
Check this big sucker out! This one was sent by a guy who runs a store in Japan called Yanaktei (www.yakantei.com). Kind of looks pizza minded eh? Let’s check it out!
Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002

Check this big sucker out! This one was sent by a guy who runs a store in Japan called Yanaktei (www.yakantei.com). Kind of looks pizza minded eh? Let’s check it out!

Well, we’ve almost come to the end of this Meet The Manufacturer. It’s been fun and interesting to find out about and try new varieties from Nepal! Here’s one that I found particularly interesting when I sampled the vegetable curry variety. Krrish is a action film series popular in India and Nepal and this ties into that fandom. Let’s check it out.

The vegetable version of Pretti was really good and got very high marks – curious how the chicken flavor will stack up! Let’s check it out.

Chicken sounds good – This is an example of a vitamin fortified instant noodle. In areas of the world where many people eat a large amount of instant noodles, vitamins are added to make them healthier. Let’s check these out!

Nope – this is not a reference to the popular South Korean K-Pop group – it’s a reference to the time of day. 2pm is a common time for a quick bite to eat in the afternoon. Let’s have a look.

I think this is one of my new favorite packages – those kids are rockin’ out! Fatafat means ‘fast fast,’ referring to the fact that you can just pop it open and eat it as well as a smaller size for a quick meal. I decided to try the only cooking method I’ve seen this brand mention that I hadn’t tried yet: cook, drain, fry and add seasonings. Let’s check it out!

This one is called Miteri and it comes from Nepal. The makers of this product mentioned that coriander is a good garnish for all of their varieties.. I went to the store looking for the stuff and found coriander powder so tried that on the review before last. Then I had a thought to look on Google for coriander as the powder just didn’t seem right. Well guess what? Coriander is known here in the US as cilantro. Needless to say, I went and got some and will use it today! As it turns out, miteri means friend in Nepalese.. Let’s check it out!

Today, I’ll be reviewing something different. I’ve reviewed snack noodles before that have been made into various shapes, ones that start as a block and you crush and add seasoning, but none quite like these. These are in a small packet and in a block – they’re also noodles that have been seasoned already. Asian Thai Foods said that you can simply crush the noodles and have them that way; in fact, it is common that people eat many of their varieties this way – including mixing the seasoning packets and oil packets as well – and eating straight. What I’m going to do with it is add a couple things I’ve found before in namkeens. Namkeens are basically savory snack foods that are kind of like trail mix – they usually contain nuts, seeds, raisins and all sorts of different things depending on the region. Let’s have a try!

Here’s the first review of the Asian Thai Foods Meet The Manufacturer spotlight! Wow – noodles from Nepal! Let’s have a look at these, called Gaurav. I couldn’t figure out what Gaurav means – if anyone knows, please comment! UPDATE – Thanks for KC Gabby for letting me know that gaurav means pride! Let’s check it out!

Here’s another one from the T&T Supermarket up in Burnaby, BC. I asked for help with the translation on Facebook. Thanks guys! Snack noodles are very popular in Asia and here’s one variety to check out. Yes – it’s from Taiwan! It’s a package with three little packs inside. Let’s check it out!

Here’s another one from T&T Supermarket in Canada! I haven’t reviewed on in a while, but here we have a ramen snack. You don’t cook them, it’s a little snack that’s ready to eat and already flavored. Let’s check it out!

Here’s another one from T&T Supermarket up in Canada! To be honest, I was absolutely stoked to find this one; I’ve seen pics of the Campbell’s varieties in the past, but they’re not available in the United States as far as I know. Let’s check out this little chicken cup.

In the last day, lots of people have been coming to The Ramen Rater from Indonesia! One person who commented via the facebook page said”you should try this one fried noddle, it has black pepper flavour. will not disappoint you :)” (for those wondering, this is friend black pepper chicken flavor noodles). I looked through the box of varieties my friend in Jakarta sent me and lo and behold, I had it in there! Thank you very much! Let’s check this one out!

Here’s another I got up at T&T Supermarket in Canada! Shio is one of four main categories of ramen in Japan (Tonkotsu, Shoyu and Miso being the others). Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about Shio:

Let me say that the past couple of days have been probably a couple of the most crazy, fascinating and rewarding of my run so far as The Ramen Rater. I did am interview with Quartz (part of The Atlantic) and it went viral; Huffington Post picked it up, Grub Street, Digg,… Did an interview with South Korea’s Cultwo Veranda Show and appeared, and have two interviews with radio and television lined up in the next couple of days. A couple of interesting opportunities I can’t talk about yet have popped up and I’m very excited about them and will share as soon as I can. Thursday I went up to Canada and met with some folks at a big Asian grocery called T&T Supermarket. They were really nice people and even sent me home with some great new varieties to review and share! Thank you so much! This is one of them. Oat noodles? This sounds different – see the little circle on the lower right? It says ‘health is important. Let’s check it out!

