Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3293: Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Texas Beef Flavor – United States

#3293: Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Texas Beef Flavor - United States

After years of searching, here we are. Where are we and what is this? This is a pack of instant noodles that is only for inmates in correctional facilities – prisons. I found them on eBay and asked fans on the Facebook page if they would be interested in purchasing them (it was a pack of 24 and I only needed a couple) and send me a couple. A fellow named Nick Bizarro was kind enough to take up the task, and thanks to him, here we are. ...see full post

#3292: Sapporo Ichiban Kita Kyushu Moji-Harbor Cheese Curry Ramen – Japan

#3292: Sapporo Ichiban Kita Kyushi Moji-Harbor Cheese Curry Ramen - Japan

Today we have a Zenpop.JP variety – so what’s Zenpop? They’re a subscription service for all things Japanese! Definitely, check them out. By the way, use coupon code RAMENRATER to get $2 off! Here’s what they had to say about this one – ‘Let us introduce you to this brand new breakthrough ramen! Yaki Curry (grilled curry) is Moji-Harbor’s, in Fukuoka prefecture, beloved local dish, enjoyed for over 60 years. There are numbers of local cafes serving this dish around Moji-Harbor. The noodle itself is seasoned too which makes the soup blend in better with noodles. It’s a great combination of spicy curry soup with the mellow flavor of cheese.’ ...see full post

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

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

This is the seventh year of the Top Ten Taiwan Instant Noodles list! Every year, I’m truly amazed at the innovation and unique varieties coming from the beautiful island of Taiwan. If you haven’t had the experience of visiting, you really should – the food, the culture – it truly has been a life changing experience for me. Growing up, all I knew of Taiwan was labels on products that simply said ‘made in Taiwan’ – but it so much more. One aspect is the noodle, and they’re really unique and delicious. This is a list of my favorite out of the reviews I’ve done up to number 3,284. Many images you will see have garnish, however only the base product before any is added is what’s reviewed, as in all of my reviews. I hope you enjoy this year’s list and consider trying some of these great varieties if you’ve not tried before – they’re really great! With that, here’s the Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2020 Edition. ...see full post

#3290: Nissin Men Shokunin Tonkotsu Ramen – Japan

Today we have a Zenpop.JP variety – so what’s Zenpop? They’re a subscription service for all things Japanese! Definitely, check them out. By the way, use coupon code RAMENRATER to get $2 off! Here’s what they had to say about this one – ‘Indulge yourself freely with this dish because these are non-fried noodles with whole grains. We LOVE how healthy the noodle tastes, and no wonder it is very popular. The tonkotsu soup has much depth of flavor matching perfectly with garlic. Toppings are chashu, wood ear mushrooms and scallions. Since it is the lightest one out of this month’s pack, when you crave ramen in the middle of the night, this is the best bet.’ ...see full post

#3286: INA Pan Mee Perisa Sup Laksa Nyonya Melaka – Malaysia

#3286: INA Pan Mee Perisa Sup Laksa Nyonya Melaka - Malaysia

I’m truly stoked on this one – another one found again at that Smart N Save up in Richmond, BC Canada. This is one I decided not to get last time I was in Taiwan that I saw at Carrefour because, well, it was such a big package and I had limited space. What’s great is that they’ve got quite a few varieties up there so I’ll be trying more – and they’re cheap! ...see full post

#3282: EDO Pack Spicy Flavour Noodle – Hong Kong

#3282: EDO Pack Spicy Flavour Noodle - Hong Kong

Okay so now that I’ve been doing a lot of weight loss and walking like a fiend (one might call me a White Walker – Game of Thrones reference, sorry), I’ve been running through shoes like crazy. I really like these $30 pairs I’ve been finding at Walmart up in Canada, but as you can guess, after a week there are holes in them. We went up in search for a new pair for me again (no luck grrr) and and during our time up there we hit Lansdowne Centre, a mall in Richmond. Well, there was a new store (at least I think it’s new but I don’t know how we could have missed it) that has a staggeringly wonderful noodle selection. The place is called Smart N Save and they’ve got some really neat stuff in there, including this one. Let’s check it out. ...see full post

#3280: Mama Pat’s Seafood Gumbo Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles – United States

