Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#2435: Mum Ngon Lau Tom Chua Cay

#2435: Mum Ngon Lau Tom Chua Cay - Vietnam - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle vietnamese

Here’s another one I found during a November 2016 trip to Taiwan. I found this one at Carrefour in Taipei at the Miramar Entertainment Center. So one thing I found while there was that almost everything (unless you go to a Family Mart of a 7-Eleven) comes in a multi pack. I really didn’t want to get any of those – they take up extra space in luggage and a lot of the time they were really big multi packs. This one’s from Vietnam and looks to be a shrimp variant. ...see full post

#2433: Nissin Cup Noodles Indonesia Mie Goreng

#2433: Nissin Cup Noodles Indonesia Mie Goreng - Indonesia - The Ramen Rater - Instant Noodles

This was sent to me by Ippin, a purveyor of wonderful Japanese items! Thank you again!

Here’s something a little different. So Nissin has a series of Cup Noodles with flavors from around Southeast Asia. Laksa from Singapore, Tom Yum from Thailand and here we have Mie Goreng from Indonesia. I’m very curious how this on will be. Indeed, it looks interesting enough and a decently sized cup. If you don’t know about Mie Goreng, you should! Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about the dish: ...see full post

#2432: Fashion Food Yummy Spicy Rice Soup With Seafood

#2432: Fashion Food Yummy Spicy Rice Soup With Seafood - Thailand - The Ramen Rater - rice soup

Okay first off, this isn’t a noodle review and I know, I know… But this one looks exactly like the other ones they sell that are noodles. FF (Fashion Foods) has these little bowls with lids everywhere, and usually they’re either a wheat instant noodle or instant vermicelli. I looked at it, didn’t recognize it, and popped it in my basket thinking I’ve just found a rice noodle version of their stuff I hadn’t tried previously. Well, this is a broth with rice. I only realized this until I had done the picture of the side panels. ...see full post

#2429: New Touch T’s Restaurant Sura Tanmen

#2429: New Touch T's Restaurant Sura Tanmen - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant ramen

Went to Uwajimaya, a local Japanese grocery store chain in the northwest the other day. So I found that you can get chashu pork there – it’s really nice for Japanese instants since I can slap one on top! Indeed what I do is get a few packs of it from the deli and then bag them individually  and throw them in the freezer – it’s pricy stuff, but done this way it really stretches it a long way. So $15 or pork will yield me about 18-20 slices and since it’s frozen, it’ll last nicely until I’ve done that many Japanese reviews. ...see full post

#2428: TTL Sesame Oil Chicken Noodle With Rice Wine

#2428: TTL Sesame Oil Chicken Noodle With Rice Wine - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater - boozy noodles

This is one I found at a 7-Eleven during my November 2016 trip to Taiwan. So these are manufactured by Wei Lih for TTL. TTL stands for Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor. Tobacco and liquor – what?! Indeed, this is a boozy noodle. It contains rice wine, something apparently that goes well in noodles and cooking. I’m unsure, but I think this may be the first variety I’ve reviewed with alcohol in it – could be wrong. ...see full post

#2427: Ajinatori Halal Chicken Shoyu Sauce Ramen

#2427: Ajinatori Halal Chicken Shoyu Sauce Ramen - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

The nice folks at Ippin sent me this one (SG folks click here) – thanks again! They are purveyors of all things Japanese! So I would say most  Japanese instant noodles contain pork. Whether it be a chicken, seafood or whatever, it’s in there. Not with this one and That’s great for those that follow Islamic guidelines. So what is Halal? Let’s ask Wikipedia: ...see full post

#2426: Dr. McDougall’s Vegan Pad Thai Noodle Soup

#2426: Dr. McDougall's Vegan Pad Thai Noodle Soup - United States - The Ramen Rater

Well it’s been quite a while since I’ve reviewed anything by Dr. McDougall’s. Why? Well, the first one I tried was a disappointment. I saw this one recently and thought maybe I should give them another chance. I am not expecting this will be one I like very much though; the two lines in large print immediately contradict eachother: ‘Pad Thai’ and ‘Noodle Soup.’ This just sounds wrong. But hey – maybe this is really good stuff. Let’s give it a look. ...see full post