Another Indonesia variety sent by a kind person in Jakarta! Thanks! This is called ‘gulai’ – something I’ve never heard of. I consulted Wikipedia and found this:

Went to Uwajimaya in Seattle yesterday and saw these – little four pack of mini noodles! Let’s check ’em out.

Here’s yet another one picked up in Canada on my birthday! My wife took me up there (I’m legally blind so driving’s not the greatest idea for me). Thanks, Kitten! My son is a huge fan of chicken flavored noodle anything, so I figure he’ll like these.

Here’s another one a fan shipped me from Indonesia. Never tried this variety before – very few Indonesian cups that I’ve tried. Let’s check it out!

Here’s another Indonesian variety from the big donation I was sent recently – thank you! Tropicana Slim – sounds like a character from an old mobster movie or something involving orange juice? I assure it’s neither – they’re low fat noodles from Indonesia! Let’s check these out!

Today’s Father’s Day and my son Andy is over. Thought we’d have some noodles and this is the one he picked. He usually sticks to chicken flavored ones. Let’s check it out!

This is one you can probably find quite easily in a grocery store here in the United States. Let’s have a look.

Here’s another one from my birthday trip to Canada in March! Let’s check ‘er out.

Check this sucker out – this is one huge Cup Noodle! Scott from Nissin got this one for me during a recent trip to Asia – thanks! Let’s see what’s going on here…

Well this one looks to be extremely spicy. Samyang Foods sent some instructions along as everything on the back of these packages are in Korean. Well, they also added a little advice:

Here’s something people should be able to find easily at their supermarkets – at least here in the United States. Lime… Habanero… Let’s check it out!

Here’s the second of two packs sent to me from The Netherlands by Sister Laoban – thanks again! I thought some Oriental Chicken instant noodles sounded good for Easter.

Here’s one of the new Maruchan Bowl products. There are three varieties – a non-spicy chicken which I reviewed a while back, this one and a spicy shrimp. Maruchan sent me these in a neat box – first samples from them (hope to get more of their stuff in the future)! Well, let’s check it out!

Here’s another one from my wife and I’s trip to Canada for my birthday! Only had a Four Seas instant once before – my sister had brought it back from Canada for me – see a theme here? Let’s check out this chicken big bowl.

On my birthday, my wife took me up to Canada and I got 55 new varieties of instant to review – here’s one of them! I’ve reviewed Mr. Noodles before and found them to be marginal at best. Let’s see how the bowl version here goes!

Here’s one of the new Maruchan Bowls that they recently sent samples of. The only Maruchan bowls I’ve had before were only made in Japan – like the Midori No Tanuki and the Akai Kitsune Udon, both of which are in the Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls list. Today I’m having the chicken variety.

Wow how cool – samples from Maruchan! first ever!

I saw something about the new Maruchan Bowls on their website and asked my contact about them. Well, they sent me this neat box!

This is it – the last of the nine Annie Chun’s samples that were sent for Meet The Manufacturer. It’s definitely been an interesting jaunt! Some I really liked quite a bit, some I didn’t like so much. What’s very evident here is that Annie Chun’s definitely has a wide range of flavors. The last one is Chinese Chicken.

Here’s the next to last of the Annie Chun’s varieties they were kind enough to send for Meet The Manufacturer. Spicy Chicken Ramen sounds awesome! Let’s check it out.

Got an email telling me a package had arrived last week. It was from Scott A. over at Nissin Foods USA! Wonder what is inside…

Here’s the first new Ottogi variety I’ve reviewed in a long time! It’s an interesting one, too. This is most definitely a cup, however it says it is a noodle bowl on the packaging – weird! Hoping in 2013 to be able to get with Ottogi and do a Meet The Manufacturer – they’ve got some interesting twists on Korean instant noodles that are really good! Well, let’s give this one a try!

Here’s another one sent from the UK by Joe & Gill! Thanks again! Chicken flavor, eh? Usually a pretty ho-hum variety but let’s give this one a chance.

I’ve often wondered if I would ever find this one. I’ve seen i mentioned quite a few times, and finally the other day I found it at a local grocery store. Vegan… Organic… Let’s give it a try.