Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3453: Seven & i Premium Curry Ramen – Japan

#3453: Seven & i Premium Curry Ramen - Japan

Here’s another one kindly sent by Alexander from Hong Kong – dude thanks! So these are cool – I really like convenience store tie-in ramen. This one is a little bit of a mystery; usually they’ll be by Nissin or another brand and it’s easy to tell. This one, not so much. But that’s mainly for identification purposes. This is definitely 7-Eleven either way, whomever is private labeling it for them. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

Exotic Noods March 2020 Instant Ramen Noodles Subscription Box Unboxing

Looking for something a little different? Head over to www.exoticnoods.com! Their subscription boxes are from different countries! Not just Japan, you’ll get to try varieties from around the SE Asian region! Plus, use coupon code RAMENRATER15 for 15% off your order! Here’s what you’ll find inside The January box. ...see full post

#3451: Nongshim Shin Light Air Dried Noodle Soup – South Korea

#3451: Nongshim Shin Light Air Dried Noodle Soup - South Korea

It’s been quite a while since a new Shin variety came out I think. On the edge of the package it mentions it being ‘Shin Black Class’ but I mean look at the packaging. Clearly, this is Shin White – am I wrong?I’m guessing this is going to be quite different – fried vs non fried noodles are like night and day, and I expect I’m going to like this one to be honest. Let’s find out! ...see full post

#3450: Taihodien Green Chilli Paste Noodles – Taiwan

#3450: Taihodien Green Chilli Paste Noodles - Taiwan

It’s been a while since I had the original Taihodien spicy mala noodles. On those, the noodles themselves were decent but the flavor was just such an onslaught of Sichuan peppercorn. Just too much. This one sounds much different – green Sichuan peppercorn and a lot of other chilli pepper action going on. Hoping to like thing one! Let’s check it out. ...see full post

IWOOT – Great Japanese Ramen Themed Gifts + Coupon Code – Unboxing Time Part 2

I was contacted last month by an outfit called IWOOT in the UK. They have a line of neat ramen related products – like mugs, shirts, posters, etc. They asked if I’d share some of them and I said sure! Here’s the second of two unboxing times showcasing their stuff! By the way, they also ship to the United States! Check out IWOOT and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for 20% off your order! ...see full post

IWOOT – Great Japanese Ramen Themed Gifts + Coupon Code – Unboxing Time Part 1

I was contacted last month by an outfit called IWOOT in the UK. They have a line of neat ramen related products – like mugs, shirts, posters, etc. They asked if I’d share some of them and I said sure! Here’s the first of two unboxing times showcasing their stuff! By the way, they also ship to the United States! Check out IWOOT and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for 20% off your order! ...see full post

#3444: Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Hot-n-Spicy Vegetable Flavor – United States

#3444: Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Hot-n-Spicy Vegetable Flavor - United States

Before you start, no. No you can’t. Get this. You can’t. Well, you can, but it’s going to be hard. Actually not that hard if you really want some. Just commit a crime that gets you incarcerated in a facility that has this stuff. That’s the only place you’re buying it – in prisons and jails and detention facilities. Period. ...see full post

#3437: Red Chef Green Tom Yum Soup Noodles [New Formulation Dec-19] – Malaysia

#3512: Red Chef Green Tom Yum Soup Noodles [New Formulation Dec-19] - Malaysia:

This is always something that really humbles me. I review instant noodles, and getting new varieties is always a good thing, albeit difficult oft times. Well, this is a definitely new variety. The former version has been on my The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time list – now I’m curious… Isn’t that good enough? Apparently not! Let’s see what’s different! ...see full post

#3433: Base Foods Base Noodles – United States

#3433: Base Foods Base Noodles - United States

Alright so first off, this one won’t be getting a score. It doesn’t come with a seasoning sachet, something required to be scored. However, it’s something I think folks will want to know about. It’s a refrigerated section noodle that is full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. Not only that, it’s really quite tasty I think. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater Diet Update – February 2020

I thought I’d do a quick update as to everything I’ve been doing to attempt to lose weight. Winter has come. Harder to have the ability to get outside – who wants to walk in the pouring rain? Plus, lots of vacation time for kids so stuck at home a lot. Here’s a new video about what I’m doing. plus I did a recipe using a couple ingredients including Hakubaku Udon noodles – it’s pretty quick – not going to say it’s only 5 calories, but it’s super good. ...see full post

#3431: Nissin Raoh Grapefruit Shio Ramen – Japan

#3431: Nissin Raoh Grapefruit Shio Ramen - Japan

I’m getting grapefruit from a Google translation, but it might be yuzu. Got this up in Canada at a rad store called Smart’n’Save – it’s my personal Disneyland I think. They’ve got a lot of varieties I’ve not seen elsewhere – like a specialty shop for snacks, noodles, and treats from Hong Kong and China and Japan. Let’s give this one a try! ...see full post

#3428: Wu-Mu Mandashi Sakura Shrimp Scallion Oil Noodles – Taiwan

#3428: Wu-Mu Mandashi Sakura Shrimp Scallion Oil Noodles - Taiwan

I found another one of these export Mandashi varieties at the local 99 Ranch Market in Edmonds the other day. Nice to find stuff at the regular haunts. I still think the man on the front is going to strike me if I don’t prepare his noodles correctly! Although I have worked with the Wu-Mu folks before and did a Meet The Manufacturer and they are really very nice people. Anyways, shrimp and scallion? Sounds good! Let’s see if it is! ...see full post

#3427: Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun Light – South Korea

#3427: Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun Light - South Korea

Here we have the latest in the long line of Buldak varieties from Samyang Foods. This is Buldak Light – so let me explain. This one has only 375 calories. The noodles are not fried, so all that oil used in frying isn’t present. But not only is it lighter on calories, it’s lighter on heat. It’s 40% less spicy than original Buldak Bokkeummyun clocking in at 2,600SHU compared to the original’s 4,400SHU. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2020 Edition

The Ramen Rater's Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2020 Edition

This year has been tumultuous for The Ramen Rater – busy and hectic, and so this, the first of many Top Ten Lists slated for release during the year is delayed – sorry about that. There are my absolute favorite varieties, current as of review #3400, of which 383 are South Korean in origin. I also want to mention – don’t wear a track jacket when recording with a lapel mic – it came out awful and worse than the audio that was used from the camera.  All varieties are manufactured in South Korea. If you are a company interested in having your products showcased, please drop me a line. Let’s begin! ...see full post