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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!
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!
A package from Malaysia! Let’s look within!
Hmmm what do we have here?
Penang White Cuury in regular and vegetarian! Seems like for a while I was reviewing so much white curry… Really excited to try some again!!
CarJEN has come up with something new! This one has not only a dry mee goreng, but a companion soup that you can enjoy alongside it. I’ve seen this before, but never in Malaysian varieties. There’s a popular Taiwanese instant that has a noodle and a soup separate kind of thing going too. Very curious about this one indeed. Let’s see how this all works!
Every year, I review a ton of instant noodles – and every year I come out with quite a few lists. This list tends to change the least of all my lists – I’ve had a lot of spicy instant noodles in my time and just seems like nobody’s getting any spicier products to market. Could be that they don’t want to melt people’s faces off perhaps. Anyways, here’s this year’s list – the spiciest varieties out of over 2,100 reviews. Enjoy – if you dare!
This is the fourth Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups list I’ve done since 2013 and I just looked at the first one – none of them are still on this list! I will say one thing though – the ones on the 2013 list are all really good too. It’s hard picking a list to be honest; maybe a top fifty? Naw – ten is enough. Maybe when I’ve done 5000 reviews a top fifty might be in order. But for now, here’s the best of the best – my absolute favorite cup varieties from the 2,100+ reviews I’ve done.
Here’s another new recipe change for the CarJEN product line. The change they made to the Cheezy Curry was great – I liked the Cheezy Mushroom alot when I tried it – curious how it will do with new changes? Let’s find out!
I saw a picture of something new on CarJEN’s facebook page and asked if I could get some samples – and they arrived recently!
The third and final of the cups I received from MyKuali – thanks again! The Hokkien Prawn (aka Spicy Prawn Noodle) was #2 on this year’s The Ramen Rater’s top Ten Instant Noodles Of all Time 2016 Edition. I recently read a little about these cups – the noodle they are using is referred to as ‘shabu noodle.’ Just a little something you might be curious about. Anyways, let’s see how the sweetness of Hokkien Prawn translates with this new noodle! Let’s crack it open!
Here’s the second of three cup versions of MyKuali’s line I got a while back – this time it’s the tom yum! Really excited to check it out – so without further ado, let’s get started!
This one was sent by CarJEN of Malaysia – thanks! I did a Meet The Manufacturer with them a while back and since then, they’ve sent me products when they come out. I’m pretty sure this has been out for a little while, but today will be my first taste. Asam translates to sour (usually like tamarind) and pedas translates to spicy, hence, sour and spicy. Let’s give it a try!
This looks really interesting – some very new from Malaysia. I’ve found that I really like green curries- had a few green curry instants – however never seen a green curry bowl. Let’s see how this one fares!
When I was asked by a new Malaysian company if I’d like to review their samples, you can guess my answer – and here they are!
Here’s one my sister got me up in Canada for my birthday! Thanks! In 2015 when I went up to Canada, I saw this one but didn’t get it since I thought I had it in my hamper awaiting review. Well, I didn’t and luckily they still had it in stock at PriceSmart Foods up in Richmond, BC when my sister went. Vegetarian time! Let’s check it out.
As with some other varieties, CarJEN has recently kicked up their noodle game a skosh by changing the recipe. I’m not exactly sure what’s changed here – I’ll let my tastebuds let you know! Let’s check it out!
yKuali
First it was in packs. Then, rice vermicelli bowls and now cups! I’m really curious about a couple things in this one. How well will it translate to a ‘steeped cooking’ form? Also, what kind of noodles are in here? Easiest way to find out is to give it a try! Let’s tear this one open!
A while back, I did a Meet The Manufacturer with CarJEN Foods. I tried their E-Zee Curry and thought it was quite good. It got 4 stars and CarJEN asked about putting my logo on their packaging. We made a deal and there it is! Now, they’ve changed the recipe. It seems this is a trend in the Malaysian market right now – kind of fun since it’s like a re-review but a second shot for these companies for a better score with a new recipe. Let’s check this one out!
Here’s the last of the three new ‘Authentic Taste’ varieties from MyKuali that they sent a little while back. I was told that they’ve changed the way they cook the paste and that it will have enhanced shrimp flavor and aroma from the spices. Sounds good to me! Let’s check it out!
Here’sd another of MyKuali’s new recipe ‘Authentic Taste’ range. I’m told this has more of the lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, as well as mushroom and chicken broth. Most of ytou should know it was #1 on the 2015 Top Ten list. Let’s see how these changes affect the taste!
The other day I got some samples from CarJEN – this one piqued my interest. First off, the ‘Improved Taste’ sticker – it actually if from the outside of a 4 pack but I figure since I always just do pics of the individual packs, I’d just unstick it and restick it. It was #4 on last year’s big The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2015 Edition. Wonder what’s changed? Let’s have a look!
Last Monday, I posted the new variety of curry from MyOri, the only one with non-fried wheat noodles (the only one with my face on the back as well). Today, I wanted to show off the new green curry vermicelli package with me on it. I tried this almost a year ago and loved it immediately. I’ve kind of had a love/hate relationship with rice noodles/vermicelli over the years. Some don’t hydrate well, some seem like mush. Let’s explore this one again – the winner of the inaugural The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Rice Noodles Of All Time 2015 Edition. By the way, these are for sale in the United States; as soon as they tell me where I’ll let you know.
I knew CarJEN was sending some samples, so I asked if maybe they could send me a box of the ones with my logo on them – I think this is it!
What have we here?
Hmmm – a tablecloth?
Wow (click to enlarge) – a couple big banners! I’ve seen then use these in their promotions before. Pretty cool!
