Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#2540: GGE Noodle Snack Wheat Crackers Mexican Spicy

#2540: GGE Noodle Snack Wheat Crackers Mexican Spicy - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater -

Here’s yet another opone of the GGE noodle snack varieties – Mexican Spicy. There are so many of these varieties its kind of mind boggling./ Actually, when you go to Taiwan and go down the noodle aisle, these aren’t there. Indeed, there’s an aisle with chips on one side and noodle snacks on the other. Why do we have so few of them here? I can’t think of any USA branded noodle snacks really at all. It’s like they came out with a few varieties of ways to offer up instant noodles here in the US and then they just stuck with those and kind of quit innovating. I mean, what about a beef stew instant noodle bowl with beef? A A spicy cheese? A pizzas flavor? Closest we get is a cheap cheese cup. I think the instant noodle world in the USA should really go and just kick some major butt and try some new things. I mean hey – no risk, no reward, right? Anyways, let’s check out this snack noodle! ...see full post

#2539: Nissin Demae Iccho Tonkotsu Flavour Instant Noodle

#2370: Nissin Demae Iccho Tonkotsu Flavour Instant Noodle

Today we’ve got yet another one from the massive amount of varieties left over from the Nissin Hong Kong Meet The Manufacturer. Seems like I just keep pulling them out of the hamper again and again! It’s a good thing though – the more the merrier and these days, it is getting harder to find varieties locally to review. So gotta make sure to give everything a try. Tonkotsu is a classic Japanese ramen variety. Most of all, tonkotsu is famous for it’s milky pork bone broth. Next, a little more info from Wikipedia: ...see full post

The Ramen Rater On 92.9FM KISM Bellingham, Washington

Just did a radio show this morning called the Brad & John Show. Check it out below!

The Ramen Rater on 92.9FM KISM ...see full post

‘Discovery Of Ramen’ Children’s Book On Kickstarter

I heard about a book coming out soon called ‘The Discovery Of Ramen.’ The book can be found on Kickstarter currently – here’s a little information about this book and what’s special about it: ...see full post

#2538: Nissin Cup Noodles Very Veggie Beef Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup

Nissin Cup Noodles Very Veggie Beef Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup

This is the second variety I’m trying of the Very Veggie range from Nissin Foods of America. Soon as I heard about these products I was extremely curious. Will they have enough vegetables? Will these vegetables be good? ...see full post

Product Samples From Happy Noodle Of Taiwan

Got a box today from Taiwan – wasn’t sure what it was at first then realized it was one I’ve been expecting for a couple of months! These are Happy Noodle samples! Let’s have a look! ...see full post

#2537: Nissin Cup Noodles Tom Yam Seafood (More Shrimptacular)

#2537: Nissin Cup Noodles Tom Yam Seafood (More Shrimptacular) - Singapore - The Ramen Rater

Here’s one I believe I’ve reviewed before – but with a new recipe. Indeed, being more shrimptacular denote more stuff in there! I like that. Let’s see if it’s more shrimptacular! ...see full post

#2536: Lele Instant Noodles Beef

#2436: Lele Instant Noodles Beef - Ghana - The Ramen Rater

This one was sent to me by Chef Ron from Mama Pat’s Foods – hey thanks! This is from Ghana in Africa! Nice to be able to try varieties from Africa; I’ve had so few! Let’s give this beef one a try. ...see full post

#2535: Nissin Cup Noodles Very Veggie Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup

VV!: Nissin Cup Noodles Very Veggie Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup

When I read about this new product line in my news feeds, I was very curious. For years, I’ve though that the amount of vegetables included with instant noodle varieties in general was way too slim. Of course, vegetables cost money to put in there and so that’s something to consider. ...see full post

#2534: Fujiwara Hokkaido Hakodate Shoyu Ramen

#2534: Fujiwara Hokkaido Hakodate Shoyu Ramen - Japan - The Ramen Rater

Seems like a little while since I did a pack instant ramen from Japan. This is one I found during my trip to Taiwan last November at the Carrefour in Taipei by the Miramar Entertainment Park. I tell you – they had quite an impressive instant noodle aisle – like 4 aisles really. So this one is a shoyu instant ramen. Here’s a little from Wikipedia about shoyu ramen – ...see full post

