Category: United States

#5053: Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Cajun Chicken Flavor – United States

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#5952: Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Cajun Chicken Flavor - United States

First, I’d like to send big thanks to a person who works at a prison who doesn’t want to be identified. This is something some of you might know, but many will not. This is prison ramen. Notice the package has a lot of clear space? That’s to make it hard to conceal contraband people might like to bring in. Maybe not bring in per se, maybe things that were brough in and wanted to be hidden? I know a lot of you will ask where you can get this. Prison. Jail. Grocery store? No. Will the distributor sell it to me? No. They’re very clear on that – I’ve contacted them in the past and it’s definitely not going to happen. Yeah. So if you want some of these noodles, you’ll have to do something to end up in a corrections facility, or luck out and be contacted by someone that works at one and offers you some. I will say if you are really wanting this stuff check on eBay as you might be able to find it there from time to time. Anyways, let’s cook it up. ...see full post

#5052: Ramen Bae Dried Ramen Toppings Kimchi Mix – United States

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#5051: Ramen Bae Dried Ramen Toppings Kimchi Mix - United States

I really wanted to demo this stuff with something like, oh I dunno – Buldak Kimchi – which would’ve been fun. Unfortunately, they have so curtailed their individual pack options at HMart that there were literally only two Korean varieties. Yep. I ended up getting a pack of Meoguri at the local grocery store – pretty sad. I went with Neoguri though because it’s quite nice stuff, and I believe I saw a video of this kimchi mix being used with Neoguri – seems an apt pairing. Well, let’s give it a shot! ...see full post

Barnacle Foods Sends Unique Kelp Chili Crisp From Alaska!

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Barnacle Foods Sends Unique Kelp Chili Crisp From Alaska!

A few redditors mentioned a few chili crisps they thought should be on my Chili Crisp Roundup post and so I reached out and Barnacle Foods’ Kelp Chili Crisp was one of them. You can get it here. As of publishing this, I haven’t tried it yet, but soon it will be on that roundup post, as well as tried with different ramen! This one sounded particularly interesting as many acquaintances over the years from my hometown of Anacortes would head up to Alaksa to do commercial fishing. I also played with kelp when I was a kid on the shore – yeah we didn’t have a whole lot to do.Maybe your ramen junkie friend would like this for the holidays? Check out the vid and a big thanks to Barnacle Foods for sending it along! ...see full post

#5040: Ramen Bae Dried Ramen Toppings – Beef Mix – United States

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#5040: Ramen Bae Dried Ramen Toppings - Beef Mix - United States

I saw a couple new varieties from Ramen Bae coming out and asked for samples – and here’s a couple of them. Today, I’ll toss in some beef mix and the enoki mushroom mix. Today’s an interesting day – it’s national sunglasses day, bingo day, work from home day, and the big debate. It’s about ten a.m. here and I’m really looking forward to making a pizza, having a couple of drinks, and watching 90 minutes of insanity. This will probably come out well after the election is over, so who knows. My prediction is that Biden does really quite well. Whichever side you’re on, hopefully the world isn’t completely broken when you see this. Let’s make some noodles! ...see full post

#5028: Myojo Authentic Japanese Udon Chicken Flavor – United States

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#5028: Myojo Authentic Japanese Udon Chicken Flavor – United States

Chicken udon time! Myojo sent me two of each of these varieties I’ve been reviewing and I have been taking the udon out of the extras and my wife and been enjoying it a lot. She likes to make a cheese sauce and put slices of hot dog with it. True story! I must admit, that sounds pretty good… Anyways, let make some chicken udon! ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Chili Crisp Roundup & Buyer’s Guide

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The Ramen Rater's Chili Crisp Roundup & Buyer's Guide

A couple of years ago, I found out about Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp.  A crunch, oil, and a little spiciness. I dubbed it ‘Love Sludge’ – it was so good that I evangelized it to all my friends. Since then, the enamor has most certainly worn off. I don’t know if they changed the recipe, but the last couple of times I’ve gotten some, it’s ended up in the bin, not completely used. Well, I thought a list of alternatives to Lao Gan Ma that are out there that not everyone’s heard of (nor I myself) would be neat. So, I started sending a few emails, asking for samples, and here’s The Ramen Rater’s Chili Crisp Roundup & Buyer’s Guide. I figure 14 varieties is more than enough to show a landscape of flavor and textures that are out in the wild – and I’m sure there are many more. With holidays coming up, if you’ve got a ramen junkie or chilehead to get something for, there’s a lot of different things here that will work that they might not have tried. These are in order of when I received/bought them. Each one has a link to where you can get them. If I end up with more, I will be happy to add them at the bottom. With that, let’s get oily! ...see full post

#5015: Ramen Bae Dried Ramen Toppings Spicy Garlic Mix – United States

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#5015: Ramen Bae Dried Ramen Toppings Spicy Garlic Mix - United States

I don’t usually do this. I don’t show you something almost completely enjoyed. But this is because I’ve enjoyed it that much! You should go over to The Ramen Bae and get this stuff. This is a topping you throw in with your noodles as they steep or boil and it’s truly magnificent. It also works well in soups, rice – you name it. Let’s continue… ...see full post

Halloween 2024: #5006: Cheetos Mac’N Cheese Box Of Bones Limited Edition – United States

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#5140: Cheetos Mac'N Cheese Box Of Bones Limited Edition - United States

Well, Halloween is here and so I like to do something or other to celebrate it here. No, this is not ramen or an instant, but it is a kind of noodle thing. These are macaroni in the shapes required to make a little skeleton. Kind of cool. I think. As it turns out,  I saw it at the same place I got my pack for review #5000. Let us begin. ...see full post

#5000: McTrader Ramen Noodles Chicken – United States

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#5000: McTrader Ramen Noodles Chicken - United States

#5000

#5000. It took me a long time to decide what to review for #5000, and you might be thinking ‘why this one?’ I found it at a Dollar Tree store, and it had all the hallmarks of something I like to review. First, never have I seen this brand before. That’s a neat thing – I mean after 5000 you’d think I’d seen everything but most certainly not. Second, it’s basic. Really hard to screw up chicken flavor, although I have indeed seen it done before. Third, I got it at a place that was very nearby, in walking distance. That’s pretty cool. The main chunk of my early reviews were fouind when I walked to a 99 Ranch Market. So, it’s kind of a mirror of what got me back to reviewing after my lapse in the 2000s. ...see full post

Press Release – Review #5000

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hans Lienesch, The Ramen Rater, Releases Landmark 5000th Instant Noodle Review

KENMORE, WASHINGTON, USA – 2024/10/14 – Hans Lienesch, widely known as The Ramen Rater, will reach a major milestone on October 21st, 2024, with the release of his 5000th instant noodle review. Since 2002, Lienesch has sampled and reviewed thousands of quick serve noodle varieties from around the globe, building a dedicated following of instant noodle enthusiasts. ...see full post

#4993: Nissin Cup Noodles Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup – United States

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#4993: Nissin Cup Noodles Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup - United States

You might be thinking ‘almost 5000 varieties this guy’s tried but never this one?’ Yup – never this one. At least not in a paper cup. This is a big change – a timely one as I think there’s a chanbce that unless this change occurres, this wouldn’t be allowed for sale in Washington state. I think. Anyways, yeah – this should be fun to try! Let’s give it a go! ...see full post

#4966: 99 Ranch Market Kimchi Ramen – United States

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#4966: 99 Ramen Market Kimchi Ramen - United States

This is pretty neat. I started reviewing instant noodles in 2002, however I only did about 50-60 reviews by 2010. Well, in 2010, Kit and I moved to Edmonds, Washington. It was within a short walk of a 99 Ranch Market location. I’d never had such easy access to instant noodles before, and that’s what caused me to go full on noodle reviewing at that point. This is the first 99 Ranch Market branded instant noodle product I’ve ever seen. It’s made in Vietnam, and I know there’s an arm of Paldo called Paldo Vina over there and I’m going to bet that’s who made these for them. This is called private label. Anyways, pretty cool – there’s also a jjambbong and I’ll be review that soon. ...see full post

The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Maruchan Yakisoba

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I was approached by Maruchan recently asking if I’d like to review a couple additions to their Yakisoba Japanese Homestyle Noodles range. I’ve been reviewing them here and there for years, and thought since I have samples of their current range, why not go and do a special guide to the current varieties and ones that no longer exist. So, we’ll start with the current varieties and then go backwards  after that to now discontinued varieties. Each one will have a link to the full review.  I sent some questions to Maruchan regarding the initial release of these varieties and other things, but never got a reply. If I do, I’ll include these in this guide. Let’s check out all the Yakisoba varieties! ...see full post

#4960: Maruchan Yakisoba Teriyaki Chicken Flavor Japanese Home Style Noodles – United States

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I realized that to have my complete Definitive Guide I needed this one I hadn’t reviewed. Tried the local store. Nope. Tried a Dollar Tree. Not this one but a different one I wanted to redo. A couple days later, I decided to try the local store again. Found it! So that rounds out the currently available varieties. Completion is good for the soul. Let’s cook it up – I know I really like the teriyaki beef, so let’s give this a try. ...see full post

