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.’
Category: * Stars 3.1 – 4.0
#4523: Maruchan Menzukuri Yuzu & Kosho Kaoru Toripaitan – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4521: Nissin Chow Mein Teriyaki Beef Flavor Chow Mein Noodles – United States
The other day I did the competitor’s tray noodle – that was teriyaki beef as well. Been years and years since I’d reviewed either of them. They’re both economy tray varieties and they both dwell on the soup aisle. Let’s give this one a try.
#4520: Marutai Ajiyoka tai Tonkotsu Ramen Hakata – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4519: Acecook Dashi no Umami de Gennenn Toritaki Udon – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#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!
#4510: Myojo Charumera Cup Miso – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#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!
#4501: Pran Mr. Noodles Instant Noodles Spicy Tomato Flavour – Bangladesh
#4501: Mr. Noodles Spicy Tomato –
Here’s another one I found at JD’s Market in Lynnwood, Washington – and in fact, the last of them. Running low on noodles again at this point but that’s okay for now – got top tens to work on. This has been an interesting range to try. Let’s check it 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 .
#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!
#4494: Acecook Sumatan x Wantanmen Donburi Ebishio Aji – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4493: Miliket MiliOne Huong Vi Suon – United States
This one came by way of James from Lakeside, California – thanks! This is an export version for the US from the looks of it. Spareribs flavor eh? I’m enthused. Let’s have a look.
#4492: Nissin Miojo Turma Da Monica Sabor Galinha Suave – Brazil
I’m very happy to say that I found this one locally! Brazilian instant noodles only a town over! So, I’m trying to find something specific to go with review #4500 – abd the only place I can get it is a coffee joint called Kitanda. Really great place with coffee and acai smoothies and a baklery and a small grocery selection – all Brazilian. They’ve got instant noodles! What I’m looking for is something called Beijinho – so that’s a giveaway for what it’s going to be. Anyways, let’s do up this one which is flavor of young hen.
#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!
#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.
#4477: Norita Lo Mein Dan Dan Noodle Spicy Teriyaki – United States
This was an interesting find in the Asian foods section of Fred Meyer on 164th in Lynnwood, Washington. Never heard of this brand; only thing I can think of with this name is Pat Norita who played Mister Miyagi in The Karate Kid. He was also on M*A*S*H a few times. Oh snap – that’s Pat Morita not Norita. Anyways, this sounds interesting and worth a try, so let’s give it a try. Made in China for a distributor in Kentucky.
#4474: Nissin U.F.O. Singapore Black Pepper Crab Flavour – Singapore
This one should be good. Nissin SG seems to do justice to Singaporean flavors and this is certainly a well-known Singaporean flavor. Let’s give it a try!
#4473: Nissin Miojo Turma Da Monica Sabor Tomate Suave – Brazil
Here’s another one sent in by Cian – thanks again! I reviewed this one with different packaging quite a while back. It’s kind of neat – all I see is different packaging and Once I’ve scored this one I’ll see if I agree with my old review.
#4472: Miliket-Colusa Mi Huong Vi Lau Thai Tom – Viietnam
Here’s one that came by way of James from Lakeside, California – thank you! I don’t review a lot of Vietnamese varieties as I don’t see them very often in these parts, so this is great! Let’s check it out.
#4468: Vite Ramen Beef Pho v3.0 – United States
This is another departure from the more Japanese styled flavors they had originally and I’m really curious as to what it will taste like. I’m doing a few beef reviews this morning – I tend to cook a certain protein and then see if I’ve got some of the same flavor profiles to go along with it and I have three. So, let’s start out on the healthy end of the stick!
#4463: Vite Ramen Vegan White Miso v3.0 – United States
Here’s another one from Vite Ramen – another cup! So last time, I didn’t use the cup and this time I’m going to. Should be interesting. Let’s find out!
#4462: 7-Eleven Gold / Myojo Myojo Tomita Tonkotsu Ramen – 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!
#4461: Vite Ramen Garlic Pork Tonkotsu v3.0 – United States
Well this is new – a cup version of Vite Ramen. Sounds interesting – l suppose we should get to it!
#4458: Paldo Teum-Sae Ramen – United States
Are you scared? Well, I’m not. I’m curious. This is an export package version of this one and it doesn’t mention the SHU (Scoville heat unit) number. What’s interesting also is that they’ve hyphenated Teumsae. Well, they must have a reason.
