There are some varieties that I hear people raving out about a lot and I start thinking ‘I should re-review this one.’ Well, today’s the day. I even have a little story about these which is sort of funny.
Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch
#2460: Daifuku Bowl Katsuo Udon / Katsuo Bowl Udon
I think I found this one at HMart a little while back. Indeed, I must say the nomenclature is pretty interesting; I mean, c’mon – commit to a name already! Alright so this is a katsuo udon variety – let’s ask Wikipedia about katsuo udon –
#2459: Nissin Cup Noodles MUG Shoyu & Seafood
Way, way, way back, I had one of these packs. I bought it at a local Asian grocery and never reviewed it. That was 15 years back and it has been haunting me ever since.
Box From Japan – The June Box
My friend Javier over at www.BoxFromJapan.com sent over the new ramen box for June! Thank you! Box From Japan is a purveyor of not only monthly subscription boxes of instant ramen bowls but you can also get neat boxes of candy and other neat stuff! Let’s see what’s within!
#2458: Samyang Foods Sari Ramen
This one was a surprise. Okay, so one question people ask me from time to time is ‘where can I get the noodles, but not the seasoning?’ Indeed, there actually are many many ways one can do trhis. Here’s yet another. So I’ve had sari ramen in the past as well, however it was with a different name. Sari ramen is (you guessed it) a single pack of instant noodles and no flavoring.
라면 완전정복 저 지영준 / ‘Ramen Conqueror,’ By Ji Young Jun
About a year ago I was contacted by a man in South Korea. He was very interested in knowing my story – he also wanted me to help him and contribute to a book he was writing. He seemed like a nice guy so I figured hey – sounds like fun!My only stipulation was that when done, that he would send me three copies.Well, the book is finished! It’s in Korean and I can’t read it unfortunately, but I’m hoping someone will be able to help me out on that soon.
Meet The Manufacturer: #2457: KOKA Instant Noodles Chicken Satay Flavour
I don’t think I’ve had a satay flavor variety in a long time so this should be interesting. Indeed, we should see what Wikipedia has to say about satay –
Meet The Manufacturer: #2456: KOKA Signature Spicy Singapore Fried Noodles Instant Noodles
Today we have something I find interesting. I’ve heard before about the popularity of ‘Singapore Noodles’ in Britain, and that they’re not actually from Singapore. Here’s a little about that from Wikipedia –
Meet The Manufacturer: #2455: KOKA Creamy Soup With Crushed Noodles Sweet Corn Flavor
I often remember my experience with corn in Southeast Asia in the past, however it wasn’t involving a creamy soup. First off, you don’t see corn very often – definitely nowhere near as much as you see it here in the United States. What I did see what in the Penang International Airport, they had a little snack stand. I think they had ice cream, beefburgers (they call them that because ham is not taken by so many people over there and just calling it a beefburger makes sure there’s no confusion), and corn in a cup. Here, we have corn on the cob. However over there I saw this corn in a cup – I asked our host what this was all about. Basically, it’s not popcorn, but yellow corn in a cup with butter and seasonings.
Meet The Manufacturer: #2454: KOKA Silk Beef Pho Flavor Instant Rice Fettuccine
Today we have a rice noodle variety. Pho is a noodle soup that hails originally from Vietnam – here’s a little about it from Wikipedia –
Meet The Manufacturer: #2453: KOKA Delight Spicy Sesame Instant Non-Fried Noodles
I’ve always found that sesame seeds get stuck in my teeth. Yeah, they do. However, I still like them. I think I like pretty much anything sesame – especially sesame oil. I also like spicy things. Sounds like a slam dunk here but I suppose we will have to see.
Meet The Manufacturer: #2452: KOKA Signature Laksa Singapura Flavor Instant Noodles
Previously, I reviewed the package version of Laksa Singapura – the Delight version. The Signature and Delight ranges have a couple of key difference in that the Delight is non-fried whereas the Signature are fried.