New Samples From Nissin Singapore

Got a box from Nissin Singapore yesterday – thanks! They’ve been updating recipes and so I reached out to them for some samples. Let’s have a look! ...see full post

#2533: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black (SK Version)

#2533: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black (SK Version) - South Korea - The Ramen Rater

So for a long time, I’ve wanted to review the South Korean version of Shin Ramyun Black, and I know lots of people have wanted me to. Here in the United States, we have Nongshim America (NSA) in Rancho Cucamonga. Anywhere you find Shin Ramyun Black in the United States, it originates in California. However, Nonshim Korea (NSK) is its origin. You can thank Anders and his girlfriend Ji-Min from South Korea for sending this along! Thanks again! Here’s a little something about the Shin from Wikipedia – ...see full post

Sauce & Noodles From A Reader In Taiwan

Sauce & Noodles From A Reader In Taiwan

About 3 weeks ago I got a message from a guy named Peter in Taiwan asking me if he could send me a sample of a new sauce he’s making there. I never would turn down a sauce to try, and after a couple weeks here it is! Let’s see what’s inside! ...see full post

#2532: Nissin Nippon Onomichi Ramen

#2532: Nissin Nippon Onomichi Ramen - Japan - The Ramen Rater -

Here’s one sent by Javier from www.BoxromJapan.com. Box From Japan is a ramen subscription service – they have boxes of neat Japanese candy too! This one was a little tough to translate. Think I got it though. Here’s a little about Onomichi from Wikipedia – ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

American The Ramen Rater's Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

After a few years, I thought I ought to update this list. I thought I even ought to change the name a little. Honestly, not a huge amount of instant noodles from the United States cross my desk these days and of those that do, not many are 5 stars. Nonetheless, there are some changes in the past few years that I thought were noteworthy and so here you go! These are the best instant noodles from the United States out of the 2,500+ varieties of instant noodles I’ve reviewed thus far. ...see full post

#2531: Uni-President Pickled Cabbage Beef Noodle

#2531: Uni-President Pickled Cabbage Beef Noodle - China - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle sauerkraut

A guy named Mengzhe Z. from China sent me this – thank you again! I think the first time I saw the export version of this one it was called beef and sauerkraut. Cabbage is definitely popular in Asia – goes well with yakisoba, pickled in soup and fermented in ramyun. Let’s give this a look! ...see full post

#2530: Ottogi Ppushu Ppushu Honey Butter Flavor

#2530: Ottogi Ppushu Ppushu Honey Butter Flavor - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles snack

What have we today? This is a popular South Korean snack noodle – Ppushu Ppushu – and an interesting new flavor. Ppushu Ppushu means… I don’t know what it means, but it’s pretty neat stuff. Let’s check it out – right now! ...see full post

#2529: Maruchan Gotsumori Chanpon Ramen

#2529: Maruchan Gotsumori Chanpon Ramen - Japan - The Ramen Rater - www.boxfromjapan.com

Here’s one from Javier over at www.BoxFromJapan.com, a service where you can get a monthly box of interesting ramen from Japan! So this one is a chanpon variety – here’s something from Wikipedia about chanpon – ...see full post

#2528: Prima Juzz’s Mee Creamy Chicken Flavor (Export Version)

#2528: Prima Juzz's Mee Creamy Chicken Flavor (Export Version) - Sri Lanka - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

So in 2016, the local Singapore/Sri Lankan version was on the Top Ten list. It’s excellent stuff – love it! This is the export version – what’s the difference? Well, it doesn’t have any chicken in there. I’ve been curious about how this stacks up against the chicken version – let’s give Juzz’s Mee a try! ...see full post

#2527: Uni-President Unif Tung-I Ramen Noodles Mushroom Flavor

#2527: Uni-President Unif Tung-I Ramen Noodles Mushroom Flavor - Vietnam - The Ramen Rater

