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Here’s one sent by Chef Ron from Mama Pat’s Foods – thank you! So I’ve reviewed a LOT of Indomie in the past, yet it’s hard to come by new varieties to try. Luckily, here’s the first of hopefully more from Indomie’s product line from Nigeria! As far as continents go, Africa has been just the toughest for me to get varieties from. Here’s a little about Indomie from Wikipedia –
Chef Ron wanted me to try some varieties from Africa and find out how his varieties stack up against them. So I figured, why not?
This one came by way of Kamran R, from Australia – thanks again! He went with hie family on vacation to Bali. I read about these a while back and definitely have been wanting to try them. I mean c’mon – pizza cheese flavor mi goreng? Here’s a translation about the My Noodlez line of products –
A couple weeks ago, we took my son Andy to a special Pokemon card event south of here in Renton, Washington. We had some time to kill as he was battling other kids (he won all three battles – a sweep!), and we ended up noticing there was a Uwajimaya very closeby. I’d never been to this one, so we walked over. I was floored – ended up with a couple bagfuls of instant noodles I’d never seen around before which was really great! Anyways, this is one of them. Let’s check it out!
A couple days after The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2015 Edition came out, I got to thinking. Every year, a lot of people enjoy my list, a lot also complain. They’ll say things like ‘how can this not be on here,’ or ‘you have no clue of what youre talking about’ – you can guess the rest but it sometimes gets downright rude. I usually tell people to go and review as many instant noodles as I have and make their own list and we can compare notes, but nobody’s ever taken me up on that. At the same time I thought of this, I came to the realization that although they might not agree with me, they’re still people who love their varieties of instant noodles. I thought that they (you) should have a voice. So, I started a poll. I didn’t want to make a list of varieties for people to pick from – that would sway things in those varieties’ favor. I told people to just write in the flavor they liked and what brand made them. A week or so ago, I ended up with a difficult task. See, a lot of them were listed as the brand name but no variety (six people put Maggi, but Maggi what? From India, From Malaysia? Which one?). Some got cut, but most got counted. There were almost 300 votes and here are the results. I’m going to start a new poll tomorrow and this will be an annual thing! Let’s begin!
I reviewed the original version of this a long time ago and really liked it. This is a new version for export – has gotten quite a facelift since review #725! This was sent to me by Michael C. of Eastland Foods! Thank you! Let’s check it out!
Got an unexpected box from Michael C. over at Eastland foods today!
An Indofood reusable shopping bag!
I remember hearing about ‘the original’ sriracha sauce a while back. It really seemed illogical that the ‘original’ would be made in Southern California, especially since I was in a city called Sriracha in Thailand this May. I found a Bon Appetit article mentioning the true original and some comment by Eastland Foods. I emailed my contact Michael over there to see if he could help me out with a sample – and he really came through (the original sriracha came in the other box) – thanks! Let’s see what’s in these boxes!
I remember hearing about ‘the original’ sriracha sauce a while back. It really seemed illogical that the ‘original’ would be made in Southern California, especially since I was in a city called Sriracha in Thailand this May. I found a Bon Appetit article mentioning the true original and some comment by Eastland Foods. I emailed my contact Michael over there to see if he could help me out with a sample – and he really came through – thanks! Let’s see what’s in these boxes!
On my last trip to the Asian grocery store, I had a though. I thought maybe I ought to toss in some of the varieties I’ve not reviewed in a while that I’ve recommended quite a bit to people since they’re relatively easy to source and quite good. This one’s a perfect example. My first favorite instant growing up was the Japanese Nissin Chickin Ramen. After trying a few varieties, I found Indomie Mi Goreng line and was all about it. When we’d go to Seattle we’d come back with a couple bags full of them, and I don’t think my parents minded too much since it was around 25 cents a pack. I tried many different varieties in the Indomie Mi Goreng line – there are quite a few. I used to go for the Satay flavor mostly, but then found the Barbecue Chicken one to my liking. Then there’s the Rendang which is a really great one, gracing the top ten list a couple times I think. This one today is the original version. If you’ve not tried this stuff, you’ve got to; it’s a real treat and easily modified to taste. There’s five sachets ioncluded- quite a few in an instant noodle pack and I’ll explain them all here. Anyways, let’s bring on the Indomie Mi Goreng!
