Got a knock late in the day yesterday and a DHL guy saying he had a package for me.
Here’s the new Otentiq Cheezy Curry! I liked their Cheezy Mushroom a lot, and being a curryphile, I’ve been very curious about this one!
Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch
#1716: MAMA Instant Noodles Egg Protein Noodles
Here’s one the folks at Thai President Foods in Thailand sent. It’s made in their factory in Myanmar – and everything on it for the most part is in Burmese! These can be a little tricky; especially when the system of writing numerals is different. But rest assured, I have a solution!
New Product Samples From Mamee Chef!
Didn’t expect such a big box! Let’s have a look inside!
Oh wow – lots of goodies in here!
#1715: Yum Yum Instant Noodles Minced Pork Flavour
Here’s another one I got at 7-11 on our recent trip to Thailand. There were so many varieties there; didn’t really know what was what, but luckily found some English text on the back of the package. Let’s have a look!
#1714: Master Kong Sichuan Hot Spicy Fish
This one has been a little tricky to figure out. A lot of the time, distributor stickers aren’t all that helpful; they might say the flavor, but the true name can be elusive. After looking around, I found ‘boiled fish’ and ‘spicy fish’ and ‘hot fish’ (hot fish being the one on the sticker). I think however Sichuan might be in there somewhere, so I included it. As for the lady on the package and the folks on the back, I’m pretty sure they’re involved in some kind of television program in China. Anyways, let’s have a look!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Rice Noodles Of All Time 2015 Edition
I’ve been asked ‘can you do a gluten-free list’ so many times I can’t count. Well, I thought I’d try doing the next best thing. Rice noodles, rice vermicelli, bihun and rice stick are (as far as I know) all gluten free. Hopefully this list will help those who want gluten free varieties. I should say however that I can’t say that the seasonings are gluten free, so check to make sure. Aside from gluten free aspects, rice noodles are popular all over the world, in all their forms. I would ask that instant rice noodle companies contact me – I would like to do more varieties for next year’s list as well! Eventually, it would be nice to split the list into a pack and bowl list, kind of like the wheat noodle top ten. With that, let’s have a look at this new list, The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Rice Noodles Of All Time 2015 Edition.
#1713: CarJEN Otentiq Cheezy Mushroom Instant Noodles
So here’s a new one from CarJEN – a new line called Otentiq. You might remember seeing CarJEN’s Nyonya Curry Laksa on this year’s big top ten list in the 4th place spot. I’ve seen very few cheese themed instant noodles in the past, and I believe this is the first one from Malaysia. Very curious how it will be – if the Laksa is any gauge, this could be really good! There’s also a CarJEN Otentiq Cheezy Curry coming soon as well! Let’s check it out!
Something Odd: Heinz Hello Kitty Pasta Shapes In Tomato Sauce
This year on my birthday trip to Richmond, BC to look for instant noodles, my wife Kit found this can of Hello Kitty pasta. She said she was hungry earlier and I said ‘hey what about that Hello Kitty canned stuff?’ She agreed and here it is! It’s not an instant noodle by any stretch of the imagination, but it was interesting enough that I thought maybe it should get a post on here. So here we go!
New CarJEN Packaging With The Ramen Rater Logo!
Here’s a box I’ve been waiting to see! Let’s see what’s inside!
Here’s Andy showing off the new packaging for CarJEN’s E-Zee Kari instant noodles! I rated this one 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. A nice little pack of noodles!
Friday Video: Minecraft + Instant Noodles?
Here’s a video that came out a couple weeks ago – these guys do a run down of the list and then try to figure out which ones they like. They liked saying ‘laksa lamian’ a lot!
#1712: Sakurai Foods Organic Miso Ramen
Wow it’s Summer here today! Just hit 90 degrees and the clouds are rolling in – hoping for a nice lightning storm to watch tonight. I’m still reviewing instant noodles in this weather though – it’s 83 degrees in our apartment right now. Wish we had air conditioning! It rarely gets this warn in Western Washington though. Anyways, I thought some miso might be a good one to try today, and an organic one at that. The packaging has a Vegan logo on it, but I think I might add some meat in with it. Let’s have a look at this organic miso ramen!
#1711: Hao Way Vegetarian Penang Laksa
Laksa is usually a fish soup with lots of strong flavor to it. This is a vegetarian alternative! Sounds like something good to try today. The weather here is sooooo hot – usually doesn’t get into the 90’s in Washington state. Ugh! This sounded good for today so let’s check it out!
#1710: Chering Chang Instant Non-Fried Noodles Vegetable Curry Flavour
I had a different version of this variety make The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time last year – I don’t know if it’s just a different way of packaging or what, but I’ve got high hopes on this one! Let’s check it out! It’s curry time!
