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This should be pretty easy to be found by just about everyone in the United States. Good ol’ Bowl Noodles. They’ve gone through numerous changes over the years insofar as packaging, and this is the latest I’ve seen. It’s got a plastic wrap around it with the labeling. Thanks guys – makes it more difficult for me to scan when things are shrink-wrapped!
This one ame by was of Daniel over at Exotic Noods – thanks again! This one’s a jjajangmyeon style noodle, so it’s got a thick and hearty black bean sauce with it. I’ve seen varieties made for GS Mart (a Korean chain) by Paldo, and everything about this package screams Paldo manufacture. If you look on the back by the barcode, you can see it’s made specifically for Us distribution. Anyways, let’s give it a try!
I think this is the last of the varieties that Maruchan sent for the Meet The Manufacturer series. Haven’t had this since it’s initial launch many years ago. These look very much like Maruchan Seimen, a range which is very popular in Japan. So, what’s the different? No pork. Let’s give it a go!
Been lagging on doing top ten list editing – my apologies. The weather’s been really good for walking, and in May I did over 500 miles. I included a special post at the bottom about it. I also included something of a change from how I’ve been doing things as well involving AI. Anyways, this is the annual The Ramen Rater’s Global Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls – these are my favorite varieties out of review up to #4440 which are in the bowl style. Hope you enjoy! Top Ten Cups and Bottom Ten lists should be coming soon!
A week. Last week I mean. Feeling crummy. Started Sunday and went on until Thursday. Then Friday happened and it was like I was pretty much at 100% again, which was really nice. Went out for a nice walk, then went out shopping. I definitely wanted to see what was up at Asian Family Market – the next day would be Lunar New Year. Got a few things, this being one of them. Looks interesting; let’s check it out!
Back in mid 2018, I reviewed this right after their ‘new recipe’ change for review #2910. Around that time, it seemed that US manufacturers decided to change the product names of economy pillow packs that were initially known as ‘Oriental’ flavor to Soy Sauce. The term ‘Oriental’ has come under fire in recent years, hence the change. What does Oriental mean? Basically it derives from Latin, meaning ‘of the east’ – the opposite being Occidental being ‘of the west.’ From what I’ve gathered from running the Ramen Junkie facebook group for a while as this has come up from time to time is that many things and businesses will use the term; ‘insert city name here’ Oriental Market for example, however it isn’t a term to be used for people, at least that’s what I found. I read an L.A. Times article about this very subject that I thought was very interesting – you can read it here. One particular quote from the author I found fascinating was ‘A funny thing I noticed is that my Caucasian colleagues, not my Asian colleagues, are most eager to remove Oriental from public discourse.’
The other day I did the competitor’s tray noodle – that was teriyaki beef as well. Been years and years since I’d reviewed either of them. They’re both economy tray varieties and they both dwell on the soup aisle. Let’s give this one a try.
Eventually, I’ll get through everything I want to do for the Maruchan Meet The Manufacturer series – there’s a lot of them to go through and then unite all together. I’m cobbling everything together slowly. I got this one at the Kenmore, Washington Safeway store – your standard American domestic grocery store. In these stores, there are two areas you will commonly find instant noodles. There’s the soup aisle, and the ethnic foods aisle. These are in the soup aisle. They’ve got a few varieties of trays – some Maruchan, and some by a competitor . I think I’ll have to see what other Maruchan ones they’ve got, but thought this might be a good one for the trays. Let’s check it out!
Here’s the second of two of these Wicked Foods varieties we found recently at the Lake City Fred Meyer grocery store. The last one was pretty slimy. Let’s see what this one has in store…
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!’
Here’s one we found at the Fred Meyer store in Lake City. These are made in the UK – unsure if they’re related to the Naked Noodles line of someone else’s. Either way, it’s something I’ve not seen before, so I’m reviewing it.
In December, we went to Party City. They had a new one opened up next to us and so we were getting stuff for our daughter Miriam’s birthday. Well, they had two candy noodle things and this was one of them. A Cup O’ Crazy. That’s pretty weird. It’s got goo, edible chopsticks, and gummy noodles. I really don’t like things like this so much but I have to review it of course. Qho knoqa; it could be masterfully crafted; like a jelly noodle with a sauce that’s made from fine ingredients and chopsticks of sweet coconut powder that melt in your mouth. But I wouldn’t count on it. Let’s commense this, the 4,509th session of my personal congress of noodling.