During the trip, I got a lot of instant noodles in Malaysia! Unfortunately on the journey home, the baggage handlers are moving fast and not super worried about luggage with instant noodle in them, so some cups got a little banged up. This one has been on my list to find for a long time – Indomie’s Pop Mie. It’s a basic chicken noodle cup, but it’s been hard to find it or get a sample. Well, here it is! Let’s have a look at Pop Mie and give it a try! I should mention also that this is my first instant noodle I’ve had since September 26th – so long!
If you like it hot, you’re in for a real treat here. These are the spiciest instant noodles you can get that I’ve reviewed from my 1,446 reviews thus far. If you can’t handle spicy foods, these definitely aren’t for you – these are serious! Many of these were so hot, I couldn’t finish the bowl – and I can handle a decent amount of heat! I used to review hot sauces! Anyways, Hope everyone is having a great summer and here are the spiciest instant noodles of all time for 2014!
Here’s another one sent by a friend in Indonesia – thank you! La Fonte is a line by Indofood, makers of Indomie. I don’t usually review boxed instants like this but this one’s really interesting. I reviewed a different one a while back and though I ought to give this one a try. Let’s check it out!
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!
Here’s an interesting new one – bulgogi is probably one of my most favorite foods! Bulgogi, for those of you who haven’t experienced it, is Korean barbecued beef. What they do is marinate the beef in a nice sweet sauce and then barbecue it in thin strips. What are great are Korean barbecue restaurants. You are seated at a table with a little brazier in the center.
I’ve been asked about this special series from Indomie for a long time and finally got my hands on some! Indomie’s Taste Of Asia line has three components: Laksa representing Singapore, Bulgogi representing South Korea, and finally Tom Yum to represent Thailand. I thought since I embark on a new Meet The Manufacturer tomorrow, I’d try something a little different. So Tom Yum is a Thai soup, usually with very strong spiciness and citrus flavors. I’m very curious as to how they’ll do this one. Let’s check it out!
Here’s another one from a friend in Indonesia – thanks! I got some really cool new varieties from Indofood last week, but I’d better get a few older varieties out of the way before those! Shouldn’t be long! Let’s check out this rice vermicelli soup variety from their Pop Bihun line.
Got a package today – from Indonesia! New product samples from Indomie! This should be awesome!
I’ve got a lot of reviews of Indonesian instant noodles coming up starting today and I thought ‘man, I need some Indonesian chilli sauce…’ Well lucky for me, there’s a nice Indonesian grocery just a few blocks away!
When I was very young, I first discovered a satay variety of Indonesian mi goreng and loved it. I would go on special trips to Seattle just to get tons of it! The many seasoning sachets, oils, and the exotic flavors – it was great! I have been very fortunate to be able to try many, many more varieties of Indonesia instant noodles. I think what makes them distinctly different from others in the world are the use of sweetness and spiciness. These flavors balance so well in mi goreng. Then there’s flavors like lime, hot chillies and the crunch of fried onion. Reviewing such exotic varieties are what makes being The Ramen Rater so enjoyable! With that, I proudly present The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Indonesian Instant Noodles Of All Time 2013 edition!!!!!
Here’s another one my friend from Indonesia sent me – thanks! This is a departure from the norm for me – very rarely have I had Indonesian varieties of rice noodles. I think I’ve had them maybe thrice before. This one’s by the Indofoods people – makers of Indomie Mi Goreng. Let’s see how it translates to a rice noodle variety!
Found this the other day and hadn’t ever seen it before. Then I looked closer and saw it was Rasa Soto Mie. Now, I’ve reviewed the export version of Soto Mie before, but there’s a difference: this one’s beef and the other was chicken. Interesting! Always nice to see a new Indonesian variety available in the states! Let’s check this one out.
Cups were the second instant noodle innovation that really took the world by storm. Nissin founder Momofuku Ando of Japan decided that a cup would be a really handy way to have instant noodles on the go. His creation came to the market in 1971. Forty-two years later, the instant noodle landscape is filled with many different cup designs and contents – some all inclusive only needing hot water,m and some requiring a little more with packets – and some even with forks! Of all the varieties I’ve tried to date, here are my favorite ten.
You’re probably wondering what the deal is here. Well, I’ll tell you! These were sent along with a slew of other Indonesian (yep – it’s from Indonesia!) instant noodles. These are made by Indofood, the same company that makes Indomie! They only take 4 minutes to make, and I think they’re unique enough that I’d review them. Thank you to my friend from Indonesia for sending me noodles I could never lay my hands on here! Let’s check ’em out!
Hey – a box!
Ooh – Indomie!!!
