Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002
This is one that wad sent to me by a reader named Breeze – thank you again! It’s a refill. So there are cups you can get that are specifically made for these – you just pop this thing into the cup and it fits like a foam cup but it’s reusable, so no need for more foam to be thrown away. Yep. So let’s check it out!
I’m getting grapefruit from a Google translation, but it might be yuzu. Got this up in Canada at a rad store called Smart’n’Save – it’s my personal Disneyland I think. They’ve got a lot of varieties I’ve not seen elsewhere – like a specialty shop for snacks, noodles, and treats from Hong Kong and China and Japan. Let’s give this one a try!
It’s like a parallel universe! Where am I?! WHO CAN EXPLAIN THIS??
Okay so what’s the problem? This is from Hong Kong. It says flavor not flavour. I don’t understand.
Here’s another one sent by Mr. Saturn – thank you! I translated calabresa and Google spat out linguica and kielbasa. So, looks like we have sausage juice broth with noodles? Let’s find out!
Here’s one that we found at my personal Canadian Disneyland, Smart’n’Save at the Lansdowne Centre Mall up in Richmond, BC. Man, I love that little store! Anyways, yeah this one looks pretty neat – shoyu’s on the menu today! Let’s hit it!
These Cremoso varieties have been a blast! This one’s meat with chili – let’s give it a try!
This is the third and final variety of the new Top Ramen bowls – Soy Sauce. Originally called oriental flavor, Nissin decided to change it over to soy sauce flavor. It’s kind of interesting; I’ve been to Asia a handful of times and seen the term oriental all over the place, however here in the states I’ve heard of some discontent with the term, possibly the impetus for this change. Anyways, let’s give this one a try!
A huge shout out and thank you to Breeze K – a regular reader and commenter – for sending these along! She got them from a friend who visited the Cup Noodle museum in Japan! Man, I want to check that place out someday – what a humbling experience that would be… All those Cup Noodles… Anyways, the guy on here’s name is Anpanman. He’s a comic/cartoon hero of sorts from Japan you may have seen before. This cup is very small – only calls for 170ml boiling water to cook it. Shall we give it a try? Let’s!
Here’s one that was in a box from Zenpop. Their monthly boxes feature a slew of varieties from Japan – use coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount! Here’s what they have to say about this one – “Why not bring this ramen for your lunch at work? Whole wheat flour is added to the non-fried noodle so it is a healthier but delicious choice! The authentic noodles and appetizing savory soup match very well. Plus we really like the package of this cup too. It has Japanese modern and beautiful designs so that’s another reason for you to bring it to work.”
Here we have the third and final review of the new range from Nissin Foods USA – Sweet Chili flavor. These have so far been pretty good. This one’s vegetarian as well. Let’s give it a go!
Here’s another Brazilian variety from a reader – thanks again!! This one’s roast chicken with a touch of lemon – sounds good to me – let’s give it a go!
Alas, we come to the end of the road on the samples from the last box from Nissin MExico. They were all fascinating and different, but this I’m hoping is a case of saving the best for last. Their Intensos Cup Noodles Alitas Hot was sensational, and hoping that same flavor carries over to this one. Let’s find out! By the way – Alitas Hot means ‘hot wings.’
Continuing the reviews of this new range from Nissin USA, we have the Teriyaki Beef variety of the Stir Fry range. Sounds good to me; Nissin’s take on teriyaki beef has been enjoyable in the past. I saw a comment a day or two ago from someone hoping that they’d be good (specifically this one). So, I figured if someone wants to get my take on it, I’ll expedite it, and here we are. Let’s give ‘er a go!
I was initially very confused by this one but it seems to have fallen in place with a little translation from Google. Chicken stroganoff flavor! What a unique one here! Never have I seen a stroganoff instant before. Let’s give it a go!
Hey awesome! New domestic product!!! It’s not every day that a new product that’s instant noodle related comes out here in the United States, and when it does I’m always very keen to give them a try. I’m very curious about this one, which is part of a range of three new varieties under the Cup Noodles hood.
I’m so curious how this is going to go. Most of the Nissin Mexico varieties tend to have a local spin as far as flavor goes. Will this one? I don’t know.
Here’s the second of three new Top Ramen bowls from here in the United States. At first I though ‘okay, it’s just Top Ramen in a bowl.’ But the extras in these are very interesting. Definitely excited to try ’em. Let’s do it!
I really like it when readers send me a ton of varieties from somewhere I’ve never been able to get them before. This is one of those! I know there’s lots of cups and other brands out of Brazil to try as well. Brazilian varieties have very savory flavors, centering mostly on meat. This one’s barbecued ribs flavor! Let’s check it out.
Brazil certainly has a myriad of flavors and instant noodles reflect those very nicely. This one, garlic chicken, sounds really good! I’d better get some chicken defrosting. Let’s check out these noodles sent by a reader!
Here’s another one of the Nissin Mexico varieties I received recently – thanks again! Spicy? Let’s find out! It mentions that it’s got kick from habanero which is most definitely spicy.
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…
I just have to say – what an ominous name for an instant noodle! I really dig that! When I saw this, I had to contact Nissin Mexico and see if I could get some. Well, they sent it! They also sent three U.F.O. Yakisoba varieties as well which you’ll see on upcoming reviews.
I was told a while back that Brazilians don’t go all in for ultra spicy and that this range does have varieties that are spicier than others, but not super duper spicy. Either way, this sounded like a good one for today, so here we go.