#4452: Samyang Buldak Jjamppong – South Korea
Here’s another Buldak variety that came by way of The Fat Hipster – he’s got a great YouTube channel you should check out! This guy drank s’mores flavor Pepsi. You should really look at what he’s up to!
#4445: Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup 45th Anniversary Chicken Flavor – United States
This is a special commemorative packaging for the 45th anniversary of Maruchan in the United States. Want to learn more about this iconic range of Ramen Noodle Soup products? Look no further than my Definitive Guide To Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup! Alright, let’s peel back the wraps and give it a try. Note – the only thing different here as far as I know is the packaging.
#4444: Aces Sriracha Ramen Noodle Soup Original – United States
Well, the name Aces reminds me of playing cards, and the number 4 sort of looks like an A missing a leg, and 4444 looks like 4 of a kind, so I thought this seemed a fitting review number for this one. My wife said something earlier about the number four being unlucky – never heard that before. Well, I like the number four so there. Let’s try
#4442: Aces Sriracha Ramen Noodle Soup Extra Spicy – United States
A lot of spicy stuff coming my way lately – that’s pretty rad! Not so many last year for the new spicy list, so I’m guessing some new stuff will bring new heat. Let’s see how hot this one is!
#4441: A-Sha BT21 Dan Dan Noodle With BT21 Sauce – United States
First off, thanks to the folks at A-Sha USA for sending these over! There are two different boxes, four varieties in total. I thought I’d go with this box first. So, I live under a rock; I’m not exceedingly hip to things that aren’t noodle related or politics related. God, I’m old. I do know there is a Korean group called BTS that’s quite popular, and a messaging service called LINE. Well, LINE did a collab with BTS and made BT21 characters, and A-Sha collaborated with LINE and made these noodles featuring these characters.
#4439: Nissin Miojo Lamen Sabor Carne – Brazil
Big thank you to Cian for sending this along! So, this should be you basic beef instant from Brazil. I have found the stuff from Brazil to be really great – let’s check this one out.
#4437: Aces Sriracha Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken – United States
I’ve tried these bowls in the past, however never the pillow packs. Really curious – let’s give them a try!
#4430: Nongshim Shin Kimchi Big Bowl – South Korea
I’ve a couple fascinating varieties from the Shin range by Nongshim which came by way of The Fat Hipster – thanks man! He’s got a YouTube channel where does reviews you should check out. This is one I though was only in the UK but from the labeling it’s distributed throughout Europe – there fore its getting the South Korea stamp as it’s not just for one country but many. Let’s give it a try!
#4429: Kolson Noodle Doodle Chunky Chicken – Pakistan
Found these at JD’s Market in Lynnwood, Washington while getting Halloween costumes for the kids across from there. Let’s check ’em out!
#4422: Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Chili Flavor – United States
Well, look at that. Last time I had this? April 16, 2011! That was review #352. Wow – 4000 reviews later… Let’s try this one out.
#4420: Samyang Buldak Cheese Artificial Spicy Chicken Flavor Ramen – United States
So I’ve not reviewed this one in a long time. Way back when it was introduced, it had a black background, then changed to cheese colored to lessen confusion. That was back when the import version looked like the original Korean version with the Hangul text. Well, this is the current version for the US market. They’ve changed the recipe for a few of these and so curious about how this one is these days. Let’s find out. Oh – and by the way – this isn’t chicken flavored – it’s based on the spicy sauce you put on Korean BBQ chicken, so calling this chicken flavored is like calling Sweet Baby Ray’s beef flavored – but that explanation would really make for a long title. Ok let’s do this.
#4415: Nongshim Vegan Shin Noodle Soup – United States
While at a Korean grocery in Seattle looking for things to make ice cream with, I noticedthis Vegan edition of the Shin cup. So, since I’ve not reviewed it, I got one. Let’s give it a go.
#4414: Baixiang Big Bone Noodle Soup Spicy Pork Flavor – China
Here’s the second of two Chinese varieties sent by a reader named Cian from a trip to Brazil – thanks again! Curious about this one as the non-spicy one was pretty mellow. I am getting to this one fast because of all the varieties Cian sent, this one got the most banged up. Let’s check it out!