Now for the third year, I’m coming out with the latest Top Ten Instant Rice Noodles list. Rice noodles have some benefits as opposed to their fried wheat counterparts. First, they’re virtually fat-free. Also, they’re not fried. Rice noodles are gluten-free by nature, although the ingredients in the sachets that come with these varieties might not be. People ask me for a gluten-free list often, but that would be rather difficult as I’d have to pore over every ingredient list on every review to do this. Well, let’s have a look at these great rice noodle varieties – the best instant rice noodles varieties of the almost 2,500 reviews to date!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Rice Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition
The list’s video presentation.
#10:Vifon Viet Cuisine Bun Rieu Cua Sour Crab Soup Instant Rice Vermicelli – Vietnam
The instant rice noodles came out of the microwave slightly underdone, but that was easy to look past as by the time I sat down to eat this, they were very good. Light chew, thin gauge. The broth was very, very good – a nice oiliness and crab taste with lots of crab in there and vegetable. Original review
#9: KOKA Silk Spicy Marinara Instant Rice Fettuccine – Singapore
The instant rice noodles – fettuccine – came out remarkably well. Indeed it is perfectly hydrated. I make a couple cross-cuts with a pair of kitchen scissors to make them easier to work with a fork. The broth is very tasty with a fresh taste of tomato and a bit of spiciness. Moreover, the broth definitely has a seafood feel to it – almost has a slight lemony hint to it. The vegetables hydrated very well and were complimentary. Also,m the shrimp that are included taste good and are of a decent quantity. Original review
#8: Nissin Seafood Flavour Rice Vermicelli – Hong Kong
The noodles were slightly thick and chewier than many – and it worked well here; a little heartier. The broth was very good – a milky seafood and butter kind of taste which was absolutely delicious. The included bits included scrambled egg, spring onion, mushroom and seafood which all hydrated perfectly. Well done! – Original review
#7: Mamee Chef Gold Recipe Bihun Kari Seribu Rasa – Malaysia
The Mamee Chef Gold Recipe on the 2015 Edition of the Top Ten Instant Noodles list, but with bihun! The noodles have a slight dryness to them, but the best part is how the broth is so rich and flavorful; it’s like a bowl of Malaysian love. Original review
#6: Ah Lai Penang Favourite White Curry Rice Vermicelli – Malaysia
I found I liked this vermicelli version of their white curry better than their wheat noodle variety! I don’t think that’s happened before; it’s kind of been a love/hate relationship I’ve had with rice based noodles for years. However, the rich flavor of the broth embraces the noodles and enrobes them in curry happiness. Original review
#5: MeeKuali Bihun Sup Rempah Perisa Daging – Malaysia
The vermicelli came out really good. This and cooked nicely. I made a couple of cross cuts with a pair of kitchen scissors to make the vermicelli more manageable. The broth is great . It’s got a great beef flavor and definitely full of spices. Moreover, it has the thickness I like. The shallots pull it together well – crisp and tasty. Original review
#4: Tseng Rice Noodle Seafood Laksa Flavour – Taiwan
The noodle was great – a little thicker than the other rice noodle varieties from Tseng. A little heartier which worked well here. The broth was a luxuriant sea of deep orange with a good coconut body. The flavor was not extremely strong in this one, but it was satisfying and quite good. Impressed at this being a Laksa coming from Taiwan. Original review
#3: MAMA Instant Rice Noodle Soup Spicy Shrimp Flavour – Thailand
The noodles are very good – broad in nature and light in chewiness. The broth is really quite good – it has a spicy, lemongrass flavor with a nice shrimp hit, plus a sweetness as well that I wasn’t expecting. The little shrimp are in there as well, which hydrated quite nicely. Very pleased indeed! Original review
#2: MyKuali Penang Red Tom Yum Goong Rice Vermicelli Soup – Malaysia
The vermicelli came out nice – not too chewy and very plentiful. I used a pair of kitchen scissors to make 3 cross cuts in order to make them more manageable with a fork. The broth is a sea of flavor. So it has a strong lemongrass presence coupled with a serious spiciness. The shrimp taste is strong here and the broth is thick – really thick. The included garnish was excellent and hydrated perfectly. Original review
#1: MyKuali Penang Hokkien Prawn Soup Rice Vermicelli (Bihun) – Malaysia
The bihun as hydrated really well for something steeped. The broth is mind blowing. If you like a thick and serious onslaught of prawny sweetness and heat, this is absolutely for you. It’s so rich and strong and tasty! To top it all off, fried onion bits that are the best I’ve ever had in any instant product – other than the wheat noodle package version of this product. Amazing! Original review
Loved this! I’m such a sucker for rice noodles! Unfortunately Canada seems to be lacking in the rice noodle instant soups. Even in Asian grocery stores we seem to be stuck to just Thai Kitchen and the odd pho. I wonder if it has to do with the rice noodles itself not meeting the approved import definitions for commercial sales. We had something similar with circo vodka where you couldn’t get it here because while it was called vodka it’s made from grapes.
Either way I think next time I’m going to have to stock up on some of these next time I visit the States!