The third and final iteration of the Marutai varieties found at the Bellevue, WA Uwajimaya supermarket. My daughter Mimi picked a couple varieties at 99 Ranch Market that day and one was a tonkotsu. She tried the Kumamoto Marutai and liked it, so she’s going to get to try this one too.
Zenpop.jp Ramen Unboxing – December 2023 + Coupon Code
It’s time to unbox a Zenpop.jp box – you get seven varieties of instant noodles to try! I would say that almost every time I’ve gotten one of these, I’ve never tried any of them before which is really awesome. Great as a gift or to hoard for yourself! Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount! Let’s check it out!
#4682: Paldo Teum-sae Stir Fried Ramen For Spicy Lovers – United States
For those who crave spicy things, here’s Paldo’s Teum-sae. It didn’t used to be hyphenated, but it is now. There’s the soup version, and then this, the dry noodle version. Let’s do this.
#4681: Nissin Geki Instant Fried Noodles HOT Carbo Flavour – Indonesia
Another one from Pher Engi of Australia – Thank you!! This looks to be a play on Buldak perhaps which usually is nott a good idea. However, you never know. Let’s see how spicy this is.
#4680: Nissin Ramen Masters Special Miso Ramen – Germany
This looks interesting – haven’t seen this range before, so assuming it’s new! This is from Nissin’s German arm and is a collab between them and different ramen restaurants in Japan – pretty cool. Let’s give it a try!
#4679: Nissin Assari Odashi ga Oishi Donbe Umakara Chige Udon – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to all! I and my family want to thank you for visiting the site and for all the donations you’ve made to the community, as well as us personally through our GoFund.me! Thanks – and we hope you have a wonderful holiday season and New Year!
#4678: Nissin Hot & Spicy Fire Wok Screamin’ Sichuan Beef Flavor – United States
This is the second of two pack versions of Nissin Fire Wok, this time a beef variant. This one’s supposed be hotter than the chicken one I reviewed prior – I guess we will see.
#4677: Nissin Hot & Spicy Fire Wok Torched Teriyaki Chicken – United States
I was contacted by Nissin USA a few weeks ago and learned about this one and it sounded interesting. Indeed, their Fire Wok bowls are quite good – especially the Sizzlin’ Rich Pork. Pack versions? Interested! So I hit them up and they provided. There’s this one and another. Let’s give it a try!
Nissin Sends New Fire Wok Pack Version!
When Nissin USA contacted me about pack versions, I was very interested – and they were kind enough to send some! Today we’ll unbox – and following this one I’ll share a review of the chicken variety as well as a mukbang, so stay tuned!
#4676: Paldo Teum-sae Ramen For Spicy Lovers – United States
It’s time for some of the old ‘Fun&Yum’ (Paldo’s motto) with a bowl of Teum-sae ramen. It used to be just Teumsae I swear but now it’s hyphenated. These newly packaged varieties feature this woman on the package and it appears she has trouble getting her jacket over her angular shoulders or something. Well, let’s give it a try!
Happy 7th Birthday Miriam! Repost: #2330: Ve Wong Little Prince(ss) Brand Snack Noodles Artificial Mexican Pizza Flavor
So I did this review the morning that my daughter Miriam was born seven years ago today. Happy Birthday, Miriam! I’ve been reposting it every year with a little update. So, here it is!
#4675: Nissin Cup Noodles Thai Style Crab Curry Flavour – Hong Kong
Another great one sent by Pher Engi – thanks again! I used to see these very commonly – never this variety though. They’d have ton of them at 99 Ranch Market and now I don’t see them at all. Very strange. Well, this one looks really good so without further ado let’s cook ’em up!
#4674: Yum Yum Pad Thai Thai Style Stir Fried Noodles – Thailand
Big thanks to Pher Engi of Australia for sending these over!! It always cracks me up – almost all Thai brands have the same sound twice as their brand name. Yum Yum works here – and pad Thai sounds really good. Curious how it will be – a dry noodle? Let’s find out.
#4673: Marutai Kumamoto Tonkotsu Style Noodles & Original Flavored Soup – Japan
Here’s another one we found at Uwajimaya a couple weeks ago. Marutai stuff is quite wonderful – especially their Kumamaoto variants. Without further ado!
The Frango Chocolate Review
If you live in the Seattle area (and parts beyond), you have probably heard of Frango chocolates. Originally, they were at Frederick & Nelson – a big department store. They were acquired by Macy’s who kept these things going. They’re a pretty standard fixture of Christmas around here. This video shows a pretty in depth review of all the flavors. I don’t knwo if they have added more since this, but if so, we ought to do them – let us know if so. Anyways,, Merry Christmas – here’s the big one!
#4672: Indomie Sebzeli Hazir Noodle Vegetables Flavour – Turkey
Huge thanks to James from Lakeside, California for including this and two others from this range in his last box he sent. Yeah – Turkish ramen! Indomie has factories all over the place! Let’s cook it up!
#4671: Nissin Cup Noodles Big Wok Style Soba Teriyaki – Germany
Big thanks to the folks at Nissin Foods Germany for sending this and quite a few others my way! These are really neat cups and now they’re even bigger! That means a lot of yakisoba. Let’s make it!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time 2024 Edition
As far as content people are looking for on www.theramenrater.com, the most popular is this list and all things hot and spicy. Apparently, you like it hot and this is the annual big heat of everything year. Well, these are the spiciest out of 4,650 reviews. I should mention there are some special announcements below, including a fundraiser I hope you can help out with. With that, let’s commence with The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time 2024 Edition!