Really excited about this one! I think you’ll understand why when you see the back of the package! I’ve taken an offer by MyOri to be their brand ambassador! I’m honored do to so – not only is it a really neat gig, it’s for products I honestly enjoy and find innovative and a real compliment to the market. I reviewed these last year as part of a Meet The Manufacturer with MyOri. Ther’s a difference now – they’ve changed the name to red curry, given the packaging a real facelift and now the noodle are not fried – the first white curry featuring the healthier noodle. Let’s give ’em a look!
MyKuali has been tinkering with upgrading their recipes during the last year or two. One thing they told be when I visited in 2014 was that the hawkers are always fine-tuning their recipes, and that they planned on doing the same thing. When I asked what the difference is with this new iteration, I was told that an aspect of the shrimp powder has been altered to give it an even more authentic taste. I found tha the Hokkien Mee I had in Penang a couple years back was very close to what I got from the MyKuali Hokkien Mee. Let’s see how this one tastes.
Usually I ask for companies that have been in the previous year’s top ten to send some samples that I’ll re-review ahead of the new list. MyKuali did this, but there’s a difference. They’ve changed the recipes for their three products that were on the list last year, so I have to cram some new reviews in before it’s too late! Lukcily, I really like this stuff so that shouldn’t be too hard! Let’s see what’s inside.
Got this package in the mail yesterday – let’s look inside!
MyOri’s new packaging (click to enlarge) – looks really snazzy!
The last of the Ibumie Always Mi Goreng varietals I found at 99 Ranch recently – or I should say my lovely wife say them. Udang means prawn and sambal is wondroud spicy stuff of dreamsLet’s check it out!
So every time I do a Top Ten list, I try to let the companies that make that list know. I usually post directly on their Facebook page a congratulatory message. Well, CarJEN’s J.J. Snek Mi Perisa BBQ made the new Top Ten Instant Noodle Snacks list, and I saw something neat on their page!
Instant noodle… snacks? Yeah! Snacks of all kinds have come from instant noodles – candy, crunchy bits, you name it. They’re popular all over Asia and also the United States; have you ever taken a pack of instant noodles, crushed them and added in the seasoning and shaken the bag up and eaten them like potato chips or popcorn? Well, this is popular elsewhere as well! Let’s check out my favorite instant noodle snacks from over 1,900 reviews. Enjoy!
Well folks, we’re in the home stretch to the 2,000th review. To be honest, I never had a clue I would be reviewing instant noodles every day – never in a million years. Anyways, still quite a few to go so let’s check this one out. Kapitan Kari literally means ‘Captain Curry’ – kind of like the king of curry. Let’s rip this one open and give it a try!
Well, this is embarrassing… From time to time I’ve accidentally pasted the watermark twice and one ends up in the middle of the image. Sorry about that! About a month or so ago my wife and I were at the Edmonds 99 Ranch Market and she noticed a whole bunch of varieties and asked if I’d tried them. I’m legally blind, which basically means my eyesight is there, but so poor that it’s hard for me to cross the street, would be a menace behind the wheel, and miss a lot of instant noodles that my wife catches at the store! Let’s check out this Tom Yam flavored mi goreng!
Here’s the last I have of the new packaged varieties of MyKuali products. Before, this was called Hokkien Prawn, but now it appears they’ve gone to a more streamlines title and packaging. Prawn Mee as it’s known in Southeast Asia is a spicy and prawn filled extravaganze of flavor and wonder. If you like prawn, this is definitely something you should enjoy! Let’s look within!
For awhile now, people have been asking if I’d reviewed Ibumie’s Always Mi Goreng. Well, no – that’s because I’d never found it or received a sample or donation from a reader. I’ve seen it around for years on the Internet. About a month or so ago my wife and I were at the Edmonds 99 Ranch Market and she noticed a whole bunch of varieties and asked if I’d tried them. I’m legally blind, which basically means my eyesight is there, but so poor that it’s hard for me to cross the street, would be a menace behind the wheel, and miss a lot of instant noodles that my wife catches at the store! So, if you’re one of the folks who have messaged me about this one, you can thank Kit for her keen observation! Let’s check out Always Mi GOreng!
Again, my wife has a keen eye for noodles. She saw these and asked if I’d tried them – I hadn’t! Don’t know what I would do without her! So these are very interesting – IbuRamen – sounds like Ibumie – in fact, on the back of the package it says it’s made in Malaysia. The Mi Goreng font looks like Ibumie’s as well (and Indomie’s, Salam Mie etc). Mi goreng is Southeast Asian , however Bento is Japanese. What’s more, there’s a Mexican reference; wait, where? Let’s look inside.
A tube! What’s inside?
An autographed poster from the folks at MyKuali HK! This will go into the Wall of Fame soon as it’s laminated! Thanks!
Turns out I had one left from my trip to Malaysia in October 2014! This one’s made by the same company that makes MAMA noodles – just for the Malaysian market. I’ve had chand clear soup varieties in the past but this one just says it’s clear soup. Let’s check out this rice vermicelli!
So the number one on my annual Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time list got some new clothes! Why do I like this one so much? Well, when I got to visit the island of Langkawi, Malaysia (which is a stone’s throw south of Thailand), I got to try all sorts of tasty foods. One was tom yum. I got to try it a couple of ways – check it out!
Today, we have the last review of the Meet The Manufacturer for Vit’s. It’s been fun – lots of strong flavors and flavors is Malaysia! Penang White Curry is one of my favorites – let’s try the first one I’ve ever seen with fresh noodles.
Re-reviews are kind of a trip sometimes; they don’t get a number, but they get another try. Usually they end up getting the same score, but sometimes they do a little better or worse. I kind of doubt there’ll be any change – had this one for the first time 40 reviews ago at #1791. Let’s give it a look!
