Here’s one that has been at the bottom of the noodle hamper for a while . Kind of an interesting one; kimchi from Japan eh? Let’s delve into it and see how it tastes!
Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch
Friday Video: The Most Delicious Ramen ラーメン
Here’s a half hour documentary about Japanese ramen – enjoy and happy Friday!
#1538: Sau Tao Oat Noodle Tomato Soup Flavored
I reviewed one of these the other day – the pork ribs flavor. Got my son Andy over here today and he’s been a little more adventurous in trying new flavors. I thought this one might be a good match – I had him choose between duck, mushroom and this. I knew he’d pick the tomato; kind of a no-brainer there.
Poster From Thai President Foods
So when I do a Meet The Manufacturer, I always try and see if I can get the company to autograph a poster for me and send it along. Well, Thai President Foods did!
Promotional Items From Thai President Foods
New Penang Asam Pedas Product Samples From Nanyang Chef
Got a package in the mail today Penang Asam Pedas – a new product from Nanyang Chef!
Asam Laksa is a sour and spicy soup popular in Penang, Malaysia. But what’s the pedas part?
#1537: Wai Wai Quick Zabb Chili Paste Tom Yum Flavor Instant Noodles
Here’s one sent to me by Marvin R. – thanks again! This was one of a series I’ve been looking for for a long time. I kept seeing them online, but only looked to be available in Thailand. These are now available here in the USA and the last one I had (tom yum shrimp) was pretty good. Let’s check it out!
#1536: Paldo Vina Koreno Premium Shrimp Flavor
Paldo Foods is a South Korean company, and it looks like they’ve expanded to Vietnam with Paldo Vina. Been curious about this line for a while now and wondering how they taste. Shrimp ounds good for today – let’s go!
The Ramen Rater’s MyKuali Penang White Curry Pizza
One thing that really surprised me during our trip was seeing that a lot of the fast food chains that are popular here in the United States are also popular in Malaysia. Burgers, fried chicken and even pizza were well represented by popular chain restaurants over there (I will say that there was no sign of the ubiquitous taco chain here). They all had different ways of serving things to fit with the local taste; like spicy fried chicken with rice or seafood pizza. This got me thinking that maybe a fusion of pizza and MyKuali White Curry might work in some way. I thought about it for a while and decided today was the day. We got the ingredients together and The Ramen Rater’s MyKuali White Curry Pizza was born! Check it out!
#1535: Sau Tao Oat Noodle Pork Rib Flavored
I used to a lot of barbecuing a few years back and one thing I always liked to grill up were pork ribs. I would often have a couple of friends over and we would drink a few beers and exclaim ‘spicy pork ribs’ in a strange overdone Southern accent which would end up sounding more like Boss Hogg from Dukes Of Hazzard screaming ‘spassy poke relbs.’ I always liked to get the boneless ‘country style’ ribs in bulk and then do a nice dry rub. Nowadays, I don’t barbecue as much (mainly because I don’t have a barbecue) and my wife’s Uncle Joe has a really snazzy barbecue rig that you can control wirelessly and slow cook/smoke meats for hours effortlessly. His stuff comes out just amazingly – so now I leave it the pros. American barbecue ribs are generally a lot different than what you’ll find in Asia. Sau Tao is a company out of Hong Kong which makes a lot of different varieties of noodles. Today it’s oat noodles. They’re non-fried and have a nice texture to them (at least the ones I’ve had in the past did). Let’s check out Sau Tao’s Oat Noodles with Pork Ribs flavor!
Friday Video: “The God Of Cookery”
A friend on facebook referred me to this film – thank you! This comedy is really quite good and made it’s debut in 1996. Stephen Chow has been in quite a few ‘God Of” films, including a series called God Of Gamblers. You’ll want your subtitles on – no overdub. Enjoy and happy Friday!
#1534: Vit’s Seafood Instant Noodles
Here’s another one that Thomas from MyKuali got for me while we were on our trip to Malaysia! Thanks again! Vit’s is a brand that’s well known over there, but one I’ve never reviewed before. This looks like a spicy seafood variety – let’s give it a go!
