Tag Archives: vegan

The Ramen Rater’s Healthy Options 2020 Edition

The Ramen Rater's Healthy Options 2020 Edition

People have been asking me for a list of healthy varieties for a long time. I decided to give it a try, and had mixed results. I’ve found things ramen/instant noodles, and things that aren’t and listed them here. There aren’t ten things, but over the next year I’m guessing more will present themselves. It appears this is an ever-evolving market as a couple that were going to be included went off the market while I was editing this list! Not everything presented is for everyone, but I’m really hoping there’s something that will work and interest everyone. If you have any ideas for things that should be on next year’s list, please email me. With that, here (in no particular order) is The Ramen Rater’s Healthy Options 2020 Edition.

The Ramen Rater’s Healthy Options 2020 Edition

Video Presentation

A special video presentation of The Ramen Rater’s Healthy Options 2020 Edition.

The Ramen Rater’s Healthy Options 2020 Edition

Yamachan Ramen Z

This year, it appears as soon as I created this list, it was obsolete! This product is no longer being produced, but I was told something similar with different preparation will replace it soon. This one however contains konjac/konyaku – it’s an almost zero calorie noodle that when made with the right gauge is pretty decent. Paired with a miso broth, I was really impressed – and only 136 calories, guessing from the soup base sachet mostly. Original review

NuTek Salt For Life

The Ramen Rater's Healthy Options 2020 Edition

I first found out about NuTek a few years ago. They reached out to me and asked if I’d fly out and visit their operation in Omaha and try out their product first hand in a blind taste test (being partially sighted, every taste test I do is kind of blind har har). I was immediately sold on this stuff. I should mention I did some consulting with them for a little while but no longer do. I get a lot of people asking me about lower sodium noodles and this and their other products bring the promise of this without replacing saltiness with a funky taste. In fact, the way it works gives a slight delay in how the tongue senses saltiness – a fraction of a second – which makes the food itself more flavorful. Definitely a neat thing. Original review

Vite Ramen

This one was a no-brainer for this list. Take one brother who loves instant noodles and one that follows the healthy life and get their heads together on combining the two and you’ve got Vite Ramen. Tim & Tom Zheng introduced their idea on Kickstarter and were greeted with a huge response to get their business off the ground. So, what is Vite Ramen? It’s low sodium, high protein, high fiber, and had more vitamins and minerals than you can shake a menagerie of sticks at. If you’re looking for an ultra healthy ramen, this is the best I’ve seen yet. Original review

Nissin Cup Noodle Light+ / Cup Noodle Nice

If you’re looking for a healthy Cup Noodle, Light+ and Cup Noodle Nice are the ticket. First off, they’re low cal and feature a different noodle style – one that’s really quite good. They’re from Japan so you’ll have to dig on eBay and eBay Canada most likely to track them down. But it’s worthwhile as they’re incredibly good. Original review

Fit Mee

The Ramen Rater's Healthy Options 2020 Edition

I was contacted by a distributor here in the United States about this one and got to give it a try. They’re got two varieties, one around 150 calories and the one above at around – get this – 50 calories. This is another variety made with konjac noodles – and it’s really good! one with a spicy Korean noodle flavor and the other flavor is Indonesian Soto – a kind of spicy and lime and coconut and chicken hit to it. I’ve seen these on Amazon at they’re rather pricey, but I’m guessing they’ll be more widespread and cheaper soon – they’re absolutely excellent and ultra tasty! Original review

Hakubaku Japanese Pearled Mochi Barley (Mochi Mugi)

The Ramen Rater's Healthy Options 2020 Edition

In the past year, I’ve gone on a diet and exercise tear and lost a lot of weight (I’ll be doing the second installment of my The Ramen Rater Diet series very soon). I knew I needed to do this for a long time, but my doctor talked to me about it the right way at the right time and off I went. He was concerned about my cholesterol levels and told me unless they went down I’d need to go on a statin drug. I don’t know anything about those really, but I’ve never heard anything about them that include hearts and smiley faces connected to them. During the last year, I started working with Hakubaku a little bit and trying their products. They make really great ramen varieties which I’ve reviewed. They also make barley tea – my first try at making sun tea went pretty well. But most notably for me was trying their mochi barley. It’s ultra high in soluble fiber, and I consider it to be a big part in my arriving after six months at a clean bill of health for cholesterol as a result of my diet and exercise regime. Original review

