This is one I was sent by Daniel of Exotic Noods, a subscription service specializing in instant noodles. I should note that this was something special he put in after a recent trip to Taiwan – thanks again! So these are manufactured by Wei Lih for TTL. TTL stands for Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor. Tobacco and liquor – what?! Indeed, this is a boozy noodle. It contains rice wine, something apparently that goes well in noodles and cooking. Ireviewed the bowl version of this a few weeks back.

Just to clarify when I get the question, this one won’t be found at your local Asian grocery store here in the United States. Ever. Well, unless there’s a huge shift in things as far as what’s allowed entry into the United States. First, it’s got chicken in it – real chicken. It’s near impossible to get real chicken imported into the USA from Southeast Asia. Second, it wouldn’t surprise me if people here would have a tizzy fit that kids would buy 20 of these bowls and guzzle down the rice wine, the concerned parents would have a fit, and government inquiries would go crazy. It’s unfortunate as that’s just kind of how it works here.

Anyways, I think it’s time to open up this bowl. So let’s do it! Indeed, it’s time to try TTL noodles!

TTL Sesame Oil Chicken Noodle With Rice Wine – Taiwan

Here’s the back of the package (click to enlarge). Contains chicken and rice wine. To prepare, add noodle block as well as add in dry sachet and dark liquid sachet to 500ml boiling water. Cook for 3 minutes. Add in rice wine and retort pouch contents. Finally, stir and enjoy!

Hey baggage handlers – try and be gentle with the luggage!

A dry base sachet.

Powder and vegetable.

A liquid sachet.

Has a definite sesame scent.

Another liquid sachet.

Rice wine.

The retort pouch (click to enlarge).

Pieces of chicken and vegetable in a liquid.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added roasted sesame seeds. The noodles are a very standard Taiwanese style – very thin and soft. A lot of them, too. The broth has a lot of things going on. First, the sesame taste is nice and gives it a good oiliness. It has a nice chicken taste as well. Next is the rice wine taste – my wife and son Andy both thought it odd, but I found it to be a very nice accompaniment. Then the retort pouch content. Indeed, a lot of chicken and of good size and quality. Moreover, the chicken has a little ginger hit to it to lighten things up. There’s also wolfberry, cabbage and some kind of crunchy melon. The pouch also has liquid which mingle in the soup. A lot in one bowl of noodles. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code 4710199105306.

The Food of Taiwan: Recipes from the Beautiful Island

A budget guide to travel in Taipei.