#1533: Miliket Sate Flavor Instant Noodle
Okay so first off, I want to thank the person at the company who made the decision to use paper as the material for the outer packaging. One of the big tasks I have for the reviews is to do a lot of editing in Photoshop, mostly removing glare from packaging. Since they’re plastic wraps usually, they pick up the lighting and so angling the packs to get the least glare and reflection is key, but then sometimes it’s just not possible to get rid of all of it. Then I have to scan the packages and there’s always a good amount of glare there. This will be the first review I’ve ever done of Miliket instant noodles, so let’s check therm out!
Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Lucky Me! Instant Pancit Canton (Chow Mein) Extra Hot Chili Flavor
Today, we say farewell to the Monde Nissin Meet The Manufacturer! It’s been really neat to try all of these different varieties one right after the other – this is the 15th review! I do up to 15 in a row during an MTM. I thought today would definitely be fitting for something hot and spicy. Why you ask?
Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Lucky Me! Special Instant Pancit Bihon With Kalamansi
Rice vvermicelli isknown by many names in the world; bihun, beehoon, bihon – it’s all the same thing! One thing though – these noodles are made with corn starch! But pancit – let’s see what wikipedia has to say:
Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Lucky Me! Supreme Bulalo Artificial Bone Marrow Flavor Instant Noodles
Bulalo sounds interesting – a beefy soup. I think I need more info though – here’s what wikipedia had to say:
Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Lucky Me! Instant Pancit Canton (Chow Mein) Sweet & Spicy Flavor
There are quite a few varieties of these Pancit Canton – and in the past this one’s been my favorite. It’s been quite a while – sounds really good today.
Friday Video: How to Cook Cebu Lechon
So when I post my reviews on instagram, I use hashtags. I usually try to find ones that are decent, relevant and get the most eyes on the reviews of course, and I then look at the pics others post and like them, in hopes that hey will look and like the ones I have posted or even follow. Pretty basic method of growing a viewer base. Well, I also look at the hashtags that those people use, and I saw an interesting one – #lechon. Wasn’t sure what Lechon was, so I looked at a bunch of people’s pictures and found that it was roast whole pig. I decided to take this to YouTube and have a look. After perusing quite a few, I found this video about how Cebu Lechon is made. I’ve never tried this, but I think I would love to give it a taste someday. Anyways, enjoy and Happy Black Friday!
Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Lucky Me! Beef Na Beef Instant Noodles
I think a lot of people will say that Lucky Me! Beef Na Beef is one that they’ve seen many times when visiting an Asian grocery in the USA. Beef, like chicken, is one of those flavors you see about every instant noodle manufacturer out there making. Everyone knows what beef and chicken flavors taste like (well, maybe not everyone – hi vegetarians!). The weather here is quite cold and rainy lately and nice beef flavored broth sounds really good. One thing though; the Philippines isn’t a place known for it’s chilly climate. Would a beef instant translate well for colder places that’s been made there? I think I’ll have to see! Let’s revisit Lucky Me! Beef Na Beef!
Consider The Ramen Rater This Black Friday / Cyber Monday
Just q quick note! If you’re buying on Amazon this season, think about using this link. When you are referred by The Ramen Rater, you help keep the site up and running! It costs you nothing and it’s truly appreciated! Happy Holidays!
