The Definitive Source For Instant Noodle Reviews Since 2002
This is massive. I usually do an enormous variety for my ‘thousands’ reviews – at least that’s what I did for 3000 & 4000. Well, here’s a huge 5001/ 4000+ calories of naengmyeon. It’s a cold noodle and comes in it’s own huge metal bowl. Dang. Found it at HMart and it was around $25. It was pricey, but I just couldn’t pass it up. It was the only one they had and I figured it was a set of bowls and then realized this was a real thing. Well, let’s cook it up.
Usually, this list comes out in September of every year, but this time around there was a hitch: review#5000. It really ate up all of my time, and so this year is a bit late (making a documentary, a detailed review video and research et al). Also, there won’t be a video this time around. Next year though! This list is essentially the same as last year’s. A final issue I ran into was the lack of reviewables that crossed my desk from Taiwan over the last year. With that, if you’re a Taiwanese noodle company with products I’ve not reviewed, I definitely am interested in reviewing your products. With that, here’s The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2025 Edition.
#5000. It took me a long time to decide what to review for #5000, and you might be thinking ‘why this one?’ I found it at a Dollar Tree store, and it had all the hallmarks of something I like to review. First, never have I seen this brand before. That’s a neat thing – I mean after 5000 you’d think I’d seen everything but most certainly not. Second, it’s basic. Really hard to screw up chicken flavor, although I have indeed seen it done before. Third, I got it at a place that was very nearby, in walking distance. That’s pretty cool. The main chunk of my early reviews were fouind when I walked to a 99 Ranch Market. So, it’s kind of a mirror of what got me back to reviewing after my lapse in the 2000s.
Think I found this at HMart. This one says it has a stewed seafood sachet which sounds interesting. I also find the global top ten mention – not my global top ten though. Interesting. Let’s give it a try!
Found this one over at 99 Ranch Market recently. It was pretty cheap, so got a multipack. I’m pretty stingy when it comes to multipacks as generally I only need a single package, but most places have more varieties in multipacks and that’s vexing; I just want one but their single pack offerings and very limited. Sigh. Anyways, let’s give this one a go.
Here’s another one that came by way of Daniel over at ExoticNoods.com – check his subscription boxes out they’re multinational! This looks to be a dry noodle with some sauce. Very curious what with such a long name. Let’s give it a try!
Here’s a variety that I found in one of MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles subscription boxes! Inside, they have 8-10 different varieties from Japan! If you’d like to get one, don’t forget to use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Let’s see what they had to say about this one – “The colors of cherry blossom festivals change as the sun sets, and this design captures those colors! Inspired by yukgaejang soup, often eaten with or after Japanese & Korean barbecue, this spicy beef ramen features gochujang, miso, beef and veggies for a great experience!”
Hey it’s time for some Korean seafood noodles! This one comes with some sea tangle (kelp) that helps season the soup! I’m kind of excited about this one. Let’s hit it up.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hans Lienesch, The Ramen Rater, Releases Landmark 5000th Instant Noodle Review
KENMORE, WASHINGTON, USA – 2024/10/14 – Hans Lienesch, widely known as The Ramen Rater, will reach a major milestone on October 21st, 2024, with the release of his 5000th instant noodle review. Since 2002, Lienesch has sampled and reviewed thousands of quick serve noodle varieties from around the globe, building a dedicated following of instant noodle enthusiasts.
I reached out to A-Sha Dry Noodle recently about their new Hot Ones collab varieties – they sent some other really great looking new products! Let’s check ’em out! Big thanks to the folks at A-Sha USA for sending these along!
I’ve got a few from this range sitting in the bullpen as of right now. This one features a crispy rice element. Let’s cook it up!
This one was sent by Daniel over at ExoticNoods.com – thanks! I reviewed this in late August of 2011 – way back. I reckon 13 years can end up with a lot of changes. The packaging seems to be pretty much the same, but this one’s so far back I wasn’t even scanning packaging. Wow. Well, let’s give this one another look.
Here’s a variety that I found in one of MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles subscription boxes! Inside, they have 8-10 different varieties from Japan! If you’d like to get one, don’t forget to use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Let’s see what they had to say about this one – “You can’t celebrate sakura season without a little bit of pink. This tasty ramen bowl has a beautiful pink and brown design and features thick ramen in a deliciously spicy soup. Add in tasty sesame, ground meat and green onion and you have a tasty artisanal tan tan ramen.”
Today, I’m unboxing MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles box. You can get their monthly selection of 8-10 varieties – and this box they sent was full of varieties I’ve never reviewed before, plus they include PACKS!!! I’ll be doing unboxings for them and have a coupon code you can use – THERAMENRATER (of course)! Watch the video below – you’ll see why I’m excited.
Anothe S*Mart of Bellevue, WA score. Beefy beef… I like how it uses the term yummy twice on the front here. Let’s give it a try!
You might be thinking ‘almost 5000 varieties this guy’s tried but never this one?’ Yup – never this one. At least not in a paper cup. This is a big change – a timely one as I think there’s a chanbce that unless this change occurres, this wouldn’t be allowed for sale in Washington state. I think. Anyways, yeah – this should be fun to try! Let’s give it a go!
Really happy I got to try this range thanks to a local Asian grocer. Quite a few, and this is the last. I’m wondering if this will be akin to tom yum? Let’s find out.
Found this one at S*Mart in Bellevue, Washington. I got two different varieties and as I recall the first was pretty good. Let’s see how this one fares.
Well, well – another spicy challenge! This one was sent to me by Pher Engi from Australia – thank you very much! Is it me or does it seem like Samyang has a thing for Mexican flavors? Habanero Lime, Quattro – now this. I mean, it lends itself well insofar as spicy variants go. Samyang has done a lot of spicy flavors, so I think they’re having trouble finding new ideas? Maybe… I will say jalapeno cheese is definitely a flavor I enjoy a lot. Let’s give it a try – mukbang below.
