This one was brought over and mailed to me – thank you! Very nice and excited to try it! I’m going to guess this will be a beef and Sichuan pepper kind of affair, but who knows – it’s a Thai brand so it should have a special spin on it. Let’s give it a try!
Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch
#4723: Indomie Mi Goreng Aceh – Indonesia
Definitely haven’t tried this one in the past, but I’ll review it today thanks to Pher Engi from Australia – thank you very much! Aceh is a region of Indoesia – that being said, here’s a little blurb about this one I found online –
#4722: Nongshim Premium TanTanMen Ramen With Chili Oil – United States
Here’s one I’ve wanted to get my hands on for quite a while. I like tantanmen – usually thick and spicy stuff – a denser, sloppier ramen. Let’s give it a go!
#4721: Mom’s Dry Noodle / Surfmama Mapo Century Egg With Meat Sauce – Taiwan
Fancy new packaging going on here. Mapo century egg with meat paste sounds really quite exquisite – this sounds great – I’m on it!
#4720: Trader Joe’s Garlic Sauce Thai Noodles – United States
Well folks, this is the last of the Trader Joe’s stuff I had. Honestly, these pouch noodles and sauce bowls have been surprisingly decent. The only problem are the bowls – you can’t just cut it up and scan it before you use it – rather irritating for yours truly, however my issues with the bowl itself probably aren’t an issue for 99.99% of those eating this. Let’s see how the garlic one is.
#4719: Indomie Mi Goreng Rasa Rendang – Indonesia
Big thanks to Pher Engi for sending this all the way from Australia! This is a variety that used to be available in the United States, however this and a couple other have disappeared from our shelves here over the years – and it bums me out. Bring them back, please! Not sure what rendang is? Wikipedia says –
#4718: Bulramen Extra Hot Stir-fried Ramen – South Korea
Well, hmm. I think it’s time for something spicy. It’s early August 2023 and you know – spicy food. It’s funny – the chicken here kind of looks like Terminator with a chili pepper machine gun or something. I should note that this is the first review using my new tool – the RPFD – the ramen packaging flattening device. What’s that? Well, it’s a suction cup shower handle attached to a clear piece od thick Plexiglas which does a great job of flattening packs of instant noodles on the scanner. After over 4,000 reviews and trying different things to aid in scanning problem wrinkly packs, this came to me after using a tablet screen to hold down a metallic pack a few reviews back. You can see the post I did about it here. By the way, while it’s definitely got export info for the US, it’s got it for many countries, so this isn’t specific for the US and so it gets a South Korea label. Let’s try some fire?
#4717: Yamadai Shoyu Ramen Japanese Style Noodles – United States
Looks like Yamadai/New Touch is getting into the export market game with this and another one I found at S*Mart. Shop smart. Shop S Mart. You may have noticed I keep saying that – it’s where the main character in the film Army Of Darkness works before he’s launched into a bizarre comedic hellscape. Anyways if you’ve not seen that movie you should. Let’s make some shoyu ramen.
#4716: Nongshim Premium Udon Style Noodles With Shrimp Tempura – United States
Well, dang. I really would have loved to been able to review this sooner but tough to get samples from companies in the United States for some reason. Ah well. I found this at S*Mart – yup – shop smart, shop S Mart. Not sure if they just did a repackaging of the old version or not, but I’m guessing it’s a bit more than that. Let’s give it a try!
#4715: Pink Rocket Rapokki Mac & Cheese Rapokki – United States
Made in South Korea and packaged for US sale. I’m curious if this one will work better than the last one which just kind of exploded in the microwave. Hopefully this one’s a gem.
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2024 Edition
This list is coming a bit late this year, but I figure late is definitely better than never. This one’s comprised of varieties made in, and specifically for the US market. Some really tasty stuff here is your backyard if you didn’t know! These are my favorite US varieties out of reviews up to review 4,650 that are currently on the market. Got something I’ve not tried? Hit me up! Anyways, let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2024 Edition!
#4714: Hezhai Lo Mein Pepper Chicken Flavor – China
Definitely found this at 99 Ranch Market. They’ve had a ton from this brand lately. Time to cook!
