Category: * News / Noodle News

The Ramen Rater Diet: How I Lost 56lbs in 92 days

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I’m sure you’re a little confused, so here goes. I was told by my doctor back in 2018 that I needed to lose weight – I was at 364lbs and looking at pre-diabetes and going on a statin drug as well. So, I got a stroller and started pushing my daughter around a lot and limited intake. In six month, I’d lost around 60 pounds. I ended up down to 200 pounds in the next year which was pretty good. Well, In 2021 my mom died and early the next year I got COVID and ended up in the ICU. I gained 88 pounds back – definitely not what was on the menu but it happened. In early March, I saw my doc and he said I was back at 288lbs and said to lose weight again. I modified the diet I had done back in 2018. The next visit was in June and I’d lost 56 pounds which is an average of 0.6 pounds per day for 92 days. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Japanese Instant Noodles Of All time 2023 Edition

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The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Japanese Instant Noodles Of All time 2023 Edition

I get asked to do different top ten lists often – ones for people with dietetic restrictions, one for specific types of noodles, etc. The return of the Japan list should satisfy those who have wanted it to return. The problem with the Japan list is that Japanese varieties  often come and go very quickly like the seasons; they are to be enjoyed and then remembered. Hopefully you’ll be able to find most of these, but if not it is because of this reason. This list is comprised of my ten favorite varieties from Japan out of my reviews up to number 4,400. If you’re in Japan and have varieties you think I should try or are a manufacturer there, please contact me. With that, here is The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Japanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Nissin Cup Noodles Breakfast

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A couple years ago, Nissin Foods USA came out with something called Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice. Honestly, I really enjoyed it and made many different recipes out of it, stretching it to the limit. This time, it’s a breakfast variety. I couldn’t find it, but luckily Stumpy from North Little Rock, AR, James from Lakeside, CA and Nissin Foods sent me cups which I truly appreciate. Here, I will go into meticulous detail about the product, and create five different things with it. With that, here’s The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Nissin Cup Noodles Breakfast. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Global Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

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The Ramen Rater's Global Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

Another year and it’s time for yet another top ten list. There’s a let of movement here, and a lot of favorites which have stood the test of time. This is a list of my favorite varieties from reviews up to #4440. If you’ve got a variety you think I should try or are a manufacturer who would like me to try your masterful creations – please drop me a line; I don’t know that in the 20+ years I’ve been sampling and opining about instant noodle products that I’ve refused a request for me to try a product. As I’ve said for years, my true favorite variety is the one I haven’t tried yet. With that, let’s look at these true diplomats of flavor in this, The Ramen Rater’s Global Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition. ...see full post

Contest! Win FREE Choi Ramen!

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Want to win some free ramen? Join the Ramen Junkies group on Facebook and find the contest post! Comment as to why you deserve 15 packs of Choi Ramen – the best 4 commentors will win 15 packs of this great chicken variety! Contest will be open from noon 2/17/2023 – noon 2/24/2023. Only available for folks in the continental United States. Winners will be contacted via Facebook Messenger. Good luck! Be original and creative! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Malaysian Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

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The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Malaysian Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

I can’t believe it’s been almost eight years since I did a The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Malaysian Instant Noodles Of All Time list! That’s quite a while; especially with my absolute love for all things Malaysian instant noodle. The flavors are so bright and strong! These are my absolute favorites from my Malaysian product reviews up to #4300. If you’re a Malaysian instant noodle company I’m really hoping you contact me! Would love to sample and review your products! That being said, let get right to business with The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Malaysian Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

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The Ramen Rater's Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

After a couple years, here’s The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition. It’s been a sort of tough go lately; so few new Korean varieties have crossed my desk. Usually they’ve all been ultra spicy ones, and while good, they’ve not been ones that are top ten listers. There should be a few new ones to the list for next years list that have yet to be published, though. If you’ve an instant noodle company in South Korea, I’d love to review your products. I used to receive samples from the larger companies quite often, but unfortunately not so much recently. This list is comprised of varieties from South Korea that I’ve reviewed up to my 4,300th review. With that, here’s The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

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The Ramen Rater's Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

