Category: United States

#4032: Maruchan Instant Lunch Select Chicken Flavor – United States

#4032: Maruchan Instant Lunch Select Chicken Flavor - United States

I saw these on Amazon recently and though I should contact Maruchan about giving them a try – and they kindly obliged. Thank you! There’s a couple interesting things I’ve noticed that I’ll mention as you scroll down and look at the images and text. With that, let’s check out this, the biggest change I’ve seen to date of the Instant Lunch cup. Actually first, look at the lower left corner. See that? Microwavable – unbeknownst to many, no – you’re not supposed to microwave the foam cups – but these aren’t foam cups. ...see full post

Soupply Sends Super Premium Pho Noodle Bowls

Soupply Sends Super Premium Pho Noodle Bowls

I recently found out about Soupply – a manufacturer of high end pho noodle bowls. I think the best way to describe them is super premium. What’s neat about them is that they contain retort pouches. Retort pouches are popular in many countries, but especially in the instant noodle of Taiwan. They contain meat and other ingredients which push the envelope of instant noodles. Let’s check out Soupply’s offering and see what’s in store! ...see full post

#4025: Myojo Nagasaki Champon Creamy Tonkotsu – United States

#4025: Myojo Nagasaki Champon Creamy Tonkotsu - United States

Well, I’ve come to the end of the fresh varieties from Myojo USA which is a bummer because they’ve all been quite good. This one is kind of like a seafood tonkotsu and I’m really curious how it will be. Let’s give it a go! ...see full post

#4021: Myojo Yakisoba Original Sauce – United States

#4021: Myojo Yakisoba Original Sauce - United States

I have this and one more fresh variety that I need to cook up of these great Myojo USA refrigerated varieties – they’ve been extremely good! My wife has been a fan of yakisoba for a long time as have I, but my daughter could be heard while I was finishing up the reviews that day I tried the savory miso version. ‘Mama, can I have another bite?’ She’s definitely one for repetitiveness, and like a happy broken record, I want to say I heard her say it a good couple dozen times. Curious how they’ll like this one – I think they will! ...see full post

#4020: Vite Ramen Grilled Ribeye Beef v1.2 – United States

#4020: Vite Ramen Grilled Ribeye Beef v1.2 - United States

Well, didn’t I just hit one of those big numbers a few weeks ago? Well, much earlier than I hit my 4000th review, the video at the bottom of this one got published. See, my episodes of Instant Noodle Recipe Time come out sooner that the posts they’re for. It’s nice having things staggered a bit to be honest. Well, the epiosde at the bottom of this review is my 1200th episode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time! A couple interesting things about this episode are the fact that I’m sure the kitchen will be incredibly hot – tomorrow (I get the posts ready for the review the night before) is probably going to be the last ultra hot day of the summer (if we’re lucky. Today it got up to 93F here if not hotter. It’s also kind of humid. We also have a lot of smoke from forest fires. So, I’ll be slaving away in a hot kitchen tomorrow – I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Thank you for watching the show. ...see full post

#4018: Myojo Okinawa Soba Light Bonito Flavor – United States

#4018: Myojo Okinawa Soba Light Bonito Flavor - United States

Another one of the fresh varieties sent directly by Myojo USA – thank you very much! I was curious about what I saw on the package insofar as how to garnish it. Looks to be pork belly and rice cake from what I’m reading – the fish cake is fried. Hmmm… I do have some kamaboko I could fry. Yeah – I’ll try that. Let’s check this one out! ...see full post

#4017: Aces Sriracha Ramen Noodle Soup – Lobster – United States

#4017: Aces Sriracha Ramen Noodle Soup - Lobster - United States

I recently got  couple more varieties from Aces of their Sriracha Ramen Noodle Soup range – this lobster and an extra spicy! First, the lobster. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#4016: Assi Hot & Spicy Rice Noodle Soup Bowl – United States

#4016: Assi Hot & Spicy Rice Noodle Soup Bowl - United States

Here’s one that came via Exotic Noods – check ’em out and use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! ...see full post

#4015: Vite Ramen Roasted Soy Sauce Chicken v1.2 – United States

#4015: Vite Ramen Roasted Soy Sauce Chicken v1.2 - United States

Another one from the guys in California. You don’t often see revision numbers on food products, but these guys put them on there. To me, it shows they’re always striving to improve on products and upgrade them when possible. Pretty cool! Let’s give this new version a try! ...see full post