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.
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.
This is a gluten free product we found at a local store. My wife does the gluten free thing, so making this for her today. It’s currently 23 degrees outside with a wind chill as low at 15. That’s pretty cold for these parts. I’ve got to go to the store to get some stuff, so I’ll probably be talking about how cold it is. Anyways, let’s cook this one up.
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!
This one came by way of James from Lakeside, California – thanks! This is an export version for the US from the looks of it. Spareribs flavor eh? I’m enthused. Let’s have a look.
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!
Here’s another new one made here in the US! Plus, its tantanmen! Enough of me talking – let’s make this!
Here’s the new label export version of Samyang’s Buldak Stew. Haven’t had this in years and what’s more, I never did a mukbang before. A lot of mukbang lately – kind of crazy. Let’s give this a try.
This was an interesting find in the Asian foods section of Fred Meyer on 164th in Lynnwood, Washington. Never heard of this brand; only thing I can think of with this name is Pat Norita who played Mister Miyagi in The Karate Kid. He was also on M*A*S*H a few times. Oh snap – that’s Pat Morita not Norita. Anyways, this sounds interesting and worth a try, so let’s give it a try. Made in China for a distributor in Kentucky.
This is another departure from the more Japanese styled flavors they had originally and I’m really curious as to what it will taste like. I’m doing a few beef reviews this morning – I tend to cook a certain protein and then see if I’ve got some of the same flavor profiles to go along with it and I have three. So, let’s start out on the healthy end of the stick!
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.
I figured out – I’ve never reviewed the cup version of this one, nor the export version either. So, let’s do it!
Here’s another one from Vite Ramen – another cup! So last time, I didn’t use the cup and this time I’m going to. Should be interesting. Let’s find out!
Well this is new – a cup version of Vite Ramen. Sounds interesting – l suppose we should get to it!
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.
Are you scared? Well, I’m not. I’m curious. This is an export package version of this one and it doesn’t mention the SHU (Scoville heat unit) number. What’s interesting also is that they’ve hyphenated Teumsae. Well, they must have a reason.
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!
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.
A couple years ago, Nissin Foods USA came out with something called Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice. Honestly, I really enjoyed it and made many different recipes out of it, stretching it to the limit. This time, it’s a breakfast variety. I couldn’t find it, but luckily Stumpy from North Little Rock, AR, James from Lakeside, CA and Nissin Foods sent me cups which I truly appreciate. Here, I will go into meticulous detail about the product, and create five different things with it. With that, here’s The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Nissin Cup Noodles Breakfast.
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?
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?
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!
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!
First off, thanks to the folks at A-Sha USA for sending these over! There are two different boxes, four varieties in total. I thought I’d go with this box first. So, I live under a rock; I’m not exceedingly hip to things that aren’t noodle related or politics related. God, I’m old. I do know there is a Korean group called BTS that’s quite popular, and a messaging service called LINE. Well, LINE did a collab with BTS and made BT21 characters, and A-Sha collaborated with LINE and made these noodles featuring these characters.
This is a special commemorative packaging for the 45th anniversary of Maruchan in the United States. Want to learn more about this iconic range of Ramen Noodle Soup products? Look no further than my Definitive Guide To Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup! Alright, let’s peel back the wraps and give it a try. Note – the only thing different here as far as I know is the packaging.
Well, the name Aces reminds me of playing cards, and the number 4 sort of looks like an A missing a leg, and 4444 looks like 4 of a kind, so I thought this seemed a fitting review number for this one. My wife said something earlier about the number four being unlucky – never heard that before. Well, I like the number four so there. Let’s try
A lot of spicy stuff coming my way lately – that’s pretty rad! Not so many last year for the new spicy list, so I’m guessing some new stuff will bring new heat. Let’s see how hot this one is!
First off, thanks to the folks at A-Sha USA for sending these over! There are two different boxes, four varieties in total. I thought I’d go with this box first. So, I live under a rock; I’m not exceedingly hip to things that aren’t noodle related or politics related. God, I’m old. I do know there is a Korean group called BTS that’s quite popular, and a messaging service called LINE. Well, LINE did a collab with BTS and made BT21 characters, and A-Sha collaborated with LINE and made these noodles featuring these characters.
