Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002
On October 18th, 2018, my doctor told me I had high cholesterol and was worried about it. I’ve been battling (and losing in the wrong way) my weight for years – as long as I can remember really. It was kind of a battle of will really. I’d get started losing weight and then a holiday or some kind of thing would derail me and I’d fall off the wagon.
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 -“Pakuchi is what we call cilantro/coriander in Japan. This ramen features pakuchi and lemon together. Wonder how it tastes? Chances are you will be addicted to this! Pakuchi is widely used in the world, but it was not so popular in Japan until around 2015. It became popular since then and has spread to the young and old, especially among women. Big pakuchi fans are called Pakuchisto in Japan. The pakuchi mixed with the lemon peel’s bitterness creates this unique and delicious taste.”
Alright so this one is made in Singapore, but it’s made for the Hong Kong market. It’s funny how products are made elsewhere for other countries, right? Well, you honestly should be used to it by now – Take the myriad of products in your home. If you have a Big Mouth Billy Bass on the wall, it’s made in China. Singing bass don’t seem like something very popular in China – could be wrong but who knows. Anyways, let’s crack this open and see what we have.
This one came in a special ‘First Taste Club’ box from Nissin Foods USA – pretty snazzy. So, what’s the big deal? Well, it’s Top Ramen, in a bowl. It also comes with vegetables. It also comes with… teriyaki sauce? I’m very curious about this one – let’s cook it up and ruminate on this…
Hey look – another Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater! This one came today and we brought it inside set up the lights, shot the video, edited it and boom here it is! Lots of neat stuff in this box! Check it out! Get yours here: http://bit.ly/umaicrate
Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for extra discount!
People have been asking me for a list of healthy varieties for a long time. I decided to give it a try, and had mixed results. I’ve found things ramen/instant noodles, and things that aren’t and listed them here. There aren’t ten things, but over the next year I’m guessing more will present themselves. It appears this is an ever-evolving market as a couple that were going to be included went off the market while I was editing this list! Not everything presented is for everyone, but I’m really hoping there’s something that will work and interest everyone. If you have any ideas for things that should be on next year’s list, please email me. With that, here (in no particular order) is The Ramen Rater’s Healthy Options 2020 Edition.
Been interested in fire noodles, but one with less calories, less fire? Check out this unboxing – with the famous Mimi!
I thought in honor of the spooky holiday Halloween, I’d do a little roundup of images and videos from past and present involving things that seemed fitting. Eat, drink and be scary!
I thought to continue this series of Prison Ramen Burrito Recipes that you couldn’t get in prison since you can’t get these varieties, the next logical step would involve Shin Ramen/Ramyun. I ended up with the standard Shin Ramen as well as Shin Black in this one. It ended up being an enormous monstrosity!
How do you feel? Yeah – you feel better knowing you can make a lovely burrito out of Indomie Mi Goreng now, don’t you? Well, watch the video and then you will. I’ll walk you through the incredibly easy process step by step.
This month, we have an exceptionally rad Umai Crate! Head over to https://bit.ly/UmaiCrate and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER – you’ll get a coupon and help us out – thanks!
This is the seventh year of the Top Ten Taiwan Instant Noodles list! Every year, I’m truly amazed at the innovation and unique varieties coming from the beautiful island of Taiwan. If you haven’t had the experience of visiting, you really should – the food, the culture – it truly has been a life changing experience for me. Growing up, all I knew of Taiwan was labels on products that simply said ‘made in Taiwan’ – but it so much more. One aspect is the noodle, and they’re really unique and delicious. This is a list of my favorite out of the reviews I’ve done up to number 3,284. Many images you will see have garnish, however only the base product before any is added is what’s reviewed, as in all of my reviews. I hope you enjoy this year’s list and consider trying some of these great varieties if you’ve not tried before – they’re really great! With that, here’s the Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2020 Edition.
Hey look – another Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater! This one came today and we brought it inside set up the lights, shot the video, edited it and boom here it is! Lots of neat stuff in this box! Check it out! Get yours here: http://bit.ly/umaicrate
Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for extra discount!
It’s that time again – time to run down the worst varieties I’ve ever had. That’s no small task either – this list is current as of review #3180. These are the ten worst ones, in my opinion, leaving a lasting negative impression on my taste buds. With that, I again give you what you want.
Every day when I review, I gather togethr the things I’m going to use when I garnish. Many of them are dry spices and seasonings. I try to get everything together prior to doing an episode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time.
Tomorrow’s Father’s Day and if your pops is into Japanese culture and things dealing with noodles, etc, this is a good bet. Just check em out and get him a subscription and slap it in an envelope and say happy Father’s Day! He will actually love you now! Not that standard love but that ‘son/daughter, you got me something thoughtful and unique and I actually love you now’ – no seriously!
Every year I come out with new lists in many categories. The more reviews I do, the more I figure the lists will change less and less. It amazes me though how much they do change and how much the industry evolves and changes. Here’s the latest list of bowls, current as on review #3180. All products are prepared according to labeling on the package, and scores are given before any external garnish is added. Let’s check out the Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls for 2019!
People have been noticing I’ve lost a lot of weight in a short period of time – thanks! They’ve also been asking which diet I’m doing. Well, I decided to strike out on my own. This video outlines everything I’ve been doing. I’ll be coming out with these every 6 months or so.
This list usually comes out in January but there was an accident. Basically, I deleted the video I recorded back then! I redid the video earlier this month and so here we are. This list is current as of review number 3058. These are based solely on my personal taste and opinion. Some folks don’t like that and I was recently lectured that a company didn’t want to send samples because they were afraid I might not like their product and that I couldn’t be persuaded to give on company a better review over another. This made me proud I’m doing my job right. Let’s check the top ten Japanese list!
