Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002
Found this at GMart in Lynnwood, Washington. They’ve usually got a couple of things when I visit every six months or so. It’s kind of funny; i was seeing a lot of the massive packs of noodles for a while there – trays that were the size of boxes of cereal. Well, haven’t seen that in awhile. Anyways, here’s a new one.
This one’s from Vietnam however it’s got some Korean on there – I think it’s a spicy chicken clone. Also, this is a really large pack.
Well, here we have the third and final variety from this range by Nissin USA and I am pretty sure it’s got the longest name of all. So far, I can give a qualified take it or leave it feel to these. They’re variations on a theme as they’re all beef and just have different flavors of the Bachan’s BBQ sauce. Well, let’s take it on a test drive and see how it goes.
This one looks interesting – never heard of this style before and I suspect iits a Filiino variant. Tamarrind and shriimp! Let’s give it a look.
This one is from a Taiwanese company but from their Vietnamese factory and packaged for the US market. I’ve tried a ton of these but not seen this before. Let’s give it a whirl.
I’ve been threatening this for awhile so I figure it’s time. You usually just crush it and sprinkle seasoning and shake it up. Not I think today – I’m going to make it as a dry noodle and boil it. This could destroy the known universe, but I have my doubts. It’ll ether work or it won’t. Let’ find out!
I remember when we’ve flown to Taiwan, when they ask what you want to eat, they’ll go up and down the aisles and say ‘pork porridge?’ I’ll admit, I usually got pork porridge. It was kinda funny. Anyways, found this one at Evergreen Asian Market in Everett, Washington. Let’s cook.
Here’s the last one from James of Lakeside, California and the last one I’ve got on hand. Curry sounds nice – it’s actually Halloween today as I review this – just shows how far ahead I’m at. Anyways, let’s give it a go.
This one comes by way of James from Lakeside, CA. So it’s not ramen but I’m sure he found this right next to the ramen. Let’s try it!
Here’s the third of the three Protein varieties thanks to James from Lakeside, CA. The other two weren’t my favorite but we shall see with this one.
Time for something spicy from South Korea for the US market. Definitely a clone but I must say I’ve been rather impressed with the Harim varieties I’ve tried recently. Found this at Boo Han Market on 99 in Edmonds. Let’s cook!
Here’s one of the remaining few sent by the kind folks at HongKongFoodies.com – been waiting to give this one a try. Over the years, I’ve heard many people ask for tomato noodles, so this may be of interest. :et’s cook it up!
A few languages on this export version. I half expected this to have come from their Turkish factory. Despite the multiple languages (and use of the word flavor spelled flavour), this is for the US market as you can see the long distributor list with US telephone numbers. Let’s cook!
I got an email from Ramen Now! recently asking if I’d like to examine their product and I thought this could be fun! The Ramen Now! is a plug-in device that allows the user to cook instant noodles simply and quickly, taking them from machine to table. Therte’s quite a few niceties here – the bowl it comes with is also useful as a serving bowl. It’s a small device. It works with a myriad of varieties. Also, if you get one and share a video of it being used in social media, you can get a free box from Project Ramen! Watch the video and check it out as I put it through its paces. Want to get one, click here. This would be a great gift for the college student or the ramen enthusiast in your life!
Here’s another found at Boo Han Market in Edmonds, Washington. I generally like rapokki but jjajang I’m honestly hit or miss with. Guess we’ll find out, eh?
Looked all over for these and finally found them. Now we will see how it goes.
Detail of the side panels (click to enlarge).Contains shrimp and beef. To prepare, fill to line with room temp water andmicrowave at 1000W for 2.5 minutes. Let stand 3 minutes. Finally, stir and enjoy!!
Here’s one made in China and packaged for the US – as well as other countries. Shrimp. Fish. Let’s do it.
Here’s another one, kindly sent by HongKongFoodies.com – thanks again! Definitely check their stuff out! So this has a higher quality wheat flour and definitely makes a difference. Let’s make tonkotsu!
I’ve tried the local version from overseas previously, and here’s one version packaged for sale in the United States. I love tom yum and it so happens we have some shrimp – let’s get this one going!
Here’s a new Geki variety I found at Fred Meyer in Woodinville. What’s kinda funny is that I tried this flavor before, although it was from Indonesia! Let’s try the US version.
Here’s another one from HongKongFoodies.com! Go check ’em out as they’ve got a treasure trove of hard to find Demae Iccho variants! Curry! Let’s cook.
I’m really happy about finding this one at Boo Han Market in Edmonds, Washington! If you’ve not tried it, I highly recommend it – as long as the new packaging doesn’t mean new recipe at least. This came out quite a while back after a Korean comedian – Lee Kyung Kyu I believe – mentioned it. This is a jalapeno and chicken flavored broth variety. What’s interesting is that it does not have chicken in this one where it once did. It’s made in South Korea – so they would export US chicken to Korea, process it, then send it back in the product. Crazy, eh? Anyways, let’s cook it up!
