Most of the time, instant noodles tend to be pretty good. Companies tend to create products that they think people will like; why wouldn’t they? Well, sometimes there’s a product that I can’t believe anyone would like. These are my least favorite varieties out of 4,120 reviews. This is definitely a list you really don’t want to be on. One thing to note is that many of these products have been on the market for awhile, so there’s definitely people out there that enjoy them. Everything on this list is reviewed before adding any garnish. Hope you enjoy The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2022 Edition!
The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2022 Edition
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The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2022 Edition
#10 – Myojo Spicy Yuzu Mazesoba – Japan
Another new one on the bottom ten. This one’s off-putting nature was in the smell. This one has yuzu, a kind of citrus. Well, it ended up smelling like when you walk past a McDonald’s dumpster on a hot summer day – like microwaving a chef salad. I wish it didn’t. The noodles just didn’t work in this combo either – a shame – it looks like it would be a neat one. Original review
#9 – Acecook Fujicco Pure Tororo Konbu Soba – Japan
Where do I start. The noodles themselves weren’t bad; not my favorite but doable. However the broth and weird tofu looking stuff was just disgusting. I’m guessing the 20% it mentions on the lid refers to extra chance of vomiting. This was just…. No. Original review
#8 – Nissin Donbei Simple Taste Somen – Japan
Sadly, this was absolutely terrible. There are varieties in this range which are just wonderful, however, this doesn’t fall into that category. The noodle was a kind of dry and stringy affair, paired with a broth that was a combo of yuzu (citrus) and fish (bonito). It was thin and just came together with the fine flavors of nightmares. Original review
#7 – Yumei Lazy Noodle Sichuan Green Pepper Flavor – China
The latest to find itself on the bottom ten. This one looked neat – found it at a favorite shop up in Canada. Well as it turns out, green Sichuan pepper kind of reminds me of what I’m guessing spicy Pine-Sol would taste like. Just too much of a scent of public restroom for this reviewer. Original review
#6 – Panda Signature Ramen Noodle Soup Chili Lime Flavor – United States
A reader from Montana sent me a wide variety of this brand’s range. It replaced a popular brand at Walmart, and since I’ve done the unboxing video, people have been commenting abou their dislike. Well, some weren’t so bad, but this one really rubbed me the wrong way. It smelled like an air conditioned in a motel room that hadn’t been turned on in a year and tasted the same way. As for the spiciness, it wasn’t there. Not to my liking at all. Original review
#5 – Isoyama Shoji 18 Prohibited / Restricted / Only La-Men Curry Taste – Japan
First, this is a lot of food. There’s reason for the warning on this pack. 700cc water and a few minutes cooking brings you a huge bowl of noodles. While in general that’s not a complaint, the flavor is. It’s violently spicy for starters. It does have a curry flavor, which at first glance is great. Then you have to taste it. You’d think all that water would dilute the sachet that comes with it but no dice here. Too much flavor and heat are the theme here, and it’s a bitter song to swallow. Original review
#4 – Baijia Single Noble Black Bone Chicken Flavor Instant Sweet Potato Noodles – China
I was told by a guy from the company that this indeed was believed to be medicinal and helpful to women having their ‘time of the month.’ I’ve also been told by a reader that people generally don’t like black bone chicken soup even in China. Very slimy sweet potato noodles, thick, greasy broth and horrid veggies that didn’t hydrate well was just a flavor, texture, and complete food hole nightmare for me. This was just horrible stuff that I couldn’t stand. Original review
#3 – Maruchan Bariuma Goboten Udon – Japan
Do you like earthy things? Like dirt? Maybe throw a ton of salt on it – does that do the trick for you? This one has just huge amount of burdock root. Burdock is great in small amounts, but this much just turns this variety into a bowl of something that just screams salty dirt. A full frontal assault on the taste buds that leaves me wondering if when they made this if they tasted it. Original review
#2 – Dr. McDougall’s Vegan Pad Thai Noodle Soup – United States
Where do I begin. Well first off, when one in the United States thinks of Pad Thai, they think of what they might find at a Thai restaurant. Okay so the rice noodles came out nicely – short, flat and broad and well hydrated, but they’re short and cut like egg noodles.. Now for the broth. Thin. Nothing like pad thai. Has a little lime flavor and a kind of herbal taste. The floating bits of tofu are a lot like the marshmallows you get in the hot chocolate that comes with marshmallows. This is as far from pad thai as I can even express in words. It’s like someone gave a broken description of pad thai to someone who has short term memory problems and no taste buds a week prior and told them to make it. I kind of feel personally violated and offended. Never thought this would slip to 2nd on this list.. Original review
#1 – Simply Asia Singapore Street Noodles Classic Curry – United States
A nice looking package with the enticing words of ‘classic curry’ brings an image of something really special. This isn’t the case though. Rice noodles come out very mushy, but curry with slightly soggy noodles wouldn’t be so bad if it tasted like curry. Basically the flavor is a lot of lemongrass and strongly lacks authenticity. It’s like if you went to a restaurant, ordered some french fries, and they brought you a soda that said french fries on it. Just wrong on so many levels. Offensive in the highest. Original review
Special Announcements
Definitive Guides
This year, I’ve decided to do a special series called Definitive Guides. Recipes, trivia, history, and more on some of the most loved and fascinating varieties of instant noodles around the world! So far, I’ve got one on Nongshim’s Shin Ramyun, and Indomie’s Mi Goreng and Nissin Foods’ Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice! Future guides will include MAMA Tom Yum, and more. My plan is do feature one or two products from each country.
Ramen Junkies
Ramen Junkies is a Facebook group devoted to the love of instant noodles. People share their recipes, thoughts, ideas and humor Join the conversation today – over 70,000 members strong!
The Ramen Rater App For Android
The Ramen Rater App for Android has been given a whole new look and functionality. You can scan bar codes to see reviews I’ve done while at the store, peruse the top ten lists, and do simple searches. It’s really great – even a dark mode! Best of all it’s free and currently ad-free.
The Ramen Rater Shop
People have been asking where to get a lot of varieties and so I’ve partnered with Exotic Noods to bring you The Ramen Rater Shop. Here you’ll find an expending variety of instant noodles at a pretty decent price. You’ll be able to try a wide array of varieties and not have to buy a ton of each variety. I really wanted to have a way you could just buy a single pack of two at a time. The same way I do when I visit an Asian grocery.