Here’s one sent by Colin from Massachusetts – thanks again! So I don’t usually get thrilled with instant noodles that are mushroom flavored. Mushroom can be hit or miss and usually I find mushroom to be a little funky. Let’s give it a try with an open mind. ...see full post

New Very Veggie Cup Noodles From Nissin

New Very Veggie Cup Noodles From Nissin

I saw an article mentioning a new product from Nissin Foods America which focused on a lot of vegetables and thought ‘it’s about time.’ I’ve had a ton of instant noodles in my time and honestly very rarely have I been satisfied with the amount of vegetables in them. I dropped a line to my contact over there and boom – a day later here are samples. Let’s see what’s in this box! ...see full post

Samples From Xiao Ban Mian

Thought it would be good to do a re-review of these – they’re some of my favorite noodles from Taiwan – on this year’s top ten list too! Let’s look within! ...see full post

A Donation From A Taiwanese Reader

A Donations From A Taiwanese Reader

Got an email from a guy named Jay in Taiwan a couple weeks ago about a spicy variety I hadn’t tried he wanted to send. He also sent some other stuff too! Thank you so much! Let’s have a look! ...see full post

New Samples From Paldo South Korea

New Samples From Paldo South Korea - The Ramen Rater

Nowadays, soon as there’s a knock at the door my son Miles is racing for the door. It’s really funny actually – he wants to steal the box and try to get it open as soon as possible to see what’s inside!  I wasn’t expecting this one from Paldo – unexpected but definitely appreciated! Let’s see what’s inside! ...see full post

#2526: Samyang Foods Jjamppong Big Bowl

#2526: Samyang Foods Jjamppong Big Bowl - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - ramyun

Here’s one Samyang Foods sent a little while back – thanks again! So this is a jjamppong bowl – a spicy seafood concoction from South Korea. Here’s some more info from Wikipedia about it – ...see full post

#2611: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Tokyo Ramen + Miso Ramen Broth

Nona Lim Tokyo Ramen + Miso Ramen Broth

Thought it would be logical to try these Tokyo Ramen noodles with the Miso Ramen Broth – I mean, it makes sense. These noodles and broth are Vegan, however, I’m going to lay it on thick with some toppings that will not be so Vegan. Let’s give it a go! ...see full post

#2607: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Hakata Ramen + Miso Ramen Broth

NL5: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Hakata Ramen + Miso Ramen Broth

I thought it a no-brainer to pick Hakata Ramen to try with the miso. The other I’ll try with it will be the Tokyo Ramen. Anyways: Hakata Ramen. What is it, Wikipedia? ...see full post

Binders Full Of Women? Nope – Noodles

Binders Full Of Women? Nope - Noodles

Since my 200th review or so, I’ve been keeping the packaging from the instant noodles I review. Why? Well, there are a few reasons. First, it’s kind of a physical representation of the varieties I’ve sampled. Also (and more importantly), the bar codes are on them all. These can be added as tags to the posts and be added. I started adding bar codes in the tags around review 800 or so. The Ramen Rater apps all have bar code scanning capability and so adding these in makes the app more functional for the site. Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of tedious work to do in that area. Anyways, Someone asked about how I store my noodle packaging and was curious to see some binders, so here you go! ...see full post

#2525: Sokensha Curry Udon

#2525: Sokensha Curry Udon - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s another one I found recently at Uwajimaya in Bellevue, Washington. Can’t pass up curry udon – I mean some on – sounds good – here’s a little about udon from Wikipedia – ...see full post

The Ultimate Instant Noodles Collection

The Ultimate Instant Noodles Collection - ramen - the ramen rater

Okay so some of you may be wondering – and some have asked as well: what do you noodle holding pens look like? Well, they’re next to my desk – actually next to and under. ...see full post

#2524: Nissin Straits Reborn Laksa

#2524: Nissin Straits Reborn Laksa - Singapore - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles kitchen

So here we have one that’s on the 2017 Top Ten list – under two names. It was originally Straits Kitchen and they re-branded it as Straits Reborn. Literally no different in recipe – just the name. However I thought it would be good for me to do a review just so you could see. Here’s some info about laksa from Wikipedia – ...see full post

Product Samples From Tseng Noodle

Product Samples From Tseng Noodle - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater

I asked for one four pack of their noodles. They sent a whole box! Let’s look inside.

