The Definitive Source For Instant Noodle Reviews Since 2002
I remember the first time I found out about this company. Finding a new domestic brand is a particular thrill for me. A new Malaysian, Thai or Chinese brand is expected, but here in the US, there aren’t as many new ones that often. Let’s check out this pillow pack version of their spicy variety!
I rarely find anything to get at Uwajimaya these days – not because they don’t have a decent variety, but because I’ve tried them all. This was a nice one to find though – kind of pricy at that though. Curious… Let’s check it out!
Here’s a fancy one from Japan found in a Zenpop box – check out zenpop.jp and use the coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount! The last time I tried one of these mochichi varieties I remember it mentioned ‘pinching one’s cheek’ to tell if they’re not really in a fancy ramen restaurant in Tokyo. It was pretty good, but no pinching occured. Let’s give it a try.
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Today, we have one that was part of Japan Crate’s Umai Crate. So Japan Crate is a subscription service which has all sorts of different options for you. pretty neat stuff from Japan! There’s a coupon code for you too – just use THERAMENRATER to get a special discount at check out.
They did a big reset at the local Safeway. They redid their produce section which was kinda nice. The also really updated their Asian foods section. Lots of instant noodles there! Then, there’s this. These are $4.99 each. The only reason I got one is because we love this brand’s Korean BBQ sauce. I’m guessing there’s a good chance this will be pretty good. Let’s chek it out and see if it warrants this price tag.
This is the second of two varieties that were sent to me from Singapore. Not sure about what moringa is, but it sounds healthy. These folks are very into making healthy products – let’s check these out!
Found this one at 99 Ranch Market in Edmonds, WA. They just keep bringing in these ‘flower pots’ and I couldn’t be happier. It never ends. I like that. This one’s ‘red oil,’ so I’m guessing it’s spicy. Neat artwork on this one – let’s check it out!
Well, this looks interesting – found it at 99 Ranch Market. Bean vermicelli isn’t too hard a stretch to understand; it’s a noodle made from mung beans. But what is oden? Wikipedia says –
Here’s a big noodle cup I found at the 99 Ranch Market in Edmonds, WA. You might wonder – what’s Luosi mean? Here’s something from Wikipedia –
I did a bunch of preliminary work with an interviewer from Channel News Asia a while back for a program they were developing. They chose to not include me in it, which does happen. I was disappointed, but the interviewer was really nice and connected me with a company who was to be featured on the show. The show was focusing on the trend of more health focused noodles around the world, and these are some from that company, WhatIf? Foods. Definitely a unique box! Let’s look within and give them a try!
Here’s another one that arrived in a box from Exotic Noods. Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
Okay so on New Year’s Eve back in 2017, I did a different brand’s version of chaat patta and ran into the same issue: no info. I am not sure what the heck it’s supposed to taste like, but this time I’m kind of leaning towards this tasting like the little break/dough flavts that have stuff on top of them in Indian/Pakistani cuisine. I could totally be wrong too. So, I suppose it’s time to try something and not know what it’s supposed to remotely taste like and enjoy or dislike. Here we go.
Today, we have one that was part of Japan Crate’s Umai Crate. So Japan Crate is a subscription service which has all sorts of different options for you. pretty neat stuff from Japan! There’s a coupon code for you too – just use THERAMENRATER to get a special discount at check out.
Today, we have one that was part of Japan Crate’s Umai Crate. So Japan Crate is a subscription service which has all sorts of different options for you. pretty neat stuff from Japan! There’s a coupon code for you too – just use THERAMENRATER to get a special discount at check out.
These come by way of Yukhong at Golden Bay Supply – thanks! Hey sent me some neat Thai products to try recently to try out and so here we are.
These come by way of Yukhong at Golden Bay Supply – thanks! Hey sent me some neat Thai products to try recently to try out and so here we are. Very curious about this one and the noodle block looks different than most rice noodles. Let’s check it out!
Here’s one that was in a box from Zenpop. Their monthly boxes feature a slew of varieties from Japan – use coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!
Here’s one that was in a box from Zenpop. Their monthly boxes feature a slew of varieties from Japan – use coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!
These come by way of Yukhong at Golden Bay Supply – thanks! Hey sent me some neat Thai products to try recently to try out and so here we are. Very curious about this one and the noodle block looks different than most rice noodles. Let’s check it out!
Here’s the first of eight varieties that were sent by Nissin Foods Germany recently. These are made in Hungary for the EU. I’m super stoked on these! Thank you very much! Let’s check this first variety out.
These come by way of Yukhong at Golden Bay Supply – thanks! Hey sent me some neat Thai products to try recently to try out and so here we are. This one isn’t with noodles – for some reason I just ended up assuming they all had noodles although the first one I saw was a Pad Thai which I’m pretty sure will have noodles included. But I’ll give this a try noodles or no. I love curry so here we go!
