Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#3012: Samyang Foods Sriracha Ramen Snack – South Korea

#3012: Samyang Foods Sriracha Ramen Snack - South Korea

Here we have what you call a ramen snack or noodle snack. These are popular throughout Asia but little known in the United States. In a way. It was often I heard about people taking a domestic pillow pack of instant noodles here in the states and pulverizing it while still in the package and then the seasoning dumped on and held closed, then shaken to distribute the flavor. This was commonly considered a somewhat of a lazy teenager’s way of cooking one of the easiest products to cook around. Well, they’ve been creating products that are prepared in this way for a very long time in Asia. Spicy, sweet, salty – you name it. Here’s Samyang’s Sriracha Ramen flavored one for you to see today! ...see full post

#3010: Vedan Wei Wei Premium Noodle With Braised Beef – Taiwan

#3010: Vedan Wei Wei Premium Noodle With Braised Beef - Taiwan

This one comes by way of a reader from Taiwan who visited t he Philippines and saw this and a spicy version there. This is most definitely an export version. First, lots of English text. Now, you’ll never see this in the United States as it does contain beef. Casn’t go wrong with braised beef – well, I guess you could if it’s bad, but I don’t think that’s going to be the case here. Let’s find out! ...see full post

#3008: Indomie Real Meat Mi Instan Goreng Rendang – Indonesia

#3008: Indomie Real Meat Mi Instan Goreng Rendang - Indonesia

First, thanks to Robert Z for sending this along! Check out his amazing www.dadbert.com blog!! II mean wow – I’ve been wanting to try these for a while now and figured I would probably never get one. So yeah – it’s in here – real meat! Rendang is also one of my favorite things in the known universe. Here’s a little about it from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#3006: Uni-President Guizhou Spicy Soybean Paste Flavor – China

#3006: Uni-President Guizhou Spicy Soybean Paste Flavor - China

First off, thanks to Kyle K. for help with translating this one! I found this up in Canada at FoodyWorld – a huge Asian supermarket which is a must see for anyone doing the tour of Asian grocery stores up in Richmond – lots of fun and much to see. These were on sale and looked neat so I went and got all the varieties. Let’s give this one a try! ...see full post

#3005: Samyang Foods Chinese Style Bibimmyun – South Korea

#3005: Samyang Foods Chinese Style Bibimmyun - South Korea

Here’s one the folksd at Samyang Foods sent along – thanks again! This is a bibimmyun – a cold noodle generally enjoyed during the hot summer months. I wasn’t sure what the difference was with this one was, but it appears this is a Chinese-style variety, so flavors are a little different. Awesome! Let’s give this one a try! ...see full post

#3003: Chencun The Flavours Of Yunnan China Acid & Peppery Beef – China

#3003: Chencun The Flavours Of Yunnan China Acid & Peppery Beef - China

Here’s one we found at China World in Richmond, BC. The name definitely didn’t translate all that great. I think acid probably will be closer to something like tangy. I mean, acid and beef? Perhaps it could be referring to a process of cooking beef that uses something acidic? Either way I’m fascinated. Let’s see what happens when we open it and cook it! ...see full post

#3000: Peyoung Yakisoba GIGAMAX – Japan

I want to start by thank you for having a look at this. 3000. It’s a pretty big number. I would never have achieved it without the help and support of my family- my mother who introduced me to the instant noodle at an early age, my father who introduced me to the world of Asian cuisine, my sister for supporting all of my niche ventures whether they be instant noodles or hot sauces or even robot skinning, my children for trying all these different flavors I’ve foisted upon them over the years. Most of all, I want to thank my wife Kit who has stood by me through thick and thin, been a sounding board for my ideas, waited patiently as I inspect every aspect of the noodle aisle at an Asian grocery, and stood by me through it all. I love you all. ...see full post

#2999: Uni-President Pickled Cabbage Beef Stir Noodle Bowl

#2925: Uni-President Pickled Cabbage Beef Stir Noodle Bowl

We found this one up at Foodyworld in Richmond, BC. They were on a great sale – 2 for $3CAD! Not bad at all! I have to say I love this packaging’s graphic. The food is all sharp and colorful and contrasts so well with the background. Very old school Chinese! Sorry about the lack of pictures of what’s inside the sachets – woke up late and so rushing to get just this one done! Let’s have a look! ...see full post

Win An Umai Crate Full Of Ramen From Japan!

