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!’
Category: * Stars 4.1 – 5.0
#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!
#4507: MyKuali Penang Black Curry Noodle – Malaysia
This is a review I’m rushing out as kind of a special ‘grand re-opening.’ For the past couple of months I haven’t done more than a small handful of reviews. I’ve been dieting and walking a lot – like over 500 miles in May a lot. With the kids ending their school year today and a couple of months with them at home, I’m back to attempting to do three reviews a day Monday through Friday. I thought I would push this one through because it’s brand new and I know a lot of your will be interested. There’s something else brand new here I’m very excited about which you will be seeing in a while. The finished picture here has a background I created using AI. The ability to make my own backgrounds this was is really something else – I’m stoked. Spent an hour yesterday trying different things – prompts like ‘tranditional Malaysian style wallpaper centered with dark colors’ – things like that. You’ll see them regularly in the fall as even though I’ve taken all this time off, I’m still almost 150 reviews ahead. Yesterday I make a ton of new intros and outros for Instant Noodle Recipe Time, plus a new set of music for the show. So that’s coming up. On with the review!
#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.
#4503: Dara Urai Original x Ciptarasa Mi Goreng – Indonesia
What we have here is a noodle and a seasoning combo – both by the same company. Should be pretty good – in the mood to try. Let’s check it out!
#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!
#4497: Ottogi Jin Ramen Veggie – United States
Found this one at HMart recently. Looks to be a Vegan version of Jin Ramen and that sounds neat as a change of pace. I’m in the mood for something different – haven’t done a lot of Korean varieties lately. This one is of course made in South Korea but packaged for sale in the United States. Let’s give it a try!
#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!
#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!
#4490: Vite Ramen Roasted Soy Sauce Chicken v3.0 – United States
Here’s another one from Vite Ramen – another cup! Really liking these new v3.0 variants they sent – this is an older flavor I’ve liked in the past. Is it good? Should be interesting. Let’s find out!
#4489: Dara Urai Flat x Cipratasa Rasa Ayam Bawang – Indonesia
So this is a noodle with no seasoning, however the company that make this makes seasoning as well, so that works out great! These are made by Suprama of Indonesia – the same folks that make Best Wok – a great line of mi goreng varieties I really like. Let’s try this noodle in concert with some special onion chicken seasoning!
#4488: Maruchan x TRY Toybox Shoyu 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!
#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!
#4481: NoodleMix Chinese Sesame Oil Lion’s Mane Mushroom Pumpkin Konjac Noodle – Taiwan
So, what is a konjac noodle? It’s chief ingredient is a root which it is made from – one that has little tro no calories – so it’s great for people looking for a low calorie variety. This one sounds interesting. I do like sesame, however lion’s mane mushrooms are something I’ve no experience with. I suppose its time to 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!
#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!
#4476: Quickchow Instant Pancit Canton Chilimansi Flavor – Philippines
I can’t remember where I found this but I’m stoked. I never find anything from the Philippines I haven’t reviewed which is weird since instant noodles are so popular over there. You might be wondering what is this pancit canton – well, think mi goreng; extremely similar. What’s that chilimansi?! Well, it’s spicy and calamnsi – kind of like a lime. Okay with that out of the way, let’s give it a go I’m stoked!
#4475: Samyang Rosé Buldak Stir-fried Noodles – South Korea
First – this doesn’t taste like roses. This was sent by The Fat Hipster – thanks man! So, rose is like a chili-cream kind of thing. I tried a rabokki that was rose before and loved it, so we’ll give this a try with high hopes. I want to also thank Samyang Foods for something very exciting to hear – from the Korea Times: ‘For customers who are blind or visually impaired, the company for the first time printed Braille dots on the packaging of Rosé Buldak Stir-fried Noodles.’ This is referring to the cup versions. I think this is truly excellent. I’m legally blind and while I don’t read braille, I think some day I may need to. Really top notch of them – high marks from me. Let’s see if the flavor matches this kind innovation.
#4467: Samyang Buldak Cream Carbonara Artificial Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen – South Korea
Here’s one of the last two from The Fat Hipster – check him out on YouTube as he has eaten pumpkin spice cup noodles, topped with pumpkin spice spam, with whipped cream atop. This is really great. So these noodles are like an extra creamy carbonara as far as I can tell without knowing anything about them. But, I will cook them up and then do a mukbang where I eat them and I will let you know how they taste. Let’s get started.
#4466: Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Creamy Chicken Flavor – United States
Well, it’s time to revisit a variety that grazes through my mind from time to time. This is creamy chicken and the name delivers. Definitely has been my favorite Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup flavor in the past, but how is it going these days? It’s been since 2018 – so much has happened in the world since those salad days. Let’s give it another go.
#4464: Samyang Buldak Carbonara Artificial Spicy Chicken Flavor Ramen – United States
I figured out – I’ve never reviewed the cup version of this one, nor the export version either. So, let’s do it!
