A New Book From My Friend Matt

After reading ‘The Noodle Narratives,’ I told my friend Matt B. of Port Townsend, WA about it, and he ordered a copy to read. He offered to get me a book, and here it is. ...see full post

The Noodle Narratives Review Copy

I saw an article about a new book and emailed the company, UC Berkeley Press about getting a review copy and doing a review. Here it is! ...see full post

South Korean Samples From Samyang Foods!

Recently I heard about this recipe using Samyang Foods Budalk Bokkumyeon (Hot fried chicken flavor ramyun). I only have one of the bowls so I needed at least onhe more so I could do a regular review as well as try the recipe. I asked a friend at Samyang Foods if they could possibly send some more and I got a yes! Today this box arrived. ...see full post

#1189: Acecook Comet Mori Yukino Tan-tan Men

Here’s one sent from Japan by Ichiro Yamoto of Yakantei! Thank you! This one was a little tricky to translate – I want to thank Courtnay N. of Canada and Mari S. of Tennessee! Tan tan men is more widely known as dandanmian. It heralds from China and is named after a pole street vendors would use to carry their wares. It’s usually a spicy broth with oil and minced pork affair.  After some research, I figured out who the woman on the lid is. She’s part of AKB48 – here’s what Wikipedia says about them: ...see full post

#1188: Chencun Noodles Braised Pork Ribs

Here’s another from the trip to Canada my wife took me on for my birthday – thank you, Kit! Pork. Ribs. Let’s do this. ...see full post

#1187: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Cup (South Korean version)

Here we have a Shin Ramyun cup – this one was bought in South Korea and brought back to me by Kristen W. or Arizona – thanks! Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#1186: Nissin Sabor A Carne Sopa Instantánea Con Fideos

I read an article recently about Nissin starting to sell instant noodle in Colombia, so I shot an email to my friend Scott over at Nissin Foods USA and asked if I could maybe get some samples. He sent some! Thanks, man! This is pretty much identical to beef Top Ramen, but packaged for the Colombian market. Speaking of Top Ramen, Nissin is having a neat contest (here’s a link). Neat prizes and it’s easy. Anyways, let’s check it out! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2013

Earlier this year, people from Taiwan voiced their displeasure with not being included in the 2013 Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time. They came in droves, shouting the praises of their beloved varieties. They were equally unhinged by having two varieties listed in my Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2013 list. Two were included there. After all of this outcry and seeing the pride and passion about their noodles, I thought it was a must to do a Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2013 list; these people are easily as interested in noodles as much as I am! This new list encompasses all of the Taiwanese varieties that I’ve reviewed thus far. So, without further ado, I hope you will enjoy The Ramen Rater’s top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2013 edition! ...see full post

#1185: Sainsbury’s Basics Instant Noodles Chicken Flavour

Here’s another one from Joe B. of Nottingham, England – thanks! Sainsbury’s is a chain of supermarkets in the UK that were founded in 1869. They make two lines on instant noodles – the basics and a more premium version. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

Goodbye 2013 Regular Season

I’m a big baseball fan and today was the last game of the regular season. Just wanted to say let’s go Giants one last time to all my fellow Giants fans out there! Now it gets cold until Spring Training – February 28th, 2014. ...see full post

#1184: Sapporo Ichiban Pokemon Shoyu Ramen

Here’s another one from the folks at Record China news in Japan – thank you! My son is a really big fan of Pokemon. He’s got every one’s name, what they evolve into and all Pokemon lore stuffed in that PokeDex brain of his! If any of you reading have kids that like Pokemon, you know of what I speak. Well, I’ve wanted to get some Pokemon noodles for him and this is the first! I know there are more out there and hopefully I’ll find them sooner or later! Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#1183: Paldo Cheese Noodle

Here’s something new from Paldo of South Korea – cheese noodle! I am a big fan of cheese! I also like noodles obviously, so this should be a nice pairing. Let’s dig in to some cheesy goodness! ...see full post

#1182: Ko-Lee Go Noodles Xtreme Hot & Spicy Flavour

This one was sent by Joe & Gill from the UK! Thanks! Hot and spicy from Britain? Let’s try it! ...see full post

New Product Samples And More From Nissin Foods USA

My friend Scott A. over at Nissin Foods USA asked me to verify my mailing address the other day – I thought ‘hmmm a package?’ Yesterday, the FedEx guy came to the back deck of our apartment and brought me this! What wonders are within? Let’s see! ...see full post

Samples Of A Fiery Taiwanese Noodle From A-Sha

A package from A-Sha… Hmmm what’s inside?