CONTEST HAS ENDED – THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

Win An Umai Crate From Japan Crate Contest

I’d like to announce a new contest! Japan Crate and The Ramen Rater have partnered to do give away  a free Umai Crate to a lucky winner! What’s an Umai Crate, you ask? It’s a monthly box that’s full of neat ramen from Japan! They feature unique varieties from all over Japan plus a bonus item (usually a kitchen implement), a recipe card, and a detailed pamphlet with background information and cooking instructions. Want one? Watch the video below and read on! ...see full post

#2997: Rooster Chili Seafood Flavour Noodle Soup – Canada

#2997: Rooster Chili Seafood Flavour Noodle Soup - Canada

Oh – Canada! How you doin’? So we went up to Canada as we usually do about once a month and we’d been seeing the place called ‘The Real Canadian Super Store’ every time but never visited. So it’s part of Loblaw’s, a mega supermarket group in Canada – the have lots of different stores up there under different names like T&T Supermarket, Loblaw’s, – I think London Drug? Anyways, yeah. This store was like a mega Walmart – but the difference is that it’s real and it’s Canadian. Great noodle aisle – lots of things I’ve not seen elsewhere. Let’s give this one a try – it’s made in China for the Canadian company. ...see full post

#2996: Nissin Cup Noodles Soup’d Up Roasted Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup – United States

#2996: Nissin Cup Noodles Soup'd Up Roasted chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup - United States

This one was sent by Robert Z. over at www.dadbert.com – he’s a good friend of mine who has just entered the blogging world with his really technical and awesome cooking recipes – be sure to check out his site! Anyways, he found this one in Kentucky, and I suspect this is a test market for these. They’re not mentioned anywhere to speak of, and so I wanted to give these a try as soon as possible. This new line looks to have a LOT of meat in there! Let’s crack it open and take a look. ...see full post

#2993: Wugudaochang Tomato Sirloin Instant Broad Noodles – China

#2993: Wugudaochang Tomato Sirloin Instant Broad Noodles - China

Found this one recently up in Canada at a T&T Supermarket. There’s a few of them in Richmond, BC – they’re all pretty big. The one we went to was connected to an Olympic skating oval which was kind of interesting. What was kind of hard at this as is with many stores I’ve been to is that I would’ve been able to get more varieties, however they were in multi-packs instead of singles. I’m only going to review one item, so not into spending ten bucks on a multi-pack of noodles. Anyhoo, let’s check this one from China out! ...see full post

#2992: Nissin Miojo Cremoso Sabor Pizza – Brazil

#2992: Nissin Miojo Cremoso Sabor Pizza - Brazil

This one comes by way of Daniel from Brazil – thanks again! Well, my friends – pizza. I love reviewing pizza instant noodles. Why? Because it’s awesome, that’s why! I’ve actually tried quite a few – the first was from Pakistan, then India, then Indonesia and I think there are more. Now Brazil enters the hallowed realm of the pizza flavor instant noodle. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#2991: Big Bon Chicken & Salsa Sauce Instant Noodles – Russia

#2991: Big Bon Chicken & Salsa Sauce Instant Noodles - Russia

Here’s another of the Russian varieties that were found in Uzbekistan and sent by the kind folks at halalfoodblog.com – thank you! They’re in Singapore – so to sum up: Some nmice Singaporean folks visited Uzbekistan and found Russian instant noodles then mailed them to me here in the United States. Truly a well-traveled pack of noodles! Let’s take a look! ...see full post

#2990: Nissin Miojo Turma Da Monica Sabor Tomate Suave – Brazil

#2990: Nissin Miojo Turma Da Monica Sabor Tomate Suave - Brazil

Here’s one sent by Daniel in Brazil – thanks again! The characters on the package are from a popular series for children called ‘Monica’s Gang’ in Brazil. This one’s tomato flavor – curious where it’s a fresh tomato, or what I’m guessing – a creamy kind of tomato taste. Let’s find out! ...see full post