The Definitive Source For Instant Noodle Reviews Since 2002
I was planning on doing three reviews today, but I got my green screen tee shirt and wanted to do another one and give it a try, so you’ll see the result at the bottom in the Instant Noodle Recipe Time episode. Anyways, this one was a pain to trranslate and unsure if I even got it right. Let’s give it a try – at least the instructions aren’t difficult.
Well, James from Lakeside had one more up his sleeve and here it is – check it out!
Here’s the second of the 99 Ranch Market varieties. I should mention they’ve also got packs of just noodles in different styles like buckwheat, etc. This is by my calculations probably made by Paldo Vina in Vietnam. Let’s give it a try – jjamppong is one of my favorite varieties.
This one is only the second I’ve tried from this range. It sounds much better than the first I tried which I think was a mushroom variant years ago. Let’s give it a whirl.
James of Lakeside, California has been a real booster to my reviewing – lots of varieties I’ve not reviewed before – check out what’s in this one! Something big!
After 7 years of unboxings, this the absolute last one from Zenpop, now defunct purveyor of ramen noodle boxes. Guess it’s time to retire this last cup.
Found this one at S*Mart in Bellevue. Took a little research to figure out what it was, but not much. Looks interesting. I like seafood. Let’s give it a try.
Found this one at HMart which was kind of a surprise. A welcome one, however. I really like Malaysian variants and this company sure puts out some nice ones. Let’s delve…
Well, it’s Wednesday…. A rainy Wednesday. Really like the universe to comply… Need to get out and walk but my poor little Mimi has a stomach bug which is keeping her home for the third day. So, here I am reviewing again. I’m so far ahead – don’t know when you’re seeing this one (September?) but it’s March 27th as I write this. Really need a break from reviewing as well as getting out of the house. Hopefully I’ll get to next week… Maybe this weeks? Getting my hopes up… Let’s try this one.
This is pretty neat. I started reviewing instant noodles in 2002, however I only did about 50-60 reviews by 2010. Well, in 2010, Kit and I moved to Edmonds, Washington. It was within a short walk of a 99 Ranch Market location. I’d never had such easy access to instant noodles before, and that’s what caused me to go full on noodle reviewing at that point. This is the first 99 Ranch Market branded instant noodle product I’ve ever seen. It’s made in Vietnam, and I know there’s an arm of Paldo called Paldo Vina over there and I’m going to bet that’s who made these for them. This is called private label. Anyways, pretty cool – there’s also a jjambbong and I’ll be review that soon.
Here’s a variety that I found in one of MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles subscription boxes! Inside, they have 8-10 different varieties from Japan! If you’d like to get one, don’t forget to use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Let’s see what they had to say about this one – “Back to the shinkansen to head to Nagoya! This Nagoya soup-less soba dish combines the kick of its slightly creamy and deliciously spicy sauce with the taste of yummy green onion and garlic. There’s also a hint of added umami with a light fish powder.”
I was approached by Maruchan recently asking if I’d like to review a couple additions to their Yakisoba Japanese Homestyle Noodles range. I’ve been reviewing them here and there for years, and thought since I have samples of their current range, why not go and do a special guide to the current varieties and ones that no longer exist. So, we’ll start with the current varieties and then go backwards after that to now discontinued varieties. Each one will have a link to the full review. I sent some questions to Maruchan regarding the initial release of these varieties and other things, but never got a reply. If I do, I’ll include these in this guide. Let’s check out all the Yakisoba varieties!
Another one found at S*Mart in Bellevue, Washington. I still get a kick every time I think of S*Mart. If you’ve seen the film Army of Darkness, you’ll know why. Anyways, this is a cold noodle and from what I’m seeing on the outset, you don’t cook the noodle – you simply rinse it with cold water. Let’s give it a try.