Product Samples From Tseng Noodle – Taiwan

Product Samples From Tseng Noodle - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater ...see full post

#2523: Nongshim Budae Jjigae Noodle Soup

#2523: Nongshim Budae Jjigae Noodle Soup - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - 농심 보글보글 부대찌개 라면을 먹어봤습니다

Here’s one I found at the local HMart a couple months ago. I’ve had a budae jjigae instant once before – I know there’s at least one more variety out there… Very curious how this one is. Let’s see what Wikipedia has to say about budae jjigae – ...see full post

An Enormous Gift From Nissin Mexico

An Enormous Gift From Nissin Mexico - Gourmet - Cup Noodles - Caldo De Camaron - The Ramen Rater - Instant Noodles

So Nissin Mexico’s Gourmet Caldo De Camaron was #1 on this year’s The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups Of All Time 2017 Edition – and well deservedly so. Big shrimp, lots of veggies and a broth to die for as well as some great noodles in these cups. Well, they were enthused and wanted to thank me, so they sent me a couple of cups. ...see full post

#2522: Takamori Hearty Japanese Style Curry Udon

#2522: Takamori Hearty Japanese Style Curry Udon - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

I gota ride to 99 Ranch yesterday from my sister – thanks! So I was looking for mung bean sprouts, however I found this one when we went through the store. I did a Meet The Manufacturer with Takamori Kosan a few years back and really been hoping I’d get another chance to try some more of their products. Well, this is one of them! Here’s a little about udon from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2521: Nissin Cup Noodles Potato Chips Black Pepper Crab Flavour

#2521: Nissin Cup Noodles Potato Chips Black Pepper Crab Flavour - Singapore - The Ramen Rater

Okay before you start swinging your fists around and marching in the street screaming ‘these aren’t instant noodles,’ Well, for the instant noodles version of this, go to the last review. These are potato chips infused the the same seasoning! Sounds good to me – here’s a little about black pepper crab from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2520: Nissin Cup Noodles Black Pepper Crab Flavour (More Angry Crab)

#2520: Nissin Cup Noodles Black Pepper Crab Flavour (More Angry Crab) - Singapore - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

So this is one they’ve had before however now it has more angry crab! I love angry crab! Actually, black pepper crab is good stuff and I don’t know anyone who would argue with more crab in there. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#2519: Guava Story Anchovy Flavor Guava Rice Noodles

#2519: Guava Story Anchovy Flavor Guava Rice Noodles - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - rice noodles

Here’s something the guys over at ExoticNoods.com sent over – thanks! Okay – guava noodles? I really enjoy guava juice, but never seen a guava noodle before. Better to tear into this pack and see what’s what. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Singaporean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

Singaporean Singapore The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Singaporean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

So for the past few years I’ve been thinking about putting out a top ten list for Singapore. It took me a while though; I wanted to have a TON of Singaporean varieties that I’d tried before doing so. Well, I’ve tried a TON of them now and I felt it would be nice to put out a new list. I’m posting this on Singapore’s National Day – thought it would be fitting. If you’re not familiar with the half lion half fish image in the picture above, that’s a Merlion. It’s the national symbol of Singapore. Here’s a little more about it here. Well, it’s time. These are my favorite varieties that come from Singapore from the over 2,500 reviews I’ve done to date. All these Singaporean varieties are most definitely shiok – so grab your favorite beer (mine’s Tiger) and check it out! ...see full post

#2518: Samurai Ramen Umami

#2518: Samurai Ramen Umami - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles vegan

This was sent to me by Ippin, a purveyor of wonderful Japanese items! Thank you again! – So these look to be vegetarian as well as HALAL. Let’s give them a looksie. ...see full post