Tag: united states

#2996: Nissin Cup Noodles Soup’d Up Roasted Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup – United States

#2996: Nissin Cup Noodles Soup'd Up Roasted chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup - United States

This one was sent by Robert Z. over at www.dadbert.com – he’s a good friend of mine who has just entered the blogging world with his really technical and awesome cooking recipes – be sure to check out his site! Anyways, he found this one in Kentucky, and I suspect this is a test market for these. They’re not mentioned anywhere to speak of, and so I wanted to give these a try as soon as possible. This new line looks to have a LOT of meat in there! Let’s crack it open and take a look. ...see full post

#2983: Nongshim Spicy Zha Wang Noodle – United States

#2983: Nongshim Spicy Zhawang Noodle Dish With Roasted Bean Sauce - United States

Here’s one that was sent by Exotic Noods – a company that sells subscription noodle boxes. Thanks! This one is a spicy take on Zha Wang, a popular product from Nongshim – this one’s their spicy version. Zha Wang might sound a lot like Jjajang – that’s no accident. Zha Wang is basically jjajang but with a different name. Let’s give it a go! ...see full post

#2950: Nissin Top Ramen Chili Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup (New Recipe)

#2950: Nissin Top Ramen Chili Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup (New Recipe)

It kind of confuses me on this one – I mean, yeah, it says ‘the original’ and doesn’t really say that there’s been a recipe change. But there has – now there’s no MSG and no artificial flavors., plus a reduction in sodium. These aren’t bad things at all of course, but I’m just kind of left wondering – so shouldn’t it say new and improved instead of ‘the original?’ Anyways, let’s see what’s in this, one of the Vegetarian varieties in the Top Ramen range. ...see full post

#2944: Myojo Japanese Style Noodles Pork Flavor (Gyokai Tonkotsu)

#2978: Myojo Japanese Style Noodles Pork Flavor (Gyokai Tonkotsu)

I thought it would be cool since I got a set of those Egglettes things to make soft boiled eggs and I also have chashu and all my veg to make something from the cold case. I’ve been eyeballing these Myojo refrigerated varieties for quite some time now and thought hey – let’s get one and cook it up! So, that’s what I’m doing and here we go! ...see full post

#2931: Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Creamy Chicken Flavor (New Packaging)

#2931: Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Creamy Chicken Flavor (New Packaging)

Yesterday, I needed a new pair of pants. I’m not into ultra fashionable stuff – like paying $100 for jeans, so we went to Walmart. Walmart is an interesting place – you’ll see some interesting people there – especially at the one in Lynnwood, Washington. When we got out of the car, there was the sound of some guy at the other side of the parking lot screaming obscenities at someone or some thing – unsure. But that was entertaining. In the store, we g ot to see a lady with a very small dog barking at everyone and every thing ( apparently, if you have an ’emotional support’ dog you can bring it with you, but this dog needed emotional support and was definitely not providing it for anyone). I did get some new pants, and they were extremely cheap. $16 for pants. It’s been a while since we’ve been to Walmart so I thought a trip down the domestic instant noodle aisle might be in order. Surprisingly, they had a very small amount of them, however they did have this pack. Creamy Chicken has been one of my absolute favorites for a very,  very long time. I am curious to see whether or not they’ve changed the recipe as that seems to be a popular thing to do in the US instant noodle market right now. Let’s crack open this new package design and give it a try! ...see full post

#2910: Nissin Top Ramen Soy Sauce Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup

#2910: Nissin Top Ramen Soy Sauce Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup

Well would you look at that! Top Ramen. An American original. You might be thinking ‘aww that’s Japanese,’ but this stuff is as American as it gets. The flavor is made to appeal to the local market. What bums me out is when I say ‘an American original’ all I can think about is my favorite political show which is no more. My dad used to watch The McLaughlin Group for years and I finally hit an age after he was gone that I checked it out and got hooked on it. I’d torture poor Andy and make him watch it all the time. But Dr. McLaughlin died a couple years ago, and they ended the series long run. I would be curious how it would have been if he would have stayed alive longer – how the show would be these days. Anyways, I’ve gone way off track. So soy sauce is known as Shoyu in Japan. This is a kind of Shoyu ramen. Let’s check i tout! ...see full post

#2909: Nissin Cup Noodles Very Veggie Soy Sauce Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup – United States

#2995: Nissin Cup Noodles Very Veggie Soy Sauce Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup - United States