Oh yeah – I’m going there. Maruchan Ramen is pretty versatile as are most instant ramen varieties – and now you can live the dream with is recipe for Maruchan Ramen Burritos!
This is my list of my all time favorites (compiled up to review #3132). These are the best and most memorable varieties – some you’ll be able to find easily, some you won’t. In the images you see, you’ll see garnished bowls of noodles. Note – reviewing is done BEFORE products have anything externally added by myself, and I follow directions on the package – for better or for worse. I should also note that going forward, the official last day for companies to submit varieties to be considered for the annual top ten will be January 31st. That’s enough – let’s have a look at The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2019 Edition!
Wanna see something different? This is a super premium and high end ramen subscription box from Japan. It’s full of neat stuff and I’ll let you just take a look because it’s pretty rad! Get a Ramen Trunk at http://bit.ly/ramentrunk Use coupon code RAMENRATER20OFF for 20% off a subscription or single gift box!
Hey look – another Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater! This one came today and we brought it inside set up the lights, shot the video, edited it and boom here it is! Lots of neat stuff in this box! Check it out! Get yours here: http://bit.ly/umaicrate
Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for extra discount!
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.
Well, it’s that time again! Every year, I come out with an update to my Bottom Ten list. I’ve got a lot of top ten lists of course, but only one that’s comprised of my least favorite varieties. Many of these will be enjoyed by people – and that’s fine. Just most definitely not by me. Let’s take a look!
A few weeks ago, I commented on a post I saw on The Halal Food Blog‘s Instagram. Always really neat things to see there! Well, I saw a picture showing some instant noodles and that they were in Uzbokistan! I was immediately curious and they offered to send me some! Well, today I’ve got a box and it’s Unboxing Time, so let’s get to it!
After I had quite a few people asking me if I’d tried or had any information on Mike’s Mighty Good Craft Ramen, I decided to reach out to the company. They were receptive to doing a Meet The Manufacturer series and so that’s what we have going on today! Here’s the unboxing of the samples that they sent for review.
Seven years ago I first heard about Momofuku Ando Day. I was curious about it and very happy it existed – so much so that I decided that since I devote so much time to instant noodles and reviewing them, I ought to pay homage to their creator.
I went to Taipei, Taiwan on November 15th, 2017 to take part in the Taiwan International Food Expo. I was invited to do a presentation of the first through third place winners in this year’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2016 Edition!
This one came out of the blue and I knew they were going to send some, I just didn’t expect so quickly!~ It really helps when I have tracking info – but then again I know companies are busy too and so while unexpected, new varieties are always welcome!
Yeah – really! So I had no idea until it came out, but I’m in GQ Taiwan. Definitely didn’t expect that! If you want to read the article, it’s here (note – you’ll need to use Google Translate if you can’t read Chinese). Posts will resume Friday. I’ll do a couple Throwback Thursdays on Instagram though – oh yeah – follow me on Instagram! I post there every day as well.
South Korean instant noodles are known around the world as being spicy and beefy for the most part. However, there are many different styles. In fact, seafood jjamppong, black bean jjajang, cold noodles, and creamy beef noodles exist in the scene. Today, I’ll do a rundown of my favorites – the best of the highest rated South Korean varieties from over 2,300 unique varieties I’ve reviewed from around the world. Finally, I would like to note that it’s tougher to find South Korean varieties. Therefore, any instant noodle companies from South Korea should contact me promptly to be considered for upcoming top ten lists. Let’s get started.
It’s been quite a year for The Ramen Rater. I’ve reviewed 357 new instant noodle varieties. I got to visit an instant noodle company in Thailand. I just hit my 2000th review. Since the beginning of this ‘noodle journey,’ I’ve wanted to try flavors from around the world and have been able to do just that. This new list is a compilation of the best of the best; the most memorable and most wonderful of the 2,004 varieties I’ve sampled thus far. If you are an instant noodle company and I haven’t reviewed your products, please contact me – I would love to review them. I decided to include what I added to them this year – however note the products are scored before anything is added. With that, let’s have a look at The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of all Time 2016 Edition.
With the recent popularity of the ‘ramen burger,’ I felt it necessary to try them out, but with a twist. South Korean ramyun is easily available by many brand and the noodles are thicker as well as more plentiful than other country’s varieties. Let’s give this a try!
The instant noodle originated in 1958 in Japan, but since that time, they’ve expanded in popularity all over the world, including of course, the United States. Seeing this, instant noodle companies thought it wise to start building plants here in the 1970s. Since then, many brands operate factories here in the US, mostly in southern California. This is a list of my favorite varieties produced here, encompassing my over 1,100 reviews to date. With that, here’s your top ten, America!
This year, we’ve got some new fiery additions to this list of spicy and burning hot varieties. If you can find them, you’ll be feeling quite the burn! If you think you’ve found anything hotter or noteworthy of being on this list, please comment below or send me an email. Without further adieu, here’s the 2013 picks for the spiciest instant noodles I’ve found after 1,128 reviews!
Thanks to Moon Hee Wi of the JoongAng Ilbo for sending me these! She wrote this article about me. So I’ve reviewed the Chapagetti that’s available here in the US, but this is the Korean version so it gets its own review. I’ve always done this and now I’ve got more reason to. I was talking to a manufacturer of instant noodles from Korea and they said that they use chicken in their instant noodles. The only problem is that the Food & Drug Administration doesn’t like Korean chicken for some reason. So they have to import chicken from a big poultry supplier in the USA into Korea, process it and package their product and then ship it back to the US for the blessing of the FDA. Not sure if that’s the case here, but regardless, it’s interesting to think that this kind of this has to happen to bring instant noodles to us from abroad.