The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2015 Edition
After trying over 1,700 instant noodle varieties, it is expected that some of them will be on this list. Why? Well, some just make me wretch. They’re the ones that get a score of one to zero stars. Not to say that there are some folks out there who like them, but that hypothetical someone would not be myself. With that, here’s the new The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2015 Edition.
Re-Review: Ottogi Yeul Ramen Asian Style Instant Noodle
This is one I’ve seen on spicy lists before but it’s been a long time since I sampled it. Those two big peppers on the front look foreboding! I’m sure it was spicy, but how spicy? I guess we’ll have to see! Let’s have a look at Ottogi Yeul Ramen!
#1709: Asia Gold Instant Noodles With Shrimp Flavouring
Here’s a neat one. During my trip to Thai President Foods’ Agent Meeting in Bangkok last month, I went to a seminar for a large group of European distributors. There were a couple guys who were there that I met from the Thai President Foods Hungary factory, and I was able to obtain samples of many of the products that are manufactured there, this being one of them. I noticed that on the label, an Austrian company is distributing this one. Anyways, this will be my first instant noodle review I’ve ever done of a product manufactured in Hungary! Let’s check it out!
Friday Video: Introducing The Ramenia-21
You are looking at the future of the instant noodle. I think this is a most awesome thing I’ve seen in a while! Come on kickstarters – make it so! I don’t usually get political, although I’m a very big follower of politics. I would encourage everyone to have a look at the news today. A lot going on. Happy Friday to all!
#1708: The Kitchen Food Sibu Instant Kampua Original
Recently, I got sent a couple different varieties from Eric at The Kitchen Food – the kampua above and a dark soy version. Kampua is very popular in Sarawak – sounds like a nice lunch today. Let’s check it out!
#1707: Azami Hot And Spicy Flavour Noodle Soup
Here’s one I got from Justin M. from Winfield, BC up north of here in Canada! Thanks! Let’s see here: the instant noodle was invented in Japan. This one is sold in Canada under the name Azami and sold by Loblaw’s, a supermarket chain. It’s manufactured in China. I’ve been hoping one of these Azami varieties would really blow me away; hot and spicy is a flavor profile I generally like a lot – let’s see how it fares!
#1706: Maggi Hot Cup Goreng Perencah Cili Fiesta
Here’s one I got on my trip to Malaysia last October! I was really keen on getting something like this while over there – anything that has some kind of promotion for a contest or sports event – or movies and cartoons – are very fascinating to me, not only because that’s not something you really see here on instant noodle products, but that the possibility of finding an export version here is slim to none. This one mentions Brazil on it – football! Let’s have a look inside and give ‘er a try!
#1705: Premiere Gold Bihun Kari Heritage Instant Curry Vermicelli
Here’s an interesting looking one from Malaysian company Twetnty-Twenty. I remember seeing this on Instagram and wondering who made it and if I could try it. I sent a message and it turned out the poster was the manufacturer, and so here we are. Let’s have a look at this curry rice noodle!
A New Variety From CarJEN!
Got a big box delivered today! What’s inside? Let’s take a look!
Well packed!
A Donation From Sarawak!
I was contacted by a guy on facebook a few weeks back telling je I ought to try his favorite noodles from Sarawak. He offered to send some my way.
#1704: Baixiang Noodles Sour & Spicy Flavour
There have been quite a few of these Baixiang varieties. Well, this looks to be the last one I have – I’m sure I’ll find more. Let’s check it out!
#1703: 7 Select Super Tom Yum Shrimp
Here’s one of the ones I picked up on my recent trip to Thailand at 7-11. It’s made by Nissin, and has Nissin logos on it, but it’s like a private label for 7-11; kind of different. Anyways, tom yum sounds good – let’s see what dwells within!
#1702: Samyang Foods Seafood Noodle
Here’s a seafood cup that screams seafood. I’ve mentioned before that certain colors seem to be universal when it comes to instant noodles – red for spicy or beef, green for pork (not sure why) and yellow for chicken. Well, blue is for seafood and this cup’s text is certainly blue enough. This is a Samyang Foods product for the Japanese market. Anyways, let’s crack it open and see what makes it tick.
NCC #1701: Sakurai Foods Organic Shoyu Ramen
First off, you’re probably wondering why it says NCC before the post number. Well, I’m a Star Trek fan and NCC-1701 was the number on the starship Enterprise.
