Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002
Holy cow – what a week. On Tuesday, we had a huge storm – a bomb cyclone. Areas around here had gusts equal to hurricane force. The cyclone sucked air out to sea, which made winds go the opposite direction they usually do – causing power outages… We had just shy of a 2 day power outage. It sucked. Well, I’m back. Let’s do it up!
What’s in a name? A lot of characters, that’s for sure where this one is concerned. I really like yellow curry and the previous version of this was rad. Let’s see how this new package version goes.
A big thanks to Daniel over at www.exoticnoods.com for sending this one! I’ve been wanting to try it and mukbang it up for a while now (mukbang vid at bottom of the page), and here it is. I love tom yum. I’m curious though as the Buldak base has the heat, but it also imparts some sweetness as well. Interesting. I guess the correct route is to give it a try.
The second of two varieties by this company I found at S*Mart in Bellevue, Washington. I remember liking the other one immensely. That one was original flavor and this one says spicy. Let’s give it a go!
Hey look – a new one! Big thanks to Maruchan for sending – they sent me a nice assortment of these – maybe time to do a Definitive Guide on these hmmm… This one sounds like fun – let’s do it up.
Another find from S*Mart. This is pretty non-descript. Maybe from a multi pack? I don’t know, but it certainly is interesting. This one’s made by JML (Jinmailang). Let’s delve into it.
This one’s kind of surprising to me as it looks like I’ve never reviewed it but that really surprises me. I really had thought I had. Got this one at S*Mart – but you can find it at pretty much any Asian grocery. Let’s give it a try.
Was able to get out to a local Asian market hoping to find some cool Lunar New Year stuff. Didn’t find that, but found a couple varieties I was into using to try out the Ramen Bae products. So, here’s one of them. I tried this way back – it was a kimchi version – back in review #564. That’s around ten years. Let’s give this one a try.
Made in South Korea and packaged for US sale. I’m curious if this one will work better than the last one which just kind of exploded in the microwave. Hopefully this one’s a gem.
Our local store sells these for $4 each. I thought this was a little high and then I went to a different store and they were $2 which seemed a bit more reasonable. These are the popular bowls Nongshim has been producing and selling for years – I have seen them be made! It’s a very impressive process, with lots of little interesting things. One is a machine that checks each and every bowl to see if say a screw from the machinery fell into a bowl – they don’t. It’s pretty neat stuff. Most people are really into the whole deal with making noodles, but I find it fascinating. Let’s cook one of these up.
The other day I did the competitor’s tray noodle – that was teriyaki beef as well. Been years and years since I’d reviewed either of them. They’re both economy tray varieties and they both dwell on the soup aisle. Let’s give this one a try.
Recently, I reviewed the pack version of this one and the nice folks at Samyang also sent me the cup version! I’m curious what the difference is going to be, if any. This one’s going to take a spin in the microwave. There should be a mukbang as well. Made in South Korea and packaged for US market sale. Let’s get started!
Here’s the second of these varieties I found recently. I reviewed the beef a couple days ago. Anyways, beef is the more predominate way to enjoy pho. Let’s give this one a try.
Okay yeah I know. ‘What? You’ve never had this? The hell kind of Ramen Rater are you?’ Fine. That’s a logical thing. Well, let’s see – that was over 4000 reviews before. This isn’t a re-review, this is a completely new review. Suppliers and sourcing changes throughout the years, and tastes change. here is the original review. #104! This is review @4300. God, that’s insane. Only 700 reviews until I hit 5000. What am I going to review for 5000? It better be absolutely fascinating. Well, let’s do this up.
My old sometimes on the show guest Stumpy from North Little Rock, Arkansas has provided some humorous quips in the past. One he often mentions are meaty beefs, cheesy beefs, bell-beefin’, and more. These odd phrases have spilled out a bit; I often say ‘I’m the beef and you’re the cheese’ to my 6 yr old son, and then he says it back – we eventually give up on who is the beef and who is the cheese.
Wei Lih is probably most well known for their Wei Lih Men, a variety which has both a soup and a noodle with black bean paste. I’ve never seen this variety before, and it’s been a while since I’ve reviewed anything new from them – or at least new to me. Excited to try this – let’s check it out!
