This one came by way of James from Lakeside, CA – thanks! This is a fancy one – with booze! Yup – there’s alcohol in one of the sachets. Let’s cook it up and see how it goes.
Category: Taiwan
#5076: Mom’s Dry Noodle Laksa Vermicelli With Fishball – Taiwan
Well this sounds right up my alley! A rice vermicelli laksa that actually comes with fishball! I’m all over this let’s give it a try!
Happy 8th Birthday Miriam! Repost: #2330: Ve Wong Little Prince(ss) Brand Snack Noodles Artificial Mexican Pizza Flavor
So I did this review the morning that my daughter Miriam was born eight years ago today. Happy Birthday, Miriam! I’ve been reposting it every year with a little update. So, here it is!
#5039: Surfmama Dan Dan Noodles – Taiwan
Well, that’s it. I’m out. No nodles left here to review. Been on a real tear of reviewing lately which is nice, but now I need to find more… Hmmm… It’s May 30th, 2024 as I write this which is kinda crazy. I’m guessing it’s closer to winter in your timeframe? Elections probably over by now… Crazy. Well, let’s cook it up. I’ll figure out where to get more noodles tomorrow.
Yun Hai Taiwanese Pantry Sends Taiwan’s Su Chili Crisp!
When I released my Chili Crisp Roundup & Buyers Guide in late November, it got a lot of attention – from how I called the stuff love sludge to varieties I’d not tried. This was one of the latter, mentioned by a fellow redditor – thank you! Anyways, These are chili crisp varieties from Taiwan you can get at Yum Hai Taiwanese Pantry – let’s have a look!
#5038: Surfmama Sour & Spicy (Vegan) – Taiwan
These have been really wonderful so far and really glad to be reviewing them! Let’s cook these up!
#5036: Surfmama Shiitake Zhajiang Noodle – Taiwan
I’m generally not a fan of mushrooms, but I’m curious about this one. I do like zhajiang though… I reviewed the Mom’s Dry Noodle pack of this a long time ago, so afterwards I’ll take a look at what I thought back then.
#5032: Surfmama Sichuan Spicy – Taiwan
Check this out! New Surfmama packages arrived at my door the other day (late May 2024) and now I’m reviewing them. Let’s check out the spicy mala!
#5003: Ve Wong Artificial Spicy Beef Noodles Soup With Mustard – Taiwan
Found this one over at 99 Ranch Market recently. It was pretty cheap, so got a multipack. I’m pretty stingy when it comes to multipacks as generally I only need a single package, but most places have more varieties in multipacks and that’s vexing; I just want one but their single pack offerings and very limited. Sigh. Anyways, let’s give this one a go.
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2025 Edition
Usually, this list comes out in September of every year, but this time around there was a hitch: review#5000. It really ate up all of my time, and so this year is a bit late (making a documentary, a detailed review video and research et al). Also, there won’t be a video this time around. Next year though! This list is essentially the same as last year’s. A final issue I ran into was the lack of reviewables that crossed my desk from Taiwan over the last year. With that, if you’re a Taiwanese noodle company with products I’ve not reviewed, I definitely am interested in reviewing your products. With that, here’s The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2025 Edition.
#4988: Chef Dragon Tom Yum Gung Wide Vermicelli – Taiwan
This one comes by way of Daniel over the Exotic Noods – he asked if I’d tried it and since I hadn’t was kind enough to send one over – thanks! So, here we have a variety with a Thai flavor made in Taiwan. I’m game – let’s give it a try!
#4955: Ve Wong Kung-Fu Artificial Beef Flavor – Taiwan
About 13 years ago, I did a review of this one. Over 4000 packs, cups, and bowls – and trays ago! Wow. I used to use a lot of different garnish than I do now that’s for sure. Well, let’s cook it up.
#4944: Omachi Instant Noodles Rib Soup Style – Vietnam
It’s been an interesting go in these past few reviews! A couple trips to less frequented local shops for the local people have yielded a lot of varieties I’ve not seen before as well as those I’ve not reviewed in well over a decade. This one’s a never tried comer from north of here. Let’s give it a go.
#4943: Chun Noodles Rich Sesame Flavor – Taiwan
Found this one at S*Mart in Bellevue, Washington. Who doesn’t like noodles? Well, these have been interesting to research and so far no great luck. I think we expected this to be onion oil flavor, but I’m getting flax and sesame (sesame seems more likely) upon searching and translation. Let’s give it a go!