Meet The Manufacturer: #2451: KOKA Delight Spicy Black Pepper Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles
Black pepper flavor is popular in Singapore. Indeed, black pepper crab is one of those signature dishes over there. Moreover, it makes sense with it’s location – here’s some on the history of the spice from Wikipedia –
Meet The Manufacturer: #2450: KOKA Purple Wheat Noodles Chili & Lime Flavor
Purple – the color of royalty. It’s also the color of eggplants, grape candy and Barney the dinosaur. But these are purple noodles. So how do they get this hue? These noodles have Anthocyanins in them. Indeed, I needed to turn to Wikipedia to learn more –
Meet The Manufacturer: #2449: KOKA Delight Tomato Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles
Today we have one I have had the export version of in the past. This however, is the local Singapore version. One thing to note for the Vegetarian crowd is that these have that little box with the green circle inside. There’s two kinds – the green circle or the red circle. Green means suitable for Vegetarians and red means not suitable. Also, they’re steamed and not fried, and to top it off, there’s no added MSG, something people are always interested in. Well, let’s get started with this tomato variety from KOKA!
Meet The Manufacturer: #2448: KOKA Seafood Flavor Instant Noodles
Most people don’t know, but I’ve been to Singapore. It was in 2014 – and it was a very short visit.
Meet The Manufacturer: #2447: KOKA Signature Stir-Fry Original Flavor Instant Noodles
Today we have stir-fry noodles. Curious about what these are going to be like – sweet? Spicy? Salty? I do like stir-fry, however it’s like a sandwich. You can put all kinds of things in a sandwich. But a grilled cheese is a long way from a Monte Cristo. Singaporean stir-fry noodles sound good though – let’s have a look!
Meet The Manufacturer: #2446: KOKA Creamy Soup With Crushed Noodles Curry Flavor
Here we have something new. So I usually only review instant noodles, not soups. However, this is a soup with instant noodles. Wait, what?! Yeah that’s what I thought too! I’ve never heard of such a thing – but it doesn’t sound bad. As I have always said, I love seeing innovation and something new. It definitely is a nice surprise when something unique and new crosses my desk and this certainty is that on both accounts. Let’s check out this cup of soup – with crushed noodles!
Met The Manufacturer: #2445: KOKA Delight Laksa Singapura Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles
I’m reviewing this on March 14th and it’s actually my birthday today! I just got done doing a really big project on spicy noodles and though maybe it would be nice to do a review of something curry. I was looking through the samples and saw this one and realized I do have laksa leaves in my fridge so I’d better review it. So, what’s Laksa Singapura? Wikipedia has this to say –
Meet The Manufacturer: #2444: KOKA Silk Spicy Marinara Instant Rice Fettuccine
Today it’s a rice noodle variety with an Italian twist: spicy marinara. So, what is marinara? Wikipedia, if you please –
Meet The Manufacturer: #2443: KOKA Signature Chicken Flavor Instant Noodles
I looked upon all the samples sent by Tat Hui for this Meet The Manufacturer. Indeed, it occurred to me to go right for the curry, the laksa… But I thought to begin with, I would go right for the standard.
Meet The Manufacturer: Product Samples From Tat Hui 2
Another package from Tat Hui? What could this be? Let’s find out!
Product Samples From Tat Hui 2 – Singapore
Hey a poster (click to enlarge)! Gotta go get this laminated for the Wall Of Fame!
Meet The Manufacturer: Product Samples From Tat Hui 1
This big box was sent by the folks at Tat Hui, makers of KOKAS brand instant noodles in Singapore. A few years ago, I saw an article in a news feed about KOKA products at a trade show in the United States and it hit me: maybe I should contact the guy they mentioned. I also thought maybe I could interview him and ask some questions about instant noodles. This is how the whole Meet The Manufacturer concept was born.
Meet The Manufacturer: Interview With Tat Hui Foods Pte. Ltd.