Pretty sure this is one either sent by Nissin Foods or by James from Lakeside, California – thank you! So… these rice with noodles are really interesting – and rather good from what I’ve tried thus far. Let’s cook it up and give it a try!
Thanks as always to James from Lakeside, CA for sending this over! I like this brand – wonder who Mr. HOO is though. Whomever he is, he must have a moustache. Let’s give it a try!
This one came from Exotic Noods! Exotic Noods has great monthly subscription boxes with products from around the world. Worth a look! Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
Here’s one I found while at 99 Ranch Market in Edmonds to get my weekly Salad Cosmo Mung Bean Sprouts. Always such a long shelf on the ones there. It’s truly a wonderful thing! I’ve found this brand makes some really top-notch stuff in the past so figured I’d better give these a try. Let’s check ’em out!
Well, it’s time for what I think is the very last of the Thai Chef varieties they sent. These have been decent and of course since they’re MAMA instant noodles. Let’s give this tom yum a go.
Who’s house? Run’s house? I’m curious how this will go – it’ll either be good or bad. Let’s have a look at this one.
This one arrived in an Exotic Noods subscription box – check ’em out and use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
Here’s one that came via Exotic Noods – check ’em out and use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
Here’s another one I found at Uwajimaya a couple days ago when getting some narutomaki. I think the last time I tried this it was called Umami Tonkotsu. Anyways, ;et’s give it a go!
Here’s another Panda Signature product to check out. These are new at Walmart and this is the first one I’ve gotten there. A lot of controversy in the Walmart world of instant noodle fans. Let’s check this one out!
Was neat seeing these – I’d tried a previous variety from this brand a while back. They mailed it to me but no clue how they got my address. Tried them and enjoyed them thoroughly. So here’s a version with really thin noodles. Let’s give ’em a try!
This one looked interesting when we were out noodle hunting a few weeks ago. I’m in the mood for interesting. I’m also feeling a little loopy today – allergies and I got my second Pfizer shot. Let’s do this.
I first found Baixiang products up in Richmond, BC a number of years ago. Good stuff – always like to try new ones they make. A reader mentioned this one – I’d seen it before, and I’d thought I’d bought the chicken one and the pork one, but instead I’d gotten two pork ones. Well, when asked if I’d tried it I decided to grab the chicken one. Only one pack this time though. Let’s check it out!
Here’s another one I got at Family Asian Market on Aurora. A gift box type of thing – maybe from Lunar New Year? Not sure, but looks interesting. I’m in the mood for interesting – let’s check it out!
Thanks again to the guy in Montana for sending this a little while back. These days, the unboxing video’s comments have provided speculation, xenophobic diatribes, and some weird entertainment. Turns out these are the ramen at Walmart now and Walmart customers are seriously unhappy about it – it’s pretty hardcore if you ask me. Fascinating and entertaining nonetheless. Some of these varieties I’ve liked, some not. I actually saw them this weekend at a Walmart – they had these cups at 37 cents for a single, $1.78 for a six pack. That’s an extremely low price point for six meals. Let’s check this one out.
Here’s one that the folks from Chef Woo sent over – thanks! So these cups have 20g or protein. What’s more is this is a Vegan friendly cup. Shall we?
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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.
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!
Here’s one from the folks that also bring you Ramen Express. This cup has 20g of plant protein – which is a lot. 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!
The Tapartio guy is flanked by flames this time! But wait – who is he? How did they end up with this guy on this ramen and of course the zillion bottles of hot sauce bearing the name Tapatio?
I was contacted by a reader recently asking about this one. I told him hey – maybe I’l re-review it for you. So, here we are. Oriental flavor? I’m leaning towards shio yakisoba as it’s very blue, but people in export markets may not be familiar with sho. Well, let’s see what can be done.
The first of these four varieties in the series depicts excited people on the beach with hot air balloons going over. Sounds like fun! This one has a sesame flavored variety. Sesame paste is kind of like peanut butter with a twist on it. Check it out!
Okay so yes these are produced in Japan, however they’re for the US market. These were in an Exotic Noods box – check out their site and use coupon code RAMENRATER15 for a discount!
