Samples From Xiao Ban Mian

Thought it would be good to do a re-review of these – they’re some of my favorite noodles from Taiwan – on this year’s top ten list too! Let’s look within! ...see full post

A Donation From A Taiwanese Reader

A Donations From A Taiwanese Reader

Got an email from a guy named Jay in Taiwan a couple weeks ago about a spicy variety I hadn’t tried he wanted to send. He also sent some other stuff too! Thank you so much! Let’s have a look! ...see full post

New Samples From Paldo South Korea

New Samples From Paldo South Korea - The Ramen Rater

Nowadays, soon as there’s a knock at the door my son Miles is racing for the door. It’s really funny actually – he wants to steal the box and try to get it open as soon as possible to see what’s inside!  I wasn’t expecting this one from Paldo – unexpected but definitely appreciated! Let’s see what’s inside! ...see full post

#2526: Samyang Foods Jjamppong Big Bowl

#2526: Samyang Foods Jjamppong Big Bowl - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - ramyun

Here’s one Samyang Foods sent a little while back – thanks again! So this is a jjamppong bowl – a spicy seafood concoction from South Korea. Here’s some more info from Wikipedia about it – ...see full post

#2611: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Tokyo Ramen + Miso Ramen Broth

Nona Lim Tokyo Ramen + Miso Ramen Broth

Thought it would be logical to try these Tokyo Ramen noodles with the Miso Ramen Broth – I mean, it makes sense. These noodles and broth are Vegan, however, I’m going to lay it on thick with some toppings that will not be so Vegan. Let’s give it a go! ...see full post

#2607: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Hakata Ramen + Miso Ramen Broth

NL5: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Hakata Ramen + Miso Ramen Broth

I thought it a no-brainer to pick Hakata Ramen to try with the miso. The other I’ll try with it will be the Tokyo Ramen. Anyways: Hakata Ramen. What is it, Wikipedia? ...see full post

Binders Full Of Women? Nope – Noodles

Binders Full Of Women? Nope - Noodles

Since my 200th review or so, I’ve been keeping the packaging from the instant noodles I review. Why? Well, there are a few reasons. First, it’s kind of a physical representation of the varieties I’ve sampled. Also (and more importantly), the bar codes are on them all. These can be added as tags to the posts and be added. I started adding bar codes in the tags around review 800 or so. The Ramen Rater apps all have bar code scanning capability and so adding these in makes the app more functional for the site. Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of tedious work to do in that area. Anyways, Someone asked about how I store my noodle packaging and was curious to see some binders, so here you go! ...see full post

#2525: Sokensha Curry Udon

#2525: Sokensha Curry Udon - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s another one I found recently at Uwajimaya in Bellevue, Washington. Can’t pass up curry udon – I mean some on – sounds good – here’s a little about udon from Wikipedia – ...see full post

The Ultimate Instant Noodles Collection

The Ultimate Instant Noodles Collection - ramen - the ramen rater

Okay so some of you may be wondering – and some have asked as well: what do you noodle holding pens look like? Well, they’re next to my desk – actually next to and under. ...see full post

#2524: Nissin Straits Reborn Laksa

#2524: Nissin Straits Reborn Laksa - Singapore - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles kitchen

So here we have one that’s on the 2017 Top Ten list – under two names. It was originally Straits Kitchen and they re-branded it as Straits Reborn. Literally no different in recipe – just the name. However I thought it would be good for me to do a review just so you could see. Here’s some info about laksa from Wikipedia – ...see full post

Product Samples From Tseng Noodle

Product Samples From Tseng Noodle - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater

I asked for one four pack of their noodles. They sent a whole box! Let’s look inside.

