
The world has gone bonkers. We’ve got that pesky Coronavirus gnashing it’s teeth, and numerous other oddities making daily life less enjoyable that usual.
Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002

The world has gone bonkers. We’ve got that pesky Coronavirus gnashing it’s teeth, and numerous other oddities making daily life less enjoyable that usual.

I was contacted last month by an outfit called IWOOT in the UK. They have a line of neat ramen related products – like mugs, shirts, posters, etc. They asked if I’d share some of them and I said sure! Here’s the first of two unboxing times showcasing their stuff! By the way, they also ship to the United States! Check out IWOOT and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for 20% off your order!

We meet again, black pepper crab! I tried this awhile back as a special pre-release variety, but this is the full-fledged version. Black pepper crab is considered of one of the top dishes of Singapore – here’s a little about it from Wikipedia –

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.

Before you start, no. No you can’t. Get this. You can’t. Well, you can, but it’s going to be hard. Actually not that hard if you really want some. Just commit a crime that gets you incarcerated in a facility that has this stuff. That’s the only place you’re buying it – in prisons and jails and detention facilities. Period.

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.

Kimchi is really great stuff – and it’s not just cabbage. There’s lots of different vegetables that can be kimchi – radish kimchi is my favorite. Now I want some Korean BBQ! Okay, okay – let’s give this one 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!

This one comes from Zenpop.jp – a subscription box service. If you want to check out their boxes and get one, use coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount.

I haven’t reviewed something for Hong Kong in a little while and this one was sent by a reader residing over there – thanks again! I remember getting about 56 varieties from Nissin HK when I did the Meet The Manufacturer series – that was pretty intense! Let’s check the temperature on this spicy tonkotsu!
:
This is always something that really humbles me. I review instant noodles, and getting new varieties is always a good thing, albeit difficult oft times. Well, this is a definitely new variety. The former version has been on my The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time list – now I’m curious… Isn’t that good enough? Apparently not! Let’s see what’s different!

Here’s the last of the Aloha! bowls. I figured I’d just run through them and then tomorrow a last one from the last box from Samyang. Let’s give this kimchi variety a try.

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 another one of the Aloha bowls that Samyang sent recently. I’ve always been fascinated by the bowl noodle concept – they end up in convenience stores and gas stations a lot of the time and they’re honestly pretty good. Let’s check it out!

Alright so first off, this one won’t be getting a score. It doesn’t come with a seasoning sachet, something required to be scored. However, it’s something I think folks will want to know about. It’s a refrigerated section noodle that is full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. Not only that, it’s really quite tasty I think. Let’s give it a try!

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 thought I’d do a quick update as to everything I’ve been doing to attempt to lose weight. Winter has come. Harder to have the ability to get outside – who wants to walk in the pouring rain? Plus, lots of vacation time for kids so stuck at home a lot. Here’s a new video about what I’m doing. plus I did a recipe using a couple ingredients including Hakubaku Udon noodles – it’s pretty quick – not going to say it’s only 5 calories, but it’s super good.

Hey look – another Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater! This one came today and we brought it inside set up the lights, shot the video, edited it and boom here it is! Lots of neat stuff in this box! Check it out! Get yours here: http://bit.ly/umaicrate
Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for extra discount!

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!

Okay so this is the local South Korean version of this variety. I’ve had it before as an export. Let’s see if it’s any different!

I found another one of these export Mandashi varieties at the local 99 Ranch Market in Edmonds the other day. Nice to find stuff at the regular haunts. I still think the man on the front is going to strike me if I don’t prepare his noodles correctly! Although I have worked with the Wu-Mu folks before and did a Meet The Manufacturer and they are really very nice people. Anyways, shrimp and scallion? Sounds good! Let’s see if it is!

Here we have the latest in the long line of Buldak varieties from Samyang Foods. This is Buldak Light – so let me explain. This one has only 375 calories. The noodles are not fried, so all that oil used in frying isn’t present. But not only is it lighter on calories, it’s lighter on heat. It’s 40% less spicy than original Buldak Bokkeummyun clocking in at 2,600SHU compared to the original’s 4,400SHU.

