Tag: noodle

#2784: Samyang Foods Jjajang Buldak Bokkeummyun

#2873: Samyang Foods Jjajang Buldak Bokkeummyun 짜장불닭볶음면

Alright, folks! Today I bring you the brand new Samyang Foods Jjajang Buldak Bokkeummyun. 1,920 SHU is the heat level. But wait – what’s jjajang? Let’s find out with some info from Wikipedia! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2779: Mr. Noodle Barbecue Sauce Curry Taste Noodle

Meet The Manufacturer: #2779: Mr. Noodle Barbecue Sauce Curry Taste Noodle

Today, it’s a flavor I don’t honestly see a lot in Taiwanese noodles, that flavor being curry. Barbecue curry sounds interesting too – very curious about this one. ...see full post

#2773: Vedan Minced Pork Noodle

#2773: Vedan Minced Pork Noodle taiwan

Brought this back from Taiwan. Pretty much everything I brought back came through the rigors of baggage handling unscathed; but not every single thing did. Alas, this was one of them that didn’t. To be quite honest, it did better than some I’ve brought back before from abroad – a little crushing of noodles isn’t bad – I’vbe had ones whose noodle blocks were reduced to crumbs. Let’s have a look at this one – I found it at RT-Mart in Taipei. ...see full post

#2764: Vedan Double Bang Thick Beef Broth Noodle

#2764: Vedan Double Bang Thick Beef Broth Noodle - Taiwan Taiwanese

This one’s got horns and flying saucers on the packaging – something that denotes… Well, horns and flying saucers I suppose. I guess it more likely denotes ‘hey look at me – I’m on the store shelf!’ The double bang is for the two noodle blocks. The other variety I reviewed in this series had two in it as well and called for (like this one) 700ml boiling water. Guess we will see how this one goes as well! I remember seeing these on store shelves – I think I got all but one of the varieties (sniff) but hey – got some pretty fascinating ones. Taiwanese beef noodles, it is your time to shine. ...see full post

#2757: MyKuali Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle (2018 Recipe)

#2828: MyKuali Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle (2018 Recipe)

I’ve always been impressed how often MyKuali changes their recipes. I want to say this may be the fourth iteration of the Hokkien Prawn Noodle thus far – at least that they’ve sent and I know of. I’ll admit I’ve not always been keen on the changes, but it really is nice to see companies that want to keep improving – even a product that’s very well received to begin with. Let’s see how this new change taste! ...see full post

#2748: MyKuali Penang Red Tom Yum Goong Noodle (2018 Recipe)

#2845: MyKuali Penang Red Tom Yum Goong Noodle (2018 Recipe)

There have been some big changes over at MyKuali and the recipes of all their flavors are getting a bit of ‘tweaking.’ Many times in the past, MyKuali has changed recipes. I’m very curious to see what they’ve done with this one. The first time I tried it was in 2014 and I really enjoyed it then – it ended up on the 2015 Top Ten – let’s see how this new recipe taste. ...see full post

Unboxing Time: Product Samples From Meimen

Meet The Manufacturer: Product Samples From Meimen

Can’t do a Meet The Manufacturer series without samples! Here they are!

Product Samples From Meimen – Taiwan

Let’s Have Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater! ...see full post

#2696: Nongshim Neoguri Spicy Seafood Flavor Noodle Soup

#2696: Nongshim Neoguri Spicy Seafood Flavor Noodle Soup

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve had a version of Neoguri to review. Actually, wait – not that extremely long – they came out with the Neoguri dry stir noodle one recently. So this is one I got up in Canada a couple of months ago. ...see full post

#2679: MyKuali Penang White Curry Noodle

#2679: MyKuali Penang White Curry Noodle - Malaysia - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

This is the MyKuasli Penang White Curry Noodle variety that comes from Singapore – rather it’s made for Singapore. I don’t believe it’s different except for the packaging, but to be honest, any chance UI have to review another MyKuali pack is worth it to me to do so. It’s just a no-brainer; I love their stuff. So let’s have a look. ...see full post

