#3024: Nissin Cup Noodle Nice Pork Shoyu (New Version) – Japan

#3024: Nissin Cup Noodle Nice Pork Shoyu (New Version) - Japan

Today we have a Zenpop.JP variety – so what’s Zenpop? They’re a subscription service for all things Japanese! Definitely, check them out. By the way, use coupon code RAMENRATER to get $2 off! Here’s what they had to say about this one – ‘This is as nice as the name indicates! While the soup is thick and rich, this is also a bit better for you with fewer  calories than the original Nissin Cup Noodles. Is that even possible? You’ll know it once you try this.’ ...see full post

#3023: Trader Joe’s Chicken Ramen Soup – United States

#3023: Trader Joe's Chicken Ramen Soup - United States

I know a lot of people are really into Trader Joe’s. What I’ve seen is that they find brands and products they think would be good with their packaging and then get the company that makes it to do a private label for them and sells it under their name. I think that’s what it looks like here. In fact, maybe these should be known not as Trader Joe’s but Trader Mike’s – as everything looks about the same as this one. Yup – I’m pretty sure these are made by Mike’s Mighty Good. Anyways, let’s have a look and give it a try! ...see full post

#3022: Myojo Japanese Yakisoba Curry Flavor – United States

#3022: Myojo Japanese Yakisoba Curry Flavor - United States

I was in Bellevue the other day and hit Uwajimaya for a couple things. I thought hey – I’ll make yakisoba for dinner! I just got a big huge frying wok and so that should be fun. So I go to the aisle with the cold cases and find the yakisoba. The one I usually pick up was frozen hard as a rock – not cool. I looked for another and most of those were brick-hard. Then I found this one and was happy. Well, I get it home and I’m pissed. It’s curry. Now, everyone knows I love curry; it’s almost a religious thing for me. But not everyone in my place likes curry for dinner. So that was that – no yakisoba for dinner. It’s my fault for not noticing it was curry, but then again I wish the one I wanted wasn’t akin to a cinder block in its solidness. But personally, I know this should be pretty good stuff – let’s give it a try! ...see full post

Kylie Jenner Ramen Noodles Recipe – perfected by The Ramen Rater

I know, I know. You’re probably like, ‘dude, are you really doing thing?’ The answer is yes. I was told by a professional that I should give this a go. I mean, why not – there’s the recipe. I think I can put a little spin on it though and why not. Maybe my son Miles will want to try it too? He’s three and knows probably as much about Kylie Jenner as I do. Like I say in the video here, all I know about Kylie Jenner is that her father used to be Bruce Jenner and changed gender and is now… Caitlynn Jenner – okay yeah that’s the name – I couldn’t remember. I know there’s a TV show with these people but I’ve never seen it and honestly don’t know why Kylie Jenner is famous (please comment below if you’re hip to that). But let’s give a try at these vague ingredient mentions and see what happens. ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #3016: Vite Ramen Garlic Pork – United States

Meet The Manufacturer: #3016: Vite Ramen Garlic Pork - United States

Two things I really enjoy are pork and garlic. Two more are curry and bacon. But hey – today it’s garlic and pork and I’m pretty happy about that. Now the question is: can a product made to have lots of protein and vitamins and be made to be healthy taste good. I’m really hoping so! Every once in a while there are game changing products in the instant noodle world and this could very well be one of those. But no way to find out until it gets a taste. Well, let’s hit it! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #3015: Vite Ramen Vegan Mushroom Shio – United States

Meet The Manufacturer: #3015: Vite Ramen Vegan Mushroom Shio - United States

Today we kick things off on this interesting Meet The Manufacturer series with Vite Ramen’s Vegan option. If you didn’t know, there are three varieties from Vite Ramen – at least initially. Also, just so you know at the outset of this and the following reviews, these are prototypes. From what I’ve been told, this is what you’ll be getting, however the sachets in the final iteration will look different. So let’s give this first one a try! ...see full post

#3012: Samyang Foods Sriracha Ramen Snack – South Korea

#3012: Samyang Foods Sriracha Ramen Snack - South Korea

Here we have what you call a ramen snack or noodle snack. These are popular throughout Asia but little known in the United States. In a way. It was often I heard about people taking a domestic pillow pack of instant noodles here in the states and pulverizing it while still in the package and then the seasoning dumped on and held closed, then shaken to distribute the flavor. This was commonly considered a somewhat of a lazy teenager’s way of cooking one of the easiest products to cook around. Well, they’ve been creating products that are prepared in this way for a very long time in Asia. Spicy, sweet, salty – you name it. Here’s Samyang’s Sriracha Ramen flavored one for you to see today! ...see full post

#3010: Vedan Wei Wei Premium Noodle With Braised Beef – Taiwan

#3010: Vedan Wei Wei Premium Noodle With Braised Beef - Taiwan

This one comes by way of a reader from Taiwan who visited t he Philippines and saw this and a spicy version there. This is most definitely an export version. First, lots of English text. Now, you’ll never see this in the United States as it does contain beef. Casn’t go wrong with braised beef – well, I guess you could if it’s bad, but I don’t think that’s going to be the case here. Let’s find out! ...see full post