When the Very Veggie line came out, my first thought was that it would just be varieties for Vegans and Vegetarians. Surprisingly, there was no option for this crowd. Well, it seems that that has changed! This one was sent to me by Robert Z. from Kentucky – thanks man – go check out his cooking blog www.dadbert.com! He found this at a local grocery store – nothing about this and the other new Cup Noodles he found and sent on their site or mentioned on Instagram. This has led me to think that perhaps he’s in what’s called a ‘test market.’ In some areas, a product will be introduced to meter how it’s received by the public – if it sells really well, it’ll go nationwide. If not, it might be pulled. Let’s pop the lid and look under the hood. ...see full post

#2838: Nissin Hot & Spicy Blazing Hot Flavor

#2838: Nissin Hot & Spicy Blazing Hot Flavor

Alright o as you all know (at least I think you all do), I do a Top Ten Spiciest list every year. I used to review hot sauces (did 250 of them on Saucerater), and do a series of YouTube videos called Spicy Noodle Mukbang on YouTube. So when a variety with a pepper gauge and mention of being XXtra hot crosses my desk, I’m interested. So let’s see if this one is truly as spicy as it certainly looks like it’s going to be. ...see full post

#2832: Nissin Cup Noodle Curry Ramen Noodle Soup

#2832: Nissin Cup Noodle Curry Ramen Noodle Soup

Well, this was something that upon hearing about, made me extremely happy. Curry. From Nissin Foods America. I mean wow – this is something now made and available in the United States! How awesome is that? Not only this one, but the Seafood Cup Noodle is available too. They’ve changed the recipe a little and now have no artifical flavors and no MSG. Plus, you CAN MICROWAVE IT! Wow – pretty awesome! The lid says these are the #1 curry cup noodles in Japan. I’m going to go out on a limb and say these are the same for the United States as I do believe they’re the ONLY curry cup variety in the United States. So let’s see if these are good – I really, really hope they’re going to stick around for a while! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein

Well, hello there! You know, if I’m not mistaken, we’ve met here before. Oh yeah – multiple times on the top ten list back in it’s infancy! To be honest, this has been one I’ve loved for ages – perhaps decades. Boy, that makes me feel old… I think I should just let this variety speak for itself – let’s have a look at the contents and give it a try! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Sapporo Ichiban Japanese Style Noodles & Chicken Flavored Soup

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Sapporo Ichiban Japanese Style Noodles & Chicken Flavored Soup

Here’s the one that everybody’s got – chicken. Very few instant noodle companies don’t have a chicken noodle soup on the market. I can think of a few, but they’re kind of far and few between. Chicken is kind of a universally accessible flavor and meat (well, except for Vegans). I think this probably will be a pretty good one. I gave it 4.0 out of 5.0 in May of 2015 when I re-reviewed it back then. I kind of remember people asking me to give them another look and so I did. Anyways, Let’s get to it! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen Japanese Style Noodles

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen Japanese Style Noodles

Hey cool! I’ve been really looking forward to reviewing this one. You might not know, but this is the background for The Ramen Rater logo! It was review #652 – posted February 1, 2012. Six years ago! I really liked how the picture came out and thought hey – let’s make a new logo! But only recently have I said what the background was – didn’t think anyone would be interested. Anyways, now you know! Here’s a little about Shio ramen from Wikipedia – ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Sapporo Ichiban Japanese Style Noodles & Shrimp Flavored Soup

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Sapporo Ichiban Japanese Style Noodles & Shrimp Flavored Soup

Today, we head to the second half of this series with the shrimp pack version. Cups and packs, packs and cups. As you may remember, I was pretty impressed by the cup version. I’ve tasted shrimp flavor instant noodles in a few different ways. Sometimes, it’s kind of like as buttery broth which doesn’t taste like shrimp, but one that shrimp may go well in. – kind of the way that oyster sauce doesn’t taste like oysters. The cup version with this brand has a nice sweetness that you find in shrimp. Let’s see how it translates to the pack version. ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Sapporo Ichiban Japanese Style Noodles Hot & Spicy Chicken Flavored-Soup

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Sapporo Ichiban Japanese Style Noodles Hot & Spicy Chicken Flavored-Soup

Alright, so I reviewed this one back in October of 2011. This was review #529- well over 2000 reviews ago. Just saying 2000 reviews ago seems crazy. Anyways to be blunt, I really didn’t like this one back then., My wife said it smelled like cooked asparagus. I’m curious whether it’s not going to be something I enjoy; about 7 years later. Hope I do! Let’s take a look. ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavor Oriental Noodle Soup

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavor Oriental Noodle Soup

Time for some chicken! Actually, there are quite a few chicken varieties in this range and they’re about to start showing up in this review series. Today,m we’re going to start off with their chicken instant ramen cup. Sounds like a plan – just so you know, the last time I tried this was way back at review #405! Let’s get to it and give it a try! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Sapporo Ichiban Shrimp Flavor Oriental Noodle Soup

Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Sapporo Ichiban Shrimp Flavor Oriental Noodle Soup

Sapporo Ichiban offers four standard pillow pack style noodles, four special varieties, and four cup varieties. It makes it easy to do a different one every day during this Meet The Manufacturer series. I have, however, reviewed them all before, but it was a very long, long time ago. I usually don’t like to do re-reviews, but I think in this case I’m very happy to make an exception. I’ve been wanting to do a Meet The Manufacturer with Sanyo Foods America for years and getting the chance to has been a lot of fun! ...see full post

#2816: Nissin Top Ramen Hot & Spicy Beef Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup

picante beef #2816: Nissin Top Ramen Hot & Spicy Beef Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup

Hey look – Top Ramen got a facelift! They’ve been changing recipes all over their ranges – getting rid of artificial flavoring and MSG. They’ve also been changing names. This used to be picante beef. To be honest, I haven’t had the first variety in years and it’s nice to be able to have it again fresh. Let’s give it a look! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2792: Mike’s Mighty Good Craft Ramen Spicy Pork Tonkotsu Flavor Ramen Soup

Meet The Manufacturer: #2792: Mike's Mighty Good Craft Ramen Spicy Pork Tonkotsu Flavor Ramen Soup

So today’s variety is one I’ve been curious about. This is a pork tonkotsu from the United States – something I don’t usually think is going to be great. But if it does as well as everything else has, I think it’s going to be good. Here’s a little about tonkotsu from Wikipedia- ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2791: Mike’s Mighty Good Craft Ramen Vegetarian Vegetable Ramen Soup

Meet The Manufacturer: #2791: Mike's Mighty Good Craft Ramen Vegetarian Vegetable Ramen Soup

Alright so today it’s a Vegetarian variety. To be honest, I used to enjoy a lot of condensed soup and this was my favorite flavor. So, I suppose it has a bit to live up to as far as the name. Let’s have a look inside this cup and see what lurks within! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2790: Mike’s Mighty Good Craft Ramen Savory Miso Ramen Soup

Meet The Manufacturer: #2790: Mike's Mighty Good Craft Ramen Savory Miso Ramen Soup

Okay now I’m seeing a pattern. The cups exclaim that they have rich broth while the packaged versions contain insanely rich broth. All I can say is in the last two, I liked the broth. Now to the topic of miso – here’s a little from Wikipedia – ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2789: Mike’s Mighty Good Craft Ramen Spicy Beef Flavor Ramen Soup

Meet The Manufacturer: #2789: Mike's Mighty Good Craft Ramen Spicy Beef Flavor Ramen Soup

So Mike’s Mighty Good Craft Ramen also comes in cups. Spicy beef sounds good. I’ve been a spicy fan for a long time. I just noticed on the pack reviewed yesterday it mentioned ‘insanely rich broth’ whereas today we have ‘rich broth.’ With a slightly mellower tone, let’s pop the lid and look within. ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2788: Mike’s Mighty Good Craft Ramen Fried Garlic Chicken Flavor Ramen Soup

Meet The Manufacturert: #2788: Mike's Mighty Good Craft Ramen Fried Garlic Chicken Flavor Ramen Soup

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Usually, the first instant product a noodle company will put out will be chicken flavor. In fact, the first instant noodle product that was ever produced was chicken flavor. Chicken is just about universally palatable, and most don’t have a religious rule against it. A chicken instant noodle is the beginning and so that’s where we will start today. Fried garlic chicken sounds really good, and on the package, it promises an ‘insanely rich broth.’ Alright – the proof is in the noodle – let’s give it a try! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Interview With Mike’s Mighty Good Craft Ramen

#2734: Lipton Soup Secrets Extra Noodle Soup Mix With Real Chicken Broth

#2540: Lipton Soup Secrets Extra Noodle Soup Mix With Real Chicken Broth - The Ramen Rater - cup-a-soup

So what we have here is something from the United States I haven’t really delved into much. I reviewed their Cup-A-Soup on review #2544. I thought this was a Cup-A-Soup, however, it’s a Soup Secrets variety. It’s getting cold outside – better eat your soup! Wait I shouldn’t have told you that because it’s a secret… The soup secret. Don’t tell anyone… Let’s have a look. ...see full post

#2697: Maruchan Bowl Taste Of Asia Hot & Spicy Kimchi Ramen Ramen Noodle Soup

#2697: Maruchan Taste Of Asia Hot & Spicy Kimchi Ramen Ramen Noodle Soup

So this is one that the company sent to me – thanks! So this is one of the new Taste Of Asia series, a range that has some really great varieties. I really liked the Sukiyaki Beef from their first three kinds and then they came out with this one and also a Tom Yum which I would say is my favorite so far. ...see full post