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Looks like Yamadai/New Touch is getting into the export market game with this and another one I found at S*Mart. Shop smart. Shop S Mart. You may have noticed I keep saying that – it’s where the main character in the film Army Of Darkness works before he’s launched into a bizarre comedic hellscape. Anyways if you’ve not seen that movie you should. Let’s make some shoyu ramen.
Here’s an interesting one from Japan found in a Zenpop box – check out zenpop.jp and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
Here’s one I found in an Umai Crate from Japan Crate! They have boxes full of neat Japanese varieties! Check out www.japancrate.com and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER to score a sweet discount and get some neat noodles!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
I think this is the last of the varieties that Maruchan sent for the Meet The Manufacturer series. Haven’t had this since it’s initial launch many years ago. These look very much like Maruchan Seimen, a range which is very popular in Japan. So, what’s the different? No pork. Let’s give it a go!
Back in mid 2018, I reviewed this right after their ‘new recipe’ change for review #2910. Around that time, it seemed that US manufacturers decided to change the product names of economy pillow packs that were initially known as ‘Oriental’ flavor to Soy Sauce. The term ‘Oriental’ has come under fire in recent years, hence the change. What does Oriental mean? Basically it derives from Latin, meaning ‘of the east’ – the opposite being Occidental being ‘of the west.’ From what I’ve gathered from running the Ramen Junkie facebook group for a while as this has come up from time to time is that many things and businesses will use the term; ‘insert city name here’ Oriental Market for example, however it isn’t a term to be used for people, at least that’s what I found. I read an L.A. Times article about this very subject that I thought was very interesting – you can read it here. One particular quote from the author I found fascinating was ‘A funny thing I noticed is that my Caucasian colleagues, not my Asian colleagues, are most eager to remove Oriental from public discourse.’
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
While we’re knee deep in 2023, I reviewed this one on January 4th – and actually it’s the first review I’ve done in 2023. Big thanks to the nice folks at A-Sha for sending this over – they said it’s available at Costco. Let’s give it a shot.
Toyomansi is a combo of soy sauce and calamansi flavors. Calamansi is a kind of citrus kind of similar to lime. This is great – rarely come across Filipino varieties and they’re some really good ones to try. Found this one at HMart with my daughter after her birthday party this year. We took her to Chuck E. Cheese – what an interesting place – very throwback. Let’s check this one out!
This came out of a box from Frank over at 5amRamen! Check out his stuff over at www.instantramen.jp – use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Super premium stuff!
Here’s a neat cold variety from the United States! Summer months are great for cold noodles as they are more refreshing. My friend Taku-san from Myojo was kind enough to share some new refrigerated varieties recently and here’s one – arigato! This is going to be a little different though – it’s not summer when I’m making this – it’s late fall and there’s frost every morning. I got a recipe for Hiyashi Chuka Mazesoba from Myojo – a twist which will end up as a hot noodle dish! Shall we give it a try?
Well, I’ll have you know that my daughter is incredibly pleased this was sent to me. She’s a big fan of Hello Kitty and her friends. My daughter’s name is Mimi, which is the name of Hello Kitty’s sister. Now where it gets weird is that the creator of Hello Kitty says is that she is NOT a cat. She is a girl named Kitty White. Oddly though she does have ears, whiskers, and no mouth. Well, she does in the cartoon and she talks too. Let’s give them a try – definitely one Hello Kitty fans will want to try – should be able to find them at www.ashadrynoodle.com.
I’ve reviewed quite a few varieties by this new company – I call them new since they’ve only been around for a couple of years. I will say that I’m truly impressed by their products – the pack versions in particular. Really tasty and enjoyable. Let’s give this new soy sauce variety a sample.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Another one kindly sent from James of Lakeside, CA – thanks again! This one had a distributor’s label on it, but it didn’t quite make sense so a little digging found a more correct translation. Chili mayo? That sounds awesome! Let’s give it a go!
I’m always really humbled when a company sends me a prototype! Getting to try something that’s being tested and isn’t available yet – that’s a true honor for me. So thanks for sending it over! I’m really curious – this one has lots of protein, fiber, vitamins, and low sodium. Let’s get to it!
Today, we have one that was part of Japan Crate’s Umai Crate. So Japan Crate is a subscription service which has all sorts of different options for you. pretty neat stuff from Japan! There’s a coupon code for you too – just use THERAMENRATER to get a special discount at check out.
