Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002
Big thank you to Pher Engi for this one. So I’m no stranger to nyonya laksa. Nyonya is a style of cuisine with elements from Chinese, Indian, and Malaysian styles. This one is particularly interesting as it is presented here as a mi goreng – so no broth! Very curious – let’s give it a try!
Thanks again to Pher Engi for sending this one! This is from their ‘syiok’ range – in Singapore (and I guess syiok (or shiok) mean wow or cool or excellend or rad. This sounds interestoing. Let us cook!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2025 Edition is an annual list of my favorite instant noodles that I’ve reviewed. This last year, I’ve kit some milestones I’m rather proud of, Toward the end of last year, I published by 5000th review. That’s a lot of instant noodle to try throughout the years! With my 500th review, I did a documentary as well as a behind the scenes – check those out to find out about me and what I do here. This list is based of reviews up to #5160. If you are a manufacturer or simply want to see me try a variety I’ve not, please reach out – always happy to try something new. I would also like to mention this list is dedicated to my friend Jamie Burridge, who passed earlier this year. With that, let us look at The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2025 Edition.
Found these at S*Mart in Bellevue, Washington. Yup – shop smart shop S*Mart. Anyways this is a green chili mi goreng . Not my first rodeo as other brands have done this before over in Indonesia. Let’s cook it up!
Thanks go to Pher Engi for sending this one – much appreciated! This one’s got quite a long name. I think this is a spicy beef variety. Let’s find out.
Yes, made in Thailand but most definitely packaging for export to the United States. I reviewed this waaaaaaay back – September 2010. I’m guessing a few changes have occurred in the last 13+ years. Let’s give it a try as I see people trying this from time to time.
Here’s another neat one thanks to Pher Engi – thanks again! Ayam Bakar Limau means charcoal grilled chicken with lime. Pretty simple – and recently I’ve enjoyed a citrus chicken mi goreng from another brand which was quite good. Let’s see how this one goes.
Another exotic variety from Indonesia sent kindly by Pher Engi of Australia – thank you yet again! So what’s rica-rica? Wikipedia was nice enough to have some backstory –
I’ve reviewed something like this before I’m pretty sure but this is new packaging so an update is in order. Couldn’t get that sticker off the side so unfortunately you can only imagine what’s underneath it, so put on your thinking caps… Imagine – hard! Yeah, not too exciting. Anyways, let’s make mi goreng!
A big thank you to Pher Engi for sending these along! I’m getting really low on varieties to review at this point – I’ve been doing four reviews a day lately and have been trying to do so all the way up to my kids going back to school. Twenty days to go until they’re back! They’ve had a lot of fun this summer, but they miss their friends from school of course. So – what is cakalang? It’s skipjack tuna. Many years ago, you could easily find an Indomie variety here (among others you can’t anymore) which mentioned skipjack tuna flavor. Let’s give this one a try.
Definitely haven’t tried this one in the past, but I’ll review it today thanks to Pher Engi from Australia – thank you very much! Aceh is a region of Indoesia – that being said, here’s a little blurb about this one I found online –
Perhaps there’s something to the term ‘third time’s the charm.’ After a couple fact-finding missions seeing what happens when cooked ramen is placed in an air fryer, we arrive at this one, and it turned out pretty well. Of course, some will immediately have a bit of a fit concerning this. ‘Why are you doing this?’ Why not? I know, it’s outside of your comfort zone which makes me want to do it more. Second, despite the promises made in the past of winning so much I’d be sick of winning, I decided not to rely on those making these promises and just work on the winning myself.
Big thanks to Pher Engi for sending this over! So, this variety I figured to be just a chicken mi goreng, but it isn’t. Ayam Pop is a dish from Sumatra – and while the image on the package seems to be a plain piece of chicken, looks can be deceiving! On Taste Atlas, I found this –
Another one that came by way of Pher Engi – thanks again! This one came out with a big promotion a few years back. What’s funny too is that I had this ten years ago. How do I know? Look at the pack here! So, what’s cabe ijo? Translates to green chili – and what’s neat it that the noodle ends up greenish from the sauce. Let’s give it a go!
Again, thanks to Pher Engi for sending this, among many other neat Indonesian varieties. This is a newer variety – and I’m sure you’re wondering what ayam geprek is – I certainly was. From the looks of things, ayam (chicken) and geprek (crushed) is basically breaded and fried chicken. Kind of like chicken strips. I found a recipe for it, but it’s looking like it might just be easier to buy a chicken strip from the local deli counter already prepared. Kind of a busy day so that might be the route I take but I’m unsure. Let’s give this a try.
Well, I had the pack version the other day and it was fantastic. I’m really looking forward to this one too – curious how the noodle will hydrate in this one. Let’s find out!
Here’s a special new variety from Mamee Chef – RENDANG!!! Rendang is kind of a dry savory beef – very seasoned and very wonderful. This is a dry noodle – let’s check it out – I’m truly enthused!
