Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002
This is a very interesting one and I believe it to be its third iteration. Way back, this was garlic teriyaki and it was a splendid variant – one my wife loved and she’s not the biggest noodle human. Then they came out with a version with a huge drop in sodium – about 35000mg down to 700mg. Then we have this one in the ‘carton’ version. Well, let’s give it a try.
We have a heat wave here – like it’s going to hit 60 degrees in mid January heatwave – which says one thing to me: get ready for the opposite. Seems like that happens often. But today it’s a review – and then a mukbang. My ten year old son Miles has all of a sudden decided he wants to try Buldak. So, I’ll do the review today and then on the weekend we’ll do the mukbang. It should be noted that the sprinkles that are candy and star shaped make me immediately think of Samyang Popeye snack which also have star shaped sugary bits. This one is a sweet and spicy – let’s give it a go!
I’ve wanted to review this one for a long time and I found it at our local Grocery Outlet store. That’s a place that stuff could possibly be being discontinued. I’m kind of surprised but who knows if that’s the case – just glad I was able to find it! Well, let’s cook it up and I’ll give you my thoughts.
Well it’s been awhile – probably doesn’t seem like it to you since I post daily, but for me it’s January 8th. Back to the regular thing after the holidays! Wheee! I thought I’d try this one to start things out. Let’s give it a go!
So another ‘this isn’t ramen’ however it’s a special vitamin and caffeine supplement to put in your soupy ramen! You can get it at ramen-aid.com. I tried the other version and what I was looking for is whether it changed the flavor of the broth and found it didn’t, so let’s see if this one does.
This isn’t ramen. That being said, here’s one I found at Evergreen Asian Market in Everett, Washington. Found quite a few gems at this place so that was rad. Pandan is a kind of nutty flavor – one of my favorite things is this little bubble tea joint we like that has pendan waffles – they’re green and quite tasty. Also the place is stupid expensive, so it is an exceedingly rare happening for us to end up in there. Anyways, pandan is great stuff. Let’s check this little rice cup out.
Welcome to another edition of Thunderdome! This is a list of my least favorite varieties; the list where if your product drops off of it, it’s a good thing. We’ve got two new ones for 2026 that are exceptionally vile. That being said, if you like them, then your problem,. Everyone likes different things – just don’t expect me to eat them with you. This list is current as of review #5505. All products are reviewed prior to external garnish. With that let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2026 Edition.
Well, here we have the third and final variety from this range by Nissin USA and I am pretty sure it’s got the longest name of all. So far, I can give a qualified take it or leave it feel to these. They’re variations on a theme as they’re all beef and just have different flavors of the Bachan’s BBQ sauce. Well, let’s take it on a test drive and see how it goes.
This one looks interesting – never heard of this style before and I suspect iits a Filiino variant. Tamarrind and shriimp! Let’s give it a look.
This one is from a Taiwanese company but from their Vietnamese factory and packaged for the US market. I’ve tried a ton of these but not seen this before. Let’s give it a whirl.
I’ve been threatening this for awhile so I figure it’s time. You usually just crush it and sprinkle seasoning and shake it up. Not I think today – I’m going to make it as a dry noodle and boil it. This could destroy the known universe, but I have my doubts. It’ll ether work or it won’t. Let’ find out!
I remember when we’ve flown to Taiwan, when they ask what you want to eat, they’ll go up and down the aisles and say ‘pork porridge?’ I’ll admit, I usually got pork porridge. It was kinda funny. Anyways, found this one at Evergreen Asian Market in Everett, Washington. Let’s cook.
This one comes by way of James from Lakeside, CA. So it’s not ramen but I’m sure he found this right next to the ramen. Let’s try it!
Here’s the third of the three Protein varieties thanks to James from Lakeside, CA. The other two weren’t my favorite but we shall see with this one.
Time for something spicy from South Korea for the US market. Definitely a clone but I must say I’ve been rather impressed with the Harim varieties I’ve tried recently. Found this at Boo Han Market on 99 in Edmonds. Let’s cook!
I’m always curious to try new things – and this was something I’ve wanted to try. After a long tiome of changing things around, here we are with the www.noodlebomb.co ramen sauce line. I can say it’s great stuff – just watch the video. Check it out and if you want to try it yourself, get it here!
A few languages on this export version. I half expected this to have come from their Turkish factory. Despite the multiple languages (and use of the word flavor spelled flavour), this is for the US market as you can see the long distributor list with US telephone numbers. Let’s cook!
I got an email from Ramen Now! recently asking if I’d like to examine their product and I thought this could be fun! The Ramen Now! is a plug-in device that allows the user to cook instant noodles simply and quickly, taking them from machine to table. Therte’s quite a few niceties here – the bowl it comes with is also useful as a serving bowl. It’s a small device. It works with a myriad of varieties. Also, if you get one and share a video of it being used in social media, you can get a free box from Project Ramen! Watch the video and check it out as I put it through its paces. Want to get one, click here. This would be a great gift for the college student or the ramen enthusiast in your life!
Here’s another found at Boo Han Market in Edmonds, Washington. I generally like rapokki but jjajang I’m honestly hit or miss with. Guess we’ll find out, eh?
Looked all over for these and finally found them. Now we will see how it goes.
Detail of the side panels (click to enlarge).Contains shrimp and beef. To prepare, fill to line with room temp water andmicrowave at 1000W for 2.5 minutes. Let stand 3 minutes. Finally, stir and enjoy!!