Hey look at this – pretty cool! This one came in a neat assortment from Sugoi Mart. Sugoi Mart has a ton of neat Japanese stuff – and I mean a TON. So, what’s the flavor in this one? Kibinago is also known as the Silver-Stripe Round Herring and it’s native to Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan. So this is a herring shoyu variety. Sounds good – let’s give it a try!
Found this one at the Asian Family Market on 130th & Aurora in Seattle. They’ve got a lot of premium varieties – this one is in a little box which is pretty neat. I’ve had some from this brand in the past I really didn’t like but I’m hopeful – I mean, they’re mentioning night market in the title and night markets are really, really cool – at least when I visited Taiwan. Let’s check it out!
So this is an interesting one today. Yamasa sent me some ramen broths and I found this simple block of instant noodles from Jongga to pair it with. Both products are either made in the United States or just for the US market. Time to make some miso ramen!
First off, today I’m doing two reviews – 3842 and 3843. I ran a GoFundMe in February 2021 to help with an emergency situation and for some upgrades around here. Well, one of the upgrades is being used for the first time today! I got a print/scan/copy etc printer. This thing has an 11×17 scanner on it. The old scanner had condesation under the glass and that was affecting quality. This one’s extra nice since I can scan a wide label or package in a single pass without having to do two scans and patch them together! Thank you to all who donated and support the site and what I do!
Yup – Germany! These came by way of the folks at Nissin Germany – thank you! They recently sent a ton of different Cup Noodles varieties they have! Very excited to try them all. Let’s check this one out!
Here’s another one that came by way of an Exotic Noods subscription box – use coupon code RAMENRATER15 for a discount! So these are kind of fancy – higher grade of noodle and dry as well as liquid base. Let’s check it out!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop box. Zenpop is a subscription box service – check em out and use coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!
Herwe’s one that came by way of the guys at www.exoticnoods.com – use the coupon code RAMENRATER15 for a discount! Thanks! Lots of new Menraku varieties pouring out lately… This is a range that is for the US market but made in Japan. So, labeling them US seems logical. Okay – let’s give it a go.
Here’s one that came in the mail a couple of days ago. This is from Daniel over at www.exoticnoods.com – they’re a subscription box company (use coupon code RAMENRATER15 for a nice discount) – and he had some samples of this one he wanted to get my opinion of. I figure let’s give it a try – and so here we are. Thanks! Let’s crack ’em open!
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!
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!
Here’s the second of the new varieties from Maruchan. These are definitely more on the authetic and premium end of the stick. The other variety, Soy Sauce, was quite good. Let’s chek this one out!
Here’s something new from Maruchan – a USA version of a premium styling from Japan.
Today, we have one that was part of Japan Crate’s Umai Crate. So Japan Crate is a subscription service which has all sorts of different options for you. pretty neat stuff from Japan! There’s a coupon code for you too – just use THERAMENRATER to get a special discount at check out.
New Stuff from the United States? Yeah! Let’s check it out!
So mornings can suck sometimes. Waking up 2 hours late for example. With that, I better get a move on!
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 ramen was first released by New Touch in 1985: It has stuck around so long because it is a delicious twist on the classic shoyu ramen. With extra negi (green onion) and just a touch of spicy (“pirikara in Japanese) this is a simple yet satisfying bowl of noodles.’
I did a Meet The Manufacturer recently with Hakubaku USA which was a lot of fun and thought hey – it might be fun to do some experimenting with their products and see what I could do with them. Here’s some samples that they were kind enough to send over!
Got a message from a fellow named Mark recently about a couple new varieties to try. Shortly after, I got a package containing them. Thanks! This is the first of two. Here’s a little about shoyu ramen from Wikibedia –
This is interesting in a couple ways. First off, this variety has been called Original in both the cup and pack versions up til not – in the bowl, however, it’s getting the stamp of Soy Sauce. Not only that, I did see that they also have the Shio version available – not sure about the Miso but I do think I may have seen that. Let’s crack into this one and give it a try!
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 as nice as the name indicates! While the soup is thick and rich, this is also a bit better for you with fewer calories than the original Nissin Cup Noodles. Is that even possible? You’ll know it once you try this.’
Today I review the last of the three Vite Ramen varieties. The first two were quite good and actually quite fascinating! Definitely something different – and good different. Let’s check out the third variety from Vite Ramen – Soy Sauce Chicken.