#2424: Samyang Foods Cheese Type Buldak Bokkeummyun

#2424: Samyang Foods Cheese Type Buldak Bokkeummyun

Well lookie here – another one from Colin – thanks again! This one’s a cheesy version of the ever popular Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun. This is what people use to do the famous ‘fire noodle challenge’ – although this is the cheesy version. This stuff is hot – real hot. The Ramen Rater’s top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodle Of All Time list kinda hot. Let’s take a look. ...see full post

#2423: Ve Wong Kung-Fu Instant Oriental Noodles Soup Artificial Onion Flavor

Another one sent by Colin. I haven’t had any of this brand in quite some time! I should also say I’ve not had an onion flavor instant in quite a while too. Very curious about this one – let’s have a look! NOTE – I just was looking for info on this one and as it turned out, I reviewed it in 2010! It was review #99. I’ll still slap a new number on this one though. What’s funny is if you look at the packaging on it from back then, it says ‘New.’ It still says new! I’m sorry, but this isNOT new. ...see full post

#2420: Nissin Cup Noodles Spicy Seafood Flavor

#2420: Nissin Cup Noodles Spicy Seafood Flavor - China - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s one sent by Colin from Massachusetts – thanks again! You might be thinking ‘man, this guy reviews a LOT of these Hong Kong CUP Noodles!’ Well, yeah I was sent 57 different varieties form Nissin Hong Kong last year so yeah – lots of them! But this one is actually from Nissin China. The packaging is similar, but different. Here’s a snippet from Wikipedia about Nissin’s footprint: ...see full post

#2419: MyKuali Penang Red Tom Yum Goong Noodle Soup (Japan Version)

A while back the folks at MyKuali sent over samples. I give reviews to different versions of products and this is certainly different. This is the Penang Red Tom Yum Goong that is now in Japan. As you can see on the front of the box, a rank #1 on the 2015 Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time list. Well, what’s tom yum? Here’s something from Wikipedia: ...see full post

#2418: Myojo Yomise No Yakisoba Karashi Mentaiko Flavor

#2418: Myojo Yomise No Yakisoba Karashi Mentaiko Flavor - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s another one I found in Taiwan on my trip in November of 2016. Yakisoba is one of my favorites – and my wife Kit likes it quite a bit as well. As I’ve said before, I’m usually quite a few reviews ahead as normally I do two reviews a day but only post one. Right now It’s February 20th, 2017 and our new President Trump has only been in office for a month. I have to assure my friends from all over the world that indeed not all of us are rude and boorish as he is and respect other people’s rights. That being said, let’s talk more about this one! ...see full post

#2416: Xiuhe Hot & Sour Beef Noodle

#2416: Xiuhe Hot & Sour Chilled Beef Noodle - China - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s another one that was sent to me by Colin from Arlington, Massachusetts – thanks again! This one has really proved to be a touch one to translate this morning. Cooking shouldn’t be an issued, however figuring out what the name/variety is on this one is tough. Searched by image, searched by barcode, hit the company’s website… I see other ones with the little ‘angelic baby’ on the packaging, but none that look just like this one. UPDATE – Thank you to Bobby Y., my friend from Toronto – he figured it out. It was too late for my friends in Southeast Asia so I had to look west! So the noodles are hot but I guess I will put chilled prepared beef in with them. Alright – let’s check it out! UPDATE #2 – my friend Mengzhe Z. who is in China told me actually it isn’t chilled beef – just beef. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

Well folks it’s that time again. This one’s a big deal – the list that people from around the world have been waiting for every year. Since the last list came out, I’ve reviewed over 400 varieties of instant noodles – a new record in one year for me. So many good ones this year! These are my absolute favorites of the over 2,400 reviews of instant noodles I’ve posted to date. There are some big announcements at the end of the video, so make sure to check them out! As always, I invite instant noodle makers to contact me so I can try your noodles! Now without further ado, The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition! ...see full post

