After going through the big noodle hamper the other day and getting rid of some ancient ones that had expired, I noticed this one that I needed to get to quickly. There’s a urban myth that instant noodles last forever, will survive all forms of apocalypse and deliver great flavor for the next hundred years. While frying noodles extrudes moisture and makes them shelf stable without refrigeration for a much longer time than their fresh counterparts, they do go bad. I also take into account that as a reviewer, it’s only fair to review them if they’re all not expired, hence the culling of the old. Luckily, I have scads of non expired instants to go through! Anyways, let’s check out this rice vermicelli from Nissin – Demae Beef Flavour!
Tag: beef
#1542: KOKA Noodles Beef Flavour
Here’s the last one sent by Charles, a serviceman in Afghanistan – thanks! It’s really strange to know that since my last KOKA review that I’ve been in Singapore; never did I expect to visit Asia in my lifetime and now I have. Albeit a short visit (out experience of Singapore consisted of running through Changi airport from travelator to travelator and transferring our luggage from carrier to carrier), it was a truly fascinating blur! Anyways, got some fresh beef yesterday and needed to package it up so though I’d do a beef noodle review. Let’s check it out!
#1540: Unif-100 Instant Noodles Artificial Shallot Beef Flavor
I keep looking at this one in my noodle hamper and then curse at myself for not getting shallots… I mean, they’re cheap and taste really good – why didn’t I get shallots? Well, I kept forgetting to. But fear not shallot lovers! I now have shallots. Beef and shallot lovers, your day has arrived. Let’s delve into the insides of this Unif-100 Artificial Shallot Beef flavor pack from Unif of China!
Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Lucky Me! Supreme Bulalo Artificial Bone Marrow Flavor Instant Noodles
Bulalo sounds interesting – a beefy soup. I think I need more info though – here’s what wikipedia had to say:
Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Lucky Me! Beef Na Beef Instant Noodles
I think a lot of people will say that Lucky Me! Beef Na Beef is one that they’ve seen many times when visiting an Asian grocery in the USA. Beef, like chicken, is one of those flavors you see about every instant noodle manufacturer out there making. Everyone knows what beef and chicken flavors taste like (well, maybe not everyone – hi vegetarians!). The weather here is quite cold and rainy lately and nice beef flavored broth sounds really good. One thing though; the Philippines isn’t a place known for it’s chilly climate. Would a beef instant translate well for colder places that’s been made there? I think I’ll have to see! Let’s revisit Lucky Me! Beef Na Beef!
Meet The Manufacturer: #1530: Lucky Me! Spicy Beef Mami Instant Noodle Soup
Lucky Me! Spicy Beef Mami is a newer product I’m pretty sure. A couple neat things about this one is tyhat they use Labuyo pepper. It’s also known as Bird’s Eye chilli as well a cili padi (chilli paddi) in Indonesia and Malaysia. What’s more, this is another instance of instant noodles being referred to as ‘mami.’ As far as I know, this in a purely Filipino thing; never seen instant noodles called mami anywhere else (although there is a Malaysian company called Mamee, (a play on mee and MAMA) and a Thai brand called MAMA (for the same reason). I thought I’d see what Wikipedia has to say about the various meanings of mami and got this list:
Case Study: Beef Top Ramen & Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
On Friday, I conducted a little experiment: let’s have a look at what happens when we look at 6 months of images from instagram that have the hashtag #topramen. What I found were many comparisons of instant noodles to hair, mentions of poverty and many images of what people liked to pair with their instant noodles.
#1504: Master Kong Stewed Beef Flavor Cooking Noodle
Here’s another one sent by a kind reader in Sweden – thanks again! Also want to thank Bobby Y. of Canada for his great help with translating! He’s always been a great help and I truly appreciate it! With all the recent Chinese readers, I thought I’d review a Chinese instant noodle today. These Master Kong varieties are usually quite good. This one’s really big – calls for 700ml water! That’s definitely on the higher end of broth. The noodle block is also quite large with a different gauge than other I’ve tried – looks to be thicker. It also mentions that it’s a ‘cooking’ noodle as opposed to an instant. Cooking noodles require time spent on the stove while instants can either be cooked on the stove or simply put in a bowl and boiling water added, covered and let sit for 3 minutes or so to be done. Let’s have a look at this one from Master Kong – really hoping Master Kong contacts me soon – wouyld love to do a Meet The Manufacturer with them!
