Oh hey now I’m psyched. I love rabokki. It’s a combination of tteokbokki, a rice cake tube, and ramyeon. Alone, kind of bland, but paired with tteokbokki sauce, it’s absolutely delightful. Now, you might wonder how to pronounce tteokbokki. It’s a soft t or a hard d. I heard multiple times that it was one of the hardest words for westerners to pronounce in Korean. Well, I watch a few videos and figured I had it down. One day, I had a violent toothache. I mean ready to take an ice pick to the ice pick pain I was experiencing. I hate going to the dentist. It was so bad I begged my wife to take me. Well, they took pity on me and took a look on the spot. They said we can fix it or pull it. I said let’s yank that beast. I opted for the nitrous oxide – laughing gas. I swear, I’d love to have a tank of that stuff. Anyways, that gas really got me going. After I was all gassed up, I spoke to the doctor, a young Korean guy. Well, I was pretty happy what with all the gas, so I thought I’d see if my Korean was any good, so I asked if I could try it on him. So, I said tteokbokki. He said it was pretty good. Then he took that thing out of my head. Thanks, man! Let’s make some rabokki – I have some tteokbokki left over to use with it. Let’s cook!
Category: Other
#4544: Kung Fu Noodles Premium Goose Oil With Sichuan Pepper & Hot Chili – Taiwan
A couple of years ago, I got some neat samples from Kung Food of Taiwan – they made the Taiwan top ten and were the #1 newcomer to the list that year. Today, I’m revisiting them, and they’ve got a particularly interesting sticker on their packs! I’m not sure who the other guy is on there, but that’s me on there as well – looks pretty cool! Anyways, this is really great stuff – let’s see if it’s changed.
#4542: Acecook Gyorantei Kansyuu Yokosuka Kaigun Curry Udon – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4541: Uni-President Science Noodle (Hot Pot Version) – Taiwan
One of these days after a few more packaging designs for this one come out, I may have to do a special Definitive Guide to this stuff. What we have here is a snack noodle. It’s seasoned and simply a snack. I’ve had it a few times – once with a wizard on the pack, one with Santa Claus. The designs are usually whimsical and interesting. They’re mainly for kids, I’m guessing. Well, let’s go ahead and give it a go!
#4540: Mamee Chef Perisa Lontong – Malaysia
Well, look here! It’s been a while – actually I reviewed this over 7 years ago, a couple weeks after my son Miles was born. I remember I liked it quite a bit. Since then I tried the Ghost Pepper Lontong that Mamee made and that was violently spicy. This one is significantly less spicy – and I’m really looking forward to trying it again. Brand new packaging as well.
#4538: Nissin Cup Noodle Gyoza Big – Japan
Here’s an interesting one from Japan found in a Zenpop box – check out zenpop.jp and use the coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!
#4537: Mamee Chef Perisa Laksa Kari – Malaysia
It’s tough. I got a bunch of great new varieties from Mamee Doubledecker and Mamee Shinsegae recently. I’ve loved this one for a very long time and I’m really quite excited to mave it – thank you! It’s tough though as I want to make this look as lovely and perfect as it deserves. Malaysian varieties are among the finest in the world.
#4534: Myojo Kake Ramen Desse Shoyu – Japan
I’ve been playing with ChatGPT for the last couple of days and have found it absolutely fascinating. I don’t know where I got this bowl, likely from a subscription box. It definitely looks like a shoyu. I wonder what it is…
#4532: Maruchan Gold Soy Sauce Flavor Craft Ramen Noodles – United States
I think this is the last of the varieties that Maruchan sent for the Meet The Manufacturer series. Haven’t had this since it’s initial launch many years ago. These look very much like Maruchan Seimen, a range which is very popular in Japan. So, what’s the different? No pork. Let’s give it a go!
#4528: Wang Malatang Udon – United States
A week. Last week I mean. Feeling crummy. Started Sunday and went on until Thursday. Then Friday happened and it was like I was pretty much at 100% again, which was really nice. Went out for a nice walk, then went out shopping. I definitely wanted to see what was up at Asian Family Market – the next day would be Lunar New Year. Got a few things, this being one of them. Looks interesting; let’s check it out!