Ooh what is this? The folks at A-Sha told me this variety is called Hell Spicy Mala and is popular in Taiwan as it is extremely spicy. Sounds like fun! ...see full post

A Donation From New Jersey!

Got a box today from a reader! What’s inside?

Sweet – I’ve been very curious about this one! Thanks to Robert F. from Hoboken, NJ for sending this along! ...see full post

#1181: Samyang Foods Star Popeye Ramyun Snack

Whoa hey what’s this? Here’s another snack made from instant noodles! This one’s from South Korea – let’s check it out! ...see full post

#1180: Wei Lih What’s That? Leisure Meatballs Spicy Chicken Flavor

When I’m ready to relax and have some ‘me time,’ there are two words that immediately enter my mind: leisure meatballs. What’s that? Leisure meatballs? Yes. Spicy chicken flavored ones. Let’s have a look. ...see full post

#1179: Myojo Chukazanmai Guangdong Style Ramen

Here’s one that my friend Scott A. sent me – thanks again! Been a long time since I’ve had any of the Chukazanmai varieties – fancy shmancy stuff – let’s check this one out! ...see full post

Re-Review: Saigon Ve Wong Kung-Fu Mì Tôm Chua (Sour Shrimp Flavor) Instant Noodles Vietnam Flavor

I recently got a nice box of samples from Duncan T. over at Gemini Food Corp in California. I’d already reviewed them, but I definitely wanted to re-review this one for sure. I last had this in my 97th review – over 1000 reviews ago. Curious about what I’ll think of it these days; it got a low rating at that time and looking at it now makes me think it can’t be that bad! But I guess we’ll see. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#1178: Nongshim Shin Black Spicy Pot-au-feu Flavor Premium Noodle Soup

You might be thinking, ‘hey – didn’t he already review this?’ Nope – I reviewed the Shin Ramyun Black cup from South Korea. This is the one that is manufactured here in the United States in Rancho Cucamonga, California.So what is this ‘Pot-au-feu’ flavor? I consulted Wikipedia and found this: ...see full post

#1177: Mi ABC Mi Instan Rebus Rasa Ayam Bawang (Onion Chicken Flavour)

Another one sent by my friend in Indonesia – thank you! A little translation. So it’s onion chicken flavor – rasa means flavor, bawang is onion and ayam chicken. Mi instan is instant noodle, but rebus? Rebus translated to boiled and here I think refers to the noodles being ‘cooking noodles.’ As I’ve mentioned in the past, what makes a noodle ‘instant’ is the fact that you can put the noodle block and seasonings in a bowl, add boiling water and then cover for a few minutes, stir and eat. Anyways, let’s check out this Indonesian variant. ...see full post

Cheese Ramyun Samples From Paldo

My pal Moses over at Paldo sent me a message the other day: “I’m sending you something…” ...see full post

#1176: Maruchan Old Style Shio Ramen

Here’s another I got at T&T Supermarket up in Burnaby, BC. Took a bit of research, but yep – old style shio ramen is what this is. Shio means salt. – but this isn’t a bowl of saltiness. Shio is light and savory stuff! By the way – did you know that salt was a way to pay people in the past? That’s where the term ‘worth your salt’ and the word salary come from! It brings out flavors, but was also used as a way to keep meats for longer when freezers and refrigerators weren’t around. Anyways, let’s check this one out! ...see full post

VIDEO: Grand Tsukemen Fest Live Chat

I was invited by Brian over at Ramen Adventures to take part in a Google Hangout to discuss the upcoming Grand Tsukemen Fest in Japan. I’ve never had tsukemen before, but I sure a lot of you have. Tsukemen is different from traditional ramen in that you have a bowl with broth and toppings and then a bowl of (usually) cold noodles. It sounds really good to me! Here is a video of the chat which includes an appearance by the reigning Grand Tsukemen champ! ...see full post

#1175: Healtimie Green Barley Noodle Milk Chicken Soup

Here’s something new – green barley noodles. I’ve had noodles that were green from a myriad of ingredients before (wonder if someday there’ll be blue?). These are supposed to be for the health conscious. Let’s check ’em out! ...see full post

A Wonderful Package From Record China News Of Japan!!!