#1498: Samyang Foods Sogokimyun Hot Flavor Noodle Soup
This Sogokimyun is a bit interesting. It looks to be a re-branding of another one. I just looked through everything and found this one from September of 2010 – that’s one old review! What I remembered was seeing the windmills on the packs. The difference though is that this version and the older one – this one doesn’t include a vegetables sachet, only the powder one. Wow – 1,378 bowls of noodles ago. I guess if you do something every day, it does tend to add up! Just about to the 1,500th review; I knew I’d hit it at some point. Next will be the big 2k. Anyways; let’s check this one out!
Meet The Manufacturer: #1469: Bamee Oriental Style Instant Noodles Beef Flavour
Before this Meet The Manufacturer, I really hadn’t known that Thai President Foods made so many different lines of instant noodles. I thought they made MAMA and that was about it – I was definitely wrong about that! Here’s another line for export to Europe, Bamee. This one has quite a few languages on it, more than the Thai Chef I reviewed a couple days ago which looked to be more for the German market. Anyways, beef! Beef sounds like a good one for today – it’s cloudy outside and a bit cooler. I’m wishing we could skip fall and go straight to winter – I really like snow and fireplaces and all of that comfy stuff. Summer is great, but it’s been a pretty hot one here. Beef soups are some of my favorites during winter, which is what made me go on that tangent there. Anyways, it’s still summer but time for Bamee beef noodle soup! Let’s go!
Meet The Manufacturer: #1460: Nissin Premium Instant Noodles Spicy Beef Flavour
Today’s the next to last review of the Nissin Singapore Meet The Manufacturer. This is the 14th review! There have been an interesting array of different varieties that have been really quite good! Today, I’m trying the package version of their spicy beef flavor. I reviewed the bowl version pretty early on. Anyways, let’s have a look at this one!
Meet The Manufacturer: #1458: Nissin Premium Instant Noodles Roast Beef Flavour
My son’s favorite instant noodles of all time are (drumrolls please), Nissin Top Ramen Chicken Flavor. It’s about as domestic as you can get. I’ll admit I like it a lot too – basic noodles and decent chicken broth. He does let me make him stuff that’s a little more adventurous from time to time. Today’s going to be one of those days.
Meet The Manufacturer: #1452: Nissin Premium Instant Noodles Spicy Beef Flavour
Looks like we’ve got some hot weather coming to the northwest this week. One weather report is saying it will get into the 90’s which is pretty darn hot for these parts. My wife and I were talking about it the other day and she mentioned that the last time we had a summer with such hot temperatures, the winter was equally as extreme – got lots of snow! I hope that it turns out the same way this year because I really like snow quite a bit. Granted, there are quite a few challenges getting around being legally blind, but it’s neat stuff all the same.
Meet The Manufacturer: #1448: Nissin Premium Instant Noodles Roasted Beef Flavour
This looks like a good one! I like how it mentions on the front in the little text: with ‘top-notch Secret Roasted Beef Paste Recipe’ – that definitely has me interested. This is part of their Premium line – let’s have a look under the hood and see what makes this instant noodle tick.
#1440: Wu-Mu Dried Noodle With Beef Flavor Sauce
I’ve reviewed quite a few instant by this brand. They’re made in Taiwan and they come with four of everything; four noodle blocks, four of each sachet. The Interesting twist with this one is that it doesn’t use broth; it’s a stir noodle! I don’t think I’ve found one of those yet. Let’s check it out!
#1436: Chencun Rice Noodle Beef With Brown Sauce
These little cups always are a nice surprise. I usually expect that they’ll be funky and gross but they usually have been very good! This one sounds interesting – I’m curious what ‘brown sauce’ means; like brown gravy? The pic on the front looks like wide rice noodles too. Well, it looks like fun to me – let’s crack this one open and see what’s going on inside.
#1409: Baixiang Noodles Spicy Artificial Beef Flavour Instant Noodles With Soup Base
Wow so I am really happy to say that our move is done. A lot of work is an understatement, but it was well worth it! All the noodles are in their new spot and seem to be quite ahppy. This will be the first review here! I got this one earlier this year on my birthday trip to Canada. Never seen this brand before! Let’s check it out!