Product Samples From Tseng Noodle – Taiwan

Product Samples From Tseng Noodle - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater ...see full post

#2523: Nongshim Budae Jjigae Noodle Soup

#2523: Nongshim Budae Jjigae Noodle Soup - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - 농심 보글보글 부대찌개 라면을 먹어봤습니다

Here’s one I found at the local HMart a couple months ago. I’ve had a budae jjigae instant once before – I know there’s at least one more variety out there… Very curious how this one is. Let’s see what Wikipedia has to say about budae jjigae – ...see full post

An Enormous Gift From Nissin Mexico

An Enormous Gift From Nissin Mexico - Gourmet - Cup Noodles - Caldo De Camaron - The Ramen Rater - Instant Noodles

So Nissin Mexico’s Gourmet Caldo De Camaron was #1 on this year’s The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups Of All Time 2017 Edition – and well deservedly so. Big shrimp, lots of veggies and a broth to die for as well as some great noodles in these cups. Well, they were enthused and wanted to thank me, so they sent me a couple of cups. ...see full post

#2522: Takamori Hearty Japanese Style Curry Udon

#2522: Takamori Hearty Japanese Style Curry Udon - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

I gota ride to 99 Ranch yesterday from my sister – thanks! So I was looking for mung bean sprouts, however I found this one when we went through the store. I did a Meet The Manufacturer with Takamori Kosan a few years back and really been hoping I’d get another chance to try some more of their products. Well, this is one of them! Here’s a little about udon from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2521: Nissin Cup Noodles Potato Chips Black Pepper Crab Flavour

#2521: Nissin Cup Noodles Potato Chips Black Pepper Crab Flavour - Singapore - The Ramen Rater

Okay before you start swinging your fists around and marching in the street screaming ‘these aren’t instant noodles,’ Well, for the instant noodles version of this, go to the last review. These are potato chips infused the the same seasoning! Sounds good to me – here’s a little about black pepper crab from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2520: Nissin Cup Noodles Black Pepper Crab Flavour (More Angry Crab)

#2520: Nissin Cup Noodles Black Pepper Crab Flavour (More Angry Crab) - Singapore - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

So this is one they’ve had before however now it has more angry crab! I love angry crab! Actually, black pepper crab is good stuff and I don’t know anyone who would argue with more crab in there. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#2519: Guava Story Anchovy Flavor Guava Rice Noodles

#2519: Guava Story Anchovy Flavor Guava Rice Noodles - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - rice noodles

Here’s something the guys over at ExoticNoods.com sent over – thanks! Okay – guava noodles? I really enjoy guava juice, but never seen a guava noodle before. Better to tear into this pack and see what’s what. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Singaporean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

Singaporean Singapore The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Singaporean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

So for the past few years I’ve been thinking about putting out a top ten list for Singapore. It took me a while though; I wanted to have a TON of Singaporean varieties that I’d tried before doing so. Well, I’ve tried a TON of them now and I felt it would be nice to put out a new list. I’m posting this on Singapore’s National Day – thought it would be fitting. If you’re not familiar with the half lion half fish image in the picture above, that’s a Merlion. It’s the national symbol of Singapore. Here’s a little more about it here. Well, it’s time. These are my favorite varieties that come from Singapore from the over 2,500 reviews I’ve done to date. All these Singaporean varieties are most definitely shiok – so grab your favorite beer (mine’s Tiger) and check it out! ...see full post

#2518: Samurai Ramen Umami

#2518: Samurai Ramen Umami - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles vegan

This was sent to me by Ippin, a purveyor of wonderful Japanese items! Thank you again! – So these look to be vegetarian as well as HALAL. Let’s give them a looksie. ...see full post

#2517: Ikeda Shoku Nabeyaki Tempura Udon

#2517: Ikeda Shoku Nabeyaki Tempura Udon - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s one sent by the guys over at ExoticNoods.com. Thanks! They have a monthly subscription box you can get! So this is nabeyaki udon – let’s see what Wikipedia has to say – ...see full post

#2516: Fujiwara Hokkaido Hakodate Miso Ramen

#2516: Fujiwara Hokkaido Hakodate Miso Ramen - Japan - The Ramen Rater

Seems like a little while since I did a pack instant ramen from Japan. This is one I found during my trip to Taiwan last November at the Carrefour in Taipei by the Miramar Entertainment Park. I tell you – they had quite an impressive instant noodle aisle – like 4 aisles really. So this one is a miso instant ramen. Here’s a little from Wikipedia about ramen – ...see full post

#2515: Uni-President Man Han Feast Spicy Beef Flavor Instant Noodles

#2515: Uni-President Man Han Feast Spicy Beef Flavor Instant Noodles - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater

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

The Ramen Rater In… GQ? Really?

