Category: * Stars 3.1 – 4.0

#2602: KOKA Signature Pepper Crab Flavor Instant Noodles

#2602: KOKA Signature Pepper Crab Flavor Instant Noodles - Singapore - The Ramen Rater

Still have some different varieties from KOKA left over from their Meet The Manufacturer! This one is pepper crab – here’s a little about it from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2599: Maggi Cuppa Masala

#2599: Maggi Cuppa Masala - India - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Found this one in California! I’ve been curious about Indian grocery stores lately as each one has had a different variety or two I’ve not reviewed. Honestly, the more reviews I do, the closer I get to doing a top ten India list. A ways to go though! Here’s a little about Maggi instant noodles in India from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2598: Myojo Western Style Kitsune Udon

#2598: Myojo Western Style Kitsune Udon - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

This one was sent by Javier over at Box From Japan. Box From Japan is a subscription service and every month, you get 4 great new instant ramen bowls from Japan! Definitely worth a look! This one, of course, is from Japan and is kitsune udon! What’s that? Here’s a little from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2593: Indomie Instant Noodles Onion Chicken Flavor (Soup Method)

#2593: Indomie Instant Noodles Onion Chicken Flavor (Soup Method) - Nigeria - The Ramen Rater

Note – so I originally reviewed thios one using the ‘dry’ method. This time after some outcry, I’ll be reviewing it made with the instructions for a soupy noodle. One should note however that the ‘dry’ method is the one that’s listed before the soup version. ...see full post

#2590: JinMaiLang Bone Soup (Spare Ribs Flavour) Noodle

#2590: JinMaiLang Bone Soup (Spare Ribs Flavour) Noodle - China - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles - ramen noodles

Recently we headed up to Canada for a nice meet up with new friends and to find some noodles. This one spoke to me and said ‘Halloween’ – I mean, bone soup made from boiling pork bones is a very traditional kind of thing – heck, it could be also seen as something Thanksgiving style where after the meal the carcass of the turkey is boiled to pull out all of that great flavor. But the black and green big letters and all just kind of screamed skeletons! Trick or treat! Spooky! ...see full post

#2589: Nongshim Mr. Bibim Korean Spicy Chicken Flavour

#2589: Nongshim Mr. Bibim Korean Spicy Chicken Flavour - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles ramen noodle soup bibimbap

Hot and spicy Korean fried chicken. Hmm – where have I heard that before? Well, I definitely like the real thing that I’ve had in the past – K-fried chicken is really the bomb – especially the spicy – and if you get a chance to try it you’ll be pretty happy about it I think. ...see full post

#2580: New Touch T’s Restaurant Tantanmen

#2509: New Touch T's Restaurant Tantanmen - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

The second of two I found recently at Uwajimaya in Bellevue, Washington. The last one was good so I’m hoping this will as well. Here’s a littler about Tantanmen from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2576: Ching’s Secret Singapore Curry Instant Noodles

#2576: Ching's Secret Singapore Curry Instant Noodles - India - The Ramen Rater - desi chinese

Well, I found quite a few of these new packaged versions recently at an Indian market in Bellevue, Washington. Now, this is what they call ‘Desi Chinese’ food. What’s that? Let’s ask Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2574: Acecook Spice Deli Tantan Men With Cilantro

#2574: Acecook Spice Deli Tantan Men With Cilantro - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles - cup - zenpop

Here’s one I got from ZenPop, a company that’s producing ramen boxes in Japan. They have a new box every month with 9 different varieties for $29.50 – a pretty impressive deal as they include the shipping in the price. ...see full post

#2573: Ikeda Shokuhin Nabeyaki Kitsune Udon

#2573: Ikeda Shokuhin Nabeyaki Kitsune Udon - Japan - The Ramen Rater - Exotic Noods -

Here’s one that came by way of the guys over at Exotic Noods. Thanks! You can subscribe and get great boxes of different noodles every month – they also have The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Box! Definitely take a look. So today it’s udon from Japan. Kitsune udon comes with some fried tofu – which is really good stuff. Udon is a very thick noodle, but what is a nabeyaki? Here’s a little from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2565: KOKA Mushroom Flavour Instant Noodles

#2565: KOKA Mushroom Flavour Instant Noodles - Singapore - The Ramen Rater

I’ll be the first to admit – I’m not particularly keen on mushrooms. I mean sure – they’re alright                                              sometimes in with other things, but I’m just not a big fan of fungus. I always try to give them a good chance as with any kind of food -= and the same with instant noodles that are mushroom flavored. Let’s see how this one is. ...see full post

#2564: TRDP Mario Masala Noodles

#2464: TRDP Mario Masala Noodles - India - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

This is one I found a few weeks ago looking at an Indian grocery in Bellevue, Washington. I’ve never seen nor heard of this one before and thought it looked kind of interesting. I rarely find much if anything new locally and so this was a score. Let’s check it out! ...see full post

#2562: Binh Tay Mi Hai Cua Artificial Crab Flavored Instant Noodles

#2562: Binh Tay Mi Hai Cua Artificial Crab Flavored Instant Noodles - Vietnam - The Ramen Rater - Vietnamese

These came by way of Kimmy N. of Connecticut, USA! Thanks again! It’s rare these days that a new Vietnamese variety crosses my desk – always welcome of course! I know there’s quite a few that I’m not getting which bums me out. Definitely would love to try more of them. I’ve tried a ton of them in the past, but going forward I’d like to do a lot more of these reviews. ...see full post

#2561: Paldo Premium Gomtang

#2561: Paldo Premium Gomtang - South Korea - 곰탕 - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Colin from Massachusetts was kind enough to shoot this one my way! Thanks again! So Gomtang is a flavor I really like -it’s kind of like a creamy beef soup broth. What’s kind of funny is that I’ve only sampled Gomtang made by Paldo. I know there are other brands making it in South Korea, yet I’ve never found any here. Let’s look up[ Gomtang on Wikipedia: ...see full post

#2554: Yum-Mie Instant Noodles Beef In Light Soup Flavour

#2554: Yum-Mie Instant Noodles Beef In Light Soup Flavour - Ghana - The Ramen Rater

This one was sent to me by Chef Ron of Mama Pat’s Foods – thanks again! This is the first Yum-Mie variety I’ve ever tried and  hails from Ghana, a country in Africa. Really like the name ‘Yum-Mie!’Here’s a little about Ghana – ...see full post

#2551: KOKA Signature Tom Yum Flavor Instant Noodles

#2551: KOKA Signature Tom Yum Flavor Instant Noodles - The Ramen Rater - Singapore

I recently did a Meet The Manufacturer series with KOKA (actually the company that makes KOKA is called Tat Hui) – they sent pretty much every SKU they make! Thanks again! So during a Meet The Manufacturer, I only review up to 15 varieties. So, there are some leftovers which are always nice. Let’s see what Wikipedia has to say about tom yum – ...see full post

#2547: Sichuan Guangyou 9999 Chongqing Spicy Hot Noodles

#2547: Sichuan Guangyou 9999 Chongqing Spicy Hot Noodles - China - The Ramen Rater - 重慶小麺 麻辣麺

I’ve tried Sichuan Guangyou noodles once before. Today, it’s a spicy and hot variety with a lot of 9’s. Found this one at Asian Food Center on Aurora in Seattle, WA a few months ago. It’s one of a whole slew of Chongqing noodle varieties that kind of leaped into the Chinese export market and headed to the west. Here’s some info about Chongqing from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2546: New Touch Sugo-men Kyoto Backfat Shoyu Ramen

#2546: New Touch Sugo-men Kyoto Backfat Shoyu Ramen - Japan - The Ramen Rater - Box From Japan

Here’s another one sent by Javier over at Box From Japan. Box From Japan is a subscription service where you can get 4 unique bowls of instant ramen – direct from Japan – they also have subscription packages for Japanese snacks and candy as well as some other things – definitely worth a look – thanks again for sending this along! ...see full post

Re-Review: Great Value Spicy Ramen Noodles (Flu Edition)

Re-Review: Great Value Spicy Ramen Noodles (Flu Edition) - Canada - The Ramen Rater - fire noodle challenge

If you look at the header on the site, you’ll see the Noodle Shop is gone. It used to be there but it’s not anymore. Why? Well, Amazon decided to get rid of their aStore thing, so I guess that’s that for the little store thing. However, that freed up a spot so I decided to put my YouTube Channel up there instead! I have been doing a lot of videos lately – especially ones having to do with hot and spicy things. Anyways, yesterday I posted a video of me attempting to eat a bowl of this really spicy Japanese variety – but there’s a catch. I have the flu. I don’t know if it was violent as it seemed or I am just weakened by the flu. Anyways, I definitely failed the attempt (don’t fret – I’ll be doing it again soon) and thought hey – let’s do something else spicy. ...see full post

#2540: GGE Noodle Snack Wheat Crackers Mexican Spicy

#2540: GGE Noodle Snack Wheat Crackers Mexican Spicy - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater -

Here’s yet another opone of the GGE noodle snack varieties – Mexican Spicy. There are so many of these varieties its kind of mind boggling./ Actually, when you go to Taiwan and go down the noodle aisle, these aren’t there. Indeed, there’s an aisle with chips on one side and noodle snacks on the other. Why do we have so few of them here? I can’t think of any USA branded noodle snacks really at all. It’s like they came out with a few varieties of ways to offer up instant noodles here in the US and then they just stuck with those and kind of quit innovating. I mean, what about a beef stew instant noodle bowl with beef? A A spicy cheese? A pizzas flavor? Closest we get is a cheap cheese cup. I think the instant noodle world in the USA should really go and just kick some major butt and try some new things. I mean hey – no risk, no reward, right? Anyways, let’s check out this snack noodle! ...see full post

#2539: Nissin Demae Iccho Tonkotsu Flavour Instant Noodle

#2370: Nissin Demae Iccho Tonkotsu Flavour Instant Noodle

Today we’ve got yet another one from the massive amount of varieties left over from the Nissin Hong Kong Meet The Manufacturer. Seems like I just keep pulling them out of the hamper again and again! It’s a good thing though – the more the merrier and these days, it is getting harder to find varieties locally to review. So gotta make sure to give everything a try. Tonkotsu is a classic Japanese ramen variety. Most of all, tonkotsu is famous for it’s milky pork bone broth. Next, a little more info from Wikipedia: ...see full post

#2536: Lele Instant Noodles Beef

#2436: Lele Instant Noodles Beef - Ghana - The Ramen Rater

This one was sent to me by Chef Ron from Mama Pat’s Foods – hey thanks! This is from Ghana in Africa! Nice to be able to try varieties from Africa; I’ve had so few! Let’s give this beef one a try. ...see full post

#2534: Fujiwara Hokkaido Hakodate Shoyu Ramen

#2534: Fujiwara Hokkaido Hakodate Shoyu Ramen - Japan - The Ramen Rater

Seems like a little while since I did a pack instant ramen from Japan. This is one I found during my trip to Taiwan last November at the Carrefour in Taipei by the Miramar Entertainment Park. I tell you – they had quite an impressive instant noodle aisle – like 4 aisles really. So this one is a shoyu instant ramen. Here’s a little from Wikipedia about shoyu ramen – ...see full post

#2611: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Tokyo Ramen + Miso Ramen Broth

Nona Lim Tokyo Ramen + Miso Ramen Broth

Thought it would be logical to try these Tokyo Ramen noodles with the Miso Ramen Broth – I mean, it makes sense. These noodles and broth are Vegan, however, I’m going to lay it on thick with some toppings that will not be so Vegan. Let’s give it a go! ...see full post

#2607: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Hakata Ramen + Miso Ramen Broth

NL5: Meet The Manufacturer: Nona Lim Hakata Ramen + Miso Ramen Broth

I thought it a no-brainer to pick Hakata Ramen to try with the miso. The other I’ll try with it will be the Tokyo Ramen. Anyways: Hakata Ramen. What is it, Wikipedia? ...see full post

#2525: Sokensha Curry Udon

#2525: Sokensha Curry Udon - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s another one I found recently at Uwajimaya in Bellevue, Washington. Can’t pass up curry udon – I mean some on – sounds good – here’s a little about udon from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2518: Samurai Ramen Umami

#2518: Samurai Ramen Umami - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles vegan

This was sent to me by Ippin, a purveyor of wonderful Japanese items! Thank you again! – So these look to be vegetarian as well as HALAL. Let’s give them a looksie. ...see full post

#2516: Fujiwara Hokkaido Hakodate Miso Ramen

#2516: Fujiwara Hokkaido Hakodate Miso Ramen - Japan - The Ramen Rater

Seems like a little while since I did a pack instant ramen from Japan. This is one I found during my trip to Taiwan last November at the Carrefour in Taipei by the Miramar Entertainment Park. I tell you – they had quite an impressive instant noodle aisle – like 4 aisles really. So this one is a miso instant ramen. Here’s a little from Wikipedia about ramen – ...see full post

#2509: Maggi Hot Heads Green Chilli Noodles

#2580: Maggi Hot Heads Green Chilli Noodles - India - The Ramen Rater - spicy

I spend a lot of time looking around to see what’s new and what’s going on in the instant noodle industry. I kind of have to; if I don’t, I can’t find out what’s popular elsewhere in the world. I read a little about this extra spicy variety from India called Maggi Hot Heads – they’ve got a few flavors. People were commenting how this was the spiciest of all of them and I thought hey why not seek it out. My wife Kit was kind and got me some off of Amazon! Thank you! This is a rarity (I mean she’s always nice) – we never get instant noodles online for reviewing. This one seemed to be one that needed some attention though. Let’s check out this Hot Heads variety and see how hot it is! ...see full post

#2508: Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun

SPECIAL STATEMENT AS OF 12/19/2017: It has come to my attention that many places/people are under the impression that this variety is considered to be ‘Samyang Foods 4x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun.’ This is definitely NOT the case. Original Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun is 4,404SHU, 2x Spicy is 8,706SHU. I have been informed by Samyang Foods that Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun is 2,700SHU – which is far less spicy than the original Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun. Sellers claiming this product as Samyang Foods 4x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun – this is misleading and untrue. I’ve mentioned in the past that I would love to try a Samyang Foods 4x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun, however NO SUCH PRODUCT EXISTS at the time of this update. Please refer to The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun for more information.

#2585: Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun - South Korea - The Ramen Rater - fire noodle challenge sichuan pepper

GET AN ASSORTMENT OF THE SPICEST INSTANT NOODLES IN THE RAMEN RATER’S SPICY PACK FROM GOURMET RAMEN CLUB – CHECK IT OUT HERE!

Thanks go to Amelia from Samyang Foods in South Korea for sending these along! The Buldak Bokkeummyun line from them is a fiery range which starts with their hot chicken flavor of Fire Noodle Challenge fame. Here’s what they have to say about this one – ...see full post

#2507: Indomie Mi Instant My Noodlez Mi Goreng Rasa Rumput Laut

#2507: Indomie Mi Instant My Noodlez Mi Goreng Rasa Rumput Laut - Indonesia - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s one sent by Kamran R. of Australia – thanks again! He’s part of Ramen Regret Rater – they review ultra spicy instant noodles and see if they end up with horrible gastrointestinal difficulties. Yes, really! ...see full post

#2506: KOKA Delight Chicken Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles

#2506: KOKA Delight Chicken Flavor Instant Non-Fried Noodles - Singapore - The Ramen Rater

Here’s another leftover from the KOKA Meet The Manufacturer series I did a little while back. Chicken flavor sounds pretty safe – I mean, who doesn’t like chicken except vegetarians? Let’s give this chicken flavor variety a try! ...see full post

#2505: Acecook Super Cup Torigara Shoyu

#2505: Acecook Super Cup Torigara Shoyu - Japan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here’s one sent by Javier over at www.BoxFromJapan.com. You can get a nice package of 4 varieties shipped to your door every month via their subscription service – they also do Japanese candy boxes as well. Today it’s shoyu from Acecook. So if you don’t know about shoyu, here’s a little something from Wikipedia – ...see full post

#2501: Happy Cook Toona Paste Noodle

#2501: Happy Cook Toona Paste Noodle - Taiwan - The Ramen Rater - instant noodle

This is one I brought back with me from Taiwan! Happy Cook is a brand that one of the factories in Taichung makes. ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2498: Nissin Demae Ramen Spicy Beef Flavour

Meet The Manufacturer: #2498: Nissin Demae Ramen Spicy Beef Flavour - Germany - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Here is where we part ways with Nissin Germany – this is the fifteenth review of Meet The Manufacturer. It’s been a lot of fun trying these European takes on instant noodles! Let’s give this final variety – spicy beef – a try. ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2497: Nissin Cup Noodles Spicy

Meet The Manufacturer: #2497: Nissin Cup Noodles Spicy - Germany - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Spicy! I like spicy things; it’s pretty obvious I think. This Cup Noodles purports to be spicy and I’m hoping it is! Let’s check it out! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2495: Nissin Cup Noodles Huhn (Chicken)

Meet The Manufacturer: #2495: Nissin Cup Noodles Huhn (Chicken) - Germany - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

Well, there’s always going to be a chicken variety. Here it is! I really don’t know how else to introduce it or what else to say! Here’s a little something about the history of Cup Noodles from Wikipedia – ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2494: Nissin Demae Ramen Korean Kimchi Flavour

Meet The Manufacturer: #2494: Nissin Demae Ramen Korean Kimchi Flavour - Germany - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

I think it only makes sense for cabbage to have some kind of standing in Germany. I mean, sauerkraut is pickled cabbage after all. Never tried kimchi before? Here’s a little information from Wikipedia – ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2493: Nissin Cup Noodles Curry

Meet The Manufacturer: #2493: Nissin Cup Noodles Curry - Germany - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles kerrie

Ahhh curry! I love curry from everywhere in the world. Indeed, I’ve not met a curry I’ve disliked to be honest. I do like some more than others of course. A German curry… Fascinating! Let’s check it out! ...see full post

Meet The Manufacturer: #2490: Nissin Demae Ramen Garlic Chicken Flavour

Meet The Manufacturer: #2490: Nissin Demae Ramen Garlic Chicken Flavour - Germany - The Ramen Rater - instant noodles

I’ve started noticing a theme to these Demae Ramen varieties form Germany. For the Thai Tom Yum one, there was Thai lettering in the background. This looks to be Vietnamese, so I’m guessing it’s styled after pho or something like that. I definitely like chicken and garlic is a favorite of mine. Let’s give this one a look – garlic chicken sounds very good today! ...see full post