It’s Saturday and we hit up some places. I just realized I should’ve grabbed some beefballs. Beefballs? Yeah – they have them at a local Asian grocery. They’re definitely with other Vietnamese items in the cooler. I’m going to use Chinese sausage for this onbe – I’ve been using it lately in beef varieties instead of beef. I dunno – using Chinese sausage is fun I think as it’s so tasty. Anyways, let’s cook this one up.
Here’s a variety that I found in one of MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles subscription boxes! Inside, they have 8-10 different varieties from Japan! If you’d like to get one, don’t forget to use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Let’s see what they had to say about this one – “We’re staying in Hokkaido for one more entry with a tasty bowl of miso ramen in Sapporo. This miso ramen is full of umami with its nutty miso soup with a hint of savory scallop dashi. This ramen has a full body that will keep you warm even in Hokkaido’s cold winters!”
Well, this is it as far as I know. I’ve tried this before (it said new at the time, no longer does) and I wasn’t happy with the finished pics and its possible its changed so here we go. I may do a mukbang as it appears I didn’t in the past.
I realized that to have my complete Definitive Guide I needed this one I hadn’t reviewed. Tried the local store. Nope. Tried a Dollar Tree. Not this one but a different one I wanted to redo. A couple days later, I decided to try the local store again. Found it! So that rounds out the currently available varieties. Completion is good for the soul. Let’s cook it up – I know I really like the teriyaki beef, so let’s give this a try.
Time for another top ten! This time, I cast my gaze towards Malaysia; a place where strong flavors and fascinating varieties are born. Curries, seafood variants and more abound. I’m always very interested in new varieties from Malaysia and invite companies to please contact me regarding their new products! Let’s delve into the best of the best – this is The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Malaysian Instant Noodles Of All Time 2025 Edition.
Found this one at S*Mart a couple of weeks ago over the Bellevue, Washington. There’s a few versions of this range I’ve tried before and I think these are new. At least the packaging is. Let’s give it a whirl!
This is interesting. The other day I told someone bulgogi isn’t usually in instant noodles. As a soup? I’m skeptical on this one to be honest. WEell, let’s see what happens.
Here’s a variety that I found in one of MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles subscription boxes! Inside, they have 8-10 different varieties from Japan! If you’d like to get one, don’t forget to use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Let’s see what they had to say about this one – “Next, let’s head over to Osaka’s Koreatown for some delicious yakisoba. This yakisoba is a Nissin collab with the Korean Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen. It features a delicious sweet and spicy feel like yangnyeom chicken and a downright addictive cheddar and gouda cheese flavor.”
Okay so here’s another really huge multipack. If you want a ton of noodles and soup, this is the ticket for your. I’ve seen these many, many times, but for my birthday, my lovely wife Kit took me to a few Asian grocery stores and told me to go crazy – and I did. I went from having two varieties to having a slew – thank you, Kit!
About 13 years ago, I did a review of this one. Over 4000 packs, cups, and bowls – and trays ago! Wow. I used to use a lot of different garnish than I do now that’s for sure. Well, let’s cook it up.
Wow it sure has been awhile – repackaging and over 14 years! I thought hey – I’m planning on doing a Definitive Guide to these, why not revisit chicken. My last sampling was review #215. There’s something about these trays that drives me nuts. Now, they’re not designed with the thought that there’s a guy somewhere will be scanning the bottom of the tray. Well, this guy here does and it’s horror. They’re shrink wrap, so they dont want to lay flat and fold over, etc. They also get tons of reflective glare. Anyways, yeah. But whaddaya do. Best ya can. Let’s cook it up!
It was 2011. Nobody’d heard of COVID?. Everything was somewhat peaceful as far as I remember. 13 years ago. That was the last time I’d tried this one. There are a ton of these Yakisoba varieties – some are no longer made – the taco one was my 1000th review. Four Cheese, Tomato & Basil, Sweet * Sour – if you want to see them all here you go. But today, it’s cheese! Let’s cook it up.
