Category: Japan

#4893: Maruchan QTTA Shoyu Tonkotsu – Japan

#4893: Maruchan QTTA Shoyu Tonkotsu - Japan

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop box – here’s what they had to say about it – ‘Soy and tonkotsu in umami harmony. The QTTA series is beloved in Japan for the warm, satisfying feeling you have after eating it. People let out an “aaaah! That hit the spot!” and continue their day a little more positively than before. Sporting an elegant purple fit, this cup is no trick and all treats, so don’t sleep on it!’ ...see full post

Nakama Noodles Unboxing – June 2024 + Coupon Code

Today, I’m unboxing MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles box. You can get their monthly selection of 8-10 varieties – and this box they sent was full of varieties I’ve never reviewed before, plus they include PACKS!!!  I’ll be doing unboxings for them and have a coupon code you can use – THERAMENRATER (of course)! Watch the video below – you’ll see why I’m excited. ...see full post

#4892: Acecook Super Cup 35SHU no Spice de Shiageru Negi-Shio Yakisoba – Japan

#4892: Acecook Super Cup 35SHU no Spice de Shiageru Negi-Shio Yakisoba - Japan

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box. Here’s what they had to say about it – ‘Do you like spices? This cup is for you. Acecook went big for their 35th anniversary of Super Cup (スーパーカップ), and they used just as many spices for this delicious serving of yakisoba. It’s perfect for those last few days of summer, with refreshing flavors of lemongrass, rounded noodles that are a perfect match for the sauce and all those unique aromas. 🍋 The seasoning has a solid salt base, together with a mix of chicken, pork, and garlic. They opted for something simple so that the 35 spices could really do their job and magnify all the flavors. All of them have been blended in an original furikake (ふりかけ) that’ll leave you a lovely aftertaste in your mouth. The dish is topped with fragrant sesame, a sprinkle of green onions, and red pickled ginger.’ ...see full post

#4889: Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen Donburi Madai Dashi Shiage – Japan

#4889: Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen Donburi Madai Dashi Shiage - Japan

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box . Here’s what they had to say about it – ‘Who needs a Michelin star restaurant when you have ZenPop? This bowl is a remarkable dish to have been transformed into instant format, thanks to master chef Kasahara-san, who supervised its creation while also running several restaurants and writing a million seller cookbooks. ...see full post

#4887: Daikoku Akagi Chuka Soba – Japan

#4887: Daikoku Akagi Chuka Soba - Japan

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box. Here’s what they had to say about it – ‘There’s plenty of hearty ramen bowls in this box so we’re happy to introduce you to this taste breaker! Chuka Soba focuses on a more crisp soy based soup that goes well with the chewy thin noodles. This combo creates a refreshing nostalgic taste that takes you back to the origin of Ramen in Japan. The toppings include green onion, bright egg, Naruto-maki, bamboo sprouts and even freeze dried grilled pork!’ ...see full post

#4883: Yamadai New Touch Char Siu Men from – Japan

#4883: Yamadai New Touch Char Siu Men from - Japan

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box. Here’s what they had to say about it – ‘Here’s a perfect start to the Christmas season: the mouthwatering delight of Yamadai’s New Touch Char Siu Men! Crafted with love and care, these noodles are a symphony of flavor that celebrates the heartiness of homegrown ingredients. Made from 100% domestic wheat, with a dashi of Japanese charm, we bring you “豚骨” (tonkotsu) – a special, velvety broth that’s the soul of every ramen bowl, filled with the love of “国産” (kokusan – domestically produced) pork chashu. These savory slices of chashu are tender, juicy, and slow-cooked to perfection, ensuring that each bite is an adventure in itself. This instant noodle cup also comes with a tantalizing mix of spices, carefully chosen to awaken your taste buds. Unlock the hidden flavors of “だし” (dashi) and “しょうゆ” (shoyu) as you savor the authenticity of Japanese cuisine.’ ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2024 Edition

This is a list I come out with every year – what’s different this year is now there’s a new rule: only one product per company. Seems fair to me – and also a way for more things to be seen. I don’t think it’s a bad idea and honestly, I think insofar as this list goes, it won’t be very hard to pull off. Anyways, here we go with The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2024 Edition! ...see full post

#4878: Maruchan Gekimen Kouhaku Mochi Ramen – Japan

#4878: Maruchan Gekimen Kouhaku Mochi Ramen - Japan

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box. Here’s what they had to say about it – ‘We’re entering the celebration season and for Gekimen Wonton noodles, it’s not just new years that’s cause for celebration! It’s the 45th anniversary of this product, so Toyo Suisan is releasing a special version which you are looking at in your box! This special wontonmen is topped with red and white mochi to create a feeling of festivity, as both the colors and mochi represent just this. And we haven’t even mentioned the taste yet! Gekimen is all about young people living passionately, and this bowl embodies this with a hearty stock and honest crunchy and flavorful toppings like green onion, bamboo shoots and Naruto.’ ...see full post

Nakama Noodles Unboxing – May 2024 + Coupon Code

Today, I’m unboxing MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles box. You can get their monthly selection of 8-10 varieties – and this box they sent was full of varieties I’ve never reviewed before, plus they include PACKS!!!  I’ll be doing unboxings for them and have a coupon code you can use – THERAMENRATER (of course)! Watch the video below – you’ll see why I’m excited. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2024 Edition

The Ramen Rater's Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2024 Edition

You know, this list while very exclusive isn’t one that brings me great joy. I really like instant noodles and the people who produce them, but some varieties just give me real disgust. I just can’t stand them, don’t recommend them, and wish they were different so I would like them. These are the ones I really, really dislike. This list is current as of review #4830. Be sure to check out announcements below – lots of neat stuff going on! With that, allow me to introduce you to The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2024 Edition. ...see full post

