Tag Archives: theramenrater

Unboxing Time: Umai Crate By Japan Crate

After a short hiatus, We have a new Umai Crate to unbox! To be honest, I really had a lot of fun opening the last one of these up. It’s been crazy lately – the day I did this video I did three other unboxing videos and there are 3 more packages coming in the next week or so. Continue reading to get a coupon code and to see what’s in the box I just got in this last week!

Unboxing Time: Umai Crate By Japan Crate – Japan

So we have a coupon code and a link here for you –

Get yours here: http://japancrate.com?tap_a=12827-4134c1&tap_s=185180-a588e7
Coupon code: THERAMENRATER

Unboxing Time: Zenpop Local Flavors Japanese Ramen Pack

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Unboxing Time: Zenpop Local Flavors Japanese Ramen Pack

Today, we have another box that was received while I was off adventuring in Taiwan – this one’s from Zenpop, a Japanese purveyor of all things Japanese!

Unboxing Time: Zenpop Local Flavors Japanese Ramen Pack – Japan

Let’s Have Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater!

Lots of varieties in this one! If you would like to check them out, go visit Zenpop today – and use coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!

Unboxing Time: Japan Crate’s Umai Crate For November 2017

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Unboxing Time: Japan Crate's Umai Crate For November 2017

Another day, another box! Today it’s the Umai Crate from Japan Crate.

Unboxing Time: Japan Crate’s Umai Crate For November 2017

Unboxing Time: Japan Crate’s Umai Crate for November 2017

So Japan Crate is a purveyor of all things Japanese. Snacks, treats and of course, instant noodles. The Umai Crate is the one for the instant noodles and today I’m unboxing their offering for November 2017. If you’re interested, check it out here and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER. Thanks go to Japan Crate for sending these over!

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2014 Edition

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Well folks, it’s that time again. Since the last list, I’ve reviewed another 335 varieties – almost one a day This list reflects the ones I’ve reviewed in the last year as well as those reviewed before that – 1,365 varieties in all. It seems to get tougher each time – so many good ones! Here’s this year’s list – the best of the best. With that, I present to you The Ramen Rater’s top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2014 Edition.

#10: MAMA Instant Noodles Yentafo Tom Yum Mohfai Flavour – Thailand

Yentafo (aka yong tau foo) has a spicy and sweet flavor. The sweetness is derived from hoisin sauce and the spiciness from chillies. Seasoned brown noodles are complimented by these unique flavors as well an a nice bit of heartiness from oil. Original review here

#9: Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle Soup – South Korea

This is the first instant noodle on the top ten to be marketed towards vegetarians. What surprised me about it was the broth had such a full flavor to it; deep and satisfying. The noodles are slightly larger in gauge than your run of the mill instant, which is common of South Korean ‘ramyun.’ Magnificent stuff! Original review here

#8: Prima Taste Singapore Chilli Crab La Mian – Singapore

Prima Taste’s third appearance in the top ten. Chilli Crab is considered the signature dish of Singapore. This is a brothless variety – excellent, chewy noodles and a sweet sauce that has a sweet, spicy and buttery taste. If you like crab, this is one to try. Original review here

#7: Mamee Chef Curry Laksa Flavour – Malaysia

This one was a pleasant surprise. Touting Mamee’s ‘Mi Tarik’ technology to approximate the same texture as hand pulled noodles, they chewiness and gauge are really quite special. The broth has a beautiful hit of cumin that adds a richness I found delectable. Garnish included small bits of tofu puff! Original review here

#6: Paldo Cheese Noodle – South Korea

These noodles – wow. I think the best addition to South Korean ramyun has to be cheese. Well, not only is cheese included here but it’s got just the perfect notes of spiciness and strong, rich flavor. The little guy with the sign that says cheese noodle rocks as well. Original review here