Interview With Tat Hui * Product Samples From Tat Hui 1 * Product Samples From Tat Hui 2 * KOKA Signature Chicken Flavor Instant Noodles * KOKA Silk Spicy Marinara Instant Rice Fettuccine * KOKA Delight Laksa Singapura Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles * KOKA Creamy Soup With Crushed Noodles Curry Flavor * KOKA Signature Stir-Fry Original Flavor Instant Noodles * KOKA Seafood Flavor Instant Noodles * KOKA Delight Tomato Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles * KOKA Purple Wheat Noodles Chili & Lime Flavor * KOKA Delight Spicy Black Pepper Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles * KOKA Signature Laksa Singapura Flavor Instant Noodles * KOKA Delight Spicy Sesame Instant Non-Fried Noodles * KOKA Silk Beef Pho Flavor Instant Rice Fettuccine * KOKA Creamy Soup With Crushed Noodles Sweet Corn Flavor * KOKA Signature Spicy Singapore Fried Noodles Instant Noodles * KOKA Instant Noodles Chicken Satay Flavour
#2442: Nissin Cup Noodles Sopa Nissin Hot Sauce Con Camaron
Here’s one left over from the Meet The Manufacturer I did with Nissin Mexico a little while ago. These are very cool – they have little packets of hot sauce in them! Indeed, I think these should be available in the United States as well. I think they’d do really well! Indeed, who wouldn’t like the Cup Noodles here to come with a little packet of hot sauce? I know I would.
#2441: MyKuali Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle (Japan Version)
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!
Here’s the final of the three Japan version MyKuali boxes. This one’s a favorite of mine (as are the other) but lately it’s been a real treat. Here’s a little about Hokkien Prawn from Wikipedia –
#2440: Master Kong Roasted Pork Noodle
Here’s yet another one sent by Colin from the east coast – thanks again! This is a Chinese roasted pork variety from a well known brand. Here’s a little history from Wikipedia –
#2439: Uni-President Man Han Feast Super Hot Pot Beef Flavor Instant Noodles
Here’s one I picked up during my November 2016 trip to Taiwan. So I found this one at 7-Eleven I believe. Indeed for years I’ve been told by people from Taiwan to give this one a try. They’ve been downright exclamatory about it, but nobody ever sent me one to try. Moreover it took me actually bringing one home from Taiwan to get it and so here we are. This is part of Uni-President’s Man Han Feast range. Here’s a little about Man Han (short for Manchu Han) Feast from Wikipedia –
#2438: World O’Noodle Mi Goreng Original Flavour Fried Noodles
I found this one during my November 2016 trip to Taiwan. So this was at a Jason’s Market at the bottom of the Taipei 101. Mi Goreng is a very popular stir nodle dish. Mi Goreng instant noodles are most well known from Indonesia, indeed where this one is from. Let’s see what Wikipedia has to say about Mi Goreng –
#2437: Nissin Raoh Nojyuku Toro Tonkotsu Ramen
Here’s one I was sent by Javier from www.BoxFromJapan.com. Box From Japan is a service you can subscribe to and receive monthly boxes of instant noodle bowls from Japan! Pretty nifty. This one is a tonkotsu variant – let’s see what Wikipedia has to say about tonkotsu ramen –
#2436: Kang Shi Fu Artificial Dongpo’s Braised Pork Flavour
I got this one by way of Colin from Massachusetts – thanks again! Dongpo pork? Wikipedia had this to say:
#2435: Mum Ngon Lau Tom Chua Cay
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.
#2434: Happy Cook Old Beijing Fried Bean Sauce Noodle
This is one I brought back with me from Taiwan! Happy Cook is a brand that one of the factories in Taichung makes.
#2433: Nissin Cup Noodles Indonesia Mie Goreng
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:
The May Box From Japan!
My friend Javier over at www.BoxFromJapan.com sent over the new ramen box for May! Thank you! Box From Japan is a purveyor of not only monthly subscription boxes of instant ramen bowls but you can also get neat boxes of candy and other neat stuff! Let’s see what’s within!
#2432: Fashion Food Yummy Spicy Rice Soup With Seafood
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.
#2431: Dream Kitchen Udon Japanese Style Fresh Noodle
Here’s a bowl we found a little while back at Uwajimaya. So udon is definitely different from instant noodles – it’s a lot thicker. Let’s see what Wikipedia has to say about it:
#2430: MeeKuali Bihun Sup Rempah Perisa Daging
This is something new from MyKuali as part of their new MeeKuali line. It’s a beef flavor rice vermicelli! The packaging and everything is definitely a departure from their regular MyKuali line which is very popular and are some of my favorites I’ve ever tried. I looked up rempah on Wikipedia and found this –
#2429: New Touch T’s Restaurant Sura Tanmen
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.
#2428: TTL Sesame Oil Chicken Noodle With Rice Wine
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.