Well this was a little unexpected – found this at the Uwajimaya in Renton, WA. Yeah, it’s not instant noodles, but I figure it was definitely unique and should be checked out, so let’s give it a try.
Category: United States
New Huy Fong Sriracha Ramen Noodle Soup Samples
Recently, I was lucky to try the new Aces Huy Fong Sriracha Ramen Noodle Soup range with their initial 3 varieties. But now, two more have rolled out! Let’s take a look at the new flavors from the range!
#3875: Nongshim ChapaGuri Jjajang Noodles With Spicy Seafood Flavor – United States
Well look at this! I’ve seen something like this before…
I did a post way back in April of 2013, extolling the virtues of Chapaguri! No clue where I’d heard of it back then – maybe from Nongshim, IDK. I’d long forgotten about it and then I saw this and was like ‘hey – that’s the logo I made!’ It’s a pretty easy conclusion to do something like this from a design perspective and I think it looks nice. If they got the idea from me, I’m honored, but I’m guessing they had the idea of it when it was a popular item back then. Well, let’s see how it tastes!
#3871: Panda Signature Ramen Noodle Soup Spicy Shrimp Flavor – United States
Thanks again to the guy in Montana for sending this a little while back. These days, the unboxing video’s comments have provided speculation, xenophobic diatribes, and some weird entertainment. Turns out these are the ramen at Walmart now and Walmart customers are seriously unhappy about it – it’s pretty hardcore if you ask me. Fascinating and entertaining nonetheless. Some of these varieties I’ve liked, some not. I actually saw them this weekend at a Walmart – they had these cups at 37 cents for a single, $1.78 for a six pack. That’s an extremely low price point for six meals. Let’s check this one out.
#3870: Chef Woo Roasted Chicken Flavor Ramen – United States
Here’s one that the folks from Chef Woo sent over – thanks! So these cups have 20g or protein. What’s more is this is a Vegan friendly cup. Shall we?
#3868: Panda Signature Ramen Noodle Soup Beef Flavor – United States
I first must thank the reader from Montana for shooting these over a month or two ago. Now, I’ve heard from people all over about how these have replaced another brand in Walmart and it seems people are losing their minds! One thing that will always fascinate me about instant noodles is how they really evoke an emotional response. I’ve gotten comments, complaints, rants, sadness, and anger about this. It’s really interesting. Well, let’s give this beef one a try!
Unboxing The July 2021 Exotic Noods Ramen Noodle Subscription Box + Coupon Code!
Check it out! It’s Exotic Noods! A box every month of absolutely awesome noodles from around the world! Use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups Of All Time 2022 Edition
It’s Top Ten time again! These are my favorite cups from my reviews up to #3790. Cups are a neat thing – very portable. They’ve come under fire for ‘tipping themselves over’ in the past, but I assure you they don’t have any intelligence that would be required for them to move of their own volition. It should be said also not to give these or any other super hot things to little ones. Common sense is a good thing. Anyways that aside, you can get some really tasty instant meals in a cup! Let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups Of All Time 2022 Edition, and don’t forget to have a look at the big announcements at the bottom!
Happy Fourth Of July! Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition
As it’s the weekend of the Fourth Of July, I thought what better time to repost last year’s Top Ten American varieties list. Hope everyone has a good weekend! By the way – from July to the end of the year, lists get the following year’s date on them, so this list came out in 2020. A little confusing, I know… Check the bottom of this post for some special announcements including a series of instructional videos geared to help you elevate your ramen cooking! Happy Fourth Of July to all!
#3853: Panda Signature Ramen Noodle Soup Pork Flavor – United States
I’ve been slowly getting through all the varieties sent by a reader from Montana – thank you! These have replaced a competitor’s varieties at Walmart. When I did the unboxing video I didn’t expect the feedback I got in the comments – people are very unhappy about the change. I will say that the change is a big one, however if you really enjoy the other brand, it is still available in stores other than Walmart, so there is that. I did hear some positive things about this pork variety. It should be noted that the Malaysian HALAL stamp doesn’t appear on this one – for obvious reasons. But I still suspect this variety is produced in Malaysia. Let’s check it out.