#5: Samyang Foods Maesaengyitangmyun Baked Noodle – South Korea

Last year was the 50th anniversary of ramyun in South Korea, pioneered by Samyang Foods. Samyang decided to try making something new – SBN, a baked noodle. What’s really neat here is that the noodles smell like bread! The broth is a lot like gomtang, a traditional beef soup. To shake it up, maesangyi is added – kind of like seaweed spun into a cotton-like consistency. The finished product is quite delectable; almost like a chowder! Original review here

#4: Sapporo Ichiban Otafuku Okonomi Sauce Yakisoba – Japan

I’ve always really loved yakisoba and this is the best I’ve found in an instant form yet. Otofuku is a brand of yakisoba sauce that can be found almost anywhere, and it’s inclusion in this one is just perfection. What’s more, the noodles are garnished with green laver (flaked seaweed) and a little mayonnaise packet! Original review here

#3: Prima Taste Singapore Curry La Mian – Singapore

Premium chewy noodles are given the opportunity to swim in some of the best curry broth I’ve ever had. The real difference here is that there are two sachets – curry paste and a ‘premix’ which is primarily coconut powder. Sheer delight! Original Review / Special 2014 Re-Review

#2: Prima Taste Singapore Laksa La Mian – Singapore

Prima Taste’s La Mian noodles are just pure wonderful, and their paste and coconut powder sachets are brimming with rich flavor. This one is a little spicy and has strong shrimp flavor. Little beads of chilli oil dance around the top of the broth like miniature rubies. Spectacular! Original review / Special 2014 Re-Review

#1: MyKuali Penang White Curry Noodle – Malaysia

The ultimate! The noodles are just the right texture and gauge – not too wide or too narrow with a chewiness that is perfection. The broth is amazing – extremely spicy (hit #7 on the 2013 Spiciest Instant Noodles list), and features a strong curry flavor and a hearty finish. I am truly impressed with this one and would consider it to be the one I would love to eat every day. Bravo! Original review / Special 2014 Re-Review

#1110: GS25 Gonghwachun Jjajangmyun

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This was sent to me by Kristina W. of Arizona – thank you! Jjajangmyun is basically a noodle that is coated in a black bean sauce. Let’s check it out!

The back of the package (click image to enlarge). Not sure if it contains meat or not.

The noodle block.

The only packet included is a big one full of sauce. Decided (as I did yesterday as well) not to make a big mess by trying to fit this stuff in one of the little sake cups I usually use.

Finished (click image to enlarge). Added some beef, carrot and Vidalia sweet onion. The noodles good – a little chewier than usual and nice and plump. The jjajang sauce is really great – has a rich black bean flavor with a little bit of extra heartiness, especially from the potatoes. 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 8801128506571.

Here’s a recipe for jjajangmyeon!

The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time

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So after sampling so many varieties of instant noodles over the years, of course there have been some that I didn’t like. There also were some that are so memorable for how awful they were. After people asked what my least favorites were a few times, I thought I should just make a list of them. I should point out that these are on the list because I couldn’t stand them. I’m pretty sure they are all still in production, and the only reason they would be is that people somewhere find them enjoyable. So who knows – you might have a completely different opinion on these than me, but I found them to be absolutely the worst of the worst. With that, here’s The Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time, 2013 Edition.

#10: Wei Lih Instant Noodles With Artificial Beef Flavored Soup Stock – Taiwan

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I’ve had issues with broth being too salty before, but the lack of flavor in this one wasn’t tolerable. The flavor had a very ‘fake beef’ taste to it which was not at all enjoyable. Original post here

#9: GreeNoodle Miso Made With Moroheiya – Thailand

The noodles had a flavor I found to be akin to dirt – very strange. In the original review, I comment that the broth was ‘nightmarish.’ Original review here

#8: Fashion Food Oriental Flavor Instant Noodles – Thailand

These noodles came in a nice little plastic bowl with lid, As cool as that is, it didn’t make up for some seriously funky noodles and vile broth and veggies. Original review here

#7: Baijia Hot & Sour Flavor Instant Rice Noodle – China

The broth was of a deep crimson color. While interesting to look at, the slimy noodles and overly greasy broth with odd bits floating around were a turn-off trifecta. I couldn’t finish this bowl. Original review here

