The Definitive Source For Instant Noodle Reviews Since 2002
I’m reviewing this on March 14th and it’s actually my birthday today! I just got done doing a really big project on spicy noodles and though maybe it would be nice to do a review of something curry. I was looking through the samples and saw this one and realized I do have laksa leaves in my fridge so I’d better review it. So, what’s Laksa Singapura? Wikipedia has this to say –
Today it’s a rice noodle variety with an Italian twist: spicy marinara. So, what is marinara? Wikipedia, if you please –
I looked upon all the samples sent by Tat Hui for this Meet The Manufacturer. Indeed, it occurred to me to go right for the curry, the laksa… But I thought to begin with, I would go right for the standard.
Another package from Tat Hui? What could this be? Let’s find out!
Hey a poster (click to enlarge)! Gotta go get this laminated for the Wall Of Fame!
This big box was sent by the folks at Tat Hui, makers of KOKAS brand instant noodles in Singapore. A few years ago, I saw an article in a news feed about KOKA products at a trade show in the United States and it hit me: maybe I should contact the guy they mentioned. I also thought maybe I could interview him and ask some questions about instant noodles. This is how the whole Meet The Manufacturer concept was born.
Interview With Tat Hui * Product Samples From Tat Hui 1 * Product Samples From Tat Hui 2 * KOKA Signature Chicken Flavor Instant Noodles * KOKA Silk Spicy Marinara Instant Rice Fettuccine * KOKA Delight Laksa Singapura Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles * KOKA Creamy Soup With Crushed Noodles Curry Flavor * KOKA Signature Stir-Fry Original Flavor Instant Noodles * KOKA Seafood Flavor Instant Noodles * KOKA Delight Tomato Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles * KOKA Purple Wheat Noodles Chili & Lime Flavor * KOKA Delight Spicy Black Pepper Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles * KOKA Signature Laksa Singapura Flavor Instant Noodles * KOKA Delight Spicy Sesame Instant Non-Fried Noodles * KOKA Silk Beef Pho Flavor Instant Rice Fettuccine * KOKA Creamy Soup With Crushed Noodles Sweet Corn Flavor * KOKA Signature Spicy Singapore Fried Noodles Instant Noodles * KOKA Instant Noodles Chicken Satay Flavour
Here’s one that was sent to me from Australian by Jen – thank you very much! It’s pretty rare that I get anything from Australia and her package a while back was a trove of neat stuff! This one’s sold in Australia and elsewhere and made in Singapore by the folks at Tat Hui. Let’s check it out!
A big thanks to Colin for finding and sending me this one! Okay, so I have been trying to get this one for a while; anything by Roland honestly. I called them, emailed them, and always got the same reply – ‘we don’t send sample.’ I really love it when companies have such a rigid policy against basically what amounts to free advertising. This one is made in Singapore for Roland company here in the USA, and I have a feeling it’s a private label by Tat Hui/KOKA – all boils down to one aspect which is a giveaway. Let’s check this one out and I’ll show you what that is.
A lot of people have come to my site from the United States, knowing only a couple varieties, those usually being chicken or beef, pack or cup. If that’s you, this is kind of a beginner’s guide to exploring the different brands and varieties that are pretty easily sourced here in the States. You can find many of these in your local grocery store, although some might require a trip to the Asian grocery, or to Amazon. But all of them can be found here, unlike many I review that only are sold in their local countries. Many of these have even been on my top ten lists, past and present – so get ready to have some of my favorite and most memorable varieties that you can easily find here in the United States!
I don’t know why, but I’ve never gotten this one to review before! It’s been on the shelves staring at me for so long, but I never seem to get it. Well, no more! Time to review this variety today!
I remember the first time I saw this one – it looks so exotic! So fascinating! So ‘what is it?’ The tiny crabs shown on the package were enticing. They reminded me of the ones I’d find as a kid on the beach in Anacortes – you’d flip over a rock and watch them scurry all over the place. I reviewed this one way back – before #500. Let’s give it another look as it’s been calling to me in the noodle aisle for another try.
I must admit that in the past I haven’t been entirely fond of noodles with different colors. Not because I dislike the color (actually I find that fascinating), but because they tend to have an off taste to them and just seem kind of ‘gimmicky.’ It’s been about 300 or so reviews since I tried the Aglio Olio variety of this line. Let’s see how this Soy & Vinegar one goes!
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!
Here’s another one sent by Charles, a serviceman in Afghanistan – thanks! I’ve seen these cups for a long time online but never have I tried one. It seems KOKA sells their noodles in three places – Singapore, the US and the UK. They have different kinds available in each market too which is logical. Most large noodle manufacturers do this actually; look at the flavors sold here in the US versus the ones by the same company sold in Japan. It’s kind of the ‘when in Rome’ logic and it works for them. Let’s have a look inside this cup by KOKA.