#4526: Nissin no Assari Odashi ga Oishii Donbei Agedama Soba – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4525: Nissin Top Ramen Soy Sauce Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup – United States
Back in mid 2018, I reviewed this right after their ‘new recipe’ change for review #2910. Around that time, it seemed that US manufacturers decided to change the product names of economy pillow packs that were initially known as ‘Oriental’ flavor to Soy Sauce. The term ‘Oriental’ has come under fire in recent years, hence the change. What does Oriental mean? Basically it derives from Latin, meaning ‘of the east’ – the opposite being Occidental being ‘of the west.’ From what I’ve gathered from running the Ramen Junkie facebook group for a while as this has come up from time to time is that many things and businesses will use the term; ‘insert city name here’ Oriental Market for example, however it isn’t a term to be used for people, at least that’s what I found. I read an L.A. Times article about this very subject that I thought was very interesting – you can read it here. One particular quote from the author I found fascinating was ‘A funny thing I noticed is that my Caucasian colleagues, not my Asian colleagues, are most eager to remove Oriental from public discourse.’
#4524: Acecook Maruuma Wantan Chuka Soba – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4516: Wicked Foods Late Night Rice Noodles – United States
Here’s the second of two of these Wicked Foods varieties we found recently at the Lake City Fred Meyer grocery store. The last one was pretty slimy. Let’s see what this one has in store…
#4515: Myojo Charumera Donburi Tokyo Kaidashi Chuka Soba – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4514: Nongshim Bowl Noodles Ramen Noodles With Seasoning Mix Hot & Spicy Flavor – United States
New clothes for the classic! Originally, it was a foam bowl with a paper lid in shrinlkwrap. Then, they reformulated for microwave and had a cardboard sleeve. Now, it’s a plastic wrap with the graphics on that. This is classic – ubiquitous with gas stations and little corner shops, many o which are run by Korean Americans. I used to live in a place that had a little grocery/deli mini mart across the way. The fellow there was Korean American and he had these in there, but with a ridiculous markup. I asked him why once. ‘Because that’s my lunch!’
#4513: Urai Bihun Jagung Corn Vermicelli – Indonesia
Here’s something different – corn vermicelli! I’ve tried a different gauge of this paired with Ciptarasa mi goreng seasoning and it was really quite nice. This time I’ll try doing up a soup with Ciptaras onion chicken flavor. Let’s give it a go!
#4512: Wicked Foods Spicy Coconut & Rice Noodles – United States
Here’s one we found at the Fred Meyer store in Lake City. These are made in the UK – unsure if they’re related to the Naked Noodles line of someone else’s. Either way, it’s something I’ve not seen before, so I’m reviewing it.
#4511: Acecook Soup Harusame Hakata Mizutaki fu Yuzu Kosho – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4510: Myojo Charumera Cup Miso – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4509: Cup O’ Crazy Gummy Noodles United States
In December, we went to Party City. They had a new one opened up next to us and so we were getting stuff for our daughter Miriam’s birthday. Well, they had two candy noodle things and this was one of them. A Cup O’ Crazy. That’s pretty weird. It’s got goo, edible chopsticks, and gummy noodles. I really don’t like things like this so much but I have to review it of course. Qho knoqa; it could be masterfully crafted; like a jelly noodle with a sauce that’s made from fine ingredients and chopsticks of sweet coconut powder that melt in your mouth. But I wouldn’t count on it. Let’s commense this, the 4,509th session of my personal congress of noodling.
#4508: Sapporo Ichiban Pokémon Noodle Corn Butter Shoyu – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4506: A-Sha Mandarin Style Noodle With Original Soy Sauce 40% Reduced Sodium – United States
While we’re knee deep in 2023, I reviewed this one on January 4th – and actually it’s the first review I’ve done in 2023. Big thanks to the nice folks at A-Sha for sending this over – they said it’s available at Costco. Let’s give it a shot.
#4505: Maruchan GOLD Spicy Miso Ramen – United states
It’s a couple days after Christmas and one of the last reviews of 2022. Obviously, it’s not coming out in 2022, but that’s when I did this up. I used some things I got for Christmas, including leftovers from dinner – let’s give this one a try – I reviewed it quite a while back but figure it’s due another looksie.