KOKA Delight

Looking for a noodle low in fat and not fried? KOKA makes Delight. It’s interesting – first off, this is the kind of noodle block that’s not hard as a rock like your standard non-fried noodle – you could take a bite out of the block if you wanted to. Not only that, these are really quite good – with flavors like tomato, curry, a spicy sesame and more. Original review

Taiwanese Dry Noodles

If you’re looking for a range of noodles with less ingredients and wonderful flavors, you should check out Taiwanese dry noodles. The noodles themselves are dried by the sun or with big industrial fans – not fried. Plus they’re made with very few ingredients in a way that’s been done for generations. The seasonings that come with them often are few ingredients as well. I’ve often referred to the Taiwanese instant noodle makers as ‘masters of simplicity’; they can produce such tasty varieties with few ingredients. Original review

Nongshim Soon and Kimchi Vegan Varieties

If you’re looking for Vegan varieties, I highly recommend these two. The Soon Veggie Noodles (kind of like a smoother version of Shin Ramen) and the Kimchi (tangy and tasty) are marked with a seal of approval from a Vegan foods authority. Really great flavor and quality that you can add more vegetables to and end up with a sumptuous feast. Original review

…a couple more that weren’t in the video

Prima Taste Wholegrain

If you’re looking for wholegrain varieties, this is the best out there in my opinion. It’s been holding the #1 spot on my top ten list for 4 years! That’s my favorite out of over 3,000 instant noodles I’ve reviewed. The noodles have this rustic and hearty chew and taste without being gritty or funky. It makes a lot of food in each pack and so share with a friend – or an enemy as if you make this, they won’t be your enemy for long. Original review

Sakurai Foods Vegan Approved Varieties

There are a few varieties in this range, but by far my favorite was this one, the spicy soy milk noodle. With a badge from a Vegan authority, you’re definitely going to enjoy these as part of your Vegan lifestyle. Original review

So there you are – the first healthy list. If you want to make some recommendations of things that aren’t on here or are a company who produces products you think should be here, drop me a line and we can talk. Thanks for check the list out!

#3277: Marutai Kyushu Hakata Vegetarian Tonkotsu – Japan

#3277: Marutai Kyushu Hakata Vegetarian Tonkotsu - 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.

While being tonkotsu flavored (pork bone broth), it is meat free. Let’s give it a try!

Marutai Kyushu Hakata Vegetarian Tonkotsu – Japan

#3277: Marutai Kyushu Hakata Vegetarian Tonkotsu - Japan

Here’s the back of the package (click to enlarge). To prepare, boil one bundle of noodles in 4707ml water for 2 minutes. Add in one each of the sachets. Finally, stir and enjoy!

Two servings of noodle.

Two dry sachets of soup base powder (watch these get used on the episode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time below).

A pair of wet sachets.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added barbecue pork, Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts, sesame seeds, habanero togarashi, soft egg, and spring onion. The noodles are extraordinary in their niceness; they just shake hands with the broth which is rich, luxuriant and giving. This is a big sloppy bowl of hot lovin’. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. JAN bar code 4902702003111.

MARUTAI Hakata Nagahama Tonkotsu Instant Noodle Soup Ramen Non-fried For 2 servings (2pcs)

Watch me cook on Instant Noodle Recipe Time!

#3269: Vite Ramen Vegan Mushroom Shio Instant Noodle Soup – United States

The third of the Vite Ramen offerings. The first time around when I sampled the prototypes, this was my favorite – curious how I’ll like it this time around as full fledged version 1.0! I should mention that I hear that there will be an updated version coming soon – 1.1? 2.0? Not sure but definitely will be giving the three another go when they update them. Let’s get started.

Vite Ramen Vegan Mushroom Shio Instant Noodle Soup – United States

Here’s the back of the package (click to enlarge). Says it is Vegan on the packaging. To prepare, add noodle block to 2 1/2 cups water and cook 2 1/2 minutes. Add in sachet contents. Finally, stir and enjoy!

The noodle block – has a nutty scent to it.

A large dry soup base sachet (for more view of these sachets and their contents, watch the Instant Noodle Recipe Time episode below).

The ‘Noodtrients’ sachet – this contains all the protein and vitamins.

You guessed it – a wet sachet of canola oil.