Here’s one that was sent by Martin A. of Devon, England. Thanks again! I’ve really been into fish balls lately. They’re tasty, lots of varieties, and pretty low cal. Anyways, they tend to go better in spicy varieties of instant noodles and I think they are wonderful in tom yum/yam. Let’s check this one out!
Wow what an interesting past few days! Two days ago I reviewed some Taiwanese noodles that were very green. Yesterday, some Japanese ramen with jet black broth. Today? Purple noodles! These noodles are made with purple wheat – which is rich in anthocyanins. Here’s a good article for more one purple wheat. As for Aglio Olio – what’s that? Well, it’s basically garlic (aglio) and oil (olio). Capiche? Alright, let’s check it out!
I got an email a week or so ago from a guy named Charles who’s deployed over in Afghanistan asking if I’d like to try some noodles he didn’t think I’d reviewed on the site. He sent them and here they are!
Here’s one that was sent by Martin A. of Devon, England. Thanks again! There are many varieties of Koka noodles that aren’t yet available in the United States and this is one of them. Let’s check it out!
I recently got a nice box of noodles in the mail from a gentleman named Martin from Wales. He has rasked me with trying Marmite, something he has said he hasn’t heard of anyone not native to the UK being able to palate. I’m going to have to try it!
* UPDATE * See here.
A couple of days ago, I received an email from a man who was angry. He was angry that the instant noodles he bought said that they were spicy Chicken flavor but weren’t spicy whatsoever and that I needed to change the seasonings ASAP. Every once in a while, I get a comment or email from someone who thinks that I make instant noodles or am affiliated with an instant noodle company. I decided to reply and do a review of the product he had problems with, adding some hot spices, sauces and peppers from around the world to really heat it up. It then occurred to me that a lot of people really like spicy instant noodles and that there’s really no list of the hottest ones out there. I figured I’d better do something about that, and so here’s the Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time!
Here’s another of KOKA’s varieties – this time in a bowl and with rice noodles. Notice in the directions that it specifies how much water to add – that’s pretty awesome.
Here’s another one – curry flavor!!! This is the four pack.
I ate the contents of this package!
Here’s another of the KOKA line to re-review – tomato flavor! Here’s the four pack.
Here’s one of the samples sent to me by Khong Guan marketing manager James Parr – thanks again! I haven’t had this is a very long time – since the 230’s! This is what a four pack looks like.
A couple days ago, I got this package in the mail! Wonder what’s inside?
Seriously well packed! Lots of executive anti-stress sheets! My son loves these!
Let’s kick off National Noodles Month with a special new feature – Meet The Manufacturer!
Here it is – the new Ramen Rater Top Ten List! It was originally released on Foodiggity.com on January 9th, 2011 as an exclusive guest post I did. Now, here it is on The Ramen Rater for your perusal with links to all of the corresponding reviews! Enjoy!
I have been able to get the opportunity to do an interview with Singapore’s Tat Hui Corporation, makers of KOKA noodles! I have compiled a list of questions to ask and now would like YOU to round out the list – what would you ask them? This will be open until Monday, 2/13/2012. At the end, I will list the questions picked to send them! Make sure you include your first name and last initial and where you are from in the response! Good luck!
So I did a guest post on Foodiggity! Decided I’d give em’ the exclusive and so The new Top Ten Instant Noodles In The World (according to me) is on their site right now! Don’t worry – it’ll be up here on Saturday, but for now, check it out on Foodiggity – here‘s the link!
Hadn’t tried it before and at under $3.00 for the four pack, how could I resist?
Here’s the front of a single pack. I have had many of the other varieties of Koka before, but spicy black pepper just sounds so good!
After spending a few days on it, here’s the list. If you have anything you think should be added, please let me know – II’d love to make this the most complete list on the Internet of instant noodle information! You can find it in a tab on top of the site as well.
Look at the angry little crabs! They’re saying ‘eat the noodle soup!’ I’m agreeing with them and thusly, I portend to make said soup and have it for breakfast.
So I reviewed this one a really long time ago and thought it really needed to be brought out again. I don’t even remember what score I gave it, but it’s being prepared no doubt a little different this time and so we shall see how it fares. I remember liking it a great deal.
Tomato ramen. There it is. Is it gong to taste tomato-like?
The veggies and the powder…
Sesame’s good, spicy is good. Let’s see if this stuff that was uber cheap – $1.49 for 4 packages – is worth its weight.
Wow check it out! This was a super deal – 4 packs of it for $1.49! Here we go!
Okay sure seasoning powder and garnish yeah yeah…
So some new stuff. I like Tom Yum flavor noodle soup usually so hpoing this should be nice. I really liked the last Koka bowl noodle I had recently – it had a packet of coconut powder in it – weird!
Mi Hai: Crab Flavor and Prawn Flavor Stars: *** 1/2
Notes: This is some really decent stuff – not a whole lot to it, but definitely tastes like crab and prawn.
The noodles are better than expected too. One note though, it does tend to give me extremely bad
heartburn. I don’t like that.
