Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

#2211: Nissin Disney Cuties Instant Noodle Roast Pork Flavour

I’m really excited about these – got 5 different varieties from Nissin Thailand – always looking for anything kid related when it comes to instant noodles! The fact is that there’s a market all over the world for instant noodles for kids; think about it – we have adult breakfast cereal here and then ones marketed to kids. Same with instant noodle abroad. Let check it out! ...see full post

#2208: Roland Ramen Japanese Style Quick-Cooking Alimentary Paste With Chicken Artificially Flavored Soup Base

A big thanks to Colin for finding and sending me this one! Okay, so I have been trying to get this one for a while; anything by Roland honestly. I called them, emailed them, and always got the same reply – ‘we don’t send sample.’ I really love it when companies have such a rigid policy against basically what amounts to free advertising. This one is made in Singapore for Roland company here in the USA, and I have a feeling it’s a private label by Tat Hui/KOKA – all boils down to one aspect which is a giveaway. Let’s check this one out and I’ll show you what that is. ...see full post

#2206: Nissin Deka Buto Kuro M-yu Tonkotsu

Here’s another one sent to me by Javier from Box From Japan. Box From Japan has subscriptions for all sorts of neat Japanese things. I regret to say that I was informed that they won’t be taking subscriptions for their ramen boxes for now – hopefully that will start again soon. He mentioned that you can purchase instant noodles from them here. Here’s what he had to say about this particular variety: ...see full post

Re-Review: Samyang Foods Fresh Jjajang

Okay so I guess karma will get you. I dunno. Let me explain… So I got this pack along with a couple others at HMart a week or two ago (great store, HMart by the way) and they had one of this series in single packs to buy, but the other two were in 5 packs that were around $9 each. Well, I went to the trouble of opening a couple of the 5 packs and taking out one each . Now, I’m unsure if this is truly a horrible thing to do; I’m sure they just put them on the shelf with the others that are sold in singles. Plus hey – I got them at HMart (there – the third time I mentioned HMart! Ooh a fourth!), so if you want to get these you can find them there. Well, as it turns out I reviewed this one in May and now I’m reviewing it again! Wasn’t my plan to do a re-review today but here we are. So perhaps the pulling of single packs from the multipack is why this happened. But probably not; I’m just getting old. Anyways, this is a jjajang/zha jiang (black bean sauce) noodle. Let’s hit it! ...see full post

Product Samples From Nyor Nyar Of Malaysia!

Okay so I live in a small town in between a lot of bigger ones called Kenmore. We get a LOT of power outages here, and it looks like we’re probably going to have one tonight! Remnants of typhoon Songda shot out of the south pacific and made a beeline right for western Washington state. This neat box of samples arrived about an hour ago – I asked for more of these since I really like them a lot and they were kind enough to send some! Let’s crack this box open! ...see full post

#2203: Nongshim Bowl Noodle Soup Independence Day Limited Edition Spicy Chicken Flavor

I saw this at the local supermarket the other day and just couldn’t pass it up. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an instant noodle showing such patriotism before! Also, before anyone starts sending me comments saying ‘how dare they use our flag – that’s made in South Korea,’ I have news for you. Nongshim America is down in Rancho Cucamonga, California and employs a LOT of Americans! Yep – chances are that if you’re living in the USA and enjoy Shin Ramyun or Shin Black or any of the Bowl Noodles, it was most likely made here in the states. Make sure to check out the factory tour video at the end of this post – I went on it in 2012 and it was a blast! Anyways, let’s check this one out! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2201: Mr. Lee’s Noodles Penang Chicken Curry Laksa

Penang. It’s a place I really miss, specifically because friends and flavors live there. some of the most amazing things that I’ve ever tasted are from Malaysia and specifically Penang. I decided to save this for last as I wanted to see how everything else was before I tried something that promises to be good. Today we say hello to this exotic variety and goodbye to the Meet The Manufacturer for Mr. Lee’s Noodles. Here we go! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2200: Mr. Lee’s Noodles Shaolin Monk Vegetables

I think I was talking about Kung Fu Theater and David Carradine’s career the other day. He played Grasshoppe – a pupil of the Shaolin on that show. Still bugs he; why didn’t they get, oh – I don’t know… A more fitting person to play a Chinese martial arts student? Maybe someone.. Chinese? Anyways, it’s veggie time – let’s get it on! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2199: Mr. Lee’s Noodles Tai Chi Chicken

Tai chi makes me think of the slow moving exercise many people do in large groups. This is an instant noodle blog though and so you get 3 minutes to do your tai chi! This is the chicken noodle – the basis of where all instant noodles come from. I believe a company’s chicken instant defines them. Let’s give it a look! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2198: Mr. Lee’s Noodles Dragon Fire Mushroom

Today it’s mushrooms! Looks like spicy mushrooms too! Let’s check it out!