#3280: Mama Pat's Seafood Gumbo Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles - United States

I’ve reviewed Mama Pat’s products in the past, however there have been some changesto the packs (no more drink sachet and no vegetable sachet either) and now there are cups (which I’m reviewing for the first time). I think these are neat ranges – very unique varieties Chef Ron is bringing to market. Let’s check out this cup version! ...see full post

#3278: Uni-President Imperial Big Meal Beef Flavor – Taiwan

#3278: Uni-President Imperial Big Meal Beef Flavor - Taiwan

This is a big and somewhat heavy bowl from Taiwan. I’ve reviewed the version not made for export (this one usually goes to Hong Kong). What was funny about this one is that I found it up in Canada at a store in Aberdeen Centre – defintely not where this belongs. It’s full of beef and import restrictions would bar it from Canada. What a nice surprise! Let’s check out this one with Australian and New Zealand beef! ...see full post

#3276: Nongshim Neoguri Seafood & Spicy Ramyun – South Korea

#3276: Nongshim Neoguri Seafood & Spicy Ramyun - South Korea

So you might be wondering – you haven’t reviewed this popular South Korean variety before? Well, yes and no. I’ve had it quite a few times – South Korean versions as well as ones manufactured in the United States. However this particular version is made for Europe and Oceania, so a different export version. I try to hit every version of everything- especially ones people have lots of access to. This one is generally a nice spicy seafood soup – let’s check it out. ...see full post

Umai Crate – Japanese Ramen Noodles Subscription Box – September 2019 Unboxing

Hey look – another Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater! This one came today and we brought it inside set up the lights, shot the video, edited it and boom here it is! Lots of neat stuff in this box! Check it out! Get yours here: http://bit.ly/umaicrate
Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for extra discount! ...see full post

The Chocolate Break: Our Other Passion

If you didn’t know, we also review chocolate. The Chocolate Break (www.thechocolatebreak.com) reviews chocolate in a weekly show I and my wife Kit produce. We’ve been doing it for over a year! Please check it out, why don’t you? Here’s the latest episode – it comes on YouTube, facebook and The Chocolate Break website weekly at 11am Los Angeles time. ...see full post

#3270: Fitmee Konjac Chicken Soto – Indonesia

#3270: Fitmee Konjac Chicken Soto - Indonesia

The second of the Fitmee varieties sent by Empire International – thanks again! I sampled the first a couple days ago and was very impressed – it was a kind of buldak dry version that was pretty good and only 150 calories! This one has a soto flavor and is – get this – only 60 calories! What’s soto? Here’s some info from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#3269: Vite Ramen Vegan Mushroom Shio Instant Noodle Soup – United States

#3269: Vite Ramen Vegan Mushroom Shio Instant Noodle Soup - United States

The third of the Vite Ramen offerings. The first time around when I sampled the prototypes, this was my favorite – curious how I’ll like it this time around as full fledged version 1.0! I should mention that I hear that there will be an updated version coming soon – 1.1? 2.0? Not sure but definitely will be giving the three another go when they update them. Let’s get started. ...see full post

#3268: Fitmee Konjac Fried Korean Noodle – Indonesia

#3268: Fitmee Konjac Fried Korean Noodle - Indonesia

Here’s something pretty fascinating. First off, thanks to Empire International for sending these over! This is from Indonesia, is only 160 calories for the whole package, and… yeah. It’s konjac (pronounced like cognac).- These noodles are incredibly low cal and I’ve honestly had mixed resilts. I’ve had them that are horrible before – thicker noodles. But recently tried some that were thinner and they worked well. These are dry, and I haven’t tried them that way before, so we shall see how it goes. Let’s find out! ...see full post

#3266: Samyang Foods Hot Chicken Flavor Sausage – South Korea

#3266: Samyang Foods Hot Chicken Flavor Sausage - South Korea

No, this is NOT noodles. But it’s a tie in that’s for sure. These are little surimi (fish) sausages to enjoy as a snack, flavored like Buldak Bokkeummyun. I’ve seen these all over recently in different ways – some packs call them ‘Kid’s Bong’ and they come in a variety of flavors. These sounded interesting! Couldn’t resist. Let’s take a look! ...see full post