#2412: Shirakiku Sanukiya Udon Japanese Style Noodles Shrimp Flavor

#2412: Shirakiku Sanukiya Udon Japanese Style Noodles Shrimp Flavor - United States - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s one I recently received by way of a reader named Colin from Arlington, Massachusetts – thanks again! So you might find these in either a refrigerated or non-refrigerated area at a grocery store. Indeed, I’ve always found this to be a bit of an oddity; why would it be in both places? Well first off, it doesn’t require refrigeration. However, sometimes this style of noodle is called ‘fresh noodles’ and so when you couple that with a refrigerated section, it gives it a little more premium feel. Anyways, here’s a little about udon from Wikipedia: ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2411: Mama Pat’s Chicken Fajita Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles

Meet The Manufacturer: #2411: Mama Pat's Chicken Fajita Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles - UUnited States - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Today, we bid a fond farewell to Mama Pat’s Foods as the Meet The Manufacturer will be ending. Chef Ron informed me though that there will be cups and new flavors coming, so we’ll just say until next time. So chicken fajitas – here’ Wikipedia on the fajita: ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2410: Mama Pat’s Lamb Stew Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles

Meet The Manufacturer: #2410: Mama Pat's Lamb Stew Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles - United States - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Today, it’s lamb stew! So I really never have had lamb stew, nor really cooked lamb very often. I thought though I ought to at least make an attempt, and so today I’m going to sous vide up some lamb to go along with the noodles. But as for stew, let’s see what wikipedia has to say: ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2409: Mama Pat’s Seafood Gumbo Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles

Meet The Manufacturer: #2409: Mama Pat's Seafood Gumbo Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles - United States - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

One of the first things I learned about Mama Pat’s foods was when I saw a video of Chef Ron making gumbo at a store demo. He used big bags of shrimp, tons of crab and other really great ingredients. He didn’t hold back and definitely went for the gusto. I’m a fan of seafood but haven’t had a lot of seafood from the USA as of late since it’s usually found slathered in white sauces or copious amounts of butter. I definitely got spoiled in Malaysia and Thailand trying all that seafood from there – amazing stuff! Gumbo however is something different. It’s full of seafood and has a nice strong taste  – something I really like. I have high hopes for this one; it sounds good, but will it be? Let’s give this seafood gumbo a look! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2408: Mama Pat’s Chicken Taco Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles

Meet The Manufacturer: #2407: Mama Pat's Chicken Taco Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles - United States - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

To kick off this Meet The Manufacturer, I thought I’d start with a flavor that just about every instant noodle company makes. Chicken. Indeed, it’s a kind of universal flavor – one that everyone can identify with. Well, unless your vegetarian. This is a very unique instant noodle insofar as it comes with a free drink – something I’ve never seen before in my well over 2,000 reviews thus far. So let’s check out Mama Pat’s Chicken Taco! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Interview With Mama Pat’s Foods

#2407: Just Way Noodles Chuan Wei Spicy Hot Guan-miao Noodles

#2407: Just Way Noodles Chuan Wei Spicy Hot Guan-miao Noodles - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle

This variety comes by way of Colin, a reader from Massachusetts – thank you! It was originally said by Oscar Wilde: ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.’ I have often found this to be true fr the most part. Indeed, why would someone want to imitate exactly what you do unless they want to attain something that you did prior? Well, sometimes it just seems like it takes a bit of a spiral from flattery to pure copying. ...see full post

#2404: MyKuali Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle Soup

#2404: MyKuali Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle Soup - Malaysia - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Her’s one you may not have seen from MyKuali before. Actually, you have on here , but with different clothing. So this is what is now known and seen more commonly as MyKuali Spicy Prawn Noodle Soup. However, it is dressed differently for the Singaporean market. Curious about what Hokkien Prawn is all about? Here’s something from wikipedia: ...see full post

#2403: Goku-Uma Yakisoba Japanese Style Noodle

#2403: Goku-Uma Yakisoba Japanese Style Noodle - United States - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle

We recently took a trip to Asian Food Grocery in 130th & Aurora and found this one. My wife likes yakisoba a lot and so I like to make it for her. This one has a little interesting thing though. On the sticker, it mentioned ‘This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.’ Wait, what? So I took a look at the ingredients list and found something I’d not seen before – an ingredient called Rebaudioside A. I looked that up and wikipedia had this to say: ...see full post