Detail of the side panels (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. To prepare, add boiling water to ridge line (just under the lip). Stir then cover for 3 minutes. Stir and enjoy! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2196: Mr. Lee’s Noodles Warrior Fighting Shrimp

We start today with a seafood variety. I do believe this is the first instant noodle I’ve reviewed with the words ‘kick-ass’ on the front – hopefully a good sign, especiallywhen it comes to how spicy they truly will be. Let’s have a look at this, the first of six varieties I’ll be reviewing for Meet The Manufacturer this go around! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Interview With Mr. Lee’s Noodles

#2195: Nissin Gyorai Inaniwa Chuka Soba

Here’s a new one from Javier over at www.BoxFromJapan.com. Box From Japan offers subscription boxes of instant noodles and other Japan related awesomeness like candy! For $25/month, you get 4 really unique instant noodle bowls to your door – that includes shipping. What’s more, so far I’ve not received one duplicate or any I’ve ever reviewed before, which is quite amazing since I’m approaching 2,200 reviews. Here’s what they had to say about this variety – ...see full post

A Recipe Using Prima Taste Laksa

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Prima Taste Laksa Rice

(click to enlarge)

I usually wake up at 5 in the morning, take a ton of pictures, edit them, get a post ready and then around lunchtime do the actual pictures and cooking and review. I’ve done it this way for a while and it’s a pretty good schedule for me, especially with a one year old in the house with his own schedule. Today I thought I’d take a day off and maybe have something different for lunch. ...see full post

#2192: Nyor Nyar Penang White Curry Instant Noodle

When I got an email from a company asking if I’d like to sample their Penang White Curry noodle, I was very happy. It’s been a long time since anyone’s asked me to try one – for a while there, it seemed like I was reviewing a different PWC once a week. A couple things t note about this one. First – the name Nyor Nyar – I really enjoying saying it; it’s fun to say – and I’m probably saying it incorrectly. I noticed that on the top left of the package, it mentions ‘inspired by Penang Air Hitam’s White Curry.’ I think they’re referring to the Two Sisters/Two Aunties stall that’s been around for years in Penang and is extremely well known. Although I’ve not tried that White Curry, I’ve tried many, many others – let’s see how this one tastes! ...see full post

#2190: Myojo Barikata Noukou Tonkotsu Shoyu

Here’s another one from Javier over at BoxFromJapan.com! Box From Japan is a subscription service – you can get a box of ramen (and candy too) from Japan every month for $25. I can honestly say I still haven’t gotten a variety I’ve reviewed before from them – something pretty amazing! Here’s what they had to say about this variety: ...see full post

#2187: Pulmuone Non-Fried Ramyun Noodle (Crab Flavor)

Crabby crab from South Korea! This one was sent to me by colin from the east coast – thanks! Not a lot of ramyun I’ve seen out there with crab as a main flavor. In fact, I think this might be the first ramyun I’ve seen in this vein. You might say ‘hey – you’ve reviewed noodle that have crab flavor before’ but this is ramyun. ramyun is strictly a South Korean thing – it’s really has to do with the noodle gauge and the chewiness. Originally it was beef broth and spicy, but different things have come into the mix during the years – like crab! Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

Tseng Noodles – Coming To America!

This is a box I’ve been really excited about – and I think a lot of you will be excited as well. People have been asking me about Tseng/Zeng noodles and where to get them since they were #9 on my annual The Ramen Rater’s top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2016 Edition. They just made #1 on my Taiwan Top Ten list2 days ago. Well, I have it on good authority that they will be available in the United States at 99 Ranch Market in California around Christmas time – that’s all I know for now but if I hear more, I’ll let you all know! ...see full post

New Samples From South Korea’s Paldo Food

First, I want to send a special thank you to Yongmin Park for sending me product samples! See, every year I do the Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles list and each year it’s starting to seem like I get fewer and fewer products to try from South Korea. People have been getting grumpy about the list too – see, it’s only for products made IN South Korea, not elsewhere. Let’s have a look inside and see what awaits! ...see full post

The September Box From Japan!

It’s so awesome! Every month, I get a box of instant noodles from Javier over at www.BoxFromJapan.com. There’s always 4 bowls and cups (he also has boxes of unique Japanese candies as well!), 4 pairs of chopsticks and a  note about the box. To date, I’ve NEVER RECEIVED ONE I’VE REVIEWED BEFORE. This is truly amazing to me! Shall we look inside the September box? ...see full post