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Found this (as well as review 4275) over at H-Mart the other day. I swear Menraku just keeps coming out with new varieties constantly – it’s pretty hard to keep up with but that’s fine – the more the merrier. This is made in Japan but for the US market. Flaming hot, eh? Let’s find out.
October 6th is National Noodle Day! I knew it existed, but every year I find out when it’s too late to do a special post or something to commemorate the day. This year, Nissin Foods USA overnighted me a box especially for National Noodle Day – and it arrived the day before! So, I’ve spent the day before National Noodle Day shooting video, doing special research, and sitting in the bathroom. Well, it’s been fun, and now it’s time to show you what you may have or have not heard about – the Nissin Cup Noodles Soup Soaker. It’s a bath bomb which came in this special box in a noodle cup. What’s more is it’s kind of chickenny. Yeah. A chicken broth bath bomb. Watch it fizz!!!
Here’s another one of the Ramen Bowl varieties from Maruchan here in the United States. This is one of those varieties I figured I’ll leave as they’re so easy to find and save for a rainy day. Well, it’s raining – I’ve kind of hit a low amounts of instant noodles slump – happens from time to time. So, let’s get our chicken on.
Well, folks – this is it. I’ve had a lot of fun reviewing this special Sanrio tie-in series over the last short while. Everything’s quite good. Now we come to the end of the line with this Badtz-Maru variety. Badtz-Maru is one of Hello Kitty’s friends – let’s give it a try.
I haven’t tried anything from these guys in quite a while. Their pillow packs were definitely not well received by this reviewer, but that was a very long time ago. These cups look interesting. These folks also make rice which is quite good – especially the ‘forbidden rice.’ Let’s give this thing a try.
Lately, I’ve found myself in a slight pickle. I’m low on varieties of review… Well, it’s mainly my fault – I think for over two weeks I’ve been in such a good groove that I’ve been able to do three reviews a day and walk about ten miles per day as well. That’s a lot of unique varieties of noodles… So, I’ve had to resort to finding a bunch in a bit of a hurry. I found this one locally at the grocery store today. In fact, I found five different varieties. Let’s see what this is all about – it sounds a little bit interesting. Guess we’ll see.
Onto the third review! There are four varieties of these you can find over at www.ashadrynoodle.com. This one is another of Hello Kitty’s friends. I don’t believe it’s frog flavor, but probably more akin to the Hello Kitty supercute soy sauce flavor with some heat. Let’s give it a try!
Here’s something from a company that doesn’t put out new varieties here in the United states very ofte, but when they do – they’re usually quite good. This is a spicy yakisoba and I’m very curious – let’s have a look!
Oh man – so I’ve been digging. I’ve dug through everything in my hampers and assorted boxes. This is it. This is the last one I have that’s kinda old. It’s not expired. It expires next motn though. I know at the local grocery store there’s a couple more I can get so there’s 2/3 of a day of reviewing. I think I’ve been doing three reviews a day for at least 15 days now. Honestly, it’s kind of nice. I’ve got my groove on. It’s going. I’m doing it on the weekends. Full tilt. A slurp, a bite. Let’s see how this new one fares.
Here’s the second in a series of four Hello Kitty & Friends varieties from A-Sha Dry Noodle of Taiwan. This one’s made for the US market. So far, impressed as the soy sauce one was excellent. Let’s continue on with some friendly scallion sauce noodle – should be able to find them at www.ashadrynoodle.com.
Well, I’ll have you know that my daughter is incredibly pleased this was sent to me. She’s a big fan of Hello Kitty and her friends. My daughter’s name is Mimi, which is the name of Hello Kitty’s sister. Now where it gets weird is that the creator of Hello Kitty says is that she is NOT a cat. She is a girl named Kitty White. Oddly though she does have ears, whiskers, and no mouth. Well, she does in the cartoon and she talks too. Let’s give them a try – definitely one Hello Kitty fans will want to try – should be able to find them at www.ashadrynoodle.com.
First there was Shin Ramyun, then Shin Black. Now there’s Green and Gold – thanks to James from Lakeside, California – thanks again! He’s been a serial donor of noodles I’ve not tried yet! Very cool – check ’em out!
I’m hopeful for this one, although my recent sampling of the chicken flavor variety didn’t go so well. Fingers crossed.
This was one of three my lovely wife Kit found at Whole Foods a while back. These are really large noodle bowls – as you’ll see below, they have two noodle block in there. I just baked some chicken for the review so it should look somewhat nice. Let’s give it a go!