#4013: Myojo Yakisoba Savory Miso Sauce – United States

#4013: Myojo Yakisoba Savory Miso Sauce - United States

Saw there was some neat new things going on over at Myojo USA so I contacted my friend Taku-san and he sent some great fresh varieties! I’ve had a ton of different yakisoba varieties but never have I seen a miso flavored one. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

Exotic Noods Subscription Box – November 2021

Exotic Noods Subscription Box - November 2021

Are you a slacker? Can’t think of getting your friends and family for the holidays? Well, this might save you from wanton regret and inaction that may cost you dearly… Check it out! It’s Exotic Noods! A box every month of absolutely awesome noodles from around the world! Use the coupon code THERAMENRATER  for a discount! ...see full post

#4007: Muso Organic Ramen Miso – United States

#4007: Muso Organic Ramen Miso - United States

Here’s one I found at the local grocery store. The shoyu I tried previously wasn’t bad, so hopefully the miso will be good and not a boatload of red miso. Warning  – there will be corn in this. If you’re not afraid of corn, smooth seas ahead. But if corn freaks out your tender sensibilities, turn back! ...see full post

Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2022 Edition

The Ramen Rater's Top Ten American Instant Noodles OF All Time 2022 Edition

Formerly the Made In The USA list, The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time still is comprised only of varieties manufactured in the United States. This year’s list is comprised of all the best varieties from the United States in my reviews up to number 3,950. These varieties are mostly easily found as they’re not imports. Lots of great stuff to try here as well as links to find it on Amazon. I’ve also included some announcements at the bottom so make sure to check those out as well. With that, let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2022 Edition! ...see full post

#4004: Menraku Restaurant Style Ramen “Miso Tonkotsu” Taste – United States

#4004: Menraku Restaurant Style Ramen "Miso Tonkotsu" Taste - United States

Big thanks to Daniel at www.exoticnoods.com for sending this one over. There’s been a noodle drought lately! Very uncool, but people have been kind enough to help! Check out Exotic Noods and use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Let’s crack this one open and give it a try! ...see full post

Pumpkin Pie Made From 100% Nissin Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice Flavor

Pumpkin Pie Made From 100% Nissin Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice Flavor

I’ve never made a pie before. I know they make pie crusts you don’t have to make yourself. My mom used to get them and put pudding in them and they ended up really good. I thought I’d try my hand at making a pie, but of course it’s not going to be that. ...see full post

#4003: Vite Ramen Garlic Pork Tonkotsu v1.2 – United States

#4003: Vite Ramen Garlic Pork Tonkotsu v1.2 - United States

Vite Ramen is a fascinating phenomenon – instant noodles married to healthy ingredients. It’s pretty fascinating! What’s neat is they keep coming out with different versions of their products – always on a mission to improve. Well, let’s give this one a try! Don’t forget to look at the scan of the back of these below – it’s pretty impressive! ...see full post

#4001: Nissin Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice Flavor – United States

The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Nissin Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice Flavor

#4001: Nissin Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice Flavor - United States

The reactions I’ve seen to this stuff range from curiosity to disgust. Personally, I find it to be something really awesome. You see, I spend a lot of time with instant noodles. A lot. When I see something like this, I see something that’s a shift. This really is a risky proposition, but the reward is high. Look at SPAM – they did pumpkin spice SPAM. Is it good? No clue – but I do have one my wife got me. This however is good and very easily obtained if you want to do the legwork. But not for long – this is only available at Walmart stores – specific ones – and so if you get on it quickly, you can enjoy some – or not. What’s nice is they’re only 88 cents apiece which is very reasonable, especially for a limited edition specialty item. Rest assured though – people will sell them for a great deal more on eBay once they disappear. ...see full post

Nissin Sends New Products Including Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice – USA

In August, Nissin announced that they would be producing a pumpkin spice flavored Cup Noodles product. This is really quite daring; very different and out of the norm, but a risk worth the reward. Pumpkin spice is an extremely popular flavor, and even for those who abhor it, it gives them reason for tantrums. Such an emotional response to something like this is worth a lot. ‘You hear they made a pumpkin spice Cup Noodles?’ ‘What? That’s ridiculous!’ Then they tell someone who tells someone – that’s gold right there. As Momofuku Ando once said ‘when you hear what consumers are saying, you’re hearing the voice of God.’ ...see full post

Nissin Pumpkin Spice Cup Noodles: Everything You Need To Know

Nissin Pumpkin Spice Cup Noodles: Everything You Need To Know

Alright – so the Nissin Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice Flavor is now appearing exclusively at Walmart stores around the country. People’s reactions have been ranging from inquisitiveness to utter disgust. If you’re inquisitive, I’ll tell you right now you should go out and get some because they’re not going to be around for long. I asked for some samples and Nissin USA sent me one. Just one. They were apologetic, but they didn’t have many left – it’s a very limited run. ...see full post

A-Sha Sends More Gourmet Beef & Tendon Noodle From Taiwan!