The Ramen Rater In… GQ? – Taiwan

Yeah – really! So I had no idea until it came out, but I’m in GQ Taiwan. Definitely didn’t expect that! If you want to read the article, it’s here (note – you’ll need to use Google Translate if you can’t read Chinese). Posts will resume Friday. I’ll do a couple Throwback Thursdays on Instagram though – oh yeah – follow me on Instagram! I post there every day as well. ...see full post

#2514: Ogasawara Kirin Giraffe Shoyu Ramen

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

#2513: Pringles Nissin Top Ramen Chicken Flavor Potato Crisps

#2513: Pringles Nissin Top Ramen Chicken Flavor Potato Crisps - United States - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles ramen noodle soup potato chips

Well folks, the United States has started to see the light. There’s nothing I love to see more than a tie-in/crossover product and this is something I’ve seen zillions of times overseas but really never before here. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

NOTE – THERE IS A NEW TOP TEN SPICY LIST FOR 2018 – HERE IT IS

The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

It’s that time of year again! Actually, this is the first time the list is coming out in July although at the tail end of July. I usually have the lists come out on the Monday closest to the date it came out the prior year. So this list is a compilation of absolutely hottest and spiciest varieties I’ve had out of the 2,500+ varieties I’ve tried thus far. Something you think belongs on this spiciest of lists? Let me know – I’ll give it a try. Let’s get started! ...see full post

#2512: Mom’s Dry Noodle Dan Dan Noodle

#2586: Mom's Dry Noodle Dan Dan Noodle - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater

Here’s a new one from Mom’s Dry Noodle. This one is Dan Dan Noodle flavor – here’s a little about that from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2511: Samyang Foods Samyang Ramen Classic Edition

#2511: Samyang Foods Samyang Ramen Classic Edition - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle ramyun

Here’s a bowl version clad in the trapping of olde. Samyang Ramen was the very first instant ramyun to come out in South Korea – in 1963. Here’s a little about it from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2510: MyKuali Penang Red Tom Yum Goong Noodle

#2510: MyKuali Penang Red Tom Yum Goong Noodle - Singapore - Malaysia - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle

Today, we have the Singaporean version of MyKuali’s Tom Yum Goong. For those of you who haven’t had tom yum, here’s a little from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2509: Maggi Hot Heads Green Chilli Noodles

#2580: Maggi Hot Heads Green Chilli Noodles - India - The Ramen Rater - spicy

I spend a lot of time looking around to see what’s new and what’s going on in the instant noodle industry. I kind of have to; if I don’t, I can’t find out what’s popular elsewhere in the world. I read a little about this extra spicy variety from India called Maggi Hot Heads – they’ve got a few flavors. People were commenting how this was the spiciest of all of them and I thought hey why not seek it out. My wife Kit was kind and got me some off of Amazon! Thank you! This is a rarity (I mean she’s always nice) – we never get instant noodles online for reviewing. This one seemed to be one that needed some attention though. Let’s check out this Hot Heads variety and see how hot it is! ...see full post

#2508: Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun

SPECIAL STATEMENT AS OF 12/19/2017: It has come to my attention that many places/people are under the impression that this variety is considered to be ‘Samyang Foods 4x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun.’ This is definitely NOT the case. Original Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun is 4,404SHU, 2x Spicy is 8,706SHU. I have been informed by Samyang Foods that Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun is 2,700SHU – which is far less spicy than the original Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun. Sellers claiming this product as Samyang Foods 4x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun – this is misleading and untrue. I’ve mentioned in the past that I would love to try a Samyang Foods 4x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun, however NO SUCH PRODUCT EXISTS at the time of this update. Please refer to The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun for more information.

#2585: Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - fire noodle challenge sichuan pepper

GET AN ASSORTMENT OF THE SPICEST INSTANT NOODLES IN THE RAMEN RATER’S SPICY PACK FROM GOURMET RAMEN CLUB – CHECK IT OUT HERE!