Okay so this one should be interesting. The last one I had from this company was alright. Taiwanese beef noodle is kind of a big deal over in Taiwan. Curious how this one will be. Let’s find out.

They had these in 4 packs up in Canada at the Foodyworld store in Richmond, BC. I’m a sucker for Indonesian varieties I’ve not tried and so here we are. Vegetable flavor is always interesting. Will it be predominantly shiitake, broccoli? Butter? I guess we’ll find out!

Found this on in a Zenpop box. Zenpop is a subscription service from Japan – use coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount! QTTA is pronouced ‘koo-tah’ and means ‘I’m full.’ Let’s see how filling this variety is!

Looking for something a little different? Head over to www.exoticnoods.com! Their subscription boxes are from different countries! Not just Japan, you’ll get to try varieties from around the SE Asian region! Plus, use coupon code RAMENRATER15 for 15% off your order! Here’s what you’ll find inside The January box.

So this is an export variety from the company that brought you the fire noodle. I’m not exactly sure why the Hawaiian theme, but that’s kind of cool. Let’s give it a try!

Hey look – another Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater! This one came today and we brought it inside set up the lights, shot the video, edited it and boom here it is! Lots of neat stuff in this box! Check it out! Get yours here: http://bit.ly/umaicrate
Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for extra discount!

Well this is interesting. For some reason, the color on this one didn’t come out quite right when I took the picture. It’s a much deeper red and not really orange. Sometimes this happens so at the outset, just know that. These have been interesting so far – I’ve reviewed a couple of others. Let’s give it a try!

It’s from Japan! It’s ‘Authentic Ramen Soup!’ It sounds decent! Well, not much else to say – let’s take a look.

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 I found at Walmart. They were kind of expensive in the past, but I believe this one was 99 cents when I found it so figured I’ll give it a try. It mentions it’s got bone broth, something imparting extra protein usually. Let’s check it out!

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, I’m going to be reviewing three varieties brought to me from Israel by my brother Moshe. I didn’t know I had a brother until I took an Ancestry DNA kit my wife got for me (I was kind of hoping I might be 1% Asian descent, but that was most certainly not the case). Well, I got to see him for the second time in person yesterday, and this visit, our mother came and visited with him as well – something we never had expected. He was adopted in 1955 and my sister and I didn’t know anything about it – so this is a big deal for us!

It’s been a long time but got some samples from Nongshim America in the mail yesterday! Thanks!! Really stoked to try some new stuff. Let’s crack it open and see what’s inside!

Today, tomorrow, and the next day, I’m going to be reviewing three varieties brought to me from Israel by my brother Moshe. I didn’t know I had a brother until I took an Ancestry DNA kit my wife got for me (I was kind of hoping I might be 1% Asian descent, but that was most certainly not the case). Well, I got to see him for the second time in person yesterday, and this visit, our mother came and visited with him as well – something we never had expected. He was adopted in 1955 and my sister and I didn’t know anything about it – so this is a big deal for us!

I’ve been admiring the packaging on these noodle for quite a while now and thought today must be the day to give them a try. I’ve sampled a very wide array of dry noodle varieties from the beautiful island that is Taiwan. However, none whose name kind of sound like my own! I’m in the mood for something spicy today – a Friday for me. I should mention that this is the second variety from Shin Horng I’ll be trying – the first ended up on the top ten Taiwanese list, 2020 edition. Let’s give them a try!

Here’s another one of these bowls found at 99 Ranch Market. I like how they’re bringing new varieties in – I go to this store almost weekly.

Here’s one from Zenpop – Zenpop is a purveyor of special boxes full of neat Japanese things! Use coupon code RAMENRATER to get a discount!

It’s not too late to get a holiday gift for people you care enough about to shop for at the last minute! Zenpop boxes are pretty cool – you get 7 varieties of instant ramen from Japan delivered to your door every month! Head over to www.zenpop.jp and use the coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount. Here’s what the January box looks like!

I think I found this in Canada but I could be wrong. But I’m thinking I’m not. Either way, this looked interesting and any chance I get to try out something from Taiwan I’m on board. Let’s check it out!