Nearby where I live, I walk past a community free books/food pantry. I’ve found some interesting things in there – most recently a canned ham. I found this in there and there were a ton of them but only needed one. What is it? It’s a snack, that’s what it is! Let’s check it out.
Here’s one that was sent by James from Lakeside, CA – thanks! I’ve been on a reviewing tear the last week – actually the past couple of weeks. I’m trying to empty bins of varieties I’ve not tried yet. This was in a box above the bins. Anyways, yeah – this is made in South Korea for the US market. Let’s check it out!
Okay so if you’re me, you probably don’t know what’s going on here. I’ll admit it – I’m 47 and not hip to current things as I suppose I should be. So here goes – there’s a K-POP band called BTS. Them, I’ve heard of, although I don’t know if I’ve heard their music. Then there’s LINE, which I think is a social media or messagiong platform? Then there’s BT21 which from what I’m getting are emoji/sticker characters from LINE inspired by BTS. Please correct me if I’m wrong and my apologies – I’m acronym challenged. But what I do know is I do like A-Sha noodles, so these should be pretty good and I’m really looking forward to reviewing them. Let’s check out the unboxing.
I am a big fan of spicy things as well as shrimp, so this should be pretty good. This is the last of the new cups they sent – thanks again! Let’s give this one a try.
My old sometimes on the show guest Stumpy from North Little Rock, Arkansas has provided some humorous quips in the past. One he often mentions are meaty beefs, cheesy beefs, bell-beefin’, and more. These odd phrases have spilled out a bit; I often say ‘I’m the beef and you’re the cheese’ to my 6 yr old son, and then he says it back – we eventually give up on who is the beef and who is the cheese.
It’s time for something different in this series – something a little spicy – but wait. I think the next two will be spicy as well, so be prepared! Let’s get the guinea pigs on their treadmills and fire up the ‘ol microwave and give this puppy a try! NOTE: we don’t actually make the guinea pigs run on treadmills to power the microwave. Yet.
You knew it was bound to happen, and now it has. I spent so much time making different things with Nissin Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice Flavor – but I never made a pizza. Weird? Of course! Insane? Naw, not really. Since I always like to do a duo of pizzas, I also made one with Nissin Fire Wok Sizzlin’ Rich Pork – that’s my favorite of that range. Well, prepare yourselves – some fascinating waters are ahead. Sometime I’ll use lecithin or egg as an emulsifier and grind up noodles to make dough for pizza – that will be interesting. But not I think today. Here we go.
Say what? What. This is what. What is it? Well, it’s noodles but it changes color; kind of. There’s food coloring in the noodle block, and so once you introduce boiling water or microwave and stir, it changes to either pink or blue – at least so far. There might be green as well – I really don’t know. Purple? Mauve? Chartreuse? Taupe? Taupe is not magical. Remember that. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of anything like this and that’s saying something. Very cool and unique! Let’s check it out!
Lately, I’ve been getting noodles in the mail. A lot of noodles. I’ve kinda got a stack of them and need to get through reviews, and so I’m doing a bunch in a row. Well, the last sentence I wrote about two hours ago and guess what? More noodles arrived. That’s how it works I swear! This most certainly isn’t a complaint though – the more the merrier – especially if I’ve not reviewed them. Well, let’s hit it!
Yep – I’m at it again. Who hates pizza? Maybe if you only ate crummy pizza every day for months, sure – that guy would. But I don’t make crummy pizzas, I make interesting ones that are really quite nice to behold and chew on. Today’s pair are no different. I’m using the noodles and sauce as a base for two ‘south of the border’ inspired new varieties from Samyang Foods. Thanks go to Samyang Foods for sending samples as well as MH from the Ramen Junkies group for sending some too! Let’s check out what happens when new Buldak meets pizza!
Here’s the second of the two varieties I’ve rushed out that arrived in the mail from MH from the Ramen Junkie group. So… Four cheese… This one’s interesting. First, this is made in South Korea, but packaged for sale in the United States. Second, Hochi looks like she’s dressed up for Halloween. During my research on this one, I found that it’s been in South Korea as well. I also found people trying this variety four months ago – kind of interesting. I wonder if they’ve just been test marketing these in a limited fashion prior to now. In the mukbang video below, I mention I thought I’d only 2 varieties not tried, however that’s not the case. In addition to the creamy carbo and the rose, there’s a jjamppong and a ‘lovely’ variety. Would like to add them to my reviews if anyone’s got some to donate! I did read that someone thought carnitas would go very well with this, and luckily my wife made some last night so I ended up with some nice garnish. Let’s cook these up – don’t forget to watch the mukbang at the bottom as well!