What we have here is a noodle and a seasoning combo – both by the same company. Should be pretty good – in the mood to try. Let’s check it out!
A lot of companies celebrating anniversaries lately. I’ve done a special Definitive Guide on Indomie Mi Goreng, and you can find scads of info in there. Happy birthday, Indomie.
Found this one at an Asian grocery on Evergreen in Everett, Washington recently. I hit them up once a year or so and usually find a few varieties I don’t usually see anywhere else which is very nice! This one I think I’ve seen before online, but never in the ‘wild.’ Well, let’s give it a try!
It’s really great when I get something from Indonesia – it happens so infrequently! Some of my favorites are from Indonesia and some are from this brand, Best Wok. This is a variety I’ve not seen before – looking forward to trying! Let’s hit it!
This is one jazzed company. Why? A big time influencer in Indonesia says that she likes their mi goreng better than Indomie’s. That’s truly a big deal – and so here we are with their new recipe for mi goreng to find out whether I agree. I did do the hot and spicy and honestly, that one was great – especially since it has a nicer oiliness oto the noodle and wasn’t as dry as their competition – I’d say I liked Best Wok’s better. Let’s see how this new original mi goreng fares.
To do a Meet The Manufacturer series, one thing that’s certainly necessary are samples – here’s some Best Wok, Dara, and Ciptarasa samples – driect from Indonesia! Check ’em out!
So it’s been a rough past few days. Sore throats, barfing, runny noses, extremely horrid body aches. My friends, we got the Omicron. Yeah – the whole house. We’ve all been vaccinated too and regularly wear masks. This is no fun. But to break the insanity of it all and drudgery of existence with a 24/7 funky cloud hanging over my brain, we made some bread. It was fun – good bread too! Used Best Wok Mi Goreng, which was voted the best mi goreng instant in Indonesia by a well known critic over there. That’s pretty good – some stiff competition for mi goreng especially in Indonesia! Well, Here we go – let’s do the bread thing.
Okay, this sounds good! This one is from the same folks that brought us Red Chef – two of their four varieties are in my annual global top ten. I’ve got high expectations and hopes these new KampongKu varieties are all I think they probably will be – super good! Let’s give them a go!
Found this one at an interesting store in Bellevue – called S*Mart. Yes, shop smart – shop S*Mart. This is the last review I’m doing this week. Guess what? I did 15 reviews this week. That’s a lot. It’s amazing when school is in session the things I can accomplish with a little peace and quiet! Well, let’s see if this packs a wallop or not.
I only thought they had an original Indomie Mi Goreng cup but it turned out there’s a barbeque chicken one too. Quite a surprise – especially since I found it at a Middle Eastern market. Let’s give it a go!
To start, I want to take a moment to recognize the passing of Nunuk Nuraini. Many of you haven’t heard of her and so I wanted to tell you a little about her. She was the spice mixer for Indomie and died earlier this year. The flavors she shared with the world are legendary I thought it fitting to honor her with a mention before we start this list. If you’d like to read and article about her life, there is one here.
Here’s another one that arrived in a box from Exotic Noods. Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
Ready to kick your lonely evening into overdrive? This mega espiode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time includes special guest Stumpy from Little Rock, the kids, and a special electronic guest!
Here’s some great stuff from Indonesia! These spicy mi goreng varieties are really quite good (I’ve reviewed them before) as is the cup version, and this sauce is super awesome stuff. Let’s check it out!
Here’s the third of this short series we’ll be checking out – spicy cheese! I’m totally unsure what to expect out of this; cheese and Indonesia aren’t at all synonymous in my reviewing experience. I want to thank Ni over at Fusion Gourmet for agreeing to partake in Meet The Manufacturer! Let’s give this one a try!
Probably the best known (and deservedly so) dish of Indonesia is mi goreng. A combination of sweet soy, a spicy sauce, and a myriad of additions make it such a delightful dish. Today I’ll cook up this one which comes in a cup.
This sounds really good – and spicy! It mentions using different amount of spice sachets to increase or decrease the heat. I’m hoping this is a real barn burner! Let’s find out.
We didn’t stay up to ring in the new year. Sad I know. Must be getting old. We did however head up to Canada on new year’s day. Found this while up there! Let’s give it a try!
Found this on in Richmond, BC at FoodyWorld. On the super cheap too – I think a five pack was $1.99CAD! Let’s crack into it – it’s always a good time for mi goreng!
Here’s something pretty fascinating. First off, thanks to Empire International for sending these over! This is from Indonesia, is only 160 calories for the whole package, and… yeah. It’s konjac (pronounced like cognac).- These noodles are incredibly low cal and I’ve honestly had mixed resilts. I’ve had them that are horrible before – thicker noodles. But recently tried some that were thinner and they worked well. These are dry, and I haven’t tried them that way before, so we shall see how it goes. Let’s find out!