#6: Noodle Time Spicy Thai Instant Ramen Noodles With Real Vegetables – Canada

A prime example of noodle I dislike: watery broth, exceedingly mushy and spongy noodles and veggies that were lackluster and of the most minimal quantity and quality. Original review here

#5: Nan Hsing Vegetarian Rice Noodles – Taiwan

The noodles were akin to cobwebs – not the ones spiders make, but the fake ones you get for Halloween. The veggies didn’t hydrate well at all, and the broth wasn’t much. Couldn’t eat it. Original review here

#4: Paldo Green Tea Chlorella Noodles – South Korea

While this company makes some noodles I really enjoy, they also make this one which I deplore. It’s just got such a funky flavor to it and a smell I can’t take. Original review here

#3: Fu Chang Chinese Noodle Company Pork, Seafood & Noodles Combo – United States

The noodles in this one were really mushy, and while it had a retort pouch with meat and seafood, it was really nasty. Original review here

#2: Baijia Instant Sweet Potato Noodle Spicy Fei-Chang Flavor – China

A strong ‘dirt and urine’ scent accompanied by slimy sweet potato noodles. As it turns out, Fei Chang relates to fried pork intestines. Original review here

#1: Baijia Single Noble Black Bone Chicken Flavor Instant Sweet Potato Noodles – China

Here is my least favorite variety of all. Slimy sweet potato noodles, thick, greasy broth and horrid veggies that didn’t hydrate well. Original review here

The Ramen Rater Noodle News #28

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Here we go with the 28th edition of The Ramen Rater Noodle News! I scour the Internet for articles about ramen and instant noodles and bring them to you! Here are some recent stories you might find interesting!

FoodBev – Piri Piri Pot Noodle – UK – Link
CK101 – Blogger Releases Top Ten Noodles List – Taiwan Not On – Taiwan – Link
Yonhap News Agency – S. Korea’s Exports To Japan Dive In 2012 – South Korea – Link
The Stir – Airline Passenger Gets Into Serious Trouble After Flying Into Violent Rage Over His Meal – USA – Link
Free Malaysia Today – BN buying votes with rice, noodles, eggs? – Malaysia – Link
China Daily – Lots Of Kindness Amid The Chaos In The Quake Zone – China – Link
Nikkei – Over 100bn Servings Of Instant Noodles Slurped In ’12 – Japan – Link
Akihabara News – Nissin – GooTa “Demi-hamburg-men” – Waiter, there’s a brown patty floating in my soup! – Japan – Link
CorrectionsOne – Inmates Get Indulgences – for A Price – USA – Link
The New Zealand Herald – ‘Noodle Man’ Sentenced For Boxing Day Incident – New Zealand – Link
Hindustan Times – I’m Hungry Instantly! – India – Link
The Chosun Ilbo – Nongshim Sees Booming Sales in Mongolia – South Korea – Link
The Miami Hurricane – Inebriation and Gluttony: Making Masterpieces out of Ramen – USA – Link
Arab News – Indomie Greets Its Partners For A Lifetime Of Success – Saudi Arabia – Link
Digital Spy – Student Live On Diet Of Instant Noodles – USA – Link
The Crimson White – Ramen Revolution – USA – Link
Wall Street Journal – Back To School With Ramen – USA – Link
Foodbeast – ‘Po’ Boy Ramen Sandwich For When You’re Desperate & Out Of Bread – USA – Link
The Prowl – Rockin’ Ramen – USA – Link
Parker Live – Noodletown! – USA – Link
allKPop – Lee Seung Gi’s Domestic & International Fans Donate 13,620 Instant Ramen – USA – Link
People – How To Make Andrew Zimmern’s Ramen Noodles – USA – Link

A Message To The People Of Taiwan From The Ramen Rater

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In the last week, I’ve had a lot of traffic from upset Taiwanese that none of their country’s beloved instant noodles made the list. I saw videos like this one and then this angry one. I felt a video message would be appropriate, and here it is.