Hey look – another new one! I’m thinking maybe I’ll have to sauté some chicken and add in some Mandarin orange… Very curious how this noodle will impart such a flavor; in a good way, or like some Tang powder mixed in. Let’s find out.
When I saw this one at HMart I was very enthused. I did review this or a similar version recently, but the packaging has changed so maybe there’s a little different stuff going on. I’m a big fan of curry laksa – and this one generally is quite wonderful. This review is also a marker for something coming up – I’m only 50 reviews away from #5000. I’m still at a point of ‘what the heck will #5000 be? I feel like I should do something wonderful; return to my roots. Well, until then I will continue on my path through the world of instant noodles. Let’s go!
Time for another one of these HaiChiJia broad noodle bowls. The last one was extremely good. Hoping this one’s got a good balance – too strong of Sichuan peppercorn kind of puts me off. We shall see…
Hey look – a new one! Big thanks to Maruchan for sending – they sent me a nice assortment of these – maybe time to do a Definitive Guide on these hmmm… This one sounds like fun – let’s do it up.
Happy birthday to me! This one looked really neat and what’s crazy is I found it locally at S*Mart. I visit that place once a year usually and find a ton of great stuff I’ve never seen before. I even got some mint for garnish on this one. I wanted to get a mint plant and a basil plant yesterday at the fruit stand, but it’s still too early – they didn’t have any. I mean, it is still winter here. Regardless, let’s cook!
Back in 2017, I got to try this one. It’s interesting to find here in the states now, and has some differences. I’m guessing it’s still made in Hong Kong, however there are a couple of differences. Back then it was aka tonkotsu flavour – now the ‘u’ is dropped. Sachets look different as well. Today’s my birthday, so I picked three to review that I thought would be fun to do out of my stash. So, the last review, this one, and the next one are ones I’m doing today. Let’s cook it up!
Another find from S*Mart. This is pretty non-descript. Maybe from a multi pack? I don’t know, but it certainly is interesting. This one’s made by JML (Jinmailang). Let’s delve into it.
It’s been an interesting go in these past few reviews! A couple trips to less frequented local shops for the local people have yielded a lot of varieties I’ve not seen before as well as those I’ve not reviewed in well over a decade. This one’s a never tried comer from north of here. Let’s give it a go.
Found this one at S*Mart in Bellevue, Washington. Who doesn’t like noodles? Well, these have been interesting to research and so far no great luck. I think we expected this to be onion oil flavor, but I’m getting flax and sesame (sesame seems more likely) upon searching and translation. Let’s give it a go!
I reviewed this one a few years back, but it looks like things have changed slightly so I thought it would be interesting to try again. Let give it a whirl.
Found this one at Evergreen Asian Market in Everett, Washington. Dunno if I’ve tried this one… Upon checking, yes I have right here. Review 272 back in 2011. Looks like a packaging change. Let’s give it a whirl.
If you’ve thought ‘hey I wonder what a Funyuns and Maruchan Instant Lunch had a baby, what would it taste like?’ then you’re a very strange individual. But that’s what we have here. Granted, these aren’t the product of some strange snack mating ritual, but hey it’s a snack nonetheless. I’ve seen them just about everywhere lately. I’ve also seen people’s thoughts on them, ranging from dislike to completely evangelism. Well, here’s an unboxing time of the product accompanied by a taste test. Thank you to @officialfunyuns and Maruchan for scooting this my way!
I’m pretty sure there’s no panda in this. I’m a big fan of biangbiang – wide sauce noodle. Let’s give it a try.
Now here’s one I haven’t seen since 2011 and thought could use another taste. I really enjoy tom yum and was wanting to review a Wai Wai variety, but the others they had at Evergreen Asian Market weren’t what I was looking for. So here we are – let’s cook it up!
Found this over at S*Mart, too. Hot pork bones! Wahoo! I’ve always liked this brand – usually their stuff is pretty decent. I wonder what the versions in China are like… Would like to try them, that’s for sure. Well, let’s try this export version.