#4504: Kikkoman Noodle Kit With Sauce Teriyaki Sesame – United States
This is a gluten free product we found at a local store. My wife does the gluten free thing, so making this for her today. It’s currently 23 degrees outside with a wind chill as low at 15. That’s pretty cold for these parts. I’ve got to go to the store to get some stuff, so I’ll probably be talking about how cold it is. Anyways, let’s cook this one up.
#4502: Quickchow Pancit Canton Toyomansi Flavor – Philippines
Toyomansi is a combo of soy sauce and calamansi flavors. Calamansi is a kind of citrus kind of similar to lime. This is great – rarely come across Filipino varieties and they’re some really good ones to try. Found this one at HMart with my daughter after her birthday party this year. We took her to Chuck E. Cheese – what an interesting place – very throwback. Let’s check this one out!
#4500: Nissin Miojo Lamen Doce Sabor Beijinho – Brazil
A long time coming, this one. A reader named Cian sent me this one (thanks again!) as well as a few other Brazilian varieties. He sent the chocolate version of this which was a real score – but this one led me down a research rabbit hole, but yesterday I caught the rabbit. Beijinho is a Brazilian treat – see those little balls in the bowl? Beijinho is basically condensed milk and powdered sugar mixed with unsweetened coconut, chilled, made into balls, and then rolled in more unsweetended coconut and topped with a clove. Problem is the cloves alone were kind of spendy and all the coconut you find here is sweetened. It seemed that making it myself would be a little tricky as well as expensive. I asked in local groups and people mentioned Kitanda, a Brazilian cafe/bakery/mini store in Kirkland, Washington. First time we went, no dice – they only had the chocolate ones. The second time, however – they had what I was looking for, but sans clove and that’s what I’ll be using for garnish. So, let’s do up this 4500th review!
#4498: Nissin Miojo Turma Do Chico Bento Sabor Caldinho De Feijao – Brazil
Pretty stoked – found this locally in Kirkland (no, not Costco, but the city of which is where Costco started, actually) at a coffee shop/store called Kitanda. What’s kind of a bummer though is that caldinho de feijao is a creamy black bean soup and what it appears is a standard garnish is nothing I have in my kitchen. Hmm… Well, I’ll make do with what I’ve got .
#4496: Seven&i Premium x Nissin Star Soupless Tantanmen – Japan
This came out of a box from Frank over at 5amRamen! Check out his stuff over at www.instantramen.jp – use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Super premium stuff!
#4495: Kolson Noodle Doodle Fiery Catpata – Pakistan
Here’s one I found at JD’s Market in Lynnwood. I found the cup variety of this at Imran’s Market, further north in Lynnwood a while back. I remember the cup version said fiery on it but was anything but. I’m hopeful this might have some heat to it. Let’s hope!
#4491: Acecook Noodle Harusame 1/3 Nichibun Chanpon Aji – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4487: Nissin Assari Oishii Cup Noodle Curry – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4486: Marutai Tategata Miyazaki Karamen – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4485: Acecook Soup Harusame Wantan – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4484: Nissin Kanzen Meal Abura Soba – Japan
This came out of a box from Frank over at 5amRamen! Check out his stuff over at www.instantramen.jp – use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount! Super premium stuff!
#4483: Samyang Foods Buldak Yakisoba HOT Chicken Flavor Ramen – South Korea
Big thanks to Pher Engi for sending this along. Have you seen this one? Figured I should get it out there soon as possible for everyone to see. Definitely a departure from the multiple creamy and cheesy flavors as of late. Let’s give it a try!
#4482: NoodleMix Signature Dry Noodle – Taiwan
I just finished reviewing NoodleMix’s konjac noodle bowls – now time for their dry noodles. This is their ‘signature’ flavor – let’s give it a try!
#4480: Myojo Ramen Spicy Tantanmen – United States
Here’s another new one made here in the US! Plus, its tantanmen! Enough of me talking – let’s make this!
#4479: Samyang Buldak Stew Type Ramen Soup – United States
Here’s the new label export version of Samyang’s Buldak Stew. Haven’t had this in years and what’s more, I never did a mukbang before. A lot of mukbang lately – kind of crazy. Let’s give this a try.
#4478: Miliket-Colusa Mi Trung Khong Chien – Vietnam
This is another that came by way or James from Lakeside, California – thanks again! Haven’t seen/heard of this one before… Looks interesting – a dry variant from Vietnam! Time to cook!