#1399: Vina Acecook Oh! Ricey Phở Bò Instant Rice Noodles
Phở is probably the most well-known dish of Vietnam. It’s also the most commonly incorrectly pronounced culinary item in the world – at least that’s my guess! It’s not pronounced like the word ‘foe,’ but f in ‘foe’ added to the o in ‘of.’ For Jersey folks, one could say it’s like the ‘fuh’ in ‘fuhgettaboutit.’ Phở is usually best when got from one of the zillions of Phở restaurants around. There”s a broth that’s cooked for hours and hours with beef, star anise, cinnamon and other spices. It’s then accompanied by different thinly sliced cuts of beef or chicken or meatballs. The Bò in Phở Bò translates to beef. You usually also get bean sprouts, sweet basil, jalapeno , and onion. Condiments can include sriracha, fish sauce and hoisin sauce. Lots of ingredients and lots of fun to eat! Let’s see how this instant version is and have a look under the hood.
#1390: Indomie Mi Goreng Rasa Iga Penyet
Here’s one I’ve been waiting for just the right day to try. Iga Penyet is a dish which is extremely popular in Jakarta, Indonesia. But, exactly what is it? Well, from looking around, I found that it translates to Smashed Beef Ribs ala Jakarta. I’ve also seen it referred to as Fried Beef Ribs. Either way, beef ribs and a spicy sambal sauce are involved, as well as garlic. I didn’t have any beef ribs to cook alongside, but I’ll figure something out – let’s check out this Indomie Iga Penyet!
Meet The Manufacturer: #1386: Takamori Sukiyaki Style Noodle Stew
Well, we’re almost to the end of this Meet The Manufacturer. It’s been a really fun journey through all of these Japanese flavors. Today, I’m going to review a beefy sukiyaki udon stew! But what is sukiyaki? Let’s ask Wikipedia:
#1373: Tesco Everyday Value Beef & Tomato Flavour Noodles
British noodles! Thought maybe this would be a good one to let my son try today. Not spicy (at least I don’t think it will be) and pretty mellow. Right now he’s knee-deep in LEGO blocks and listening to a video game documentary. A good day! Let’s check this one out.
#1366: Nongshim Sir Long Tang Creamy Beef Noodle Soup
Here’s something new and different from Nongshim. The name might seem a little odd, but it’s a play on the name of a traditional South Korean beef soup called Seoulleongtang, which has a broth which is simmered for a long time with ox bones. I’ve liked non-spicy South Korean beef noodle soups in the past – let’s see how this one fares!
#1365: Four Seas Seaweed Hot & Spicy Instant Noodle Mushroom & Beef Flavour
I’ve always found these quite interesting. Why? Well for starters, they seem to always have a pack of seaweed with them, and not a small one but a decent portion. Also, the noodle blocks are unique as well. How? Well, read on and you’ll see. This one is from Hong Kong – let’s check it out!
Re-Review: Maruchan Instant Lunch Hot & Spicy Beef Flavor Ramen With Vegetables
Maruchan Instant Lunch is one of those products you see everywhere in the United States at grocery stores. Maruchan makes these cups as well as packs of ramen. They’re popular in Mexico as well – people refer to soup a lot of the time as ‘maruchan’ as it has become so popular and intrinsic to daily life. A month or so ago, I saw a post on Instagram. This guy was saying how he could eat these Instant Lunch cups (this flavor in particular) for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. I thought to myself, ‘have I reviewed this one?’ Well as it turns out I had – but it was way back in June of 2011. I’m always on the hunt for instant noodles that cannot be found within the United States – the more exotic the better. This guy’s enthusiasm about this little cup that can be found virtually everywhere here in the USA piqued my curiosity; is it worth another try? So when out grocery shopping, I decided to get one. After two weeks of enjoying varieties from Southeast Asia, I think this should be interesting. Let’s check it out!
#1346: Oyatsu Baby Star Ramen Round Consomme Mini
Here’s a neat one I got at Fujiya up in Richmond, BC during this year’s birthday trip! This is a snack ramen – basically cooked and dried ramen that’s crunchy and tasty! I really like finding new ones to try as eventually I’m thinking a top ten list of snack ramen noodles will be produced. Anyways, let’s have a look!