Travels: Taiwan 2017 Day 7: Departure And Arrival

Day 1 & 2 *

Well, finally it was the day to depart. I really love Taiwan – all the sights, sounds, smells… But I definitely was really missing my wife and kids. That was the hardest part of the trip. Being a stay at home dad is so rewarding – not seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces was really killing me.I packed everything up and met Kyle to go out for some dim sum. ...see full post

#2648: Paldo Bulnak Pan Stirfried Noodle

#2648: Paldo Bulnak Pan Stirfried Noodle - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - bokkeummyun

Today we have an interesting little cup of noodles from South Korea – a little spicy one. This has been on my top ten spicy list for a while now and it’s some mean stuff. ...see full post

#2603: Paldo Pororo Jjajang Noodle

#2603: Paldo Pororo Jjajang Noodle - South Korea - The Ramen Raster - Instant Noodle

Here’s yet another one I found up in Canada in July of 2017! Found this at HMart after having a really great dim sum lunch with some new friends at Aberdeen Centre in Richmond, BC. Okay, so Jjajang is a black bean sauce noodle. But Pororo? Let’s look at Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2583: Daikoku Kaisen (Seafood) Shio Noodles

#2583: Daikoku Kaisen (Seafood) Shio Noodles - Japan - The Ramen Rater - rmane - instant noodles

Here’s one I got from ZenPop, a company that’s producing ramen boxes in Japan. They have a new box every month with 9 different varieties for $29.50 – a pretty impressive deal as they include the shipping in the price. ...see full post

#2561: Paldo Premium Gomtang

#2561: Paldo Premium Gomtang - South Korea - 곰탕 - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Colin from Massachusetts was kind enough to shoot this one my way! Thanks again! So Gomtang is a flavor I really like -it’s kind of like a creamy beef soup broth. What’s kind of funny is that I’ve only sampled Gomtang made by Paldo. I know there are other brands making it in South Korea, yet I’ve never found any here. Let’s look up[ Gomtang on Wikipedia: ...see full post

Sauce & Noodles From A Reader In Taiwan

Sauce & Noodles From A Reader In Taiwan

About 3 weeks ago I got a message from a guy named Peter in Taiwan asking me if he could send me a sample of a new sauce he’s making there. I never would turn down a sauce to try, and after a couple weeks here it is! Let’s see what’s inside! ...see full post

#2510: MyKuali Penang Red Tom Yum Goong Noodle

#2510: MyKuali Penang Red Tom Yum Goong Noodle - Singapore - Malaysia - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle

Today, we have the Singaporean version of MyKuali’s Tom Yum Goong. For those of you who haven’t had tom yum, here’s a little from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2503: Sichuan Guangyou Sweet Potato Instant Noodle Sour-Hot Flavor

#2503: Sichuan Guangyou Sweet Potato Instant Noodle Sour-Hot Flavor - China - The Ramen Rater

Here’s one sent by Colin from Massachusetts – thanks! So this sour-hot sounds interesting. Usually with Chinese varieties, the sour often comes from black vinegar and the spicy from peppers. Let’s see what this one’s like! ...see full post

#2501: Happy Cook Toona Paste Noodle

#2501: Happy Cook Toona Paste Noodle - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle

This is one I brought back with me from Taiwan! Happy Cook is a brand that one of the factories in Taichung makes. ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2488: Nissin Demae Ramen Thai Tom Yum

Meet The Manufacturer: #2488: Nissin Demae Ramen Thai Tom Yum - Germany - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

This isn’t something I expected – a Thai Tom Yum from a German company? Yep! This makes me incredibly curious; will it taste like tom yum? Here’s a little about tom yum from Wikipedia if you’ve never tried – ...see full post

Re-Review: Paldo Bulnak Bokkeummyun Pan Stirfried Noodle

Re-Review: Paldo Bulnak Bokkeummyun Pan Stirfried Noodle - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles - octopus - spiciest

Okay, okay. After being bombarded with people disagreeing with the odrer of the ranking on my The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles list, I thought I’d give this one another go-round. ...see full post

#2441: MyKuali Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle (Japan Version)

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!

#2441: MyKuali Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle (Japan Version) - Malaysia - Japan - hokkien mee

Here’s the final of the three Japan version MyKuali boxes. This one’s a favorite of mine (as are the other) but lately it’s been a real treat. Here’s a little about Hokkien Prawn from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2416: Xiuhe Hot & Sour Beef Noodle

#2416: Xiuhe Hot & Sour Chilled Beef Noodle - China - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s another one that was sent to me by Colin from Arlington, Massachusetts – thanks again! This one has really proved to be a touch one to translate this morning. Cooking shouldn’t be an issued, however figuring out what the name/variety is on this one is tough. Searched by image, searched by barcode, hit the company’s website… I see other ones with the little ‘angelic baby’ on the packaging, but none that look just like this one. UPDATE – Thank you to Bobby Y., my friend from Toronto – he figured it out. It was too late for my friends in Southeast Asia so I had to look west! So the noodles are hot but I guess I will put chilled prepared beef in with them. Alright – let’s check it out! UPDATE #2 – my friend Mengzhe Z. who is in China told me actually it isn’t chilled beef – just beef. ...see full post

#2407: Just Way Noodles Chuan Wei Spicy Hot Guan-miao Noodles

#2407: Just Way Noodles Chuan Wei Spicy Hot Guan-miao Noodles - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle

This variety comes by way of Colin, a reader from Massachusetts – thank you! It was originally said by Oscar Wilde: ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.’ I have often found this to be true fr the most part. Indeed, why would someone want to imitate exactly what you do unless they want to attain something that you did prior? Well, sometimes it just seems like it takes a bit of a spiral from flattery to pure copying. ...see full post

Pounding A Plate Of Paldo Volcano Curry Kokomen

I was sent these by Anders and Ji-Min to try a few weeks back and although I’m not posting the review today, I thought it would be fun to do a video and put it out there. ...see full post

#2382: Nongshim Seaweed Instant Noodle Cup

#2382: Nongshim Seaweed Instant Noodle Cup - South Korea - The Ramen Rater

Here’s a cup I found at Carrefour in Taipei, Taiwan during my trip in November of 2016. I’ve never seen this one before and from what it looks like, it’s made for the Chinese/Taiwanese market. At least the packaging in Chinese gives that away. Also, I can see that it’s referencing www.nongshim.com – not a .cn or .tw, so these should be made in South Korea. It also has a little banner proclaiming ‘number one’ but unsure what that’s referring to. Anyways, let’s see what we have here and give these seaweed noodles a try! ...see full post

#2357: Kamfen Noodle King Artificial Wonton Soup Flavoured

#2357: Kamfen Noodle King Artificial Wonton Soup Flavoured - Hong Kong - The Ramen Rater - wanton mee - instant noodles

Got this bowl quite a while back – I’ve got lots of new varieties and still trying to clear out the ones that are close to expiration! So let’s ask Wikipedia about wonton noodles – ...see full post

#2347: Nissin Demae Iccho Tonkotsu Flavour Instant Noodle (Bowl Noodle)

#2347: Nissin Demae Iccho Tonkotsu Flavour Instant Noodle (Bowl Noodle) - Japan - The Ramen Rater

Yet another left over from the Nissin HK Meet The Manufacturer! Slowly getting these all done – so many SKUs! This is one big bowl of tonkotsu! let’s get to it! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2340: Nissin RapiFideo Sabor A Tomate Y Pollo

Meet The Manufacturer: #2340: Nissin RapiFideo Sabor A Tomate Y Pollo - Mexico - The Ramen Rater

This is the second of the two RapiFideo varieties. Translating to Quick Noodles, RapiFideo has short, thin noodles and broth and can be prepared in the microwave. Let’s take a look! ...see full post

#2329: Patanjali Atta Noodles Jhatpat Banao Befikr Khao

#2329: Patanjali Atta Noodles Jhatpat Banao Befikr Khao - India - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Another sent by Colin – thanks! So this is one of a new line from India within the last year or so. Looks to be vegetarian and to have peas in there. Here’s a little about the company from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2317: MAMA Instant Bowl Noodles Shrimp (Tom Yum) Flavor Base