#4954: Maruchan Yakisoba Korean BBQ Flavor Japanese Home Style Noodles – United States

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#5102: Maruchan Yakisoba Korean BBQ Flavor Japanese Home Style Noodles - United States

Here’s one I thought I ought to revisit. I got a couple boxes of samples from the kind folks over at Maruchan recently and this was in there. I wasn’t going to review it again, but my daughter Mimi asked to try it the other day. It smelled really nice, so I figured let’s give it a go. I really love Korean BBQ – some of the best meals I’ve had have been at a now gone Korean BBQ place called Secret Garden. The banchan was great, the servers were super kind, and usually in the back at the bar people were doing karaoke. It was fascinating and nice little cultural microcosm. Anyways, let’s cook this up and give it a go.

Maruchan Yakisoba Korean BBQ Flavor Japanese Home Style Noodles – United States

#5102: Maruchan Yakisoba Korean BBQ Flavor Japanese Home Style Noodles - United States

Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Contains beef. To prepare, add room temp water to line and clear sachet contents. Microwave for 4 minutes at 1000W. Add powder base. Finally, stir and enjoy! ...see full post

#4953: Maruchan Yakisoba Chicken Flavor Japanese Home Style Noodles – United States

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#5101: Maruchan Yakisoba Chicken Flavor Japanese Home Style Noodles - United States

Wow it sure has been awhile – repackaging and over 14 years! I thought hey – I’m planning on doing a Definitive Guide to these, why not revisit chicken. My last sampling was review #215. There’s something about these trays that drives me nuts. Now, they’re not designed with the thought that there’s a guy somewhere will be scanning the bottom of the tray. Well, this guy here does and it’s horror. They’re shrink wrap, so they dont want to lay flat and fold over, etc. They also get tons of reflective glare. Anyways, yeah. But whaddaya do. Best ya can. Let’s cook it up! ...see full post

#4952: Maruchan Yakisoba Cheddar Cheese Flavor – United States

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#5083: Maruchan Yakisoba Cheddar Cheese Flavor - United States

It was 2011. Nobody’d heard of COVID?. Everything was somewhat peaceful as far as I remember. 13 years ago. That was the last time I’d tried this one. There are a ton of these Yakisoba varieties – some are no longer made – the taco one was my 1000th review. Four Cheese, Tomato & Basil, Sweet * Sour – if you want to see them all here you go. But today, it’s cheese! Let’s cook it up. ...see full post

Maruchan Ramen x Funyuns Onion Flavored Rings Collaboration Snacks

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Maruchan Ramen x Funyuns Onion Flavored Rings Collaboration Snacks

If you’ve thought ‘hey I wonder what a Funyuns and Maruchan Instant Lunch had a baby, what would it taste like?’ then you’re a very strange individual. But that’s what we have here. Granted, these aren’t the product of some strange snack mating ritual, but hey it’s a snack nonetheless. I’ve seen them just about everywhere lately. I’ve also seen people’s thoughts on them, ranging from dislike to completely evangelism. Well, here’s an unboxing time of the product accompanied by a taste test. Thank you to @officialfunyuns and Maruchan  for scooting this my way! ...see full post

#4929: Maruchan Yakisoba Spicy Chicken Flavor – United States

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#4929: Maruchan Yakisoba Spicy Chicken Flavor - United States

Well, a couple reviews ago I started with how my back was screwed up from doing a lot of work on the weekends setting things up. Well, it still is sore, and today I planned on walking a lot but there were three D’s that kind of ruined that plan… Damn cold, damn windy, damn rainy. So, damn. I walked to the local store and got a couple things including this one to review. I don’t think I’ve reviewed it in a great while, so here it is and here I go. ...see full post

#4928: Choi Chicken Ramen Noodle Soup – United States

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#4928: Choi Chicken Ramen Noodle Soup - United States

Here’s the second one I got yesterday. I walked over to Lake Forest Park – about three miles from here I’m guessing. The store I got it at is called Albertsons. It’s weird; I’ve noticed different stores have different moods. This particular store is weird. I waited for a cashier at the check out for a couple minutes who finally appeared and told me they were busyt talking to another employee about their father’s salmon recipe. ‘Great’ I thought; ‘I have been waiting here…’ Then she starts talking about lawn implements and asks me how to fix her lawnmower. I just want to buy this instant noodle and leave. What also is strange at this store is that you get halfway towards the back, cellphone reception disappears. But yeah; the store is strange – it’s like when the new guy in towan walks into a saloon in a western and the music stop and everyone looks at him.  Anyways, I’ve reviewed the pack version and it was quite good. Hoping this one is as good if not better. Let’s find out. ...see full post