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 – ‘This is called geikikara’ (extremely hot); however, it’s not as hot as it thinks it is. We bet you will like this even if you are not a big fan of spiciness. The rich tonkotsu soup contains delicious ma-yu (burnt sesame oil and garlic), and it creates an irresistable smell for your appetite. The unique octagonal form of the box is to let it stand out from other noodles.’
Here’s another one from a reader in Brazil – thank you very much! So from translation, it sounds like this is a cheese sauce noodle. It mentions ‘menos agua’ which means ‘less water,’ probably meaning this will have a thicker broth/sauce. Let’s give it a try!
I saw an article mentioning two new ‘super spicy’ noodle coup out of Japan. Well, I found one of them (actually I found both but this one was cheap on eBay while the other required buying six and that wasn’t happening). I keep seeing that this is a spicy Mongolian miso tanmen which sounded interesting.
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 – ‘Indulge yourself freely with this dish because these are non-fried noodles with whole grains. We LOVE how healthy the noodle tastes, and no wonder it is very popular. The tonkotsu soup has much depth of flavor matching perfectly with garlic. Toppings are chashu, wood ear mushrooms and scallions. Since it is the lightest one out of this month’s pack, when you crave ramen in the middle of the night, this is the best bet.’
Yep – new stuff from Nissin USA! Cool stuff in this box! Let’s take a look!
After years of resisting the common practice of naming these lists after the year ahead, I’ve finally decided I’d conform with societal norms and start doing this with this list. So, there won’t be a 2019 edition (although between you and me that’s what this is as it’s coming out in 2019 and not 2020, but whatever). All lists going forward will be this way. My brain will be okay with it eventually, kind of like how I used to lose my mind when people would pronounce sriracha ‘sirracha,’ which IS the correct way to do s. Time heals all chunks of illogic I suppose. But anyways, these are my favorite and most memorable cup varieties from my reviews up to number 3,180. Let’s take a look at The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups Of All Time 2020 Edition.
This came by way of Robert over at www.dadbert.com – thanks! I’ve never seen hide nor hare of this variety ever before – anywhere. Test market in Kentucky? Perhaps. It looks like these are a meat version of the Very Veggie really; lots of meat instead of vegetables. My thought – screw it – I mean put lots of meat AND vegetables in there. In fact, screw that – do a retort pooch with meat and vegetables – now you’re talking! Nissin – you’re here in the United States already – use real meat! Retort pouches are the salvation – they shall bring a whole new age to the domestic instant noodle industry in America! At least that’s my vision. Let’s check it out!
Here’s one from Japan Ramen Box – a subscription service out of Japan. Here’s what they have to say about this Nissin variety –
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!
This was sent to me by Daniel from Brazil a while back – thanks again! Brazilian varieties fascinate me; the flavors are very unique and so far quite tasty! Let’s check out this light variety.
This one was found up in Richmond, BC at the SuperStore. What’s funny about this one? Well, it shows chopsticks on the cup and has a fork inside. I’ve been given a ration of insults and criticism for using a fork. I really don’t understand why; I mean, here’s an Asian variety with a fork. I think it’s common for Westerners to immediately go to ‘Asian people use chopsticks and if you use them wrong you suck’ kind of thing. My logic is that if I’m in Asia, I’ll use a pair of chopsticks. In Thailamd they use a fork to push food onto a spoon and then eat it, so I did that while there. It really doesn’t matter what tool you decide to use, it’s about eating a meal, right?
Woot woot! It is so rare these days I can get my hands on a variety from the Philippines that I’ve not reviewed yet and so I’m really stoked on this one. What’s interesting is that there are two Nissin companies in the Philippines. Nissin Monde and Nissin Universal Robina. Nissin Monde is actually a company that first started out selling biscuits. Nissin Universal-Robina is an arm of the well known Japanese empire of instant noodles. Nissin Monde is responsible for the Lucky Me! brand. Kind of interesting and odd. Anyways, let’s check this yakisoba out!
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 -“Chikin Ramen is the very first instant noodles in the world. It was invented by Momofuku Ando in 1958, and it is said that instant noodle is one of the greatest invention in 20th century. We definitely think so! This year is the 60th anniversary of Chikin Ramen, so enjoy the classic instant noodle to celebrate it!”
Here’s the third and final iteration of the Nissin Cup Noodles Intensos range: Diablo. The devil! This should be the spiciest of the three and sounds like something I’m going to need to do a special mukbang for. Let’s take a look!
Today, we have the second of the trifecta of Cup Noodles Intensos. a range of spicy varieties from Nissin Mexico. Not only are the spicy, but the three have different levels of spicy. I think this is the second hottest of the three. Alitas Hot – what does it mean? basically Hot Wings. Let’s give it a go!
Here’s one from Japan Ramen Box – a subscription service out of Japan. Here’s what they have to say about this Nissin Raoh variety – ‘First released to the public in 1992, Nissin Roa received the title of “Noodle King” for incorporating noodles, soup, and other ingredients together into one amazing dish. As the times have begun to change and technology has allowed
further advancement in the science of ramen, Nissin Rao has also evolved. By creating a dish with deliciousness that cannot be tasted at a ramen shop, this new sensation incorporates the peppery sweet, three-times straightened, and all around delicious fried noodles with their garlic flavored soy sauce. Enjoy pork bone flavors combined with white miso, accented with peppers, and garnished with garlic oil. You’ve never tasted Nissin Rao ramen like this before!’
Here’s the first of a new range from Nissin Mexico that they sent recently – thanks again! This is a shrimp variety in the new spicy trio that should be pretty spicy! Let’s find out if the ‘fire shrimp’ means business!