Found this at Fred Meyer the other day (Kroger). It wasn’t in the Asian foods area, but with the domestic stuff which was interesting. I wasn’t a big fan of their initial variety (standard ultra spicy dry clone) but this has promise. Says it’s spicy too – let’s find out.
Found this one at Boo Han Market along with another one. Rapokki is a great thing I really enjoy – a pairing of tteokbokki (cylindrical rice cake) and ramyun (Korean instant noodle). That texture combo alongside a sweet and spicy sauce is really wonderful. Let’s try this variety.
Big thanks to James from Lakeside, California for this one! Should be interesting – the seafood version was really quite nice. Let’s give this a try!
Okay, this is a big deal I think. I know – it looks very generic; very plain. But this isn’t what Ii see. This is a product of Brazil. It’s a Kroger store brand. Who is making this for them? I’ve no idea. I look at the big players in the Brazilian instant noodle market and mainly see a lot of Nissin Miojo stuff. However, the noodle and sachet style doesn’t lean me in that direction. A six pack – and it’s cheap – I think it was $4 for 2 of these – so I got both this and the chicken yesterday. I’ve also noticed that on the directions, it’s referring this noodle as pasta. Pasta? Hmm.
This came by way of the creator of Slurp Now, Crunch Later – a blog dedicated to Korean food! Thanks again! I’ve seen this on Amazon and been fascinated. Let’s see what’s within!
Here’s another one from James – thanks! So, Smoko? Hmm – Gemini says…
‘A “Smoko character” is a character from Smoko, an LA-based company that sells cute and whimsical products, such as plush toys and office supplies. The name “Smoko” itself is Australian slang for a short break from work. The company’s characters are based on food, animals, and other adorable concepts, with popular characters including Tayto Potato, Pearl Boba, and Lil B Dumpling’
I got an email from the creator of Slurp First, Crunch Later asking for my thoughts on tteokbokki. If course, I’m a big advocate; it’s one of the best things to ever exist. So, she mentioned these noodles from Nongshim and sent some over! New to tteokbokki? Watch the video and I’ll explain. Thanks!! FYI – you can find these on Amazon.
Herre’s one from James of Lakeside California – thanks! This appears to be one of the first new varieties from Indomie to be sold in the US – in at least 15? 20 years? More? All I’ve seen during my tenure as The Ramen Rater arre Indomie varieties being plucked from the lineup herre – rendang, special curly noodle, others like skipjack tuna… This is a new one here! Let’s give it a try.
I know many have loved the export version of this one for a long time but this one’s different. The Hokkaido flour seems to impart more chew and firmness. I haven’t reviewed this profile in a long time – let’s hit it!
Okay what is this MEP thing all about? Gemini says “MEP is a new brand of instant ramen by Samyang Foods, standing for Maptaeng (매떵), which is a Korean term that combines “map-da” (spicy) and “taeng-ha-da” (firm, chewy texture).” Ah okay. – now it’s a little more logical, however I think it could have a little more accessible name… Anyways – garlic and clams. Let’s do this.
Found this one at Saar’s Super Saver on Aurora in Seattle. This one was a little tricky to translate but the bar code weas the main help here. Let’s give it a try.
Here’s yet another from HongKongFoodies.com! Lots of hard to find Hong Kong Demae Iccho over there! I’ve really liked tori paitan before – a creamy chicken profile. Let’s give it a whirl!
So this is an interesting deal here. I’ve had the Korean version of this before. It was noted that the Rose US version reminds me of Chick Fil A sauce while the Korean version was amazing. Hmm… I’m curious how this will be… Let’s dive in!
I was contacted recently by a gentleman from Mae Mai, a company making garnished. Alas, I screwed up – I did an unboxing video of their product, but I accidentally deleted the video! Well, I did it over and here it is. I’m in love with this garnish. It’s sweet, garlicky, onion, crisp, savory, and a little spicy. It’s my favorite recent discovery – try this stuff! You can get it on Amazon, or check out their website.
Here’s another from James of Lakeside, California – thanks! Macaroni… Soup? I think this is a Filipino one yet again. Thewse are interesting and so far not bad. Let’s cook it up!
Here’s a very wide distribution export version – lots of languages here! Let’s give it some attention and boil it up.
Another one from Bibigo that’s certainly for the European market yet slap a distribution sticker on with US standard nutrition facts and there you go. Let’s give it a try!
Big thanks to Jame from Lakeside, California for sending this one! So this brand is interesting. Mainly in that they make as lot of Filipino varieties, however it says they’re product of the USA. Are they made here? I dunno I guess they must be? Pancit Canton usually is pretty darn good – let’s give it a try!