#1327: Unif-100 Instant Noodles Artificial Tart Beef Flavor
Here’s one sent to me by Roger S. – thanks! I haven’t had one of these Unif-100’s in a while. I had the Cayenne Beef a little while back, but this is one of the ones that are distributed here in the US quite widely. Chances are if you have an Asian grocery local to you, they’ll have some of the Unif line of instants. Now, while beef is a very common flavor where instant noodles are concerned, tart beef is something I’ve not encountered before. Let’s see what’s inside and how it tastes.
#1292: Nissin Cup Noodles Sabor A Carne Sopa Con Fideos
Hey look! This is the last of the Nissin varieties made for Colombia. They’re made here in California by Nissin Foods USA, but only for sale in Colombia. This is identical to the beef flavor Cup Noodles we have available here. I reviewed that one way back – #334 in March of 2011 – seems like forever ago. Let’s see what I think about this one nowadays. Let’s check it out!
#1289: JinMaiLiang Braised Beef Noodles
Here’s one I picked up a while back in Canada. JinMaiLiang makes all sorts of beefy ones – let’s check this one out.
A Kind Donation From A reader!
Hey what’s this?
Ah ha now I understand! Roger S., a reader of The Ramen Rater contacted me. He’d gone through The Big List and found two he could locally source that I’d not reviewed yet! Interesting flavors too – shallot beef and the oddly fascinating tart beef! Thanks again!
New Samples From Paldo
A box of samples from Paldo – what are they?
My pal Moses over at Paldo America said it’s a new beef broth traditional soup – I’ve liked those in the past! Thanks – looking forward to trying this!
Re-Review: Meet The Manufacturer: Eat & Go Rendang Beef Flavor Fried Instant Noodle
As I said in the last post, today is the anniversary of the first time my wife and I spoke to eachother, four years ago. More on that in the video at the bottom. I had the fortune to be able to try real rendang yesterday! They make it at Waroeng Jajanan! I’ll do a special post about it soon! This one was really good last time – let’s revisit it!
#1248: Wu-Mu Beef Flavor Tomato Ramen
Here’s one I’ve bneen eyeballing for a little while. I’ve got a ton of these Wu-Mu multipacks. Thus far they’ve been pretty darn good. Let’s check it out!
#1244: Uni-President Unif-100 Pickled Cayenne Flavor Beef Ramen
Here’s one that Joe B. and Sarah B. sent me from Nottingham, UK – thanks! I was going to review this yesterday, but it’s been a little tricky; you see, there’s no English on this really at all. I’ve been asking my friend Bobby Y. on Facebook questions about it and got the title and directions from him – thanks – saved me on this one! Let’s check it out!
#1218: Sau Tao Ho Fan Beef Soup Flavour
Here’s one I got up at T&T Supermarket up in Canada in July. So what is Ho Fan? Well, they’re simply very wide flat rice noodles. Let’s check ’em out!
#1214: Eat & Go Rendang Beef Flavour Fried Instant Noodle
Here’s another from my friend in Jakarta, Indonesia – thanks! I’ve got high hopes for this one. Why? Well, the Spicy Chicken version placed on my Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups of 2013. Also, Indomie’s Rendang placed in the Top Ten Instant Noodles of 2013 list. I guess we’ll see how this does! Let’s check it out!
#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!
#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!
#1157: Golden Wonder The Nation’s Noodle Beef & Tomato Flavour
Here’s one I’ve been hoping to try for a while! Thanks to Joe B. of Nottingham, UK for sending this my way! Beef & Tomato! Let’s check it out.
#1115: Nissin Pan Asian Kitchen Sukiyaki Beef Flavor Savory Soy Sauce Ramen Noodles
Here’s another one sent by Scott over at Nissin USA – thanks! Some may be wondering what sukiyaki is – here’s what Wikipedia had to say:
#1113: Samyang Foods 三養라면 (Samyang Ramyun) (SK Version)
Today, it’s a South Korean classic cup. These guys were the very first to introduce ramyun in South Korea back in 1963! I did a Meet The Manufacturer with Samyang Foods- here’s what they have to say about cups: