The Definitive Source For Instant Noodle Reviews Since 2002
Well this sounds good. I always am surprised at all the Myojo Ippeichan out there and that there are still varieties I’ve yet to try. Mentaiko is cod roe. Yep – fish eggs. While some might find that strange, fish eggs are all over in Japanese foods. A lot of savoriness! I think I found this one at Asian Family Market a couple weeks ago. Let’s make some yakisoba!
Found this one at an Asian grocery on Evergreen in Everett, Washington recently. I hit them up once a year or so and usually find a few varieties I don’t usually see anywhere else which is very nice! This one I think I’ve seen before online, but never in the ‘wild.’ Well, let’s give it a try!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Here’s one I found in an Umai Crate from Japan Crate! They have boxes full of neat Japanese varieties! Check out www.japancrate.com and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER to score a sweet discount and get some neat noodles!
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!
I was contacted recently by a woman named Michelle over at www.homiah.com – a website specializing in the flavors of Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. She asked if I’d like to try some of their products and of course I’m all in on that. So this is the second of three reviews I’ll be doing – stay tuned for the last one. The products are gluten free and as I’m writing this after trying this red curry, so far so very good. Let’s cook some laksa!
This is one found during a Saturday hunt for more varieties for review. Found it at a store called S-Mart in Bellevue, Washington (yeah like in Army Of Darkness!). This is one by the same company that actually sent me a pallet – 400lbs of samples!!! Let’s check it out and give it a try!
I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure I have only reviewed the non-rice vermicelli pack version of this – with a wheat noodle. This is some of my favorite soup these folks make. They never fail to surprise – first twas the White Curry, then the Hokkien Mee, and then the Red Tom Yum Goong – and then this one. I should mention the mi goreng that has a spicy prawn bite to it as well. These folks are a real powerhouse when it comes to my tastebuds. Let’s give this pack version of their White Fish Broth rice vermicelli!
Here’s the second of two Sempio varieties I found recently. This one’s anchovy flavor. Sounds simple enough. Their noodles are unique, that’s for sure. Let’s give this a try!
I tried this way back – looks like I reviewed it on Christmas Day of 2014! They’ve changed packaging a bit since then; they used to feature a little info about Malaysia and Penang in particular – but that’s fallen by the wayside it seems. This pack is very interesting as it comes with a ‘free face mask holder’ which I find thoroughly fascinating. I’m guessing in the almost seven years between tastings, this has changed a bit. When companies make things on a large sale, they rely on ingredients from different sources. Those sources may not be able to supply the ingredients they once did, so a new ingredient may be used instead. Also, companies (especially Malaysian ones) like to update their recipes often. Let’s give this one a try – and check out that mask holder!
It took a little finagling to wrap my head around this one – insofar as translation. Bar code was a no-go and the only English text referred to the caloric content and not much else. But what helped was that phone number with the 070 prefix. Boom! They were even kind enough to have an English version of their website. So, let’s check out this South Korean variety!
Oh man – so I’ve been digging. I’ve dug through everything in my hampers and assorted boxes. This is it. This is the last one I have that’s kinda old. It’s not expired. It expires next motn though. I know at the local grocery store there’s a couple more I can get so there’s 2/3 of a day of reviewing. I think I’ve been doing three reviews a day for at least 15 days now. Honestly, it’s kind of nice. I’ve got my groove on. It’s going. I’m doing it on the weekends. Full tilt. A slurp, a bite. Let’s see how this new one fares.
Here’s one I found in an Umai Crate from Japan Crate! They have boxes full of neat Japanese varieties! Check out www.japancrate.com and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER to score a sweet discount and get some neat noodles!
This is the second of four varieties, very popular in China and now abroad. I still am not sure who the man on the packaging is just yet, but I will say the last one I tried was absolutely wonderful. Let’s give this one a try – everything I’ve found about it points to it having a clam flavor.
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!
I am a big fan of spicy things as well as shrimp, so this should be pretty good. This is the last of the new cups they sent – thanks again! Let’s give this one a try.
Lately, I’ve been getting noodles in the mail. A lot of noodles. I’ve kinda got a stack of them and need to get through reviews, and so I’m doing a bunch in a row. Well, the last sentence I wrote about two hours ago and guess what? More noodles arrived. That’s how it works I swear! This most certainly isn’t a complaint though – the more the merrier – especially if I’ve not reviewed them. Well, let’s hit it!
Well, well, well. I think this one should warrant a mukbang, don’t you? I’m trying to remember the last time I did one, actually. I must say I’m sad to report that this is the first year a top ten list for South Korea has been skipped since I started doing them; I’ve reviewed so few new varieties. Really bummed about that – help! Glad to see a new one here, however this is for the US market and not the Korean version. Hopefully some new ones will cross my desk for 2023 soon. Either way, this is an extra spicy version of Chapaguri, made popular by the film Parasite I believe. Still haven’t seen the film… Being with poor vision, subtitles are a little rough. Definitely would like to see the ramdon scene. But anyhoo, let’s check this new ramdon out.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Here’s another one James from Lakeside, CA sent – thanks! Curious about this one. I’ve found the Ramen Express packs to be quite good, but generally not a huge fan of the cups. Maybe this one will turn that tide? Let’s find out!
