This month, we have an exceptionally rad Umai Crate! Head over to https://bit.ly/UmaiCrate and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER – you’ll get a coupon and help us out – thanks!
Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch
#3296: Samyang Foods Carbo Buldak Topokki – South Korea
Oh wow okay so I’ve been kind of hanging on to this carbonara topokki for a little while. Today seemed like a god day for this one. Is it? Well, let’s find out!
#3295: Mama Pat’s Chicken Taco Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles – United States
So I’m stoked – Chef Ron shot over a big box of samples! Things have changed though – these days the drink is missing, as are the vegetables. He promises that this is still an amazing product and I will still love it. Let’s find out!
#3294: Kubota Men Raimu Kitakata Ramen – Japan
Here’s a fancy variety that came from a Ramen Trunk. Ramen Trunk is a subscription service featuring monthly boxes of super premium ramen from Japan! Use coupon code RAMENRATER20OFF for a discount on your first order!
#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.
#3292: Sapporo Ichiban Kita Kyushu 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.’
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.
#3291: Itsuki Classic Udon – Japan
Here’s one from an Umai Crate – a subscription box from Japan. Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount if you’d like to get one!
#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.’
#3289: Sanpo Spicy Green Pepper Tonkotsu Ramen – Japan
This one was in a Ramen Trunk subscription box.These boxes are full of extremely high end varieties that you’ll never find in the United States or anywhere outside Japan! Check out this link and use coupon code RAMENRATER20OFF for 20% off any single box or subscription!
#3288: Little Cook Spicy Beef Flavor – Thailand
Almost 3000 reviews ago I gave this one a try. It looks as though I really liked it. It’s been such a long time it’s getting a new number- mainly because I’m going to guess that sourcing has changed at least soewhat and also the cup is different; it used to be a foam bowl.
#3287: Itsuki Neapolitan Spaghetti – Japan
Today, we have one that was part of Japan Crate’s Umai Crate. So Japan Crate is a subscription service which has all sorts of different options for you. pretty neat stuff from Japan! There’s a coupon code for you too – just use THERAMENRATER to get a special discount at check out.
#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!
#3285: Aji-no-men Sabor Gallina Picante – Peru
I received a package with a couple of varieties of Peruvian instant noodles last week, then one with even more the next as well as a TON of Brazilian ones! I have to say, I have the nicest readers and want to thank you for your continued support in sending samples I couldn’t source otherwise!
#3284: MyKuali Penang Gaeng Som Noodle – Malaysia
Here’s one of the new ones from MyKuali. I’ve enjoyed MyKuali’s stuff for years, with multiple appearances on the top tens. Here’s a new flavor – gaeng som – and a little something from Wikipedia to explain –
#3283: O’taste Spicy Tteokbokki – South Korea
Found this one up in Canada at Smart N Save as well. It turns out that this brand is actually related to Nongshim. It’s produced by Taekyung Nong San, which is part of the Nongshim company as can be seen on their logo. Interesting! This is a combo of tteokbokki and noodles. Let’s check it out!
#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.
#3281: Samlip Hi-Myon Spicy Katsuo Udon – South Korea
Got this a little while back up in Richmond, BC at the HMart in Aberdeen Centre. This is the spicy counterpart to the non-spicy version I reviewed about 110 reviews ago. Let’s take a look.
#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!
#3279: Palkin The knight of Fire ribs – South Korea
Someone on social media alerted me to the existence of a new spicy variety on the market. This is The Knight Of Fire Ribs. I’ve reviewed The Knight Of Ribs (in fact, that was on the 2018 Top Ten Instant Noodles OF All Time list). This is a spicy version and we shall see exactly how spicy it is. Let’s give it a try!
#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!
#3277: Marutai Kyushu Hakata Vegetarian Tonkotsu – Japan
Today, we have one that was part of Japan Crate’s Umai Crate. So Japan Crate is a subscription service which has all sorts of different options for you. pretty neat stuff from Japan! There’s a coupon code for you too – just use THERAMENRATER to get a special discount at check out.
#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.
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!
#3275: Haogemen Chongqing Noodles Hot & Spicy – China
Another one found at FoodyWorld up in Richmond, BC. That place never ceases to amaze me where really out of the way varieties are concerned. This one should definitely be hot and spicy – curious in which way it will swing – savory or deluge of pain. Let’s find out!
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.
#3274: Maruchan Tempura Udon – Japan
This one was in a box from www.zenpop.jp – head over and use coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!
Hakubaku Mochi Barley Samples & An Embarrassing Story
Here’s something I’ve been fortunately able to enjoy almost every day. This is a big part of my diet regimen. I mix it in with canned soup and it really is quite good – check out the vid!
#3272: Kenko Foods Health Shoyu Ramen – Japan
Today, we have one that was part of Japan Crate’s Umai Crate. So Japan Crate is a subscription service which has all sorts of different options for you. pretty neat stuff from Japan! There’s a coupon code for you too – just use THERAMENRATER to get a special discount at check out.
#3271: Samyang Foods Tsuyu Udon Big Bowl – South Korea
I’m sure there are some folks out there figuring this is going to violently spicy. Well, that’s just not the case. Not everything that Samyang Foods makes has an angry little chicken on it! Let’s see what we have inside this big bowl!
More Paldo Samples: More Mr. Kimchi & Japanese Version Teumsae
So the last box from Paldo had some interesting stuff inside and this one is no different. Have a look!
New Maruchan Gold Ramen & Fire Yakisoba From The USA!
New Stuff from the United States? Yeah! Let’s check it out!
New Maruchan Gold Ramen & Fire Yakisoba – United States
#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 –
Nissin Cup Noodles Stir Fry – First Taste Club #004 Unboxing
Yep – new stuff from Nissin USA! Cool stuff in this box! Let’s take a look!
Nissin Cup Noodles Stir Fry First Taste Club #004 Unboxing – 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.
#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!
#3267: Vite Ramen Garlic Pork Instant Noodle Soup – United States
A few months ago I did a Meet The Manufacturer series on Vite Ramen, but the packs I tried were prototypes and not this, the finished product for version 1.0 (version 1.1 will be coming soon and I’ll be giving that a try when it comes out). It’s a neat concept brought to life by Tim & Tom Zheng.
#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!
Ultra Spicy Samples From Paldo Of South Korea
Here’s one I’ve been wanting to get a hold of for a long time! These samples include the 9,413SHU Teumsae.