It’s been a really interesting week for me! Foremost, I hit my 4000th review. Then, while I sort of expected the Top Ten Taiwan list to make the news over there, what happened is that the Taiwanese media has gone crazy with my annual global top ten list – which came out in April! Well, two Taiwanese varieties made that list and this is one of them – ultra premium tasty stuff! Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#3998: Menraku Japanese Ramen “Tonkotsu” Taste – United States

#3998: Menraku Japanese Ramen "Tonkotsu" Taste - United States

This one was sent by the folks at www.exoticnoods.com – check them out and use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! This one was sent during the great noodle drought of 2021 – long story short, I ran out of noodles and asked folks to send anything I’ve not reviewed. By the way – this is made in Japan, however it’s packaged for the US market. Was surprised I’d not tried this one! Let’s check it out! ...see full post

Halloween Candy Kimchi Ramen Bread #ramenbread

Now I know what you’re thinking. ‘He’s gone mad, The Ramen Rater, he has.’ Not in the slightest. No more than usual, at least. I thought I would try something and see what would happen. Making bread is a lot of fun and I’ve never made any kind of really sweet sugary bread before and kimchi ramen would have a tangy and acidic bump to it, right? Well, so here we are. Tons of candy in the house and a bread machine wanting to make ramen bread. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

Halloween 2021 – Sriracha Ramen Franken #ramenbread

Well, shoot. This was going to be super awesome – at least that was the plan. I had a box of nice Aces Sriracha Ramen Noodle Soup bowls and I thought hey – let’s make some flour out of the noodles and a neat load of pure #ramenbread. Well, it didn’t work out and when I realized that, I started adding things… ...see full post

Another Nice Donation From James Of Lakeside, CA

Another Nice Donation From James Of Lakeside, CA

Thanks again to James from Lakeside, California for sending over some great varieties to review! He’s always looking through the Big List for stuff I’ve not tried and found some really neat new stuff – check it out! ...see full post

immi Sends Protein-Packed Plant Powered Pumpkin Noodles

immi Sends Protein-Packed Plant Powered Pumpkin Noodles

Protein? Fiber? Pumpkin? I heard about these a while back and honestly, I’ve been bugging them for asamples and lo and behold – they arrived! Let’s see what this high protein and low net carb noodle look like! ...see full post

Nongshim Shin Light Bread! #ramenbread

So. If the noodle is fried, an emulsifier is needed to release the oil from the noodle. However, if they’re air dried… Hmmm. Let’s see, then we… wouldn’t? Let’s make this stuff into bread! ...see full post

#3977: Lee Kum Kee Chinese Style Dan Dan Noodles – United States

#3977: Lee Kum Kee Chinese Style Dan Dan Noodles - United States

Another one of the bowls sent by regular donor James from Lakeside, California – thanks again! These have been less than impressive thus far, but hopefully we end up with one of them being good. Still I’m shocked since their sauces are really quite good! Well, let’s give this one a chance to shine. ...see full post

#3976: Aces + Huy Fong Sriracha Ramen Noodle Soup – United States

#3925: Aces + Huy Fong Sriracha Ramen Noodle Soup - United States

Well my friends, this is it. This is the last of the Aces/Huy Fong Sriracha Ramen Noodle Soup varieties. The first two were good; especially the chicken – that was dare I say yummy. Now we only have a short time left, and it’s with beef. Let’s savor it. Here we go… ...see full post

Noodie Sends A Trifecta Of Vegan Samples

Noodie Sends A Trifecta Of Vegan Samples

Recently, Noodie send samples of their Peanut Chili Irresistible Ramen – great stuff! Well, they followed up with a 3 pack showcasing all three varieties – check em out! ...see full post

#3973: Nissin Raoh Artificial Tonkotsu Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup – United States

#3973: Nissin Raoh Artificial Tonkotsu Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup - United States