This one usually comes out earlier than now, but it’s been rather busy. There’s a couple more lists coming, so stay tuned. These are my favorite varieties I’ve samples thus far. This list is current as of my 4,300th review. Hopefully there will be more great new varieties to try during the next year to add to the list. If you’re a company with some varieties I’ve not tried, please by all means drop me a line! With that, I present The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition. ...see full post

Cold As Ice: Frozen Ramen – Your Holiday Gift

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Cold As Ice: Frozen Ramen - Your Holiday Gift

Today is December 25th, 2022. I thought the perfect gift to all of you nice people that look at my reviews and experiments would be to add a lot of stuff to a plastic bowl and put it outside and let it freeze. So, that’s what I did. It is your holiday gift! For free! You are very welcome! Hope everyone seeing this is having a great holiday season and that it ends soon and that 2023 is lacking a lot of insanity that the previous year contained. ...see full post

The Best Ramen Noodle Recipe Of All Time

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The Best Ramen Noodle Recipe Of All Time

I know, I know – you’ve heard it before. TikTok especially – these ‘great ramen hacks. That’s all crap. What if I told you with a little oil and two eggs you could make the FINEST CHEAP INSTANT NOODLE RECIPE OF ALL TIME? You’re skeptical, I get that. But this bears trying. Plus, it’s very versatile. The original recipe is from my Mom – and it’s what got me started reviewing instant noodles. Anyways, Watch the video. Just do it. Recipe and images below. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

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NOTE – THE 2024 LIST IS OUT – CHECK IT OUT HERE

The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

It’s true – some like it hot. This list is comprised of the hottest varieties I’ve tried – that are currently available as far as I can tell. In prior years, there were some that were so hot that the #1 on here was like cotton candy. That being said, I’m guessing there weren’t many repeat customers. At the bottom, you’ll see those varieties. This list is current as of review #4300. Let’s get spicy with The Ramen Rater’s Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

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The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition

Usually, The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese list gets posted mid September. This year it’s been pretty busy around here. Better late than never, I say. These are my absolutely favorite Taiwanese varieties I’ve tried. All ratings are on the base product – before I add anything to make them look nice. This list is current as of review #4300. Want me to review your product? Contact me! Let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition! ...see full post

Prima Taste Curry La Mian Ice Cream!

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Oh, don’t get me wrong – I am positive I know what you’re thinking. He’s gone mad. Nope – I just like playing with food. Today, I’m making an ice cream using a Singaporean curry instant noodle variety by Prima Taste. It’s been on my Top Ten lists for years – the noodles, not the ice cream. No, really – I haven’t gone crazy – I just like trying out doing very different things. It fascinates me. Let’s get started! ...see full post

Samyang Buldak 2x Spicy Ice Cream

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Samyang Buldak 2x Spicy Ice Cream

Well, today is the big election day – lots of issues, too many political ads. This guy eats babies, that lady wants you to suffer. It’s pretty tiring – but this should serve as a respite before the very end of it… Well, hopefully the end of it – I’m sure it will get even more ridiculous – hopefully I’m wrong. But there’s nothing like ice cream. I’ve sworn off recreational use of ice cream – been over a month. The only ice cream I’m having now comes from these creations in my kitchen. This is research kitchen ice cream. ...see full post

Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Pizza Party!

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Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Pizza Party!

Well, once again, it’s pizza time. Time for a pizza party. If you like ramen and pizza, this is the place for you as the two worlds collide in this special post. So, why ramen infused pizza? Why the heck not? Anyone can make pizza, and the pizzas I’ve seen involving ramen in the past have sounded more like silly things rather than something intended to be delightful and somewhat gourmet-ish. Today dear friends, I rescue you from marinara atop uncooked noodle bricks! Today I bring you the Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Pizza Party! ...see full post

Maruchan Chicken Ramen Noodle Soup Ice Cream

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Over the last year or so, I’ve been experimenting with infusing bread with instant noodles and their seasonings and making pizza with instant noodles. What’s the next logical step? Well, ice cream of course! Perhaps not logical, but it seemed like something to try. This is the first of many different ice creams I’ll be making which include noodles and seasonings from instant varieties. ...see full post

Happy National Noodle Day 2022! Cup Noodles Bath Bomb!

