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Big thanks go out to Cian for sending these! The video for this one posted on New Year’s Eve. It’s a pretty good one – even though we won’t be in a large group of people or anything, saying goodbye and good riddance to 2020 I think will be on everyone’s minds. Hopefully when this posts on www.theramenrater.com, it’s going better… Hopefully… Let’s see how these noodles are!
I know, I know. It’s not ramen. No. I know that it’s not ramen. But these things are a trip -here in the United States, it sure seems like Cheetos and ramen kind of have a weird relationship – just look at Instagram. Also seems like adding hot dogs and enjoying with a malt liquor is popular for some too.
Okay so you might not know it, but I’ve tried quite a few varieties of river snail flavor instant noodles. Usually they have river snail powder in them – I didn’t see that here but it could possibly have it. There’s just a huge amount of sachets going on here. Let’s check it out!
This is the second of the Panda Signature variety cup style noodles I’ll be trying today. I must say, the video where I unboxed a ton of varieties a reader in Montana sent me has done really well. Sadly, it’s not because people are excited about the products. They’ve been much maligned by folks who were sad to see their former favorite get replaced by this brand. One thing people have brought up too is the country of origin on these. You see, on the single packs, the closest thing I could find to a country of origin was from the HALAL seal being from Malaysia. People kept saying that they said ‘product of PRC.’ PRC is People’s Republic Of China. Well, this cup says that, so I have visual confirmation that these are manufactured in China. To me, this isn’t a big deal; a LOT of instant noodles are manufactured in China. However, many are incensed by this insofar that the product it replaced was made in the United States. I’m sure some other reasons have led to their anger about this, which I’m not sympathetic to. But I can see their point on the made in the USA viewpoint. More importantly, they’ve been extremely critical of the flavor of these products being different, and have been downright disgusted by them. I won’t say any have been favorites of mine, but I haven’t found them as a range to be incredibly bad or worth of my bottom ten list. This being said, I have heard that 12 packs of the noodles around around $2 – which is pretty inexpensive. I wouldn’t expect filet mignon at under twenty cents per portion,. Anyways, I was able to contact the company that produces these and they’ve mentioned that they are going to be producing a reformulated version (aka a new recipe). So, I’ll of course try them when they debut and hopefully be able to do an interview with them when that time comes. If you’re wondering that since they’re made in China why the title up top says United States, this product isn’t for sale like this in China and specifically made for Walmart stores here. Let’s check out this one out – sounds tasty enough from the name.
Okay so the pack version of this budae jjigae is just all around wonderful. Time for the bowl. Big thanks to Dennis over at Nongshim for shooting this over! Let’s give it a try.
Today, we have one that was part of Japan Crate’s Umai Crate. So Japan Crate is a subscription service which has all sorts of different options for you. pretty neat stuff from Japan! There’s a coupon code for you too – just use THERAMENRATER to get a special discount at check out.
I have to say – I like boxed varieties. They always seem to house more premium stuff, and this is continuing that observation. Beef and tendon, dry noodle, and a huge retort pouch.
Here’s another one of the cups the folks at the company sent – thanks you very much! The Tapatio guy always seems so awake and well rested. Let’s see if the spicy heat will wake me up!
Just when I thought I’d tried them all, they come out with a couple more and this is one of them. These are the quintessential ‘flower pot’ noodles – tons of sachets, vermicelli, and a fork. Let’s crack it open and give it a try!
I did an interview a month or so ago after being contacted by a journalist in South Korea. I like to do interviews – they’re fun and I always like to see what kind of questions people will ask me. Anyways, when I do one that ends up in print, I always make the stipulation that I would like to get a copy. Well, she sent five of them! Thank you very much – check it out!
Here’s one from a zenpop.jp box! You can get these every month with some neat varieties like this one inside! Use coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!
I’ve done a bowls and cups list over the last few years annually, but I’ve never done a trays list. Most trays end up being yakisoba – so you could consider this a yakisoba list as well. Some tasty stuff in here! This list is current as of review #3,02. Let’s check out the first The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Trays Of All Time 2021 Edition.
The four fingered hand with a face brings you what you never knew you needed – a microwavable cup of mac and cheese with pizza flavor.
Here’s the last of the recent set of varieties sent by Mom’s Dry Noodle – thanks! Always enjoy trying new stuff from Taiwan. This one is made for a chain called PX Mart. Let’s check it out!
I’ve reviewed the bowls, now here come the cups! This is a shrimp variety and should be a good one – let’s find out!
I’m pretty thrilled – this is the second variety I’ve got from Serbia – and I found it semi-locally in the next town over! Pretty rad. Well, let’s give it a try!
Here’s what I believe ar th last frozen noodles I have from Taiwan which arrived a little while back. They’ve all been really good and a neat change of pace. PLN Food Co. Ltd. got an Honorary Mention on the Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition! Let’s check this one out.
It’s been years and years since I had this so it’s getting a fresh new number . If you haven’t tried this range of varieties (there’s a ton of flavors) then you’re missing out. Let’s check this one out.