#4934: Ve Wong Kung-Fu Brand Instant Oriental Noodle Soup Artificial Beef Flavor – Taiwan
This one’s kind of surprising to me as it looks like I’ve never reviewed it but that really surprises me. I really had thought I had. Got this one at S*Mart – but you can find it at pretty much any Asian grocery. Let’s give it a try.
Mom’s Dry Noodle / Surfmama – Taiwanese Laksa With Fishball!
I’ve tried quite a few different varieties from Taiwan and other points around the world. What’s interesting about this one is that it’s a Southeast Asian variety (Malaysia, Singapore) coming from Taiwan. Sounds interesting, especially t me as a fan of curries and fish ball. Let’s take a look! Big thanks to Kyle over at Mom’s Dry Noodle / Surfmama for sending it my way!
#4904: Uni-President One More Cup Seafood Flavor – Taiwan
Was able to get out to a local Asian market hoping to find some cool Lunar New Year stuff. Didn’t find that, but found a couple varieties I was into using to try out the Ramen Bae products. So, here’s one of them. I tried this way back – it was a kimchi version – back in review #564. That’s around ten years. Let’s give this one a try.
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2024 Edition
This is a list I come out with every year – what’s different this year is now there’s a new rule: only one product per company. Seems fair to me – and also a way for more things to be seen. I don’t think it’s a bad idea and honestly, I think insofar as this list goes, it won’t be very hard to pull off. Anyways, here we go with The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2024 Edition!
Surfmama Shreds Onto The Scene With Taiwanese Dry Noodle
Mom’s Dry Noodle has been putting out some amazing products over the years; excellent stuff that has been on the Taiwanese as well as Global Top Ten Lists. They’ve got something new – Surfmama. Check out the video to see what’s they got cookin’!
#4862: Kiki Noodles Mixed With Crispy Garlic & Seafood Sauce – Taiwan
Here’s one that came by was of James from Lakeside, California – thank you! I haven’t reviewed anything by Kiki in quite a while – really great stuff from these folks as I remember and looking forward to this! Let’s give it a try!
#4857: Ve Wong Artificial Peppered Beef – Taiwan
Well, I thought it was quite a while since I reviewed this but it was only a couple years. What I’d really like is to be able to get more varieties from this and other instant noodle companies in Taiwan – I get a lot of dry noodle varieties, yet not many instants… Well, let’s kick this into high gear.
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2024 Edition
Every year I pick my favorites out of all the reviews I’ve done. In the past, I’ve had lists that have multiple companies with multiple entries. I decided this year that I would change that. Starting with this list, only one entry per company will be on the list. I’ll mention other noteworthy varieties in the text of each one which I think will give more opportunities for folks to try new things. This new way of doing things will be reflected in this list, the upcoming Bottom Ten, Top Ten Bowls, and Top Ten Cups lists.
#4784: Wei Lih Jah Jan Mien – Instant Noodle With Jah Jan Flavour – Taiwan
Sure looks like a basic packaging design, doesn’t it? My friends, what lies within this package is history. This is the pack version of a beloved classic in Taiwan. This isn’t a noodle soup, a soup, or a dry noodle. This is a noodle AND a soup! Read the direction below and you’ll understand.
#4754: Mom’s Dry Noodle Oyster Flavor Vermicelli With Scallop – Taiwan
Here’s something not seen before – a bowl from the folks at Mom’s Dry Noodle! Not only that, it’s got a pop-top – you’ll see that below. Let’s give this soup with scallop a try!
#4750: NoodleMix Konjac Instant Cup – Taiwan
Here’s the last of the varieties sent by NoodleMix – and it’s been a really interesting range I’ve enjoyed. This one was a little difficult to figure out how to cook (well, since Idon’t read Chinese text) but they were quick to assist. Let’s give it a go!
#4748: NoodleMix 3 Flavors In 1 Noodle – Dry Noodle – Taiwan
This one seems a little different. So, it says 3 flavors in 1 noodle. There are three types of noodles and 1 flavor – I think that was the deal. It looks like I didn’t get the feedback for this review when I did it awhile back.
#4731: Vedan Jhen Mian Tang Garlic Pesto Noodle – United States
This is great – I saw this at S*Mart and couldn’t resist. I generally resist purchasing multipacks as I usually just need one, maybe two package to do a review. I was thinking though perhaps my daughter might like this one so there will be extras. Definitely made in Taiwan, packaged for US sale. One thing too – you might think this is pronounced Vey-dan – it is not. The ve is pronounced ‘way’. So now you know – let’s cook!