#1700: A-Sha Dry Noodle Hakka Flat Noodle With Za Jiang Sauce
Wow – number 1,700! Only 300 more to try until I hit the big 2000. Today, it’s a variety from A-Sha Dry Noodle of Taiwan. These are ‘Hakka’ noodles. Here’s a little info on the Hakka from Wikipedia:
#1699: Vit’s Mi Goreng Pedas Chewy & Springy
Mi Goreng means fried noodles and Pedas means spicy – how can ya beat that? This is one that I picked up at the Econsave on last year’s trip to Penang, Malaysia. I gotta say – it’s weird to say that. I never thought I’d end up making it to Asia; now having been to both Malaysia and Thailand, it’s like I’ve got a different perspective of the world. So many of the people I met over there had visited the United States, either for work or schooling. How many folks do I know from here that have gone the opposite direction though? Definitely a lower ratio at least in my experience. It is quite expensive and I’ve been lucky that companies have said ‘hey! come visit us!’ Instant noodles – who would’ve thought. Anyways, I’ve been a big fan of Mi Goreng for quite a while. It’s combination of sweet and spicy flavors has always been so nice. This one promises to a bit further on the end of the spicy stick – hoping so! Spicy is always nice. Let’s check out this mi goreng by Vit’s of Malaysia!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2015 Edition
Another year’s gone by and here we are again with the new bowls list. A lot of really interesting ones this go around and some old favorites. At the point of putting this list out, I’ve almost hit 1,700 reviews. Of those, these are in my opinion the best tasting and the most memorable varieties. With that, allow me to present The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls 2015 Edition.
#1698: Maruchan Instant Lunch Chicken Tortilla Flavor Ramen Noodles With Vegetables
In the last two weeks, I’ve been reviewing varieties from far away – but today it’s time to have one from here in the United States! This is Maruchan’s new variety – chicken tortilla! Got an email from a friend at Maruchan telling me they had a new Instant Lunch variety that they’d like to send me. So, here it is! Sounds like an interesting one – let’s have a look!
#1697: The Kitchen Food Instant Kampua Dark Soy Sauce
When I was asked if I wanted to try some instant noodles from Sarawak, I was immediately interested. I’ve been trying to get my hands on some for a while but haven’t had any luck. Until now, that is! So first off, where is Sarawak?
The Ramen Rater’s Trip To Thailand: Day 6 – The Long Road Home
#1696: MAMA Cup Yentafo Tom Yum Mohfai
Today I’m posting the last of my series of travelogues covering my trip to visit the folks that manufacture MAMA noodles, Thai President Foods. Being a resolute fan of instant noodles from the world over, the ability to visit where they’re manufactured anywhere is really fascinating to me. This one in pack version was on my Top Ten Instant Noodle Of All Time 2014 Edition. I was lucky enough to be next to a convenience store where we stayed the bulk of our stay in Bangkok.
The Ramen Rater’s Trip To Thailand: Day 5 – River Kwai & Goodbye
#1695: MAMA Cup Shrimp Creamy Tom Yum
A few years back, I started noticing a lot of people leaving comments about MAMA Shrimp Creamy tom Yum. The first time I had it I wasn’t keen on it. They kept saying ‘dude, try it again – this stuff is awesome.’ So I did and was blown over – awesome stuff. I think the first time I tried it was a review in the low 100’s. It’s funny; after trying so many kinds, your tastebuds look for different things and your palate kind of matures. MAMA Shrimp Creamy Tom Yum was on the 2013 Top Ten Instant Noodle list. This cup was a neat one to find – I got it at a place I’ve wanted to visit for quite a while – an Asian 7-11.
The Ramen Rater’s Trip To Thailand: Day 4 – Ratchaburi Province
#1694: MAMA Instant Rice Vermicelli Bihun Goreng Original Flavor
I’m sure many of you are familiar with Mi Goreng. For those of you who aren’t, Mi Goreng translates to ‘fried noodle.’ Mi Goreng basically are noodles that are cooked, drained, dropped in a wok or skillet, and fried with different seasonings and ingredients. Now Bihun Goreng is a little different. Instead of a wheat noodle, rice vermicelli is used the same kind of way. Rice vermicelli are very thin rice noodles. Instead of broth, these are broth free. They’re kind of distant cousins of yakisoba, yakiudon and chow mein. Let’s check out this Bihun Goreng from MAMA of Thailand!
The Ramen Rater’s Trip To Thailand: Day 3 – Seminar & Sightseeing
Day 1 * Day 2 * Day 3 * Day 4 * Day 5 * Day 6
Another breakfast at the Chatrium Hotel. Like I said in a previous post, I love two things about Asia – fish and fruit. Tiny bananas rock and so does watermelon. I really liked their pancakes – they make them with white cake batter – they go awesome with pineapple! Then there were these weird things that were hairy looking.
#1693: MAMA Instant Noodles Coconut Milk Flavour
These noodles are made in Myanmar! This is the second day in a row reviewing an instant made in a country I’ve never tried anything before. The nice folks at MAMA (Thai President Foods) invited me to their 2015 Agents Meeting for European distributors. They had varieties on tables – from all over the world! I asked if maybe I could get some samples and they were more than kind to send me lots of new varieties to review. This one’s particularly curious to me; coconut milk flavor. I’ve found coconut powder in instants really spruces things up; thick and creamy, especially with curries. This however is the first time I’ve ever heard of a coconut milk flavor instant. Let’s have a look!