This one gets the USA tag since it is made in Japan but only for sale over here in this packaging. This comes by way of James from LAkeside, CA – thanks! So the charumera is the horn the little guy on the pack is holding up. The ramen guy would come to the neighborhood and toot that thing (kind of like the ice cream man playing Camptown Races) and you’d know to go get your noodles. Let’s check it out!
I know, I know. It’s not ramen. No. I know that it’s not ramen. But these things are a trip -here in the United States, it sure seems like Cheetos and ramen kind of have a weird relationship – just look at Instagram. Also seems like adding hot dogs and enjoying with a malt liquor is popular for some too.
Okay so you might not know it, but I’ve tried quite a few varieties of river snail flavor instant noodles. Usually they have river snail powder in them – I didn’t see that here but it could possibly have it. There’s just a huge amount of sachets going on here. Let’s check it out!
This is the second of the Panda Signature variety cup style noodles I’ll be trying today. I must say, the video where I unboxed a ton of varieties a reader in Montana sent me has done really well. Sadly, it’s not because people are excited about the products. They’ve been much maligned by folks who were sad to see their former favorite get replaced by this brand. One thing people have brought up too is the country of origin on these. You see, on the single packs, the closest thing I could find to a country of origin was from the HALAL seal being from Malaysia. People kept saying that they said ‘product of PRC.’ PRC is People’s Republic Of China. Well, this cup says that, so I have visual confirmation that these are manufactured in China. To me, this isn’t a big deal; a LOT of instant noodles are manufactured in China. However, many are incensed by this insofar that the product it replaced was made in the United States. I’m sure some other reasons have led to their anger about this, which I’m not sympathetic to. But I can see their point on the made in the USA viewpoint. More importantly, they’ve been extremely critical of the flavor of these products being different, and have been downright disgusted by them. I won’t say any have been favorites of mine, but I haven’t found them as a range to be incredibly bad or worth of my bottom ten list. This being said, I have heard that 12 packs of the noodles around around $2 – which is pretty inexpensive. I wouldn’t expect filet mignon at under twenty cents per portion,. Anyways, I was able to contact the company that produces these and they’ve mentioned that they are going to be producing a reformulated version (aka a new recipe). So, I’ll of course try them when they debut and hopefully be able to do an interview with them when that time comes. If you’re wondering that since they’re made in China why the title up top says United States, this product isn’t for sale like this in China and specifically made for Walmart stores here. Let’s check out this one out – sounds tasty enough from the name.
Okay so the pack version of this budae jjigae is just all around wonderful. Time for the bowl. Big thanks to Dennis over at Nongshim for shooting this over! Let’s give it a try.
Today, we have one that was part of Japan Crate’s Umai Crate. So Japan Crate is a subscription service which has all sorts of different options for you. pretty neat stuff from Japan! There’s a coupon code for you too – just use THERAMENRATER to get a special discount at check out.
Just when I thought I’d tried them all, they come out with a couple more and this is one of them. These are the quintessential ‘flower pot’ noodles – tons of sachets, vermicelli, and a fork. Let’s crack it open and give it a try!
Here’s one from a zenpop.jp box! You can get these every month with some neat varieties like this one inside! Use coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!
The four fingered hand with a face brings you what you never knew you needed – a microwavable cup of mac and cheese with pizza flavor.
Here’s the last of the recent set of varieties sent by Mom’s Dry Noodle – thanks! Always enjoy trying new stuff from Taiwan. This one is made for a chain called PX Mart. Let’s check it out!
I’m pretty thrilled – this is the second variety I’ve got from Serbia – and I found it semi-locally in the next town over! Pretty rad. Well, let’s give it a try!
This one came by way of Exotic Noods! Check ’em out and use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a nice discount! While made in South Korea, this one’s made for North America and distributed by Ottogi’s American arm. Sounds like fun – let’s give it a go!
Okay so I don’t want to hear a ton of complaints about the flavor of this one. Anyway, all of these have been really quite good! Guessing this will have a good kick to it – let’s give it a try!
Here’s one that came in a box from Exotic Noods – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
Here’s one sent by James from Lakeside, CA – thanks again! So yuzu is a kind of Japanese citrus fruit. The idea here is that it would lightly flavor shio, which is a mellow salt ramen. Let’s find out!
Here’s one that’s specifically made for a store chain called PX Mart. Sesame and a peppery oil sounds like a good one – let’s check it out!
Saw this one at Boo Han Market in Edmonds, WA and was like – what? If you notice, there’s a South Korean AND a North Korean flag thing going on here. UPDATE: Ah – I’m wrong it’s a Vietnamese flag and a South Korean flag… At least that is what I’m getting out of it – I could be wrong. This looks to be an export product – very interesting imagery. Well, let’s give it a try!
Here’s a trippy little flower pot found at the local 99 Ranch Market in Edmonds, WA. These little cow dudes are awesome! Let’s check it out – by the way big thanks to Kyle K. for translation assistance!
Here’s one that came in an Exotic Noods subscription box. Use coupon code RAMENRATER15 for a discount! So this is an Indonesian curry variety – today’s going to be a windy, rainy, cold day and it just sounded like a good pick. Let’s give it a go!