A rad bowl! Indomie just had their 40th anniversary!
Well folks, this has been a long time coming. Indofood tried sending some, but it got snagged in customs around Christmas 2012, and then a reader from Indonesia sent a big pack of varieties and this was in the package – which we both thought wouldn’t make it, but it arrived via seamail after a sixty-six day journey. This is going to be a neat review – it’s supposed to be ultra hot and spicy! Not only that, it’s supposed to be green! Their press release says it “draws inspirations from the traditional food of Padang that has been a popular delicacy among Indonesians.” Let’s check it out!
I got an email in April saying a package was on its way from a fan of The Ramen Rater in Indonesia – in late March! Today when I checked the mail, there was a note saying a package was in the office. So my son and I walked up to the office and here’s the package! After sixty-six days of travel via Seamail, it is here!The sender wishes to remain unnamed, so I will just say thank you very much! So the outside of the box was covered in a woven plastic covering.
It’s been over a year since the last Top Ten List came out and it’s time for a new one. You’ll see some from the old list and some new ones! With that, Welcome to the new Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time – 2013 Edition!
A couple of weeks ago I was looking for articles to add to The Ramen Rater Noodle News and found an article with a YouTube video attached. Apparently, a recent college graduate had made something that involves cooking instant noodles and it would start selling at Walmart. I thought I’d see if I could contact the guy and get a sample of the product to review. Well, he sent a couple and here we go! Chris Johnson is the inventor of the Rapid Ramen Cooker. It promises speedy delivery of your instant noodles via the microwave! Before the review, here’s an interview I did with him recently via email.
Thought I’d try this one again – it’s pretty sad – I have nothing new to review! Looking forward to some new varieties coming soon though hopefully! A couple from the UK have informed me that they’re sending a treasure trove of interesting varieties! Can’t wait! In the meantime, here’s the elusive Cucharealo – haven’t seen it for sale anywhere yet. Good stuff! Here’s the original review here.
My son went and picked out a bunch of instant noodles at the Asian grocery a couple weeks ago and today he would like to try this one. A good pick – nothing’s more interesting than curry! I put curry up there with garlic, bacon and kimchi… Indescribably tasty.
I have fallen ill with some kind of head cold it seems and I thought something spicy would be good. My lovely wife Kit was kind enough make me some noodles for breakfast – she’s so good to me! Thought I’d have these – they’re available in the US now, but this is a Re-Review of the pack that is sold in Korea. The version sold in the US will be being reviewed soon! Here’s the link to the original review I did during Paldo’s Meet The Manufacturer.
Of the re-reviews I’ve done recently, I would say this is one of the most recent. Here’s the link for it’s first review, #858. Cakalang is also known as Skipjack tuna.
You’re probably wonder ‘gee, he sure reviews that Jinjja Jinjja quite a lot – what gives?’ Well, they sent me a lot of it and since I really like it, I want to enjoy it before it expires. Well, actually it expired in September, but I’m just about out of it. Here’s the last full review of it.
This is one that ended up at second place on the Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time – that means its really hot! There are these tiny little peppers (chilli paddi) that are real scorchers and they’re small enough that when you happen to find one, you get quite a jolt! I reviewed this a while back this year – #732 and during the Meet The Manufacturer: Indomie special. This is one of the packs sent directly from Indofood in Indonesia – I am told they will be sending some new samples very soon! Can’t wait to try them!
I reviewed this one a little while back – was review #787. Use this link to see everything about it. By the way, emart has informed me that they have a new product that just launched – should be here soon! Can’t wait to review it!
I’m going to go out on a limb here. I would say that if I were held down and demanded to answer the question “what is your favorite instant noodle of all time” that I would probably say it was this one. I would also say the Special Fried Curly Noodle that tops the Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time list; they’re both equally amazing and awesome. What I can’t believe is that I haven’t had it since review #51! That’s ANCIENT! I used to eat this one all the time.
Someone asked quite a while back if I would re-review this one, so I thought I’d do that today. Pedas means spicy in the Indonesian language.
This is the final one – the last one that my friend from Jakarta, Indonesia sent. These have been a lot of fun since there’s no way you can buy them here in the states! Awesome! Thanks again! So what does bawang mean? Onion. And what about kriuuk? Crunchy. Let’s try this out.
Here’s the next to last of the packs that my friend from Jakarta, Indonesia sent. Hate to see them running out – so good! This one’s onion chicken flavor. Let’s check it out!