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Happy National Noodle Day 2022! Cup Noodles Bath Bomb!

October 6th is National Noodle Day! I knew it existed, but every year I find out when it’s too late to do a special post or something to commemorate the day. This year, Nissin Foods USA overnighted me a box especially for National Noodle Day – and it arrived the day before! So, I’ve spent the day before National Noodle Day shooting video, doing special research, and sitting in the bathroom. Well, it’s been fun, and now it’s time to show you what you may have or have not heard about – the Nissin Cup Noodles Soup Soaker. It’s a bath bomb which came in this special box in a noodle cup. What’s more is it’s kind of chickenny. Yeah. A chicken broth bath bomb. Watch it fizz!!! ...see full post

Instant Noodle Recipe Time – Episode 1500

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Instant Noodle Recipe Time - Episode 1500

A number of years ago, I thought I’d see what would happen if I cooked up some noodles and ran a camera as I did it. It’s kind of funny – a lot of the large projects in my life have started with ‘let’s see what happens.’ I had thought for years the idea of shooting video while I cooked noodles for reviews was a purely idiotic idea; I would have to edit every video, which would take so much more time than the way I did things. Well, I found a way around that. ...see full post

Prima Taste Laksa & Chili Crab Pizza Party!

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Prima Taste Laksa & Chilli Crab Pizza Party!

Firstly, thanks to Prima Taste for sending some samples! I thought this would be a nice duet of pizza pies to try. I know – ‘why do you do these things?’ Because I have to in order to feed my curiosity to see what different combinations and different vehicles will deliver when it comes to foods. Today it’s singaporean pizzas! Let’s do it! ...see full post

Pumpkin Spice Cup Noodles Ramen Pizza Party!

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Pumpkin Spice Cup Noodles Ramen Pizza Party!

You knew it was bound to happen, and now it has. I spent so much time making different things with Nissin Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice Flavor – but I never made a pizza. Weird? Of course! Insane? Naw, not really. Since I always like to do a duo of pizzas, I also made one with Nissin Fire Wok Sizzlin’ Rich Pork – that’s my favorite of that range. Well, prepare yourselves – some fascinating waters are ahead. Sometime I’ll use lecithin or egg as an emulsifier and grind up noodles to make dough for pizza – that will be interesting. But not I think today. Here we go. ...see full post

Buldak Habanero Lime & Quattro Spicy Ramen Pizza Party!

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Yep – I’m at it again. Who hates pizza? Maybe if you only ate crummy pizza every day for months, sure – that guy would. But I don’t make crummy pizzas, I make interesting ones that are really quite nice to behold and chew on. Today’s pair are no different. I’m using the noodles and sauce as a base for two ‘south of the border’ inspired new varieties from Samyang Foods. Thanks go to Samyang Foods for sending samples as well as MH from the Ramen Junkies group for sending some too! Let’s check out what happens when new Buldak meets pizza! ...see full post

Exotic Pizza Party! Indomie Pizza! Bibim Men Pizza!

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Exotic Pizza Party! Indomie Pizza! Bibim Men Pizza!

Welcome to my newest installment of my experimentation with instant noodles and breads/pizza dough! This one was a real win IMHO – both came out exceedingly well! First, I made an Indomie pie which presented some questions – how do I make the sauce? Butter. How about a cold pizza with Paldo Bibim Men? Never baked a pizza that would be refrigerated before serving. It’s summer and really hot here right now. Cold sounds good. I’ll give you the recipes for both which are pretty simple. Let’s hit it! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups Of All Time 2023 Edition

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The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups Of All Time 2023 Edition

Often overlooked but always present, the instant noodle cups is a very common ‘on the go’ form factor for instant noodle varieties around the world. These are my favorite cup varieties from reviews up to #4120. Don’t see a variety you like I’ve not tried? Contact me! Also, here’s a link to all of my top ten lists! With that, let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups Of All Time 2023 Edition. ...see full post

Stuffed Shin Black Bread!

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I know you’re wondering ‘why does he do these things?’ I pose the opposite question – ‘why don’t you do these things?’ I’ll be honest – I’m playing with food. It’s something different to try. Sometimes it doesn’t work, but I’m finding many times it does work and it works pretty well! Let’s make some stuffed bread with a popular variety! ...see full post

Shin Ramyun & MyKuali Tom Yum Pizzas!