Meet The Manufacturer: #1532: Lucky Me! Special Instant Noodles Jjamppong Flavor
Well everyone, today is Thanksgiving! I thought I’d like to thank everyone who visit The Ramen Rater every day – your attention and interest inspires me to continue on in my journey to find the best instant noodles in the world and let you know about them! I wanted to also thank you for buying things using the Amazon links I provide. These aren’t products directly from me, but from people/companies selling them on Amazon, and I get a little something every time one of you uses a link and either buys the item shown or browses and finds something else they’d like. This really helps us out, especially around the holidays. If you’re planning on doing holiday shopping on Amazon, consider something from the Noodle Shop or simply go to the Noodle Shop and click on the Amazon logo. You’ll be helping keep The Ramen Rater running ! Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Meet The Manufacturer: #1531: Lucky Me! Special Instant Sopas Chicken Flavor
Thought this would be one my son would like. He’s been keen on trying new things, and I doubt he’s ever had any Filipino soups before. Sopas is basically chicken soup, but has a Filipino twist to it. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about Sopas in the Philippines:
Meet The Manufacturer: #1530: Lucky Me! Spicy Beef Mami Instant Noodle Soup
Lucky Me! Spicy Beef Mami is a newer product I’m pretty sure. A couple neat things about this one is tyhat they use Labuyo pepper. It’s also known as Bird’s Eye chilli as well a cili padi (chilli paddi) in Indonesia and Malaysia. What’s more, this is another instance of instant noodles being referred to as ‘mami.’ As far as I know, this in a purely Filipino thing; never seen instant noodles called mami anywhere else (although there is a Malaysian company called Mamee, (a play on mee and MAMA) and a Thai brand called MAMA (for the same reason). I thought I’d see what Wikipedia has to say about the various meanings of mami and got this list:
Meet The Manufacturer: #1529: Lucky Me! Special Instant Curly Spaghetti With Yummy Red Sauce
I have tried a few quick spaghetti in the past – from South Korea, Japan and Indonesia, but never from the Philippines! I had a look to see if there’s a particular way in which spaghetti is enjoyed in the Philippines and as it turns out, I found some recipes that included hot dogs. Interesting! Well, let’s have a look at this unique instant variety = Lucky Me! Curly spaghetti!
Meet The Manufacturer: #1528: Lucky Me! Supreme Pinoy Chicken Instant Noodles
As you can see, Lucky Me! not only makes packaged instant noodles but cups as well (they also produce bowls). This one is a variety called Supreme Pinoy Chicken. From what I gather, these are supposed to be adobo chicken flavored instant noodles. What’s adobo chicken? Let’s ask Wikipedia:
Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Lucky Me! Instant Pancit Canton (Chow Mein) Original Flavor
Pancit Canton is a Filipino favorite whose roots began in China. It is also very much like Mi Goreng, an Indonesian dish. Basically, noodles and cooked, drained, and then combined with a dry powder and oil and sauce combination to create a tasty broth-free dish. These Lucky Me! Pancit Canton come in a variety of flavors, this being their original flavor. I’ll be reviewing more of these during Meet The Manufacturer as well, since it’s such a prominent product of theirs. Let’s check out Lucky Me! original Pancit Canton.
Meet The Manufacturer: Friday Video: Food Journey Philippines
Here’s a documentary dealing with the food culture of the Philippines! I thought it would be very fitting to explore the foods of the Philippines while reviewing foods from a Filipino manufacturer! Happy Friday! More reviews coming tomorrow!
Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Lucky Me! Chicken Na Chicken Instant Noodles
Chicken instant noodles are known the world over. In fact the first instant noodles ever sold were chicken flavored! Seems like chicken is a very accessible flavor for people. I reviewed this one over 3 years ago the first time – let’s see how Chicken na Chicken by Lucky Me! fares this time around!
Meet The Manufacturer: #1527: Lucky Me! Special Baked Mac Style Instant Macaroni
Macaroni is used in a lot of Filipino cuisine. One I’ve tried in instant form is Sopas, a soup with macaroni in it. The weather here is really quite cold (at least for Washington). It’s gotten down to as low as 26 degrees Fahrenheit the last few nights. This looks like a nice warm stick-to-your-ribsy kind of thing. Let’s check it out!
Meet The Manufacturer: #1526: Lucky Me! La Paz Batchoy Instant Noodle Soup
I’ve always thought La Paz Batchoy sounded interesting, but really never dug in to figure out what it’s all about. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about it:
Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Lucky Me! Instant Pancit Canton (Chow Mein) Chili & Citrus
It’s been a while since I had any Lucky Me! Pancit Canton. This is a re-review of the 40th instant I ever reviewed! That puts it around 2002 or 2003 being the last time I tried this one. Not only that, it’s been about 1,000 reviews since I had any Pancit Canton. So what’s Pencit? Wikipedia has this to say:
Meet The Manufacturer: Product Samples From Monde Nissin (2)
After looking through the neat catalog from the first batch of samples, I asked if they could send a couple more – and they did!