#3849: Muso Organic Ramen Shoyu – United States
This one’s made in Japan, however it’s definitely for sale in the United States and so that’s why it’s getting that country at the top. I found this at a local grocery store this morning and have been thinking about giving it a try. Well, today’s the day – and it’s going to be a post featuring the 1001st episode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time – one probably very hurried as my kids are doing online schooling and everything is such a rush with what I do these days. It will be interesting to look back at this time in our lives. Hopefully somewhat findly, but with some relief. Let’s check this one out.
#3847: Chef Woo Thai Lemongrass Ramen – United States
I’ve been spacing these out a little bit. They’re really fascinating to me. I discovered the Ramen Express By Chef Woo a while back at a local grocery store – these products are very different – and quite good! Good for Vegan folks, plus 20g of protein in a cup which is pretty neat. Definitely worth a try. Let’s see how this one pans out!
#3845: Nongshim Shin Black With Beef Bone Broth – United States
I hear it already – ‘but it’s from Korea!’ Look. Just humor me. Look. Lower left. Made in USA. Unless you visited South Korea and brought some back from Canada (they’re probably from their Chinese factory if so), then you’ve been eating Korean style instant noodles made in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Their factory is a really neat place – first one I ever had the fortune to visit and it was really neat.
#3842: Panda Signature Ramen Noodle Soup Soy Sauce Flavor – United States
First off, today I’m doing two reviews – 3842 and 3843. I ran a GoFundMe in February 2021 to help with an emergency situation and for some upgrades around here. Well, one of the upgrades is being used for the first time today! I got a print/scan/copy etc printer. This thing has an 11×17 scanner on it. The old scanner had condesation under the glass and that was affecting quality. This one’s extra nice since I can scan a wide label or package in a single pass without having to do two scans and patch them together! Thank you to all who donated and support the site and what I do!
#3841: Ramen Express By Chef Woo Hotter & Spicier Ramen – United States
I remember the first time I found out about this company. Finding a new domestic brand is a particular thrill for me. A new Malaysian, Thai or Chinese brand is expected, but here in the US, there aren’t as many new ones that often. Let’s check out this pillow pack version of their spicy variety!
Vida Food Group – Menudo & Pozole Instant Ramen
I saw someone get some of these on my group Ramen Junkies and so I went and contacted the company – and here they are! Pozole and Menudo – I think these varieties are going to cause a bit of a stir! Let’s crack the box open and check ’em out!
Exotic Noods Subscription Box – June 2021
Check it out! It’s Exotic Noods! A box every month of absolutely awesome noodles from around the world! Use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
#3839: Nissin Hot & Spicy Fire Wok Scorchin’ Sesame Shrimp Flavor – United States
This is the second hottest offering of this new Fire Wok line. I’m very curious about this one – Nissin sent this one unannounced along with the other two. Let’s try the next to hottest of the three.
#3836: Panda Signature Ramen Noodle Soup Creamy Chicken Flavor – United States
Well, here’s another one of the Panda Signature varieties that were sent in by a reader – thanks again! As it turns out, our local Walmart Market has these now too. I’m guessing these have been phased in at all the Walmarts everywhere around the United States. Still pretty surprised by that. Many people have voiced how they dislike these, and this one in particular. Then again, some have said they like these products. I must admit, I’ve not had so many folks comment on a new variety on the market as much as with these, most likely since they’re at Walmart. I’m guessing they have the same price point the previous ones had? Well, let’s give this creamy chicken one a try!
#3833: Nissin Hot & Spicy Fire Wok Sizzlin’ Rich Pork Flavor – United States
I got a ‘First Taste Club’ box in the mail a couple days ago which Nissin sends out to some people in the media – and me. Well, I found this and two others inside in this Fire Wok range. This one has four of the six peppers red – they have one with five and one with all six. I’ve not done a mukbang in… Months. I’m very curious if this is top class spicy. Definitely worth a try!