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Well, it’s been a long time coming, but here we are. It’s pizza time. I could go into detail to start with, but let me just say – this pizza is wonderful and I’ll tell you how to make it. Probably the best bready thing I’ve ever made. Before we start, let me say this also – if you’re looking for a pizza crust from instant noodles, you will not find that here. What I’ve found is that instant noodles are best as is and not screwed around with too much. A filling for bread, but not part of the dough.  Let’s begin. ...see full post

Pumpkin Spice Cup Noodles Stuffed Bread!

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Pumpkin Spicy Cup Noodles Stuffed Bread!

Yeah it’s June – mid june. Mid towards later June. But I don’t care about your temporal insecurities. ANY TIME IS TIME TO USE PUMPKIN SPICE CUP NOODLES. Period. Chronometrics be damned! I figured cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, pumpkin spice cup noodles. I know a lot of people don’t get the bread thing, but it seems to me that bread will be the gateway drug that leads to pizza, and maybe other stuffed bread?  Let’s do this. ...see full post

Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein Stuffed Bread!

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Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein Stuffed Bread!

Recently, I thought it would be interesting to revisit my fascination with bread – and ramen. I’ve found that baking bread with a bread machine isn’t all it’s cracked up to be – but using one to make dough is very cool! In the past, I’ve infused instant noodles directly into the dough; something that produced something a little funky. In my last endeavor, I used a mold shaped like a fish and we took the dough out, put it in, filled it, then added more bread on top. Since then, I’ve tried making a pizza – which had excellent results! I even used gluten free pizza dough to make my wife a pizza and that honestly was even better. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2022 Edition

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The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2022 Edition

Lots of people enjoy bowls full of noodles from around the world. They often come with a utensil, and all you need it hot water. For a quick meal, they’re hard to beat insofar as convenience. Some bowls however go above and beyond a utilitarian sense and are truly gourmet. This list is comprised of my favorite bowl varieties from all reviews up to #4120. All scoring is done prior to garnish being added. Do you want me to review something I haven’t? Drop me a line! With that, let’s peruse my top picks on The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2022 Edition! ...see full post

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

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! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2022 Edition

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The Ramen Rater's Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2022 Edition

It’s been twenty years since I started this crazy journey of reviewing instant noodles. I never even envisioned I’d be doing it for twenty years; it was just something to try out way back when. There have been ups and downs in the past – and recent past. I ended up getting COVID (as did the rest of my family) in early January this year. It wasn’t too bad in itself, but the repercussions were. I ended up in the ICU for blood clots in my lungs. It’s happened before when I slept ten hours on a cramped flight – but this time didn’t make sense as I walk a whole lot. Anyways, I’m better now, but it’s been a tough go to be sure. I hope all of you reading are happy and healthy! ...see full post

A Time Honored Family Ramen Tradition

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A Time Honored Family Ramen Tradition

Today is a special day. It was the first day that my (at the time) future wife and I moved in together. Since then, we’ve made this recipe for instant noodles time, and time again. It’s a tradition. Traditions are important, like monster trucks and motocross rallies; like fresh air, happiness, and warm summer nights. Allow me to proudly present the last ramen hack that you will ever need in your arsenal – an arsenal of freedom to taste excellence. ...see full post

D8 THC Cup Noodles Professional Mukbang

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D8 THC Cup Noodles Teardown & Mukbang

First off, thanks to The Fat Hipster for sending these over. Honestly, more like curses to you, sir! This really did me in. I read after doing this THC (the stuff that gets you high from smoking marijuana) infused noodle that a gunny has 20mg of THC and that’s a lot for a ‘seasoned marijuana user.’ This has 100mg and it’s been maybe 18 months since I had any. I live in Washington state, and I could just walk to the store and legally buy marijuana. Apparently this D8 stuff is also legal for now, as the D9 comes from cannabis and the D9 somes from hemp, and hemp is legal everywhere. Crazy. Anyways, let’s give this a try. Most of the pertinent info will be in the mukbang below. ...see full post