Thanks go to Amelia from Samyang Foods in South Korea for sending these along! The Buldak Bokkeummyun line from them is a fiery range which starts with their hot chicken flavor of Fire Noodle Challenge fame. Here’s what they have to say about this one – ...see full post

Pringles Top Ramen Chips & Where To Get ‘Em

Pringles Top Ramen Chicken Flavor Potato Crisps

Just In! Pringles Top Ramen Chips & Where To Get 'Em - United States - The Ramen Rater - chicken top ramen raman ramon roman chips crisps pringles

Okay so you may have seen that there are new Pringles Top Ramen Chicken Flavor Potato Chips on the market. This is a pretty surprising thing for the US – less so elsewhere. Apparently, the only place you can buy them in stores is at a place called Dollar General. There aren’t any in Washington State, so I had to look elsewhere. I found an eBay Seller who has them and at a very reasonable price. Some people are selling six cans of Pringles for $99! That’s $16.50 per can! Egad; what has this world come to… Anyways, yeah I don’t think they currently have any in stock but I asked and they said that they were going to restock again ASAP! ...see full post

#2507: Indomie Mi Instant My Noodlez Mi Goreng Rasa Rumput Laut

#2507: Indomie Mi Instant My Noodlez Mi Goreng Rasa Rumput Laut - Indonesia - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s one sent by Kamran R. of Australia – thanks again! He’s part of Ramen Regret Rater – they review ultra spicy instant noodles and see if they end up with horrible gastrointestinal difficulties. Yes, really! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups Of All Time 2017 Edition

Instant noodle cups – so portable, so ubiquitous. They’re everywhere! People seem to really like them for lunch. I’ve found that people also like to take them when backpacking or camping – all you need is hot water and once done, you can flatten them so it’s easy to pack out your trash. These convenient meals have come a long way since their inception – many flavors and countries of origin. This list is a compilation of my favorite instant noodle cups from the over 2,500 instant noodle reviews I’ve done to date. ...see full post

Samyang Foods Samples Including New Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun

Samyang Foods Samples Including New Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun - South Kroea - The Ramen Rater - mala fire noodle challenge hot chicken ramen spicy

So both the kids were interesting this box that came yesterday. Miri is just about to start crawling but Miles is running around like a beast these days! Let’s see what’s inside! ...see full post

#2506: KOKA Delight Chicken Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles

#2506: KOKA Delight Chicken Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles - Singapore - The Ramen Rater

Here’s another leftover from the KOKA Meet The Manufacturer series I did a little while back. Chicken flavor sounds pretty safe – I mean, who doesn’t like chicken except vegetarians? Let’s give this chicken flavor variety a try! ...see full post

#2505: Acecook Super Cup Torigara Shoyu

#2505: Acecook Super Cup Torigara Shoyu - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s one sent by Javier over at www.BoxFromJapan.com. You can get a nice package of 4 varieties shipped to your door every month via their subscription service – they also do Japanese candy boxes as well. Today it’s shoyu from Acecook. So if you don’t know about shoyu, here’s a little something from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2504: Nongshim Shin Ramyun (South Korean)

#2504: Nongshim Shin Ramyun - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

For awhile now, I’ve been trying to get my hands on some of this that actually is from South Korea. Thanks to Anders and his girlfriend Ji-Min, here we are! Here’s some info from Wikipedia – ...see full post

New Product Samples From Mom’s Dry Noodle

New Product Samples From Mom's Dry Noodle - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater

Got this box in the mail a couple days ago from Taiwan! Wonder what’s inside. Let’s find out! ...see full post

#2503: Sichuan Guangyou Sweet Potato Instant Noodle Sour-Hot Flavor

#2503: Sichuan Guangyou Sweet Potato Instant Noodle Sour-Hot Flavor - China - The Ramen Rater

Here’s one sent by Colin from Massachusetts – thanks! So this sour-hot sounds interesting. Usually with Chinese varieties, the sour often comes from black vinegar and the spicy from peppers. Let’s see what this one’s like! ...see full post