Author: Hans "The Ramen Rater" Lienesch

Unboxing Time: Jinbo Selection SOul Spicy Noodle From Taiwan

Unboxing Time: Jinbo Selection SOul Spicy Noodle From Taiwan

This one came out of the blue and I knew they were going to send some, I just didn’t expect so quickly!~ It really helps when I have tracking info – but then again I know companies are busy too and so while unexpected, new varieties are always welcome! ...see full post

#2633: Myojo Chukazanmai Premium Sour & Spicy Noodle Soup

#2633: Myojo Chukazanmai Premium Sour & Spicy Noodle Soup - Japan - The Ramen Rater - boxfromjapan.com

Here’s one sent by Javier over at Box From Japan. Box From Japan is a monthly subscription service where you can get boxes of neat Japanese instant ramen or boxes of candy and they have other special ones as well! Definitely, give them a look! ...see full post

Unboxing Time: Snackoo Revisited

Here’s something new! A start-up company in San Francisco called Snackoo asked if I would like to check out their boxes – and of course, I said yes. This is the second box I’ve had to look at – hope you enjoy! ...see full post

#2632: Sau Tao Laksa Flavour Ho Fan – Hong Kong

#2632: Sau Tao Laksa Flavour Ho Fan - Hong Kong - The Ramen Rater - rice noodle - instant noodle

Here’s one I found at PriceSmart Foods up in Richmond, BC in July 2017. They had a ton of these and they sounded interesting. These are from Hong Kong – not a place I would think of when it comes to laksa. Here’s a little about laksa from Wikipedia – ...see full post

Unboxing Time: Nyor Nyar

Unboxing Time: Nyor Nyar

A box from Malaysia – what have we here?

Unboxing Timer: Nyor Nyar – Malaysia

Let’s have unboxing time!

So these guys have my logo on their packs and I haven’t been able to see them yet – but I got samples today! They also sent their tom yam paste for me to try! Thank you very much! ...see full post

#2631: Isoyama Shoji 18禁カレーラーメン (Age 18 Restricted La-Men Curry Taste)

#2631: 18禁カレーラーメン (Age 18 Restricted La-Men Curry Taste) - Japan - The Ramen Rater

First thing, I want to thank Jay H. from Taiwan for sending this 18禁カレーラーメン over to me. He checked out the Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition and thought I should give this a try. ...see full post

Unboxing Time: Discovery Of Ramen Children’s Book

Unboxing Time: Discovery Of Ramen Children's Book

Today a combo – an unboxing and a book review!

Unboxing Time: Discovery Of Ramen Children’s Book – United States

Let’s Have Unboxing Time

I heard about this book a while back. They emailed me and mentioned The Discovery Of Ramen was on Kickstarter. I thought hey – I would like to check out a kid’s book on ramen – so I did a post about it. That was months ago and they’d said they would send me a copy once it came out. Well, they did! I should note I did the video before reading the book – here are my thoughts on it. ...see full post

#2630: Myojo Udon Hot & Spicy Flavor

#2541: Myojo Udon Hot & Spicy Flavor - United States - The Ramen Rater

So today is the first review I’ve done in a month! This was the first time since 2010 that I thought I’d take a little time off of reviewing. The main reason being that I’m so far ahead of myself – 110 reviews ahead in fact. I must say it’s nice to have such a buffer. Anyways, here we have a Myojo Udon bowl – honestly I can’t remember where it came from – someone either sent it (thank you) or I got it at the store. Myojo Udon sounds pretty good. Here’s a little information about udon from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2629: Daikoku Assari Miso Ramen

#2629: Daikoku Assari Miso Ramen - Japan - The Ramen Rater - zenpop

Here’s another instant ramen bowl from Zenpop. Zenpop offers boxes of ramen among other things from Japan – pretty good stuff and definitely worth checking out! Here’s what they have to say about this variety – ...see full post

Unboxing Time: Zenpop Local Flavors Japanese Ramen Pack

Unboxing Time: Zenpop Local Flavors Japanese Ramen Pack

Today, we have another box that was received while I was off adventuring in Taiwan – this one’s from Zenpop, a Japanese purveyor of all things Japanese! ...see full post

#2628: Wang Asian Style Noodle Seafood Udon

#2629: Wang Asian Style Noodle Seafood Udon - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

I know we found this one while out at a store somewhere… Hmmm… I want to say that this was at Asian Food Center on 130th and Aurora in north Seattle. If I’m correct this was the day of sad dim sum. ...see full post

Unboxing Time: Exotic Noods

While traveling in Taiwan, this box arrived back at home. Exotic Noods is a purveyor of boxes with instant noodles! ...see full post

#2627: Nissin Men Shokunin Sesame Miso Ramen

#2627: Nissin Men Shokunin Sesame Miso Ramen - Japan - The Ramen Rater - box from japan - instant noodles

Yet another from Javier over at Box From Japan. Box From Japan is a purveyor of monthly subscription boxes – ramen bowls and candy are at the forefront among other neat things – check ’em out! Today it’s a miso ramen – here’s a little something from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2626: Nissin Cup Noodles Mazedaar Masala