#1047: New Touch Yakisoba Noodle

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Another one from my March birthday trip to Canada. I tried to translate this one but no luck – the name I got from the distributor’s sticker, so if anyone knows for sure this is the wrong name, please let me know. Let’s check it out!

Distributor sticker (click image to enlarge). Contains egg.

Detail from the side and bottom (click image to enlarge).

The lid (click image to enlarge). Note the drain spout on the top left.

Lots of Japanese yakisoba products have this drain spout.

Liquid seasoning.

Has a light Worcestershire sauce scent.

The vegetable packet.

Looks like cabbage amongst other dried veggies.

The garnish packet.

Lots of seaweed and little bits of fried tempura.

Finished (click image to enlarge). Added beef sauteed with garlic and Worcestershire sauce, sweet onion, broccoli, kizami shoga (pickled ginger), and red, yellow and orange bell pepper. These noodles are nice – good texture, quantity and gauge. They’re a little chewy but not overly so. The flavor is nice – what you’d expect from yakisoba with a little extra oiliness which works well. The vegetables went well too – decent sized pieces of cabbage rehydrated well. The garnish is good too – lots of seaweed (goes nice with the noodles) and bits of tempura (lost their crunch as the meal went on). I like this one – 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 4903088008882.

A video by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.

#1046: Myojo Stir Fry Noodles Japanese Style Noodles With Sauce

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Found this one at Uwajimaya in Bellevue and thought it was worth a try. I do like Worcestershire sauce!

Back of the package (click image to enlarge). Contains egg white.

The noodle packet.

Flavoring packet.

Has a nice strong Worcestershire sauce scent.

Finished (click image to enlarge). Added green onion, beef, sweet onion, red and orange bell pepper, broccoli and kizami shoga (pickled ginger). The noodles have a nice consistency – exactly what you’d expect out of yakisoba – kind of like an Asian spaghetti if that makes sense. The flavoring coats and invades every nook and cranny with a sweet and salty Worcestershire ambience. It’s great stuff! 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 011152104294.

How to make yakisoba!

#1045: Nissin Chow Mein Chicken Flavor Chow Mein Noodles

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This is one you can probably find quite easily in a grocery store here in the United States. Let’s have a look.

Here’s the detail from the bottom (click image to enlarge).

Under the wraps (click to enlarge).

The noodle block.

Liquid seasoning packet.

A good amount of dark liquid.

Veggie packet.

A nice looking mixture and decent quantity.

Finished (click image to enlarge). Added red, yellow and orange bell pepper, sweet onion and broccoli along with some chicken lunch meat and a bit of Dua Belibis Chilli Sauce. The noodles are pretty good – plentiful and have a slightly broad and flat way to them. Decent consistency. The flavor is good – has a nice taste of chicken teriyaki, but not sweet. The veggies plumped up well. 3.5 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 070662087213 – get it here.

Nissin Chow Mein TV spot.

#1044: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Noodle Spicy Mushroom Flavour

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Another from my trip to Canada for my birthday. Wow – what a past two days here! The Top Ten 2013 list came out to a clamor of Taiwanese disapproval – Taiwan didn’t make the list. But, hopefully out of it all I’ll get contacted by one of the companies in Taiwan, but so far nothing. On to other things though – that being this interesting bowl by Nongshim. This one’s made in Shanghai, China. Let’s check it out.

Very red side panels (click to enlarge).

Hey look – an included fork! A new one, too!

The noodle block.

The seasoning powder packet.

Nice and red like one would expect!

No veggie packet – this is what was in the bottom of the bowl.

Finished (click image to enlarge). Added cheese, green onion, sweet onion, and sauteed beef with some mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic. The noodles were a little disappointing – had some songiness I didn’t enjoy. The quantity was good though. The broth seemed a little on the weaker side and didn’t have the ‘oomph’ that I would have expected from Shin Ramyun. Not to say it wasn’t tasty – has a nice red broth flavor as I would expect from Shin Ramyun, just not very fiery in the spiciness department. The veggies hydrated nicely and were alright. 3.25 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 6920238083016.

Making of video for Nongshim CF by T-Ara.