I’ve tried the local version from overseas previously, and here’s one version packaged for sale in the United States. I love tom yum and it so happens we have some shrimp – let’s get this one going!
Here’s a new Geki variety I found at Fred Meyer in Woodinville. What’s kinda funny is that I tried this flavor before, although it was from Indonesia! Let’s try the US version.
I’m really happy about finding this one at Boo Han Market in Edmonds, Washington! If you’ve not tried it, I highly recommend it – as long as the new packaging doesn’t mean new recipe at least. This came out quite a while back after a Korean comedian – Lee Kyung Kyu I believe – mentioned it. This is a jalapeno and chicken flavored broth variety. What’s interesting is that it does not have chicken in this one where it once did. It’s made in South Korea – so they would export US chicken to Korea, process it, then send it back in the product. Crazy, eh? Anyways, let’s cook it up!
Found this at Fred Meyer the other day (Kroger). It wasn’t in the Asian foods area, but with the domestic stuff which was interesting. I wasn’t a big fan of their initial variety (standard ultra spicy dry clone) but this has promise. Says it’s spicy too – let’s find out.
Found this one at Boo Han Market along with another one. Rapokki is a great thing I really enjoy – a pairing of tteokbokki (cylindrical rice cake) and ramyun (Korean instant noodle). That texture combo alongside a sweet and spicy sauce is really wonderful. Let’s try this variety.
Okay, this is a big deal I think. I know – it looks very generic; very plain. But this isn’t what Ii see. This is a product of Brazil. It’s a Kroger store brand. Who is making this for them? I’ve no idea. I look at the big players in the Brazilian instant noodle market and mainly see a lot of Nissin Miojo stuff. However, the noodle and sachet style doesn’t lean me in that direction. A six pack – and it’s cheap – I think it was $4 for 2 of these – so I got both this and the chicken yesterday. I’ve also noticed that on the directions, it’s referring this noodle as pasta. Pasta? Hmm.
This came by way of the creator of Slurp Now, Crunch Later – a blog dedicated to Korean food! Thanks again! I’ve seen this on Amazon and been fascinated. Let’s see what’s within!
Another one that came by way of James from Lakeside, California – thanks! This Nora Kitchen outfit sure makes a lot of interresting varieties – but what is kare kare? Wikipedia says –
Here’s another one from James – thanks! So, Smoko? Hmm – Gemini says…
‘A “Smoko character” is a character from Smoko, an LA-based company that sells cute and whimsical products, such as plush toys and office supplies. The name “Smoko” itself is Australian slang for a short break from work. The company’s characters are based on food, animals, and other adorable concepts, with popular characters including Tayto Potato, Pearl Boba, and Lil B Dumpling’
I got an email from the creator of Slurp First, Crunch Later asking for my thoughts on tteokbokki. If course, I’m a big advocate; it’s one of the best things to ever exist. So, she mentioned these noodles from Nongshim and sent some over! New to tteokbokki? Watch the video and I’ll explain. Thanks!! FYI – you can find these on Amazon.
Okay what is this MEP thing all about? Gemini says “MEP is a new brand of instant ramen by Samyang Foods, standing for Maptaeng (매떵), which is a Korean term that combines “map-da” (spicy) and “taeng-ha-da” (firm, chewy texture).” Ah okay. – now it’s a little more logical, however I think it could have a little more accessible name… Anyways – garlic and clams. Let’s do this.
So this is an interesting deal here. I’ve had the Korean version of this before. It was noted that the Rose US version reminds me of Chick Fil A sauce while the Korean version was amazing. Hmm… I’m curious how this will be… Let’s dive in!
I was contacted recently by a gentleman from Mae Mai, a company making garnished. Alas, I screwed up – I did an unboxing video of their product, but I accidentally deleted the video! Well, I did it over and here it is. I’m in love with this garnish. It’s sweet, garlicky, onion, crisp, savory, and a little spicy. It’s my favorite recent discovery – try this stuff! You can get it on Amazon, or check out their website.
Here’s another from James of Lakeside, California – thanks! Macaroni… Soup? I think this is a Filipino one yet again. Thewse are interesting and so far not bad. Let’s cook it up!
Another one from Bibigo that’s certainly for the European market yet slap a distribution sticker on with US standard nutrition facts and there you go. Let’s give it a try!
Big thanks to Jame from Lakeside, California for sending this one! So this brand is interesting. Mainly in that they make as lot of Filipino varieties, however it says they’re product of the USA. Are they made here? I dunno I guess they must be? Pancit Canton usually is pretty darn good – let’s give it a try!
Tried this awhile back in the pack form. It was really quite decent – tasted like taco seasoning and sauce and noodle. It works. Let’s see how it is in this configuration.
Here’s the last of these sent by The Fat Hipster – thanks! So this is camping ramen. I must say the prior varieties were quite bland. I guess we will see on this one.
Haven’t seen this one in a long time. Looks like new packaging to some degree as well. A seafood ramyun sounds good – getting colder here. It’s the tail end of September 2025 as I type this. Lewt’s give it a try.
Can’t believe it’s time for another global top ten. To be honest, I’ve been loathe to do top tens. Why? Well, it’s a lot of work—especially the videos. I like the process of doing reviews; the hunting for varieties, the image editing, and doing my Instant Noodle Recipe Time show when I cook and do my tasting. Taking a week or two to devote a lot of time to video editing, etcetera, is a lot. But I know many of you like these lists and in the end, there are some really fun aspects to them as well.