#2626: Nissin Cup Noodles Mazedaar Masala - India - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Found this one at New India Bazar while in Pleasanton, California this summer. Probably the biggest Indian grocery I’ve been in which was pretty cool. I spent a little time searching for mazedaar but really didn’t find anything, so if you know what makes this ‘mazdaar masala,’ let me know – that would be great. Anyways, let’s check out this mazedaar masala! ...see full post

#2625: Nissin Cup Noodles Potato Chips Tom Yam Seafood Flavour

#2538: Nissin Cup Noodles Potato Chips Tom Yam Seafood Flavour - Singapore - The Ramen Rater

So yesterday, I reviewed the Cup Noodles Tom Yam Seafood. Today, it’s the potato chip with the same flavor! Sounds good to me – I like seafood and seafood potato chips are among those things never seen in the United States. Let’s give ’em a try! ...see full post

#2624: Sapporo Ichiban Tokyo Asakusa Yakisoba

#2624: Sapporo Ichiban Tokyo Asakusa Yakisoba - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles ramen

Here’s one that came by way of Zenpop. Zenpop has monthly boxes of instant noodles from Japan you can get as well as a very popular line of Japanese stationary. Here’s what they have to say about this variety: ...see full post

#2623: Samyang Foods Assorted Vegetable Ramen

#2623: Samyang Foods Assorted Vegetable Ramen - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles ramyun

I’ve always loved the beef flavor, spiciness, and thick noodles that define ramyun. I’ve noticed in the past few years a few brands coming out with vegetable flavor ramyun – and they’ve all been pretty good! Looking forward to giving this one a try today! ...see full post

#2622: Acecook Shoyu Wakame Noodles With Sesame

#2622: Acecook Shoyu Wakame Noodles With Sesame - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles - boxfromjapan.com

Here’s yet another great one from Javier over at Box From Japan. Box From Japan offers subscription instant ramen bowls – you can get a box every month! Thank you! So what’s this wakame? Here’s a little from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2621: Maggi Pazzta Cheese Macaroni

#2621: Maggi Pazzta Cheese Macaroni - India - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s one from India we found this summer at an Indian grocery in Pleasanton, California. There are a few different varieties of these with different shapes of noodles. Let’s check out this macaroni style one. ...see full post

#2620: Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun Stew

Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun Stew - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

This is the only variety of Samyang Foods’ Buldak Bokkeummyun series to have a broth. Spicy chicken stew sounds good, and it is – at least the pack version was really good. There are usually some differences between packs and bowls. Mainly, bowls are almost always steeped, so the noodles may come out a little different than being continuously boiled. Also, bowls sometimes have extra ingredient sachets. Let’s give this one a try and check out this super spicy variety! ...see full post

#2619: Liu Quan Authentic Snail Rice Noodle

#2619: Liu Quan Authentic Rice Noodle - 正宗柳州壮品螺蛳粉桶装 - China - The Ramen Rater

First off, special thanks to a reader from Malaysia who helped with translation. This one just says ‘spicy rice noodle’ on the distributor label, but it seems to be a non-spicy variety and it mentions snail. I don’t know if it actually is but hey you never know.But I’m pretty sure this is the regular version and not the spicy I reviewed previously by the same company. Actually after getting some comment from a couple friends in Canada and Taiwan, indeed it is snail! Here’s a little from Wikipedia about this variety – ...see full post

#2618: KOKA Delight Curry Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles

#2535: KOKA Delight Curry Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles - Singapore - The Ramen Rater

Another one from the recent KOKA Meet The Manufacturer. A curry from Singapore – can’t say I’ve met one of those I didn’t like. Let’s have a look. ...see full post

#2617: Nissin Cup Noodles Laksa Flavour (Shiok! More Laksa!)

#2617: Nissin Cup Noodles Laksa Flavour (Shiok! More Laksa!) - Singapore - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle

Ahh, Laksa – nothing like it. In fact, there are lots of kinds of laksa; sweet, creamy, curry, fish – every area has their own take on the dish. Let’s see what Wikipedia has to say about laksa – ...see full post

#2616: Gookmul Special Edition Lobster Flavor Potato Instant Noodles

#2616: Gookmul Special Edition Lobster Flavor Potato Instant Noodles - Soiuth Korea - The Ramen Rater

I’ve been waiting to get my hands on this one for a while and thanks to Jay H. for sending it my way from Taiwan, I’ve got one! These are from South Korea, but they’re very popular in Southeast Asia currently and very curious as to why. ...see full post

#2615: Nissin Demae Ramen Straight Noodle Spicy Tonkotsu Flavor Instant Noodle

#2615: Nissin Demae Ramen Straight Noodle Spicy Tonkotsu Flavor Instant Noodle - Hong Kong The Ramen Rater

Today it’s tonkotsu from Hong Kong. This is part of the series that’s expanded since being in the 2017 top ten list with their black garlic oil tonkotsu.  For those of you unfamiliar, here’s a little about tonkotsu ramen from Wikipedia – ...see full post

The Ramen Rater Appearing At The Taiwan International Food Expo

The Ramen Rater Appearing At The Taiwan International Food Expo

Hey Taiwan! I’m going to be at the Taiwan International Food Expo in Taipei! Check out the video for further details! ...see full post

We Try 7 Kinds Of Hong Kong Potato Chips!