A clear sachet of vegetables.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added fried tofu, Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts, cilantro, and spring onion – oh and a dash of shichimi togarashi. Noodles are very hearty which I like a lot. Broth is as well – a kind of rustic tone to it which is like a lentil soup kind of hint to it. Really enjoy this one a lot. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. No bar code.

Vite Ramen Vegan Mushroom Shio Instant Noodle Soup

Watch me cook on Instant Noodle Recipe Time!

#3197: Sakurai Foods Vegetarian Tonkotsu Noodle – Japan

Comments

Here’s the last of the Sakurai Foods varieties I was recently sent. The other two were really great – especially the spicy one! Let’s see how a Vegan friendly tonkotsu tastes!

Sakurai Foods Vegetarian Tonkotsu Noodle – Japan

Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Has a Vegan logo on the pack. To prepare, boil noodle block in 500ml water for 2~3 minutes. Add in sachet contents. Finally, stir and enjoy!

The noodle block.

A dry sachet.

Powder base.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added chashu, soft egg, Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts, spring onion, habanero togarashi and black sesame seeds. Noodles came out nice – good softness and gauge. The broth was a buttery tonkotsu, almost like a cross between a tonkotsu and a shio and it was absolutely warm and comfort foody and tasty. 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. JAN bar code 4960813312942.

Sakurai food Goma-ramen 100gX20 bags

Watch me cook on Instant Noodle Recipe Time!

#3185: Sakurai Foods Vegetarian Stir Fried Noodles (Worcestershire Sauce Flavor) – Japan

Comments

I reviewed this one on February 10th, 2019. This has been a crazy week – we’ve got layers of snow here and haven’t been able to even move the car since Friday. It’s Tuesday and probably we won’t be going anywhere today, either.

The weather folks say this has been a storm series that I’ll be able to tell mygrandkids about. Yesterday was the best day of it – after days of not making it about freezing and waking up to take the dog out in 13 degrees (-10.5C) cold, it finally warmed up a bit. To the point that it started dumping snow yet again. Huge fluffy wet flakes.

It was great – it had been so slick and icy everywhere and now you could run in the stuff. We threw snowballs at eachother, Kit built a snowman with Miri which on first attempt Miles ran over to and kicked over. I rolled a pretty big snowball. It was a lot of fun. In the sky we saw flashes from time to time – snow undoubtedly weighing down branches of big Douglas fir trees to the point of snapping and busting power lines which in turn cause transformers to explode.

It’s funny because I know this will end up published about 3 months from now as we’re knee-deep not in snow but in springtime. Let’s check it out!

Sakurai Foods Vegetarian Stir Fried Noodles (Worcestershire Sauce Flavor) – Japan

Here’s the back of the package (click to enlarge). Mentions being vegetarian. To prepare, add to 200ml boiling water and cook until water is absorbed. Add in sachet contents. Finally, stir and enjoy!

The noodle block.

A wet sachet.

A thick and dark liquid.

A small dry sachet.

Powdered seaweed.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added spring onion and Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts. The noodles come out very nice – I like them. The flavor did have a Worcestershire component, but there was a strong sweetness that just wasn’t my cup of tea. I like a bit more Worcestershire bite to yakisoba. 2.0 out of 5.0 stars. JAN bar code 4960813312775.

Sakurai food Goma-ramen 100gX20 bags

Watch me cook on Instant Noodle Recipe Time!

#3161: Sakurai Foods Vegetarian Soymilk Spicy Noodle – Japan

Comments

I was contacted in January 2019 by the nice folks at Sakurai Foods in Japan. They’ve sent samples before and participated in Meet The Manufacturer as well. They’ve released a series of three varieties of Vegan friendly products – thought this sounded good and would make for a good mukbang as well! Let’s give it a try!

Sakurai Foods Vegetarian Soymilk Spicy Noodle – Japan

Here’s the back of the package (click to enlarge). Vegan friendly. To prepare, add noodles to 500ml boiling water and cook 2~3 minutes. Add in liquid sachet contents. Finally, stir and enjoy!

The noodle block.

A wet sachet.

A clousy, reddish concoction.

Finished (click to enlarge). Added Salad Cosmo mung bean sprouts, spring onion, soft egg, chashu pork, pepper powder and black sesame seeds. The noodle arrives soft and with a light bounce and soft chewiness. Very good. The broth is not only very tasty but also nice to look at from the soy milk influence. It’s spiciness is there but balanced very well. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. JAN bar code 4960813312973.

Sakurai food Goma-ramen 100gX20 bags