Okay so I don’t want to hear a ton of complaints about the flavor of this one. Anyway, all of these have been really quite good! Guessing this will have a good kick to it – let’s give it a try!
It’s pretty inadvisable to run to the mall and hang out with tons of people. Well, check out these subscription boxes – they come straight to your door and have some neat stuff inside! Check out www.japancrate.com and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER to score a sweet discount and get some neat noodles!
Here’s one that came in a box from Exotic Noods – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
Can’t remember exactly where I picked this one up, but it’s Filipino. What’s more is that it says it’s a product of the USA. Don’t think I’ve heard of this Nora Kitchen brand before – I suspect maybe it’s the same as Pamana but I could be wrong. Anyways, sotanghon time – let’s check it out!
Here’s one sent by James from Lakeside, CA – thanks again! So yuzu is a kind of Japanese citrus fruit. The idea here is that it would lightly flavor shio, which is a mellow salt ramen. Let’s find out!
Here’s one that’s specifically made for a store chain called PX Mart. Sesame and a peppery oil sounds like a good one – let’s check it out!
Tried a ton of varieties made in Hong Kong this last year or two and thought I ought to update this list. Some really great new stuff to show you! If you’re a manufacturer of varieties in Hong Kong, please feel free to contact me to try out your products! This list is current as of review #3,702. With that, let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Hong Kong Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition.
Thanks to Cian (pronounced kee-yan – like Ian with a K) from Ireland! Thanks so much! These are very interesting in that the sachet kind of gives away the original manufacturer. The motif on the sachet is the same as those found at Real Canadian Superstore up in BC – and these come from a grocery store chain in Ireland, so either they’re related or just using the same private label company. The ones in Canada were labeled Rooster brand. They were good, so I’m hoping these will be as well. Let’s find out!
Want to try a nice variety of instant ramen noodles from around the world? Look no further than Exotic Noods – subscription boxes featuring global varieties on a monthly basis! Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Check out the video to see what’s in the most recent offering.
What a lovely surprise! I went to JR’s Market over in Lynnwood, WA when we were out getting Halloween costumes for the kids (it’s across the parking lot from the Halloween store) and found this and quite a few more varieties. I figured this was from Nepal as it’s a Chaudhary Group noodle, but after examining this one it’s from CG Europe – from Serbia! So this is another country I’ve not reviewed anything from, which is pretty neat!
Another expansion of the Soon range. Very curious how this one will be – and I even have some kimchi on hand. I’ve been replacing snacks with kimchi – been enjoyable to say the least! Let’s check this one out.
Saw this one at Boo Han Market in Edmonds, WA and was like – what? If you notice, there’s a South Korean AND a North Korean flag thing going on here. UPDATE: Ah – I’m wrong it’s a Vietnamese flag and a South Korean flag… At least that is what I’m getting out of it – I could be wrong. This looks to be an export product – very interesting imagery. Well, let’s give it a try!
Here’s another one of Mom’s Dry Noodles’ new Vegetarian friendly varieties. But wait – toona? Misspelling? Nope. Here’s a little about toona from Wikipedia –
Time for an update! The last The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Chinese Instant Noodles Of All Time debuted in 2017. Many new varieties have been reviewed since then and some were absolutely amazing. This list is current as of review #3,702. If you’re a Chinese company with products you’d like reviewed – please contact me! Let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Chinese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition.
Recently, Nongshim added some new flavors to their Soon Vegan range and sent them to me (thank you!) – this one has piqued my curiosity in particular. Spicy tomato sounds nice – let’s give it a try! By the way – it’s Vegan!
Here’s a trippy little flower pot found at the local 99 Ranch Market in Edmonds, WA. These little cow dudes are awesome! Let’s check it out – by the way big thanks to Kyle K. for translation assistance!
Here’s one that came in an Exotic Noods subscription box. Use coupon code RAMENRATER15 for a discount! So this is an Indonesian curry variety – today’s going to be a windy, rainy, cold day and it just sounded like a good pick. Let’s give it a go!
I saw these Tapatio cups at the local Safeway supermarket and inquired with UEC about whether I could get some samples – they arrived a couple of days later. I’ve reviewed the bowl versions, so figured I ought to try the cups too. Perhaps pack versions aren’t far behind? Let’s give this Original flavor a try.
Here’s one A-Sha sent – thanks! It’s from one of their boxes you can get at Costco. Neat to see noodles where I know the sellers in a place like that. So these are super thick and chewy with a non-spicy sauce. Let’s give them a try!
Here’s another variety MyKuali has ‘tweaked’ the recipe for. This is a standard practice in Malaysia and Penang in particular. Recipes get changed an awful lot in hopes of making them the best they can possibly be. Let’s try out this Top Ten Lister of years past!
Alrighty so here’s another frozen one sent by the folks at PLN Food Co. Ltd. in Taiwan – thank you! This sounds to be akin to a hiyashi udon – I guess we shall see! Let’s cook it up!
Here’s another fresh frozen variety from PLN of Taiwan. So far, these have all yielded perfect scores. Their noodles are just excellent and the flavors are insanely good. This one comes with a crispy shallot topping and a special sauce – looking forward to this one! Let’s give it a try!