We Try 7 Kinds Of Hong Kong Potato Chips!

So the other day I posted the unboxing of noodle and potato chip samples sent by Nissin Hong Kong (thanks again!). I thought it would be fun to do up a video with the family and try these out one by one. ...see full post

#2614: Samyang Foods Chacharoni

#2614: Samyang Foods Chacharoni - South Korea - The Ramen Rater

Chacharoni is a play on words. Jjajang kind of sounds like ‘cha cha’ and the roni calls to noodles. There are other plays on words in the South Korean industry when it comes to jjajangmyeon. So basically what you have here is a thick noodle with a black bean sauce – also known as jjajang. Here’s a little about jjajangmyeon from Wikipedia – ...see full post

Unboxing Time: Blount Bowls – Rice & Noodle Bowls From Blount Fine Foods

Unboxing Time: Blount Bowls - Rice & Noodle Bowls From Blount Fine Foods

As you might remember, I recently did a Meety The Manufacturer series of the Blount Bowls – at the time they had a chicken and a coconut chicken variety. Well, they now have rice bowls and asked if I would show them. So here we go! ...see full post

#2613: Nissin Raoh Backfat Rich Shoyu Ramen

#2613: Nissin Raoh Backfat Rich Shoyu Ramen - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s another one sent by Javier over at BoxFromJapan.com. Box From Japan offers subscription boxes of all sorts of neat Japanese things including candy and ramen! Check ’em out! ...see full post

Unboxing Time: Nissin Hong Kong Potato Chips Samples

Today we have a two box unboxing time. The first box has noodles, the second has chips. So I only made one video, and so from the start to about 5 minutes, 30 seconds is the first and from then on is the second. ...see full post

Unboxing Time: Nissin Hong Kong Noodle Samples

Today we have a two box unboxing time. The first box has noodles, the second has chips. So I only made one video, and so from the start to about 5 minutes, 30 seconds is the first and from then on is the second. ...see full post

#2612: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Laksa Rice Noodles + Thai Curry & Lime Broth

NL8: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Laksa Rice Noodles + Thai Curry & Lime Broth

Laksa noodles paired with a curry broth – I can’t really think of anything so well matched. Although I usually think of Laksa a little further south of Thailand in places like Malaysia and Singapore, all the flavors from that area of Southeast Asia play very well together. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#2610: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Whole Wheat Ramen + Spicy Szechuan Broth

Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Whole Wheat Ramen + Spicy Szechuan Broth

I thought maybe a whole wheat ramen noodle might pair well with Szechuan flavors. These look really interesting and to be honest, I have a partiality to whole wheat noodles. Let’s have a look! ...see full post

#2609: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Pad Thai Rice Noodles + Vietnamese Pho Broth

Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Pad Thai Rice Noodles + Vietnamese Pho Broth

So Pad Thai might immediately come to mind as that noodle dish with lots of thick peanutty sauce and some meat and veggies popular here in the United States. But you might not know it but pad Thai simply means Thai noodles, and they’re able to be used in anything. Today I’m going to juxtapose them with a Pho broth, broth from Nona Lim. Let’s get started. ...see full post

#2608: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Hakata Ramen + Thai Curry & Lime Broth

NL7: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Hakata Ramen + Thai Curry & Lime Broth

I thought it a no-brainer to pick Hakata Ramen to try with the miso. The other I’ll try with it will be the Tokyo Ramen. Anyways: Hakata Ramen. What is it, Wikipedia? ...see full post

#2606: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Pad See Ew Rice Noodles + Spicy Szechuan Broth

Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Pad See Ew Rice Noodles + Spicy Szechuan Broth

So for this Meet The Manufacturer, things are a little different. Nona Lim makes noodles and broths, so you can mix and match them. First, we’ll start with these Pad See Ew Rice Noodles. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about Pad See Ew – ...see full post

#2605: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Pad See Ew Rice Noodles + Vietnamese Pho Broth

Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Pad See Ew Rice Noodles + Vietnamese Pho Broth

So for this Meet The Manufacturer, things are a little different. Nona Lim makes noodles and broths, so you can mix and match them. First, we’ll start with these Pad See Ew Rice Noodles. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about Pad See Ew – ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Product Samples From Nona Lim

Nona Lim Meet The Manufacturer: Product Samples From Nona Lim - United States - The Ramen Rater

A great big box of samples! Let’s crack into it and see what Nona Lim has sent!

Product Samples From Nona Lim – United States

Nona Lim Meet The Manufacturer: Product Samples From Nona Lim - United States - The Ramen Rater

A foam cooler. ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: Interview With Nona Lim