Well, I’m sure you’ve been curious (or didn’t know) about this one. This is another variety with Hochi wearing some ‘south of the border’ attire. I decided to rush this one out and I’ll be doing the other one tomorrow I think. So much interest in there varieties. This is something different – not the cooking instructions – I’m curious if this is going to be the standard for all of the buldak varieties going forward. Till will tell. I’d like to thank MH, a fellow mod from the Ramen Junkies group for sending this along! Note – this one is made in South Korea and packaged for sale in the United States. Don’t forget to check out the cooking show and the mukbang below! Rushing this one due to popular interest! Let’s give it a go!
I’ve reviewed quite a few varieties by this new company – I call them new since they’ve only been around for a couple of years. I will say that I’m truly impressed by their products – the pack versions in particular. Really tasty and enjoyable. Let’s give this new soy sauce variety a sample.
I recently got an email from a company called BNB Global who is a big distributor for Paldo products here in the US. Paldo is a South Korean company that makes some great varieties – some of which I haven’t tried yet – here’s a special look at some of these new varieties! Enjoy and check ’em out!
For those who aren’t familiar, a ‘spread’ is a term referring to a special meal made in prison by inmates. Here’s what Wikipedia had to say about them –
My wife went to Whole Foods the other day (not a place we usually frequent, however she’s trying out the gluten free thing) and she came across three of these Ocean’s Halo varieties. The first I’m trying if this Thai coconut. Sounds pretty good in theory at least. I guess we should take a look!
Often overlooked but always present, the instant noodle cups is a very common ‘on the go’ form factor for instant noodle varieties around the world. These are my favorite cup varieties from reviews up to #4120. Don’t see a variety you like I’ve not tried? Contact me! Also, here’s a link to all of my top ten lists! With that, let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups Of All Time 2023 Edition.
Well, well, well. I think this one should warrant a mukbang, don’t you? I’m trying to remember the last time I did one, actually. I must say I’m sad to report that this is the first year a top ten list for South Korea has been skipped since I started doing them; I’ve reviewed so few new varieties. Really bummed about that – help! Glad to see a new one here, however this is for the US market and not the Korean version. Hopefully some new ones will cross my desk for 2023 soon. Either way, this is an extra spicy version of Chapaguri, made popular by the film Parasite I believe. Still haven’t seen the film… Being with poor vision, subtitles are a little rough. Definitely would like to see the ramdon scene. But anyhoo, let’s check this new ramdon out.
Fiery Korean chicken? Well, I think we all know where this is headed. I must say thgough, I’m intrigued. These are the same folks that brought us the almighty! The Pumpkin Spice Cup Noodles! I must admit, I figure this is going to be interesting. Bring on the spice!
Pretty sure this is one either sent by Nissin Foods or by James from Lakeside, California – thank you! So… these rice with noodles are really interesting – and rather good from what I’ve tried thus far. Let’s cook it up and give it a try!
Here’s another one from James of Lakeside, California – thanks again! This one sounds really good. Once again into the bowl!
This one came by way of James of Lakeside, California – thanks again! So these Snapdragon varieties haven’t fared well in my reviews in the past. Hopefully, this one will be a little different. We shall see – let’s give it a go.
Here’s yet another Menraku variety and it came from James of Lakeside, California – thanks again! I thought this would be a dry variant, but it’s definitely not. I should mention that yes, while this is made in Japan, it’s definitely an export version and that’s why it gets the United States tag at the end. Let’s give it a try!
I’ve had the fortune to get samples from Myojo USA from time to time – the ramen is always on point and the yakisoba is just luxuriant! This time, it’s one of each – check ’em out! They’re in the frozen or refrigerated section at Asian grocery stores!
I know you’re wondering ‘why does he do these things?’ I pose the opposite question – ‘why don’t you do these things?’ I’ll be honest – I’m playing with food. It’s something different to try. Sometimes it doesn’t work, but I’m finding many times it does work and it works pretty well! Let’s make some stuffed bread with a popular variety!
Thank you to James of Lakeside, California for sending this. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I heard about this stuff and have really wanted to review it for a couple months after Stumpy of N Little Rock, AR told me about it. He wasn’t a fan and by the looks of things, I probably won’t find this to be the second coming either. But the thing is for me, my favorite instant noodle is the one I haven’t tried yet – and this is not only one I’ve not tried, but a brand I’m completely unfamiliar with. This is made in China. Let’s check it out!