First off, I like to do things with noodles and my bread machine. I thought for some reason making a loaf in the shape of a fish would be a good idea. I get these ideas out of nowhere – call it a divine vision if you want, but I wouldn’t go that far. But it hit me and so I figured I ought to go for it.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
This is another one I found a couple days before Lunar New Year. The bar code came up with nothing which was a little troublesome, but I did manage to find the website on the packaging. The XO definitely is a reference to XO sauce, and it being blue and pics of the bowl definitely mean it’s gotta be XO sauce seafood. At least, I think so. Let’s check this one out!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Here’s another one from James of Lakeside, CA – thanks again! This one seems to be a dry variety – drain spouts usually denote this. From the iconography it’s a steep, drain, pouch affair but that seems a little weird for this one. But, it’s the most logical steps for preparation I can grok from what I see, so… Let’s give it a try!
This is an interesting review. Usually, the reviews I post daily have been done months in advance. However today’s review was probably done the day prior. It’s Monday night right now, the kids are having dinner, the guinea pigs a weeping waiting for theirs. I’m writing this framework for review #4235. The thing is that this product was introduced in Singapore on April 4th and only made for 3 weeks, so they’re already running out. They sent me a special box with some samples and I posted the unboxing today. So I’m going to review it tomorrow (Tuesday), and release it on Wednesday. So that being said, I’ll have to switch the number of this review with the one that was going to come out on Wednesday. Should be fine. Since this is so limited edition, I just want people to see it while it makes sense for them to see it. Anyways, there you are. I hope it’s good!
Ready to see something extra special? This is a limited-time variety from Nissin Singapore which debuted on April 4th, 2022 and if you want to get some, you’d better hurry! They’re only available in Singapore and sound really great – I’ll be trying them very soon. I’ve had fish head curry once before in Penang, Malaysia on the same day we arrived there way back in 2014. It was pretty crazy – our flight left Seattle at midnight, then 13 hours to Taiwan, a few to Singapore, then a short hop to Penang. Got there in the afternoon, and much later got to go out for dinner. Let me tell you – we were seeing things at that time – all the adrenaline rush of going somewhere fantastic and new and serious sleep deprivation! Well, let me say it was really tasty – definitely want to return and really want to visit Singapore to sample it there as well! I’ve got the next best thing – some Cup Noodles Fish Head Curry! Let’s check it out – really fancy presentation!
Here’s one that came from an Umai Crate! These are subscription boxes with a myriad of instant ramen varieties in different forms as well as DIY at home stuff and a recipe card. Use coupon code THERAMENRATER at checkout if you want to get one – check ’em out!
This came out of an Exotic Noods subscription box – one of many interesting and unique varieties from around the world they put in there. Use the coupon code THERAMENRATER at checkout for a discount!
This is the third of three immi varieties I received from the company – thanks! They use pumpkin flour to make these noodles and thus far, I’ve had mixed results on the noodles’ consistency and chew. The first one I disliked a lot, however the second I liked quite a bit. Let’s check out this third and final iteration.
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!
This one was on the global top ten list last year, but under a different brand name. This time, it’s by Red Chef. But does it taste the same? One easy way to find out! I remember a strong prawn flavor that was just relentless – and if you like sweet prawn sauce like me, you’re going to really lose it over this. Let’s check it out!
A top ten lister gets a new name and branding – what happens? It gets a new review as well. The Red Chef folks were kind enough to send some over and here they are – let’s check ’em out!
It’s really great when I get something from Indonesia – it happens so infrequently! Some of my favorites are from Indonesia and some are from this brand, Best Wok. This is a variety I’ve not seen before – looking forward to trying! Let’s hit it!
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!
Thanks as always to James from Lakeside, CA for sending this over! I like this brand – wonder who Mr. HOO is though. Whomever he is, he must have a moustache. Let’s give it a try!
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!
For a long time, I’ve thought I didn’t like chicken and abalone flavor. Then something happened – I had some really good varieties. I’m hopeful this is one of them. I visited these folks in 2015 and wow – Thailand is an amazing place. I got to visit the rice noodle factory there and it was really amazing. I highly recommend visiting Thailand if you want a headchange; it’s so bright and colorful – the smiles are endless. Not only that, the 7-Eleven stores have the most wonderful array of instant noodles you’ve ever seen. Let’s check this one out that I found locally.
Third variety for me to try from the new range by KampongKu. This one promises to be amazing – I really love Malaysian curry and seafood as well. It’s time. Let’s give it a try!
Here’s one that came by way of James of Lakeside Californica – thanks again! This brand has particularly good kimchi varieties – curious how this one will be. Let’s check it out!