#4721: Mom’s Dry Noodle / Surfmama Mapo Century Egg With Meat Sauce – Taiwan
Fancy new packaging going on here. Mapo century egg with meat paste sounds really quite exquisite – this sounds great – I’m on it!
Happy 7th Birthday Miriam! Repost: #2330: Ve Wong Little Prince(ss) Brand Snack Noodles Artificial Mexican Pizza Flavor
So I did this review the morning that my daughter Miriam was born seven years ago today. Happy Birthday, Miriam! I’ve been reposting it every year with a little update. So, here it is!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2024 Edition
If there’s one thing that’s a certainty, companies from Taiwan tend to send me product samples more often than from any other country. They’re constantly innovating and refining, coming out with neat new things. Taiwan is a great place I’ve had the luck to visit twice. On one visit, I went to a large store and they had two aisles of just instant noodles that I really wish I would have taken pictures of. Now, what you’ll see on this list is mainly Taiwanese dry noodle. An ‘instant’ noodle is one that you can simply cover in boiling water for a short time and they spring to life. These require cooking. I hope to hear from Taiwanese instant noodle companies in the coming year; this is an invitation to you! It would be really nice to release a list of instant noodles alongside a list of dry noodles. This list is comprised of reviews of Taiwanese noodles up to #4650. Please check at the bottom for some special messages as well. With that, I hope you enjoy The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2024 Edition!
#4826: Little Couples Thai Tom Yum Dry Noodle – Taiwan
Here’s something interesting from a company that usually brings things that are interesting! A tom yum variety from Taiwan. I’m game – let’s check it out!
#4642: NoodleMix 3 Flavors In 1 Noodle – Rice Noodle – Taiwan
This one seems a little different. So, it says 3 flavors in 1 noodle.
NoodleMix 3 Flavors In 1 Noodle – Rice Noodle – Taiwan
Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. To prepare, boil noodle for 5~6 minutes, then 30 seconds with lid on. Drain. Add in sachet contents. Finally, stir and enjoy!
Little Couples Sends Exotic Tom Yum From Taiwan
I’ve gotten some really unique flavors from Little Couples over the years and this one is no exception! Let’s have a look and a sneak peek at what I created with them!
#4635: Mom’s Dry Noodle / Surfmama Goose Oil Zhajiang Noodle – Taiwan
The last one of these I tried was really nice – and this should be no different with Mom’s Dry Noodle’s track record to date. But you never know, so let’s check it out.
#4632: A-Sha Meteor Noodles With Hot & Sour Sauce – Taiwan
Well this sounds interesting. A-Sha pairing it’s Meteor Noodle, which is like a regular noodle with an extra ‘fin’ on top, and a hot and sour flavor. Let’s give it a try on this rainy day.
#4630: NoodleMix 3 Flavors In 1 Noodle – Guanmiao – Taiwan
This one seems a little different. So, it says 3 flavors in 1 noodle.
NoodleMix 3 Flavors In 1 Noodle – Guanmiao – Taiwan
Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. To prepare, boil noodle for 5~6 minutes, then 30 seconds with lid on. Drain. Add in sachet contents. Finally, stir and enjoy!
#4623: NoodleMix Vegetarian Noodles – Taiwan
The last one by this brand I tried was spectacular – a wide and chewy dry noodle with a savory sauce. This one brings a thinner noodle. I’m really curious – let’s give it a try!
#4615: NoodleMix Hot & Sour Flavor Konjac Noodle – Taiwan
This time, we have the third of this series – a hot and sour plain konjac noodle. The other two were really quite good – very curious about this one. Let’s find out!
#4612: NoodleMix Kelp Seasonal Vegetable Flavor Pumpkin Konjac Noodle – Taiwan
The last one of these I did contained lion’s mane mushroom – and it’s just amazing stuff I’d never heard of. Today though, it’s kelp and seasonal vegetables. I’m really curious and can’t wait to give this a try – let’s do it!
#4606: A-Sha Meteor Noodles With Braised Beef Sauce – Taiwan
This sounds great and I’m really quite curious. Braised beef noodle is a really wonderful thing in Taiwan. I’ve had the fortune of trying it over there and it’s just spectaular – rich flavor and beef that’s melt in your mouth wonderful. A-Sha also makes a boxed premium noodle with beef that’s been on the global top ten for a couple of years now. Let’s see what this new braised beef noodle tastes like – it can be prepared two different ways, too!