#3008: Indomie Real Meat Mi Instan Goreng Rendang – Indonesia

#3008: Indomie Real Meat Mi Instan Goreng Rendang - Indonesia

First, thanks to Robert Z for sending this along! Check out his amazing www.dadbert.com blog!! II mean wow – I’ve been wanting to try these for a while now and figured I would probably never get one. So yeah – it’s in here – real meat! Rendang is also one of my favorite things in the known universe. Here’s a little about it from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#3006: Uni-President Guizhou Spicy Soybean Paste Flavor – China

#3006: Uni-President Guizhou Spicy Soybean Paste Flavor - China

First off, thanks to Kyle K. for help with translating this one! I found this up in Canada at FoodyWorld – a huge Asian supermarket which is a must see for anyone doing the tour of Asian grocery stores up in Richmond – lots of fun and much to see. These were on sale and looked neat so I went and got all the varieties. Let’s give this one a try! ...see full post

#3005: Samyang Foods Chinese Style Bibimmyun – South Korea

#3005: Samyang Foods Chinese Style Bibimmyun - South Korea

Here’s one the folksd at Samyang Foods sent along – thanks again! This is a bibimmyun – a cold noodle generally enjoyed during the hot summer months. I wasn’t sure what the difference was with this one was, but it appears this is a Chinese-style variety, so flavors are a little different. Awesome! Let’s give this one a try! ...see full post

#3003: Chencun The Flavours Of Yunnan China Acid & Peppery Beef – China

#3003: Chencun The Flavours Of Yunnan China Acid & Peppery Beef - China

Here’s one we found at China World in Richmond, BC. The name definitely didn’t translate all that great. I think acid probably will be closer to something like tangy. I mean, acid and beef? Perhaps it could be referring to a process of cooking beef that uses something acidic? Either way I’m fascinated. Let’s see what happens when we open it and cook it! ...see full post

#3000: Peyoung Yakisoba GIGAMAX – Japan

I want to start by thank you for having a look at this. 3000. It’s a pretty big number. I would never have achieved it without the help and support of my family- my mother who introduced me to the instant noodle at an early age, my father who introduced me to the world of Asian cuisine, my sister for supporting all of my niche ventures whether they be instant noodles or hot sauces or even robot skinning, my children for trying all these different flavors I’ve foisted upon them over the years. Most of all, I want to thank my wife Kit who has stood by me through thick and thin, been a sounding board for my ideas, waited patiently as I inspect every aspect of the noodle aisle at an Asian grocery, and stood by me through it all. I love you all. ...see full post

#2999: Uni-President Pickled Cabbage Beef Stir Noodle Bowl

#2925: Uni-President Pickled Cabbage Beef Stir Noodle Bowl

We found this one up at Foodyworld in Richmond, BC. They were on a great sale – 2 for $3CAD! Not bad at all! I have to say I love this packaging’s graphic. The food is all sharp and colorful and contrasts so well with the background. Very old school Chinese! Sorry about the lack of pictures of what’s inside the sachets – woke up late and so rushing to get just this one done! Let’s have a look! ...see full post

Win An Umai Crate Full Of Ramen From Japan!

CONTEST HAS ENDED – THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

Win An Umai Crate From Japan Crate Contest

I’d like to announce a new contest! Japan Crate and The Ramen Rater have partnered to do give away  a free Umai Crate to a lucky winner! What’s an Umai Crate, you ask? It’s a monthly box that’s full of neat ramen from Japan! They feature unique varieties from all over Japan plus a bonus item (usually a kitchen implement), a recipe card, and a detailed pamphlet with background information and cooking instructions. Want one? Watch the video below and read on! ...see full post

#2997: Rooster Chili Seafood Flavour Noodle Soup – Canada

#2997: Rooster Chili Seafood Flavour Noodle Soup - Canada

Oh – Canada! How you doin’? So we went up to Canada as we usually do about once a month and we’d been seeing the place called ‘The Real Canadian Super Store’ every time but never visited. So it’s part of Loblaw’s, a mega supermarket group in Canada – the have lots of different stores up there under different names like T&T Supermarket, Loblaw’s, – I think London Drug? Anyways, yeah. This store was like a mega Walmart – but the difference is that it’s real and it’s Canadian. Great noodle aisle – lots of things I’ve not seen elsewhere. Let’s give this one a try – it’s made in China for the Canadian company. ...see full post

#2996: Nissin Cup Noodles Soup’d Up Roasted Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup – United States

#2996: Nissin Cup Noodles Soup'd Up Roasted chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup - United States

This one was sent by Robert Z. over at www.dadbert.com – he’s a good friend of mine who has just entered the blogging world with his really technical and awesome cooking recipes – be sure to check out his site! Anyways, he found this one in Kentucky, and I suspect this is a test market for these. They’re not mentioned anywhere to speak of, and so I wanted to give these a try as soon as possible. This new line looks to have a LOT of meat in there! Let’s crack it open and take a look. ...see full post