Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

The Ramen Rater Humbly Asks For Your Help

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UPDATE – I want to thank everyone who donated – you really helped us out a great deal and made it possible to get through this difficult time! At this point, our heads are pretty much above water, so as far as a pressing need for donations, we’re good. I would say though that if you appreciate what I do and want to say thanks, that’s always truly appreciated, so I’m going to leave this up as an option. Thank you!

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. ...see full post

#4654: Trader Joe’s Squiggly Knife Cut Noodles With Soy And Sesame Sauce – United states

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#4654: Trader Joe's Squiggly Knife Cut Noodles With Soy And Sesame Sauce - United states

Everyone I know seems to enjoy stepping foot into Trader Joe’s. Personally, I’m loathe to enter it. The silly bells, the caffeinated out overly engaging checkout people, the haphazard design of the aisles, the customers hanging out in groups here and there, oblivious to others and impeding travel through the place… Yeah, I don’t like going in there usually. However, I went in there recently with my wife and it was somewhat enjoyable as I found some noodles there. Now, Trader Joe’s makes nothing – nothing at all. They get companies to do private label products for them. This is one of those – made in Taiwan. These are Taiwanese dry noodle, a time-honored cuisine. Well, let’s just call ’em squiggly fun time noodles! Egad. Well, whoever manufactured them, I hope they’re getting paid good. Hopefully these are good, too. Let’s find out. ...see full post

#4652: That’s Asia Sweet & Sour Sauce With Noodles – United States

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#4652: That's Asia Sweet & Sour Sauce With Noodles - United States

Well, here’s this. The last time I tried something from these folks I came up with only one thing to say; that’s not Asia. I’ve an open mind, but guessing I’m in for disappointment. But I’ve got an open mind, dammit! I think chicken should pair rather well with this and I do have chicken. Well, it’s made in Thailand for the Us market. That being send, let’s That’s. ...see full post

#4649: Indomie Mi Instan Mi Keriting Goreng Spesial – Indonesia

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#4649: Indomie Mi Instan Mi Keriting Goreng Spesial - Indonesia

Massive thanks to Pher Engi of Australia for sending this as part of a huge haul of Indonesian varieties. Another from this range is in the 2023 Top Ten global list. They both used to be available in the United States, but not anymore – which is very sad. They really should bring these back… Special noodle, excellent flavor. I’ve not reviewed this is years and years so with new packaging heralding their 50trh anniversary, away we go. ...see full post

#4648: MAMA Oriental Kitchen Dried Instant Noodles Truffle Flavour – Thailand

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#4648: MAMA Oriental Kitchen Dried Instant Noodles Truffle Flavour - Thailand

Here’s the first of two new varieties from MAMA of Thailand that they were kind enough to send – thank you very much! Truffle! I’m really curious about this one. Truffles I’ve always thought a musty, old book kind of flavor – and I like the scent of old books and that transmitted as flavor is truly fascinating to me. I’m curious how strong this will be. Only one way to find out! ...see full post

#4647: Ottogi Jin Jjajang Smoked Black Bean Flavor – United States

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#4507: Ottogi Jin Jjajang Smoked Black Bean Flavor - United States

Found this one while looking for something completely different recently at HMart. I could tell they had the new noodle type (flat/broad) and thought that could be interesting, so here we are with today’s review. I should mention I have a special guest on today’s Instant Noodle Recipe Time at the bottom, so check it out. Anyways, let’s cook it up and give it a try! ...see full post

#4646: Samyang Foods Samyang Ramen – United States

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#4646: Samyang Foods Samyang Ramen - United States

So here’s one I’ve really enjoyed for a long time. Indeed, it has also been in exitence for quite awhile as well. It’s the original variety that was introduced to the South Korean market back in 1963. Initially, it was mistaken as a textile which is kind of funny, but that didn’t last long at all. This is the packaging for export, but it’s the same as what you’ll find in South Korea. ...see full post

Ultimate Air Fryer Ramen Recipe – Instant Noodle Recipe Time EXTRA

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Ultimate Air Fryer Ramen Recipe - Instant Noodle Recipe Time EXTRA

Perhaps there’s something to the term ‘third time’s the charm.’ After a couple fact-finding missions seeing what happens when cooked ramen is placed in an air fryer, we arrive at this one, and it turned out pretty well. Of course, some will immediately have a bit of a fit concerning this. ‘Why are you doing this?’ Why not? I know, it’s outside of your comfort zone which makes me want to do it more. Second, despite the promises made in the past of winning so much I’d be sick of winning, I decided not to rely on those making these promises and just work on the winning myself. ...see full post

#4642: NoodleMix 3 Flavors In 1 Noodle – Rice Noodle – Taiwan

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#4630: NoodleMix 3 Flavors In 1 Noodle - Taiwan

This one seems a little different. So, it says 3 flavors in 1 noodle.

NoodleMix 3 Flavors In 1 Noodle – Rice Noodle – Taiwan

Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. To prepare, boil noodle for 5~6 minutes, then 30 seconds with lid on. Drain. Add in sachet contents. Finally, stir and enjoy! ...see full post

Zenpop.jp Ramen Unboxing – November 2023 + Coupon Code

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Zenpop.jp Ramen Unboxing - November 2023 + Coupon Code

It’s time to unbox a Zenpop.jp box – you get seven varieties of instant noodles to try! I would say that almost every time I’ve gotten one of these, I’ve never tried any of them before which is really awesome. Great as a gift or to hoard for yourself! Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount! Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#4634: The Han Kitchen Budae Ramyun – South Korea

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#4634: The Han Kitchen Budae Ramyun - South Korea

This one was found at HMart in Lynnwood, Washington. Never have seen this brand before. I’m guessing this is going to be budae jjigae, aka ‘troop stew,’ a combo of a classic Korean spicy ramyun along with bits you would find in Army rations like hot dog, salami, macaroni – stuff that will last a long time in the field. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#4630: NoodleMix 3 Flavors In 1 Noodle – Guanmiao – Taiwan

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#4630: NoodleMix 3 Flavors In 1 Noodle - Taiwan

This one seems a little different. So, it says 3 flavors in 1 noodle.

NoodleMix 3 Flavors In 1 Noodle – Guanmiao – Taiwan

Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. To prepare, boil noodle for 5~6 minutes, then 30 seconds with lid on. Drain. Add in sachet contents. Finally, stir and enjoy! ...see full post

#4628: Nongshim Bowl Noodles Savory Chicken Flavor – United States

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#4628: Nongshim Bowl Noodles Savory Chicken Flavor - United States

Our local store sells these for $4 each. I thought this was a little high and then I went to a different store and they were $2 which seemed a bit more reasonable. These are the popular bowls Nongshim has been producing and selling for years – I have seen them be made! It’s a very impressive process, with lots of little interesting things. One is a machine that checks each and every bowl to see if say a screw from the machinery fell into a bowl – they don’t. It’s pretty neat stuff. Most people are really into the whole deal with making noodles, but I find it fascinating. Let’s cook one of these up. ...see full post

Exclusive: Top Ramen Instant Noodles In An Air Fryer

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Recently, my wife and I inherited an air fryer. We’re pretty late to the ‘revolution’ of a tabletop convection oven on steroids that can make crispy french fries and chicken nuggets like nothing else. But of course, you probably guessed instant noodles wouldn’t be far behind. This is my first attempt, but most certainly not my last. I didn’t do any research – I decided to just wing it after making a few things over the past two days. Let’s see what happened! ...see full post