Here’s a variety that I found in one of MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles subscription boxes! Inside, they have 8-10 different varieties from Japan! If you’d like to get one, don’t forget to use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Let’s see what they had to say about this one – “Did you know that, based on the type of cherry tree, the blossoms can be white? That’s why we chose this tasty shio and tonkotsu ramen with its white packaging and deep flavor. With kombu, fragrant veggies and a slight bit of fish, this tonkotsu broth is packed with umami!”
This one comes by way of Daniel over the Exotic Noods – he asked if I’d tried it and since I hadn’t was kind enough to send one over – thanks! So, here we have a variety with a Thai flavor made in Taiwan. I’m game – let’s give it a try!
The day after my wife Kit’s birthday, the kids went and visited family for a couple hours and we had a nice lunch together. Kit wanted to check this place out and so we went.
National Noodle Day is coming 10/6 and Nissin has an amazing deal to celebrate – check this out –
I’ll be honest: I never really thought a whole lot about disposable forks and instant noodles. I did at one point have a special page where I displayed different utensils found in instant noodles and a big jar I kept them in. But after a time, a big jar on my desk that was overflowing with fork was cramping my style. Recently, I was asked by a company called Hello Straw if I’d check their disposable forks out. I’ve reviewed a lot of cups in my day and thought sure, why not. Hello Straw makes some really neat looking straws – made of paper. But what they sent me were forks made of paper! Who would’ve thought such a thing could work? I did a video testing them out –
The second of these new changed to Red Chef products. This used to be called Sakura Prawn Mee. This usually has a very strong prawn sweetness I can’t get enough of – let’s see how it’s changed!
This sounds really good – I’ve had rose Buldak before but this is something very different. I’ve had the pack version of Tangle which is more of a creamy thing without a kimchi aspect. Looking forward to trying this – the last one I’m reviewing this week.
Here’s a variety that I found in one of MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles subscription boxes! Inside, they have 8-10 different varieties from Japan! If you’d like to get one, don’t forget to use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Let’s see what they had to say about this one – “Now let’s head to beautiful Himeji and check out the Himeji station platform where there’s a popular soba shop called Maneki. This soba combines traditional Japanese dashi with Chinese-style soba for a unique experience. Add tasty tempura on top and you’ve got a classic.”
I saw on Instagram that Myojo had rolled out some interesting bowls and asked for some samples. I didn’t realize the had new refrigerated premium varieties as well! Let’s open the box and check out all these new things to try! Thanks!
The second of two varieties by this company I found at S*Mart in Bellevue, Washington. I remember liking the other one immensely. That one was original flavor and this one says spicy. Let’s give it a go!
Here’s a variety that I found in one of MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles subscription boxes! Inside, they have 8-10 different varieties from Japan! If you’d like to get one, don’t forget to use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Let’s see what they had to say about this one – “Our penultimate destination is the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen—Fukuoka! We’re bringing back this classic, creamy Hakata tonkotsu ramen pack from our very first box because it’s so good and we want everyone to try it! This pack comes from a popular shop called Shin Shin.”
Here’s a variety that I found in one of MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles subscription boxes! Inside, they have 8-10 different varieties from Japan! If you’d like to get one, don’t forget to use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Let’s see what they had to say about this one – “Our first stop is Asahikawa, Hokkaido, where we’ll enjoy this tasty bowl of shoyu (soy sauce) ramen with a delicious, savory free-range chicken broth. This ramen also features chicken meat, egg and green onion on top for an amazing bowl that is both light and flavorful—an excellent start!”
Here’s a variety that I found in one of MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles subscription boxes! Inside, they have 8-10 different varieties from Japan! If you’d like to get one, don’t forget to use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Let’s see what they had to say about this one – “Get ready for some hiking because we’re conquering Mt. Fuji next with a Fuji-inspired cup ramen! This cup features a hybrid broth of tonkotsu and soy sauce with a
delicious garlic accent and plenty of cabbage—perfect for eating while you watch the sunrise on the summit!”
The second of two Super varieties I found at Evergreen Asian Market up in Everett, Washington. The last one was pretty good as I remember. Let’s give stew beef a try!
Here’s the last of the varieties sent by Pher Engi – thank you very much! Sop buntut, you ask? It’s oxtail soup. Let’s give it a go!
Here’s a variety that I found in one of MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles subscription boxes! Inside, they have 8-10 different varieties from Japan! If you’d like to get one, don’t forget to use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Let’s see what they had to say about this one – “Last on our trip is the lovely prefecture of Nagasaki! This Chinese-inspired Japanese noodle dish features a base full of umami and delicious pepper that combine to make a delicious champon soup! It comes with a special flavor oil too, creating an addictive cup of noodles.”
Here’s a neat one that arrived by way of Exotic Noods. This one has rice noodle – sounds like it may be a good one – let’s find out!
This one comes by way of Exotic Noods – you can get great subscription boxes from them full of interesting varieties. Try using THERAMENRATER coupon code for a discount. Cheese and South Korean noodles go great – let’s give it a go.
The last bean thread variant I had was really quite nice. Curious how this will be. Let’s give it a whirl!
I was planning on doing three reviews today, but I got my green screen tee shirt and wanted to do another one and give it a try, so you’ll see the result at the bottom in the Instant Noodle Recipe Time episode. Anyways, this one was a pain to trranslate and unsure if I even got it right. Let’s give it a try – at least the instructions aren’t difficult.
Well, James from Lakeside had one more up his sleeve and here it is – check it out!