#4460: Myojo Koize! Ippei-chan Karaage Syoyu Ramen – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4459: Samyang Buldak Quattro Cheese Artificial Spicy Chicken Flavor Ramen – United States
Here’s another export version for the United States. Four cheese Buldak! What are the four cheeses you ask? Mozzarella, gouda, cheddar, and camambert. It says so in the ingredients. I’ve had the pack version of this and was very impressed. Let’s give the bowl version a try – time for a spin in the microwave.
#4457: Vite Ramen Vegan Japanese Curry v3.0 – United States
Another new one from the Vite Ramen folks – thanks again! If you don’t know about this brand, check out the nutrition facts below. Tons of fiber, lower sodium, packed with protein, and a ton of vitamins. Let’s cook it up!
#4455: 7-Eleven Gold / Maruchan Iida Shoten 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!
#4454: Vite Ramen Massaman Curry v3.0 – United States
Yep – another Vite Ramen. This has been really neat trying all these new versions and varieties! You should take a look at the image below of the nutrition facts – they’re very impressive. Curry. This is a serious thing for me – let’s tale a look.
#4453: Maruchan Ramen Yokozuna Tonkotsu Shoyu – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4622: Nissin Cup Noodles Creamy Tom Yam Flavour – Singapore
Here’s one that came in a really neat box from Singapore’s arm of Nissin Foods – thank you! This is a limited edition variety and it sure sounds good. Tom Yam and Tom Yum? Same thing – just a different spelling – as far as I can tell – guess I should look that up – one moment.
#4451: Vite Ramen Yuzu Shoyu v3.0 – United States
This is one of their newer ones and I’ve not tried any version of it previously (I don’t think there has been one?). This one is in collaboration with Girl_DM. Never heard of that – okay what does Google have to say?
#4450: Myojo Hiyashi Chuka Mazesoba – United states
Here’s a neat cold variety from the United States! Summer months are great for cold noodles as they are more refreshing. My friend Taku-san from Myojo was kind enough to share some new refrigerated varieties recently and here’s one – arigato! This is going to be a little different though – it’s not summer when I’m making this – it’s late fall and there’s frost every morning. I got a recipe for Hiyashi Chuka Mazesoba from Myojo – a twist which will end up as a hot noodle dish! Shall we give it a try?
#4449: Myojo Ippei-Chan Yakisoba – United States
I can’t tell you how stoked I am about these! I’ve been a huge fan of Myojo Ippei-Chan in the tray – the ones you make by steeping. This is something different – these are refrigerated section yakisoba! They’re made in the United States! I am really looking forward to this – got the chashu ready! Let’s make it so!
#4448: Vite Ramen Vegan Sichuan Chili Edition v3.0 – United States
The guys over at Vite Ramen recently sent their entire range of the v3.0 products. I should stress that these guys are pretty amazing – healthy ramen isn’t a small feat. Look at the nutrition facts on the backshot of the package. Protein, fiber, vitamins up the wazoo. I’m really curious about this new patch version. It’s neat – they’re always working to improve their products – something I remember hearing that the street hawkers in Malaysian food courts would do as well which I think is admirable. Let’s see how this new version tastes!
#4447: Nissin U.F.O. Osaka Takoyaki Flavour Yakisoba – Singapore
Takoyaki is a little octopus ball – here’s what Wikipedia had to say –
Takoyaki (たこ焼き or 蛸焼) is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special molded pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus (tako), tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger (beni shoga), and green onion (negi).[1][2] The balls are brushed with takoyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce) and mayonnaise, and then sprinkled with green laver (aonori) and shavings of dried bonito (katsuobushi).
The Ramen Rater’s Global Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition
Another year and it’s time for yet another top ten list. There’s a let of movement here, and a lot of favorites which have stood the test of time. This is a list of my favorite varieties from reviews up to #4440. If you’ve got a variety you think I should try or are a manufacturer who would like me to try your masterful creations – please drop me a line; I don’t know that in the 20+ years I’ve been sampling and opining about instant noodle products that I’ve refused a request for me to try a product. As I’ve said for years, my true favorite variety is the one I haven’t tried yet. With that, let’s look at these true diplomats of flavor in this, The Ramen Rater’s Global Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2023 Edition.
#4443: Mom’s Dry Noodle Wasabi Almond Sauce Noodle With Tapioca – Taiwan
This is really quite interesting – I’ve never tried a noodle with boba! Boba is what you’d find in bubble tea. It’s big tapioca. Also, I’ve never heard of that particular ingredient paired with wasabi. This is going to be a trip – let’s try it!
#4438: Samyang Foods Buldak Lovely Hot – South Korea
A big thank you to The Fat Hipster from YouTube for sending this over – so I figured this sounds like a good place to start. Why? Well, I realized in my post schedule for YouTube that this would come on Valentine’s Day, so hearts, Valentine’s day – not an extreme stretch. This appears to be a less spicy version – but it’s also got something else going on. The packaging scheme looks a lot like Buldak Light.