Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

Umai Crate Ramen Subscription Box – April 2021 Unboxing

It’s pretty inadvisable to run to the mall and hang out with tons of people. Well, check out these subscription boxes – they come straight to your door and have some neat stuff inside! Check out www.japancrate.com and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER to score a sweet discount and get some neat noodles! ...see full post

Ramen Made Simple: A New Book By Chris Toy

I was contacted recently by the author of this book who asked if I’d share it with my readers and do a review. I can happily say that’s it’s neat book – it runs through how to make various broths as well as garnishes like ajitama and chashu – two things right there I see questions about on my group Ramen Junkies all the time. Check it out! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Hong Kong Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition

The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Hong Kong Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition

Tried a ton of varieties made in Hong Kong this last year or two and thought I ought to update this list. Some really great new stuff to show you! If you’re a manufacturer of varieties in Hong Kong, please feel free to contact me to try out your products! This list is current as of review #3,702. With that, let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Hong Kong Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition. ...see full post

#3765: Newgate Express Instant Noodles Beef Flavour – Ireland

#3765: Newgate Express Instant Noodles Beef Flavour - Ireland

Thanks to Cian (pronounced kee-yan – like Ian with a K) from Ireland! Thanks so much! These are very interesting in that the sachet kind of gives away the original manufacturer. The motif on the sachet is the same as those found at Real Canadian Superstore up in BC – and these come from a grocery store chain in Ireland, so either they’re related or just using the same private label company. The ones in Canada were labeled Rooster brand. They were good, so I’m hoping these will be as well. Let’s find out! ...see full post

#3764: Wai Wai Quick Instant Noodles Chicken Curry Flavour – Serbia

#3764: Wai Wai Quick Instant Noodles Chicken Curry Flavour - Serbia

What a lovely surprise! I went to JR’s Market over in Lynnwood, WA when we were out getting Halloween costumes for the kids (it’s across the parking lot from the Halloween store) and found this and quite a few more varieties. I figured this was from Nepal as it’s a Chaudhary Group noodle, but after examining this one it’s from CG Europe – from Serbia! So this is another country I’ve not reviewed anything from, which is pretty neat! ...see full post

#3762: Kim & Kim Easy Pho Rice Noodle Soup – Vietnam

#3762: Kim & Kim Easy Pho Rice Noodle Soup - Vietnam

Saw this one at Boo Han Market in Edmonds, WA and was like – what? If you notice, there’s a South Korean AND a North Korean flag thing going on here. UPDATE: Ah – I’m wrong it’s a Vietnamese flag and a South Korean flag… At least that is what I’m getting out of it – I could be wrong. This looks to be an export product – very interesting imagery. Well, let’s give it a try! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Chinese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition

The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Chinese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition

Time for an update! The last The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Chinese Instant Noodles Of All Time debuted in 2017. Many new varieties have been reviewed since then and some were absolutely amazing. This list is current as of review #3,702. If you’re a Chinese company with products you’d like reviewed – please contact me! Let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Chinese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition. ...see full post

#3752: Nissin Demae Ramen Miso Tonkotsu Flavor – Hong Kong

#3752: Nissin Demae Ramen Miso Tonkotsu Flavor - Hong Kong

I reviewed almost all the Demae Ramen – at least I thought. I used to get them on walks about ten years ago and then I did a Meet The Manufacturer with Nissin HK and they sent over 50 different varieties. Then this one comes in an Exotic Noods box (use coupon code RAMENRATER15) and there’s a new one to do. Let’s kick the tires! ...see full post

#3751: Liangshi Nara Japanese Noodles (Salted Egg Flavor) – China

#3751: Liangshi Nara Japanese Noodles (Salted Egg Flavor) - China

Salted egg was something I didn’t really get at first, but these days it’s something I really enjoy. I had one of these ‘flower pot’ style noodles about 40 reviews back that was the same except it was salted egg and crab flavor – and it’s a no-brainer five stars. Let’s see if this one’s solo flavor does the trick. ...see full post

#3750: Nongshim Soon Kimchi Noodle Soup – United States

#3750: Nongshim Soon Kimchi Noodle Soup - United States

I’ve long been a fan of the Soon line of products from Nongshim. If asked whether I’d want Shin Ramyun or Soon, I’d hit the Soon. Why? It just has a really nice smooth finish (it sounds like I’m describing a beer but really it does). This time they’ve got a trifecta of new versions – kimchi, a spicy tomato and a miso tofu. Today kimchi is on the menu – let’s check it out. ...see full post

#3747: Mom’s Dry Noodle Spicy Oil Dan Dan Noodles – Taiwan

#3747: Mom's Dry Noodle Spicy Oil Dan Dan Noodles - Taiwan

Something new from Taiwan just hit my mailbox recently – this is a dan dan variety from Mom’s Dry Noodle (their dan dan noodles have been on my top ten global list for a few years now). This one’s different though – lots of spicy oil and it’s Vegetarian friendly. Let’s crack it open and see what’s going on in here! ...see full post

#3746: Vifon Asian Style Instant Noodles With Crab Paste – Vietnam

#3746: Vifon Asian Style Instant Noodles With Crab Paste - Vietnam

Here’s one that was sent in by reader James from Lakeside, CA! Thanks! He’s sent quite a few neat varieties over the past year and this follows suit. It contains a retort pouch, kind of the high bar when it comes to instants as it’s like a flexible can with fish or meat in there which makes everything better. This one’s got crab – let give it a try! ...see full post

Ramen Forever: A New Book Of Ramen Art & Lore by Yarrow Slaps

Ramen Forever: A New Book Of Ramen Art & Lore by Yarrow Slaps

A couple of years ago, I got a message from someone who was going to publish a book about ramen and asked for an interview. I almost never turn down an interview so I did one and forgot about it long ago. Well, I got an email saying the book had been published and was asked where a copy could be sent. Well, it arrived! Let’s open it up and check it out! ...see full post

#3744: Pamana Instant chicken Sotanghon – United States

#3744: Pamana Instant chicken Sotanghon - United States

Here’s another one for the Filipino market here in the states by Pamana. Sadly, this is the last Filipino variety I’ve got so I’m hoping someone who’s reading from the Philippines might be kind enough to send some new varieties I’ve not reviewed. Very hard to come by these days for me I’m afraid! Let’s check it out – but first, a little snippet from Wikipedia about Sotanghon – oh wait, I guess not. It appears it’s being confused with rice vermicelli – which this dish does use, but the translation in this instance would be to bihon instead so I don’t know what to do… A little research yielded use of mushrooms, however in my years reviewing, I’ve seen a lot of varieties including saltine crackers. We shall see. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Indonesian Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition

Ten Indonesian Instant Noodles

To start, I want to take a moment to recognize the passing of Nunuk Nuraini. Many of you haven’t heard of her and so I wanted to tell you a little about her. She was the spice mixer for Indomie and died earlier this year. The flavors she shared with the world are legendary I thought it fitting to honor her with a mention before we start this list. If you’d like to read and article about her life, there is one here ...see full post