Meet The Manufacturer: Product Samples From Monde Nissin (1)
Nothing I love more than to get a notification that a package from a faraway land is on it’s way. Let’s see what’s inside!
Meet The Manufacturer: Interview With Monde Nissin – Lucky Me!
Interview With Monde Nissin * Product Samples From Monde Nissin (1) * Product Samples From Monde Nissin (2) * Lucky Me! Instant Pancit Canton (Chow Mein) Chili & Citrus * Lucky Me! La Paz Batchoy Instant Noodle Soup * Lucky Me! Special Baked Mac Style Instant Macaroni * Lucky Me! Chicken Na Chicken Instant Noodles * Friday Video: Food Journey Philippines * Lucky Me! Instant Pancit Canton (Chow Mein) Original Flavor * Lucky Me! Supreme Pinoy Chicken Instant Noodles * Lucky Me! Special Instant Curly Spaghetti With Yummy Red Sauce * Lucky Me! Spicy Beef Mami Instant Noodle Soup * Lucky Me! Special Instant Sopas Chicken Flavor * Lucky Me! Special Instant Noodles Jjamppong Flavor * Lucky Me! Beef Na Beef Instant Noodles * Friday Video: How to Cook Cebu Lechon * Lucky Me! Instant Pancit Canton (Chow Mein) Sweet & Spicy Flavor * Lucky Me! Supreme Bulalo Artificial Bone Marrow Flavor Instant Noodles * Lucky Me! Special Instant Pancit Bihon With Kalamansi * Lucky Me! Instant Pancit Canton (Chow Mein) Extra Hot Chili Flavor
#1525: Pama Instant Kua Teow Tom Yam
Yet another one got in Malaysia during our trip! Thank you, Thomas! A popular dish in Penang is Char Kuay Teow, fried rice noodles. It’s kind of like the mee goreng of rice noodles. Kua Teow is rice noodles – and this is rice noodles with tom yam broth. From what I found online, it’s more a popular Thai dish. Either way, this sounds really good! Let’s dig in to some spicy stuff from Malaysia!
#1524: Nissin Chu Qian Yi Ding Spicy Sesame Flavour Instant Noodles With Soup Base
This is one by Nissin Singapore. Thomas from MyKuali got me a bunch of instant varieties during our trip to Malaysia – this was during our trip to the Econsave in Chain Ferry, Butterworth. I thought today would be a good day for a really short geography lesson.
Friday Video: “The Noodle Guy”
Here’s a documentary about a man who came from China to Flushing, New York to further his acting career and ended up being a noodle cook. ‘The Noodle Guy’ is definitely worth a watch. Enjoy! Happy Friday!
#1523: Paldo Jjamppong Seafood Noodle King Bowl
Here’s a new Jjamppong King Bowl from Paldo. The king bowl is yet another instant noodle form factor. There are cups, king cups, bowls and king bowls. I think the main different between cups and bowls are really the portability factor. I think a king cup and a king bowl hold the same amount of liquid though; I’ll have to compare them some day. But I digress. This is Jjamppong – here’s a little from Wikipedia about Jjamppong who are unclear about what it is:
#1522: Vifon Instant Porridge Seafood Flavour
The first thing you’re going to say is ‘porridge isn’t ramen.’ Well aware of that, dude. Then again, these often show up on the instant noodle aisle of an Asian grocery and as such, I thought it could use some attention. This is a Vietnamese seafood porridge, much like what they call congee in China. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about Vietnamese rice porridge:
#1521: Maruchan Gotsumori Sauce Yakisoba
Okay, I’m familiar with yakisoba, but what’s Gotsumori sauce all about? After some scouring of the Internet, I didn’t find a whole lot. I found on the manufacturer’s site that the sauce is spicy and also has a sachet of Kewpie karashimayonnaise (kind of a mayo-mustard thing). Anyways, yeah I’m definitely coming up short on this one! Let’s have a look.