#4845: Men-No Sunaoshi Miso Ramen – Japan

#4845: Men-No Sunaoshi Miso Ramen - Japan

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – here’s what they had to say about it – ‘Miso is a paste created by fermenting soybeans with other ingredients. So if you think about it, as the bean “dies” in the process of returning to life as tasty miso, it’s almost like the Zombie of the soy world! …what, no? A bit of a stretch to fit the Halloween theme, perhaps? No matter, the taste of the miso speaks for itself. This bowl is very portable and has wakame seaweed topping, really adding to the volume of ingredients.🎃’ ...see full post

#4820: Marutai Hakata Nagahama Ramen – Japan

#4820: Marutai Hakata Nagahama Ramen - Japan

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount! This was in a triple box they sent – basically three boxes all at once. It didn’t come with any documentation, so I don’t know much about it. It only takes two minutes to steep which is pretty short. Let’s give it a try! ...see full post

#4811: Nissin Chicken Ramen Domburi Showa no Yoshoku Boom Creamy Gratin – Japan

#4811: Nissin Chicken Ramen Domburi Showa no Yoshoku Boom Creamy Gratin - Japan

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box. Here’s what they had to say about it – ‘If you’re familiar with the classic Chicken Ramen (チキンラーメン), the very first of all instant ramen produced by Nissin, then you’re in for quite a surprise. We know that Nissin likes to innovate, but we didn’t expect them to come out with this! Here’s their Japanese take on western cuisine, a Showa era (昭和) inspired Chicken Ramen. The Showa period (1926–1989) was one of economic growth and prosperity, during which Japan started important a lot of foreign cuisine, adapting it to their own taste. This Chicken Ramen was turned into a creamy gratin, with the flavor of charred cheese and the sweetness of roasted onions, for a creamy experience. 😋’ ...see full post

#4738: Maruchan Seimen Goma Abura Kaoru Toridare Hiyashi – Japan

#4748: Maruchan Seimen Goma Abura Kaoru Toridare Hiyashi - Japan

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box -here’s what they had to say about it – ‘This is a delicious cup of chilled Mazesoba.🍜 The noodles have a chewy texture, combined with a flavorful chicken sauce infused with sesame oil and green onions🍗✨ It’s a refreshing and savory dish, perfect for summer.🏖️🍉 冷やし中華 (Hiyashi Chuka) is a popular Japanese summer dish.🌞 It features chilled noodles topped with ingredients like cucumber, ham, and eggs, drizzled with a tangy soy-based sauce. This Toridare Hiyashi takes inspiration from this dish, offering a unique twist with its chicken sauce and sesame oil😊🍽️ Enjoy this delightful, cool meal to beat the heat!👊🌞 ‘ ...see full post

Nakama Noodles Unboxing – April 2024 + Coupon Code

Nakama Noodles Unboxing - April 2024 + Coupon Code

Today, I’m unboxing MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles box. You can get their monthly selection of 8-10 varieties – and this box they sent was full of varieties I’ve never reviewed before, plus they include PACKS!!!  I’ll be doing unboxings for them and have a coupon code you can use – THERAMENRATER (of course)! Watch the video below – you’ll see why I’m excited. ...see full post

#4798: Sugakiya Men Dokoro Inosho Kansyu Kara Kara Uo Ramen – Japan

#4632: Sugakiya Men Dokoro Inosho Kansyu Kara Kara Uo Ramen - Japan

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – here’s what they had to say about this one – ‘Get ready to spice up your taste buds with the “Spicy fish ramen” (辛辛魚らーめん) supervised by the famous restaurant “Mendokoro Inosho” (麺処井の庄) in Shakujii, Tokyo! This ramen has been causing a stir since its release and has been on the market for a whopping 15 years – that’s some serious longevity for a single cup of noodles! But that’s not all – Sugakiya has upped the flavor ante with a special spicy fish powder and tantalized taste buds with delicious bonito flakes that bring out the full flavor of the soup. With every slurp, you’ll feel like you’re dining at the “Inosho” restaurant and savoring their rich and savory flavors. So why not give your taste buds a wild ride and spice up your day with this irresistible cup of ramen? (It’s quite spicy: if you’re sensitive, add the powder little by little).’ ...see full post

Introducing The Nakama Noodles Box From MiauMall!

Introducing Nakama Noodles From MiauMall!

I have been doing unboxing for a long time and two of the ones I was doing stopped doing ramen boxes. They were both from Japan and that was a worrisome thing for me; I didn’t think I’d be able to continue really reviewing Japanese varieties as I relied heavily upon one of them every month. Well, that problem has been solved and then some. I want to introduce you to MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles box. You can get their monthly selection of 8-10 varieties – and this box they sent was full of varieties I’ve never reviewed before, plus they include PACKS!!!  I’ll be doing unboxings for them and have a coupon code you can use – THERAMENRATER (of course)! Watch the video below – you’ll see why I’m excited. ...see full post

#4774: Nissin U.F.O. Koikoi Seafood BBQ Fu Yakisoba – Japan

#4774: Nissin U.F.O. Koikoi Seafood BBQ Fu Yakisoba - Japan

Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box. Here’s what they had to say about it – ‘Nissin’s popular UFO series gets its name from the shape of the bowl. The UFO line are all Yakisoba, or fried noodles. These are eaten without soup, but with amazing topping, spices and sauce. This month’s ZenPop UFO is a summer limited edition BBQ cup, only accessible in Japan and will be sold out once summer is over.’ ...see full post