Here’s another one I found at Uwajimaya a couple days ago when getting some narutomaki. I think the last time I tried this it was called Umami Tonkotsu. Anyways, ;et’s give it a go! ...see full post

A Donation From James Of Lakeside, CA

A Donation From James Of Lakeside, CA

Over the past few years, a guy named James in Lakeside, California has repeatedly sent me boxes of noodles. He pores over the big list to see if I’ve tried a variety he’s seen and sends some over just at the right time. Again, he send a neat combination of varieties I’ve never tried before. Big thanks and my appreciation to James! Never fails to surprise me when readers are willing to send noodles in for review. Let’s take a look! ...see full post

#3971: Yamasa Artisanal Tonkotsu Broth x Sau Tao Sichuan Noodle – USA/HK

#3971: Yamasa Artisanal Tonkotsu Broth x Sau Tao Sichuan Noodle - USA/HK

Today, we combine a noodle made in Hong Kong with a broth concentrate from the United States. I decided this would be a great venue to try out the homemade chashu we made this weekend – I’ll include the recipe in a video below as well. Let’s give this combo a try! ...see full post

Nissin Top Ramen Popcorn Chicken #ramenbread

Nissin Top Ramen Popcorn Chicken #ramenbread

The last ramen bread I made was 100% instant noodles, however had more moisture than I wanted it to have, so I thought perhaps lighter on the eggs and liquids would prove for a more loafy loaf – less cake like. Well, what happened was nothing short of a Christmas miracle really and something new. What if I told you you could take a few packs of Top Ramen and turn it into popcorn chicken? That’s like diamonds in the microwave but it actually happened! Let’s give it a whirl, Earl! ...see full post

#3964: Vida Food Group Pozole Chicken Flavor Instant Ramen Soup – United States

#3964: Vida Food Group Pozole Chicken Flavor Instant Ramen Soup - United States

Here’s the second of the two Vida Food Group varieties that were sent. I was somewhat familiar with what Menudo was, but aside from seeing a meme online, I know absolutely northing about Pozole. Wikipedia, if you please – ...see full post

#3963: Vida Food Group Menudo Beef Flavor Instant Ramen Soup – United States

#3963: Vida Food Group Menudo Beef Flavor Instant Ramen Soup - United States

I got a big FedEx box yesterday with these and another variety from Vida Food Group and couldn’t wait to give them a try. This one is Menudo – let’s ask Wikipedia about it – ...see full post

#3958: Souper Chow Mein With Soup Stock – United States

#3944: Souper Chow Mein With Soup Stock - United States

Here’s one that was in a box from Exotic Noods. They have monthly subscription boxes that are rad – full of varieties from around the world! If you want to get one, don’t forget to use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! ...see full post

#3956: Nissin Cup Noodles Stir Fry Teriyaki Chicken Flavor – United States

#3956: Nissin Cup Noodles Stir Fry Teriyaki Chicken Flavor - United States

These are an interesting range that people seem to like a lot. I’ve been impressed with them thus far and I figure teriyaki chicken ought to be good – but let’s give it a try. ...see full post

Nissin Cup Noodles Bread #ramenbread #UseYourNoodleContest

Nissin Cup Noodles Bread #ramenbread #UseYourNoodleContest

I did say my last loaf of bread would be the last for a while, but then I saw that Nissin Foods was doing a contest (#USEYOURNOODLECONTEST) having to do with innovation for their 50th Anniversary of the introduction of Cup Noodles. I really like making bread from instant noodles; some of you might think I’m a little off my rocker, but it’s fun, completely different from what I’ve been doing, and it’s really neat to put a bunch of things together and have something come out nicely. Whether I win the contest or not (it would be nice to win), I’m happy with what I did here. Let’s check it out =- I used one noodle block and the seasoning from 10 Cup Noodles Chicken flavor! Let’s go! ...see full post

Exotic Noods Subscription Box – September 2021

Check it out! It’s Exotic Noods! A box every month of absolutely awesome noodles from around the world! Use the coupon code THERAMENRATER  for a discount! ...see full post

#3948: Yamasa Artisanal Ramen Broth Miso & Jongga Ramen Sari – USA

#3948: Yamasa Artisanal Ramen Broth Miso & Jongga Ramen Sari - USA

So this is an interesting one today. Yamasa sent me some ramen broths and I found this simple block of instant noodles from Jongga to pair it with. Both products are either made in the United States or just for the US market. Time to make some miso ramen! ...see full post