I did an interview with a news agency in Japan recently called Record China –

  • September 3, 2013 – Record China – 米国のラーメン通、日・中・韓の即席麺を斬る<前編>「欧米人には韓国のものがイチバン」 – Japan Part 1 – Link
  • September 3, 2013 – Record China – 米国のラーメン通、日・中・韓の即席麺を斬る<前編>「欧米人には韓国のものがイチバン」 – Japan Part 2 – Link

They sent a box of amazing goodies from Japan I’ve been hoping to finbd for a while! ...see full post

#1174: Itomen Crab Flavor Instant Ramen

Here’s one my lovely wife got me during a birthday trip to Richmond, BC on my birthday! I really like this packaging; very retro! Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#1173: Pop Bihun Spesial Goreng Spesial

Here’s another one my friend from Indonesia sent me – thanks! This is a departure from the norm for me – very rarely have I had Indonesian varieties of rice noodles. I think I’ve had them maybe thrice before. This one’s by the Indofoods people – makers of Indomie Mi Goreng. Let’s see how it translates to a rice noodle variety! ...see full post

Happy National Cheeseburger Day

Since today is National Cheeseburger Day (yeah – it’s a real thing), I thought I’d report my ramyun burger recipe. Thought people might like to see it again. ...see full post

#1172: Koyo Seaweed Ramen Made With Organic Noodles

Been meaning to get to this one. Let’s check out this vegan variety!

Here’s the back of the package (click image to enlarge). Vegan-friendly. ...see full post

#1171: Tiger Tiger Traveller’s Choice Indian Tikka Masala Flavour Instant Noodles

Here’s one of the varieties that Joe B. kindly send me from England – thanks again! This is a British product that has a very Indian flavor. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#1170: Acecook Jan Jan Yakisoba

This one was sent to me by the folks at MBS TV in Japan after my appearance on “God Of Patena.” Thanks! This one is interesting; it has a squarish shaped cup! Let’s check it out. ...see full post

#1169 Mr. Noodles Noodles In A Cup Beef Simulated Flavour

Here’s another from my Canadian birthday trip! Thanks again, Kit! This one’s for my son Andy (check out his blog at www.andyslegostuff.com). Usually he goes for the chicken varieties, but beef is what he’s getting today! Let’s check it out! ...see full post

Awesome Package Of British Instant Noodles!

Another great box of instant noodles from Joe B. of Nottingham, England! Curious to see what exotic varieties lurk within! ...see full post

#1168: Nissin Donbei Curry Udon (West Japan Style)

First I want to thank Ken P. from twitter and Mari S. on facebook for help withe translation! Donbei is a kind of personalized donburi. The east is usually more of a salty flavor than the west as well. Many little difference! Pretty neat! Let’s have a look. ...see full post

#1167: Kabuto Noodles Miso Ramen

Here’s one from my friend Martin A. in the UK. This one’s pretty cool – very vertical! Those Brits, they sure come up with neat cups. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater Noodle News #31

Here we go with the 31st edition of The Ramen Rater Noodle News! I scour the Internet for articles about ramen and instant noodles and bring them to you! Here are some recent stories you might find interesting! ...see full post

#1166: Unif Man Han Feast Sichuan Chili Eel Flavor Instant Noodle

Here’s one from T&T Supermarket up in Vancouver, BC! Many Taiwanese extolled the virtues of these Man Han Feast varieties, especially a beef version. I had the Spring Onion Eel flavor a while back and this is the only other one I’ve seen available in North America. So what does Man Han Feast mean? Wikipedia says: ...see full post

Re-Review: Ottogi Bekse Curry Myon

I’ve had a hankering to re-review this one since I had the cup version and really liked it. Made me think maybe I was a little tough on this one when I reviewed it as #121. But now I’m looking through the archives and I gave it a 3.5/5.0 stars, which isn’t bad, then I re-reviewed it and gave it 3.5/5.0 again. Funny, I didn’t think I’d re-reviewed this one… Well, I guess it’s a re-re-revie; I already took the pictures of everything, right? Let’s give this one another peek. ...see full post