#4713: Pulmuone Crab Ramen – United States
This one came from James of Lakeside, California – thanks, man! Pulmuone leans towards the healthier end of the stick when it comes to food manufacturing. I believe I read a while back about how there is in fact a large farm Pulmuone runs that is also a school on heritage farming for students in South Korea – pretty cool. Let’s make some crab ramen!
#4712: Little Sheep Signature Soup Noodle – China
Man, where did I find this one. Hmm… I think I found it at 99 Ranch Market in Edmonds, Washington, but I could be totally wrong. It looks as Sichuan Baijia is making this one, however they’re making it in Inner Mongolia which I find fascinating. I’m really curious about this one, that’s for sure. Let’s give it a a try!
#4711: Wai Wai Quick Zabb Hot & Spicy Shrimp Flavour – Thailand
Big thanks to Pher Engi for sending this over from Australia! I haven’t reviewed one of these in such a long time, and I remember they were pretty darn good. I’m also going to guess this is pretty spicy as well. Let’s cook it up and give it a try.
#4710: Itsuki Kurume Tonkotsu Ramen – United States
Here’s one I found in an Umai Crate from Japan Crate! They have boxes full of neat Japanese varieties! Check out www.japancrate.com and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER to score a sweet discount and get some neat noodles!
#4709: Nissin Hot & Spicy Fire Wok Volcanic Mongolian Beef – United States
Man, I’ve been itching to get my hands on this stuff for quite awhile and finally it showed up at my local grocery store. This is a pretty good range – especially the sizzlin’ rich pork – that one’s excellent. Let’s see if the Mongols can conquer them all!
UPDATE #2: The Ramen Rater Humbly Asks For Your Help
UPDATE 1/23/2024 – Things were getting better… It went from we’re almost there to now we have to choose between paying rent and paying for our phones which now have been shut off, which is a pretty rough spot when you have two kids… Again, thank you for your continued help – it’s really a crummy spot to be in to ask.
UPDATE 12/8/2023 – I want to personally thank every single one of your for your donations – it’s really been kind and immensely helpful to my family. We could still really use your help, though. If you can, we would really apreciate it. Again, thank you so much for helping with donations!
I’ve been reviewing instant noodles since 2002, doing episodes of Instant Noodle Recipe Time, The Chocolate Break with my wife, Professional Mukbang, Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater and more. Right now, we’re in a pretty crummy financial situation and hoping that some of the fans will be able to help out. I really loathe asking like this. I’ve set up a GoFundMe. It really is strange – you hear about statistics like ‘this percentage are one paycheck away from financial ruin.’ I love going to the thrift store and finding some trinket on the cheap. Right now, that’s a luxury I can’t even fathom, really. What’s crummy too is the time of the year that this is happening. Holidays plus my daughter’s birthday is a week before Christmas. Ugh. Here’s the link if you can help out.
#4708: Pink Rocket Carbonara Rapokki – United States
I reviewed the bowl version of this quite a while back and they were pretty good, so when I saw the cups, I decided to give them a shot. Here’s the first one I’ll be doing. This is made in South Korea and packaged for the US market.
#4707: Sapporo Ichiban Tabimen Yokohama Iekei Tonkotsu Shoyu – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4706: Guangyou Spicy Wide Noodle – China
Might seem peculiar, but I’m back. Took almost a month off while the boy was doing summer school. He enjoyed it and while there I walked with my daughter all over the place. She’s six, but she did a 9.6 mile walk with me the other day – not bad! Anyways, this one I think came by way of James from Lakeside, California – thanks! Let’s made some Chinese broad noodle – Hoping they’re good!
#4705: Tokushima Seifun Kin chan Ramen Cup Tori Shio – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4704: Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen Donburi Iseebi Dashi – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4703: Yamadai Nostalgic Cabbage Tanmen – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4702: Nissin Men Shokunin Shoyu Ramen – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4701: Kobe Mi BonCabe Rasa Ramen Pedas – Indonesia
This one came by way of Pher Engi of Australia – thanks again! So BonCabe is a spicy concoction – like a seasoning. There are differing levels of heat and this one is LEVEL 30. I think the next up is the BonCabe Max End. Anyways, I’m very curious how spicy this one is, so let’s find out.