#3831: Panda Signature Ramen Noodle Soup Spicy Shrimp Flavor – United States
A big thank you yet again to Daniel from Montana for shooting these over! I found that there’s a HALAL stamp on the back of these mentioning Malaysia, so I can only surmise that’s where these were made. Packaging is definitely for the US market. Let’s check it out!
#3829: Panda Signature Ramen Noodle Soup Hot & Spicy Beef Flavor – United States
Thanks again to Daniel in Montana for sending this over! So Since I did the unboxing video, people have been commenting and it turns out these are showing up in Walmarts all over the country. Didn’t expect that – I figured Montana was a test market. I can say that I have made contact with Albany Farms and if all goes well, we’ll be doing a Meet The Manufacturer soon! Let’s check this cup out.
Exotic Noods Subscription Box – May 2021
Check it out! It’s Exotic Noods! A box every month of absolutely awesome noodles from around the world! Use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
#3827: Lee Kum Kee Hong Kong Style Chow Mein – United States
They did a big reset at the local Safeway. They redid their produce section which was kinda nice. The also really updated their Asian foods section. Lots of instant noodles there! Then, there’s this. These are $4.99 each. The only reason I got one is because we love this brand’s Korean BBQ sauce. I’m guessing there’s a good chance this will be pretty good. Let’s chek it out and see if it warrants this price tag.
#3823: Nissin Cup Noodles Stir Fry Hot Garlic Chicken Flavor – United States
Recently, Nissin USA sent an unannounced box, which has a take out bag with a stapled receipt and new varieties of their popular Cup Noodles Stir Fry range. Hot garlic sounds really good – and I have some chicken! Let’s hit it! By the way – 2021 is the 50th anniversary of Cup Noodles!
#3821: Panda Signature Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor – United States
This is one of the varieties sent by a reader named Daniel from Montana – thank you! He mentioned that at the local Walmart, these had replaced all of the MAruchan product. I’ve got a couple theories about this stuff. First, maybe it’s actually a rebranding of Maruchan product; that logo mentioning the 0g Trans Fat looks pretty much like the same logo does on Maruchan’s packs. Not only that, there are a lot of flavors that sound identical to Maruchan varieties. The yellow banner kind of reminds me of the one on the MExican Sopa Maruchan varieties. I dunno – I could be way off on this.
Meet The Swirl Fork – An Innovative Invention
#3812: Snapdragon Vietnamese Vegetable Pho – United States
These came by way of James from Lakeside California and looks like Snapdragon has dressed up their packaging yet again. I will admit I’ve never been exceedingly enthralled with their range, save a couple of varieties. Not only that, I’m rarely enthused about any pho instants I’ve tried. But I’m in the mood so these at least have that going for them. Let’s give them a try!
Panda Signature Ramen Noodle Soup Samples From Walmart – An Updtate
What is this? Where does it come from? These are all good questions about these Panda Signature products sent by a guy named Daniel from Montana (thanks again!). After looking all over the packaging and just finding they’re distributed here in the United States by Albany Farms, I noticed something. The HALAL stamp. It’s under the authority that gives out HALAL certifications in… Malaysia!
Second Batch Of Maruchan Ramen Bread Unboxing From Matt B.
Okay – you might be wondering what the heck is going on here – what kind of madness is this? Well, it’s bread which is made with noodles and seasoning sachets from Maruchan Chicken Instant noodles. Really? Yes. Seriously? Yes. This has been a project put into action by Matthew Bellah which I’ve added comment and ideas to. This is the second batch he’s sent. Let’s check it out!
#3794: Ramen Express By Chef Woo Beef Flavor Ramen – United States
This is the last of the pillow pack style Ramen Express varieties and I’m guessing this one is going to be really good like the other two. Let’s find out!
