2016.12 / SHU 3,810

Here’s the newest variety from Samyang Foods’ Buldak Bokkeummyun line. Curry! I make no illusion to the fact that I absolutely think that curry is the finest thing in the universe. I freaking love curry. Here’s a little about Korean c urry from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2366: Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun Snack Noodle

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#2424: Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun Snack Noodle - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - Instant Noodles

Part Of The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Samyang Foods’ Buldak Bokkeummyun

Hot Chicken Ramen Snack / 부셔먹는 라면스낵불닭 / Busyeomeongneun Ramyeonseunaek
Buldak / Launch 2016.6

I’ve reviewed a lot of snack noodles in my day and still delight in the comments I get about them. I get people telling me about smashing domestic US varieties, sprinkling the seasoning on them and eating them raw; kind of like they’ve uncovered something fascinating, new and innovative. Unfortunately – I have to break it to y’all, but this isn’t anything new. Moreover, varieties designed and sold in South Korea to be smashed and sprinkled and enjoyed have been around for a long time. ...see full post

#2365: Samyang Foods Stew Buldak Bokkeumtangmyun

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#2423: Samyang Foods Stew Buldak Bokkeumtangmyun - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - 불닭볶음탕면 - fire noodle challenge

Part Of The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Buldak Bokkeummyun

HOT Chicken Flavor Ramen Stew Type / 불닭볶음탕면 / Buldak Bokkueumtangmyun

Launch 2016.8 / SHU 4,705

This one came by way of eBay seller 1theKorea – they’ve got all sorts of neat South Korean varieties, and lots of the spicy ones that aren’t the easiest to find or are unavailable in the USA. ...see full post

#2361: Nissin Demae Iccho Chicken Flavour Instant Noodle (Bowl Noodle)

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#2361: Nissin Demae Iccho Chicken Flavour Instant Noodle (Bowl Noodle) - Hong Kong - The Ramen Rater - Demae Ramen

Today, it’s more chicken. This is another one left over from the Nissin Hong Kong Meet The Manufacturer – they set so many different kinds – it’s awesome! This is a Demae Iccho version – here’s some info bout Nissin and Demae Iccho from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2357: Kamfen Noodle King Artificial Wonton Soup Flavoured

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#2357: Kamfen Noodle King Artificial Wonton Soup Flavoured - Hong Kong - The Ramen Rater - wanton mee - instant noodles

Got this bowl quite a while back – I’ve got lots of new varieties and still trying to clear out the ones that are close to expiration! So let’s ask Wikipedia about wonton noodles – ...see full post

#2354: Vifon Viet Cuisine Bun Rieu Cua Sour Crab Soup Instant Rice Vermicelli

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#2354: Vifon Viet Cuisine Bun Rieu Cua Sour Crab Soup Instant Rice Vermicelli - Vietnam - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle

Been awhile since I’ve had something Vietnamese… This one sounds tasty – sour crab! This bowl has a lot of things inside, so let’s get to it! ...see full post

#2351: 1 To 3 Noodles Chatpat Masala

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#2351: 1 To 3 Noodles Chatpat Masala - India - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s one that comes by way of a kind reader named Colin from the US east coast – thanks again! He’s dispatches a TON of instant noodles which I can’t find anywhere! This one looks interesting – these are from India! Here’s a little from Wikipedia about masala – ...see full post

#2345: Sempio Clam Flavor Soup Kal-guksu

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#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

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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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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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

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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

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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

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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