#2317: MAMA Instant Bowl Noodles Shrimp (Tom Yum) Flavor Base - Thailand - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s yet another from a reader named Colin from the east coast. He’s always surprised me a little insofar as being able to send me varieties I hadn’t reviewed yet. I mean, this totally would have been one I would’ve passed over as previously reviewed, but I can’t find it anywhere. As far as walking by it at local stores, I’ve done so countless times. Anyways, let’s crack i open and have a look! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2312: Xiao Ban Mian Traditional Shallot & Onion Oil Noodle

Xiao Ban Mian Traditional Shallot & Onion Oil Noodle - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater

During my trip to Taiwan in November of 2016, I had the opportunity to try the three varieties of the new Xiao Ban Mian line. I remember this one in particular; it was really quite good and I only got a bite or two of it – my sister actually scarfed this one down quickly! Now, back in the controlled environment of my noodle lab (sounds more amazing than it is, really), I’m really excited to give this a try. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2311: Xiao Ban Mian Sesame Sauce Matcha Noodle

Meet The Manufacturer: #2311: Xiao Ban Mian Sesame Sauce Matcha Noodle - The Ramen Rater - Taiwan - instant noodles

Xian Bian Mian is a new line from Howsler Foods. They all use straight noodles and are a bit different from the Mom’s Dry Noodle line. These tall narrow packs have three servings in each. So matcha has become really popular – but what is it? Let’s ask wikipedia: ...see full post

#2306: Nissin Demae Iccho Black Garlic Oil Tonkotsu Flavour Instant Noodle

#2306: Nissin  Demae Iccho Black Garlic Oil Tonkotsu Flavour Instant Noodle - Hong Kong - The Ramen Rater

Here’s yet another left from the Nissin Hong Kong Meet The Manufacturer – thanks again! Today it’s the cup version of their black garlic oil tonkotsu. Indeed, black garlic is an interesting thing – here’s what Wikipedia has to say about it – ...see full post

MyKuali Sends Long-Awaited Samples From Malaysia!

Long Awaited Samples From MyKuali Of Malaysia! - The Ramen Rater

Hooray a new box of MyKuali samples! I’ve been a big fan of their products ever since they released their Penang White Curry way back in 2013 I believe. Since then, they appeared on my top Ten Spiciest list and then my Top Ten annual. They’re known nowadays worldwide as something unique and different. Let’s see what’s in this package! ...see full post

#2283: Nissin Raoh Pork Bone Soy Soup Noodle

This is another one sent by Colin from the east coast – thanks again! So pork bone broth is hugely popular in Japan and this sounds like a soy and pork variety to me. Let’s check out this premium variety! ...see full post

#2281: Nissin Demae Iccho Red Hot Seafood Flavor Instant Noodle

Another variety from Nissin Hong Kong, leftover from an earlier Meet The Manufacturer. This is interesting – it’s not just spicy or spicy hot, this one’s red hot! Let’s see if it’s red – and hot! time cook cook! ...see full post

#2280: Sichuan Baijia Chongqing Noodles Hot & Sour Flavor

I tried the Burning Dry Noodle variety of this line a few days ago and was quite pleased with it. That one was a brothless variant while this one will have soup. It sounds interesting – a spicy and sour taste to behold… Well, I suppose I’d better give it a try! ...see full post

#2273: Uni-President A Q Bucket Noodle Koream Kimchi Flavor

Here’s another one I found in Taipei – this one was the last instant noodle I bought there. ...see full post

#2266: Nissin Disney Cuties Instant Noodle Crab Flavour

Here’s one that Janenate from Nissin Thailand sent – thank you! Very sad times in Thailand currently; they’ve lost their King. I’ve read a lot and viewed some documentaries about him and I’m amazed. He was an amazing man – he really did a lot for him people. I look at our elections here at home and just feel a sickness from it. I send my sincere condolences to the people of Thailand and I hope the King’s philosophy continues on. Let’s have a look at this cup from Thailand with some familiar and friendly faces! ...see full post

#2262: Dream Kitchen Curry

Here’s one we found when in Renton, Washington’s Uwajimaya a while back. From what it looks like on the label, this is a private label for a big distributor here in the USA by a company in Singapore.I love curry but have been a little confused by this series. Let’s give it a looksie. ...see full post