Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#1145: Meet The Manufacturer: Asian Thai Foods Fatafat Chicken Flavor

I think this is one of my new favorite packages – those kids are rockin’ out! Fatafat means ‘fast fast,’ referring to the fact that you can just pop it open and eat it as well as a smaller size for a quick meal. I decided to try the only cooking method I’ve seen this brand mention that I hadn’t tried yet: cook, drain, fry and add seasonings. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#1144: Meet The Manufacturer: Asian Thai Foods Krrish Instant Noodles Vegetable Curry Flavour

Here’s another journey into something different. It was mentioned that a lot of people will have these noodles uncooked with the seasoning/oil packets mixed in. Adding tomato ketchup and mayonnaise as well was mentioned. I enquired as to whom the fellow on the package was: “Well it’s the superhero for India. It’s actor Hrithik Roshan on the package. You can Google the movie. Krrsh 3 will be releasing soon this year. Do watch the trailer on YouTube. This product was made to attract kids.” Wow cool! I figured let’s try this out! ...see full post

#1142: Meet The Manufacturer: Asian Thai Foods Miteri Instant Noodles Chicken Flavor

This one is called Miteri and it comes from Nepal. The makers of this product mentioned that coriander is a good garnish for all of their varieties.. I went to the store looking for the stuff and found coriander powder so tried that on the review before last. Then I had a thought to look on Google for coriander as the powder just didn’t seem right. Well guess what? Coriander is known here in the US as cilantro. Needless to say, I went and got some and will use it today! As it turns out, miteri means friend in Nepalese.. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#1141: Meet The Mnufacturer: Asian Thai Foods Joker Ready To Eat Noodles Chicken Flavor

Today, I’ll be reviewing something different. I’ve reviewed snack noodles before that have been made into various shapes, ones that start as a block and you crush and add seasoning, but none quite like these. These are in a small packet and in a block – they’re also noodles that have been seasoned already. Asian Thai Foods said that you can simply crush the noodles and have them that way; in fact, it is common that people eat many of their varieties this way – including mixing the seasoning packets and oil packets as well – and eating straight. What I’m going to do with it is add a couple things I’ve found before in namkeens. Namkeens are basically savory snack foods that are kind of like trail mix – they usually contain nuts, seeds, raisins and all sorts of different things depending on the region. Let’s have a try! ...see full post

#1139: Meet The Manufacturer: Asian Thai Foods Gaurav Chicken Seasoning

Here’s the first review of the Asian Thai Foods Meet The Manufacturer spotlight! Wow – noodles from Nepal! Let’s have a look at these, called Gaurav. I couldn’t figure out what Gaurav means – if anyone knows, please comment! UPDATE – Thanks for KC Gabby for letting me know that gaurav means pride! Let’s check it out! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Interview With Asian Thai Foods

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Made In The USA Of All Time 2013 Edition

The instant noodle originated in 1958 in Japan, but since that time, they’ve expanded in popularity all over the world, including of course, the United States. Seeing this, instant noodle companies thought it wise to start building plants here in the 1970s. Since then, many brands operate factories here in the US, mostly in southern California. This is a list of my favorite varieties produced here, encompassing my over 1,100 reviews to date. With that, here’s your top ten, America! ...see full post

#1135: Indomie Instant Noodle Beef & Lime Flavour

Found this the other day and hadn’t ever seen it before. Then I looked closer and saw it was Rasa Soto Mie. Now, I’ve reviewed the export version of Soto Mie before, but there’s a difference: this one’s beef and the other was chicken. Interesting! Always nice to see a new Indonesian variety available in the states! Let’s check this one out. ...see full post

Special August Advertising Promotion On The Ramen Rater

Happy August! The Ramen Rater has entered the advertising game! This chart (click image to enlarge) shows have many impressions (page views) have accumulated per month since October of 2010. The Ramen Rater keeps getting more popular. We feel that it is the best place for grocers that sell instant noodles as well as manufacturers of instant noodles to advertise – people who come to The Ramen Rater are looking for information on instant noodles or where they can find them. Why not tap into that? With more people browsingh the site come new expenses like hosting. Advertising with The Ramen Rater not only helps get the word out and bring people to your company website but also helps support The Ramen Rater continue to bring you daily reviews. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All time 2013 Edition

This year, we’ve got some new fiery additions to this list of spicy and burning hot varieties. If you can find them, you’ll be feeling quite the burn! If you think you’ve found anything hotter or noteworthy of being on this list, please comment below or send me an email. Without further adieu, here’s the 2013 picks for the spiciest instant noodles I’ve found after 1,128 reviews! ...see full post

#1126: GaGa Mie Gepeng Goreng Rasa Ayam Lada Hitam

In the last day, lots of people have been coming to The Ramen Rater from Indonesia! One person who commented via the facebook page said”you should try this one fried noddle, it has black pepper flavour. will not disappoint you :)” (for those wondering, this is friend black pepper chicken flavor noodles).  I looked through the box of varieties my friend in Jakarta sent me and lo and behold, I had it in there! Thank you very much! Let’s check this one out! ...see full post

Greetings Indonesia!

I noticed lots of visitors to the website tonight from Indonesia – it looks like they’re happy that thje Indomie cup was the #1 on the Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups Of All Time 2013 Edition! Well, I’ve been asked if I’ve reviewed more Indomie varieties, and so here is a link to an interview I did with Indomie CBP and lots of links to local varieties – enjoy! ...see full post

#1122: Nagao Noodle Ramen Kamen Thasos Galle Pork Bone

This one was sent by Mr. Yamato of Yakantei in Japan! Thank you! First off – if someone has a better translation of what this particular instant noodle is called, please let me know? The original text is 長尾製麺 ラーメン仮面・タソガレトンコツ. This is quite unique in that the outer packaging is paper. Yes – paper! Let’s have a look at this artsy ramen! ...see full post

#1121: Sau Tao Oat Noodle Sesame Oil Flavored

Let me say that the past couple of days have been probably a couple of the most crazy, fascinating and rewarding of my run so far as The Ramen Rater. I did am interview with Quartz (part of The Atlantic) and it went viral; Huffington Post picked it up, Grub Street, Digg,… Did an interview with South Korea’s Cultwo Veranda Show and appeared, and have two interviews with radio and television lined up in the next couple of days. A couple of interesting opportunities I can’t talk about yet have popped up and I’m very excited about them and will share as soon as I can. Thursday I went up to Canada and met with some folks at a big Asian grocery called T&T Supermarket. They were really nice people and even sent me home with some great new varieties to review and share! Thank you so much! This is one of them. Oat noodles? This sounds different – see the little circle on the lower right? It says ‘health is important. Let’s check it out! ...see full post