#4700: Samyang Foods Buldak Kimchi Artificial Spicy Chicken Flavor Ramen – United States
This is manufactured in South Korea, yes – but this one’s specifically for the Us market. I’ve had the pack version and it was really great. Let’s cook up a bowl!
#4699: Acecook Tomyum Soup Instant Noodle – South Korea
Thisd is a very interesting one found at GMart in Lynnwood, Washington state. This is made by Acecook Vietnam for the South Korean market. Honestly, I’ve never heard of tomyum eaten in South Korea. Do they do that? Thai food is popular in Taiwan, that much I know. Malaysia too – but they’re neighbors so that makes sense. I suppose they wouldn’t make this is nobody liked tomyum soup in South Korea. Anyways, it’s interesting – let’s checkk it out.
#4698: Galanlang Lanzhou Noodles – China
Think I found this one at 99 Ranch Market. I’ve had a few Lanzhou beef noodle instant varieties before. Let’s see how this stacks up.
#4697: Myojo Chuka Zanmai Tategata Akasaka Rikyu Canton Fu Shoyu – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
The Wonderful Easy Ramen Grilled Cheese!
I went out walking yesterday morning and it was cold – like 17 degrees cold. That’s -7 to those blessed with the mtric system. Anyways, wind chill dropped it to 8 and it was cold – bitter cold. While out walking, I had a thought – it would be fun to make something weird in the kitchen after I did my regular reviews for the day. So, that’s what I did and here it is.
#4696: YouUs GS Retail Premium Omori Kimchi Stew Ramyun – United States
Found this one at GMart – that’s yet another Korean grocery, one in Lynnwood, Washington. Cool place actually – especially since I’ve not been there awhile so found some groovy stuff. Let’s try this, the pack version – made in South Korea, packaged for the US market.
#4695: Norita Tonkotsu Ramen Miso Pork Flavor – United States
Another one from James of Lakeside, CA – thanks! He noticed me reviewing the Norita products and that I was curious about more, so he sent this. Let’s see what we have here.
#4694: Indomie Kori Aromali Hazir Noodle (Curry Noodle) – Turkey
Woot woot! Another cool one from James of Lakeside, CA – thanks again! This will only be the second Turkish made instant noodle I’ve ever reviewed. Ever. Plus, it’s curry. Let’s do it!
#4693: Nissin Cup Noodles Big Wok Style Soba Classic – Germany
Well, here’s the last of the big Soba varieties that Nissin Germany sent – thanks again! I’ve got a bunch of other Nissin Germany stuff to review so that will be forthcoming. Let’s give it a try.
#4692: Culley’s World’s Hottest Ramen Noodles 2.0 – New Zealand
In the light of the recent Denmark debacle, I thought I’d update this one a little bit with where you can get it below. This one makes Buldak 3x taste like cotton candy. It’s like the difference between iced tea and straight Everclear. Be warned.
#4691: You Us GS Retail Extra Spicy Jjamppong – South Korea
Ahhhh jjamppong! Awesome – I freaking really love jjamppong. Seafood and spicy and sometimes smoky – kind of imparts a grilled seafood flavor – those are the best. Let’s waste no time and give it a try!
#4690: Sugakiya Ginza Kamitoku Kanshu Tottori Gold Gyukotsu Ramen – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4689: Nissin Cup Noodles Big Wok Style Soba Chili – Germany
So my sister is really into German stuff and when I review these, I save the plastic cups for her knick knack shelf. Just noticed this appears to have a Vegan logo on the lower right there. This morning, my wife is flying to the memorial service for her grandfather in California, so I’ve got a few days solo with the kids which will be nice but we’re already missing her. Her grandfather was quite a guy – I did a slideshow for them with music if you want to check it out. He was a 3 time purple heart recipient and was in WWII. He was a neat guy and will really be missed. Anyways, let’s cook up some yakisoba!
#4688: Hezhai Sour Soup Noodles – China
This one looks really interesting as you’ll see below with the noodles. Found this at 99 Ranch Market – they’ve had quite a few of this brand and I think I have one more. Time to review…