#3790: Ramen Express By Chef Woo Chicken Flavor – United States
I recently tried the pack version of the Hotter & Spicier and was very pleased – I have to say I liked that pack much better than the cup. Curious if the chicken flavor will have the same effect. Let’s find out!
#3789: Myojo Charumera Artificial Tonkotsu Flavor – United States
This one gets the USA tag since it is made in Japan but only for sale over here in this packaging. This comes by way of James from LAkeside, CA – thanks! So the charumera is the horn the little guy on the pack is holding up. The ramen guy would come to the neighborhood and toot that thing (kind of like the ice cream man playing Camptown Races) and you’d know to go get your noodles. Let’s check it out!
#3787: Cheetos Mac’N Cheese Cheesy Jalapeno Flavor – United States
I know, I know. It’s not ramen. No. I know that it’s not ramen. But these things are a trip -here in the United States, it sure seems like Cheetos and ramen kind of have a weird relationship – just look at Instagram. Also seems like adding hot dogs and enjoying with a malt liquor is popular for some too.
#3785: Panda Signature Ramen Noodle Soup Chili Lime Flavor – United States
This is the second of the Panda Signature variety cup style noodles I’ll be trying today. I must say, the video where I unboxed a ton of varieties a reader in Montana sent me has done really well. Sadly, it’s not because people are excited about the products. They’ve been much maligned by folks who were sad to see their former favorite get replaced by this brand. One thing people have brought up too is the country of origin on these. You see, on the single packs, the closest thing I could find to a country of origin was from the HALAL seal being from Malaysia. People kept saying that they said ‘product of PRC.’ PRC is People’s Republic Of China. Well, this cup says that, so I have visual confirmation that these are manufactured in China. To me, this isn’t a big deal; a LOT of instant noodles are manufactured in China. However, many are incensed by this insofar that the product it replaced was made in the United States. I’m sure some other reasons have led to their anger about this, which I’m not sympathetic to. But I can see their point on the made in the USA viewpoint. More importantly, they’ve been extremely critical of the flavor of these products being different, and have been downright disgusted by them. I won’t say any have been favorites of mine, but I haven’t found them as a range to be incredibly bad or worth of my bottom ten list. This being said, I have heard that 12 packs of the noodles around around $2 – which is pretty inexpensive. I wouldn’t expect filet mignon at under twenty cents per portion,. Anyways, I was able to contact the company that produces these and they’ve mentioned that they are going to be producing a reformulated version (aka a new recipe). So, I’ll of course try them when they debut and hopefully be able to do an interview with them when that time comes. If you’re wondering that since they’re made in China why the title up top says United States, this product isn’t for sale like this in China and specifically made for Walmart stores here. Let’s check out this one out – sounds tasty enough from the name.
#3784: Nongshim K*Army Stew Style Noodle Soup – United States
Okay so the pack version of this budae jjigae is just all around wonderful. Time for the bowl. Big thanks to Dennis over at Nongshim for shooting this over! Let’s give it a try.
#3781: Tapatio Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor – United States
Here’s another one of the cups the folks at the company sent – thanks you very much! The Tapatio guy always seems so awake and well rested. Let’s see if the spicy heat will wake me up!
Great Set Of Ramen Bowls Over At Amazon
With what I do, I need bowls. I’m always hunting for new ones to use and change things up. Noodles, bowl, backdrop. Well, here’s a neat set I was sent that has everything you need. Four different colored bowls – which really fits my bill as I don’t want duplicate colors/patterns, so this is neat. Plus, using the regular Prime shipping it showed up in 2 days. If you’d like to get a set check it out here on Amazon!
#3778: Helper Mac & Cheese Bold Cheesy Pizza – United States
The four fingered hand with a face brings you what you never knew you needed – a microwavable cup of mac and cheese with pizza flavor.
#3776: Chef Woo Braised Beef Flavor Ramen – United States
Here’s one from the folks that also bring you Ramen Express. This cup has 20g of plant protein – which is a lot. Let’s check it out!