UPDATE: The Ramen Rater Humbly Asks For Your Help
UPDATE 12/8/2023 – I want to personally thank every single one of your for your donations – it’s really been kind and immensely helpful to my family. We could still really use your help, though. If you can, we would really apreciate it. Again, thank you so much for helping with donations!
I’ve been reviewing instant noodles since 2002, doing episodes of Instant Noodle Recipe Time, The Chocolate Break with my wife, Professional Mukbang, Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater and more. Right now, we’re in a pretty crummy financial situation and hoping that some of the fans will be able to help out. I really loathe asking like this. I’ve set up a GoFundMe. It really is strange – you hear about statistics like ‘this percentage are one paycheck away from financial ruin.’ I love going to the thrift store and finding some trinket on the cheap. Right now, that’s a luxury I can’t even fathom, really. What’s crummy too is the time of the year that this is happening. Holidays plus my daughter’s birthday is a week before Christmas. Ugh. Here’s the link if you can help out.
#4670: Shen Gong Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup – United States
Here’s another one I found at 99 Ranch Market recently. Again, Vietnamese flavor, new Chinese authentic style, and packaged for sale in the United States. It’s almost as if it’s got some kind of flavorful identity crisis! But it sounds interesting so let’s get to it.
#4669: Acecook Tategata Nomihosu Wakayama Kotteri Chuka Soba – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4668: FF (Fashion Food) Tom Yum Shrimp – Thailand
Another great one sent by Pher Engi – thanks! This should be pretty good – tom yum is an excellent flavor. Let’s give it a try!
#4667: Acecook Sanrio Characters Noodle Shoyu – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4666: Samyang Foods Kimchi Ramen – United States
Kimchi is awesome stuff and I picked some up today as I’ve got quite a few Korean varieties I’ll be reviewing this week. Last week was crazy – last day of school for the kids, did 21 reviews, our dog Pepper got adopted by a nice couple from west Seattle… It’s cool but a lot. You’ll see this a long time from last week. It’s June 25th today and you’re probably seeiing this is October I’m guessing. Anyways, kimchi ramyun is good stuff – let’s check it out.
#4665: Maruchan QTTA Shiawase Butter Aji – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4664: Yamadai Hokkaido Miso Butter Ramen – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4663: Nissin no Donbe Okinawa fu Soba – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4662: Marutai Ajiyokatai Toripaitan Ramen Oita – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4661: Trader Joe’s Red Curry Thai Noodles – United States
Time for some more fare from Trader Joe’s. I’m really curious about this but honestly don’t know on this one. Why? Well, the other day I did a review of a variety which looks identical and was just horrible. I really hope that this does indeed taste like red curry – that would be great. However, I’v got my doubts. Let’s find out.
#4660: Dongwon Jjajang Rapokki – United States
Rapokki is a combination of ramyun (Korean instant noodle) and tteokbokki (rice cake tubes). This one has a black bean sauce. I have a feeling this will be wonderous. Let’s find out. Oh, and this is made in South Korea, however packaged for US sale.
#4659: Hezhai Chongqing Mala Noodles – China
Had something thr other day by this brand for the first time and here’s another one. Found it at 99 Ranch Market. Let’s give it a try.
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2024 Edition
If there’s one thing that’s a certainty, companies from Taiwan tend to send me product samples more often than from any other country. They’re constantly innovating and refining, coming out with neat new things. Taiwan is a great place I’ve had the luck to visit twice. On one visit, I went to a large store and they had two aisles of just instant noodles that I really wish I would have taken pictures of. Now, what you’ll see on this list is mainly Taiwanese dry noodle. An ‘instant’ noodle is one that you can simply cover in boiling water for a short time and they spring to life. These require cooking. I hope to hear from Taiwanese instant noodle companies in the coming year; this is an invitation to you! It would be really nice to release a list of instant noodles alongside a list of dry noodles. This list is comprised of reviews of Taiwanese noodles up to #4650. Please check at the bottom for some special messages as well. With that, I hope you enjoy The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2024 Edition!
#4658: Shen Gong Fried Rice Noodles Artificial Beef Flavor With Chili Oil – United States
I’ve been reviewing instant noodles since 2002, doing episodes of Instant Noodle Recipe Time, The Chocolate Break with my wife, Professional Mukbang, Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater and more. Right now, we’re in a pretty crummy financial situation and hoping that some of the fans will be able to help out. I really loathe asking like this. I’ve set up a GoFundMe. It really is strange – you hear about statistics like ‘this percentage are one paycheck away from financial ruin.’ I love going to the thrift store and finding some trinket on the cheap. Right now, that’s a luxury I can’t even fathom, really. What’s crummy too is the time of the year that this is happening. Holidays plus my daughter’s birthday is a week before Christmas. Ugh. Here’s the link if you can help out.
The Ramen Rater Humbly Asks For Your Help
UPDATE – I want to thank everyone who donated – you really helped us out a great deal and made it possible to get through this difficult time! At this point, our heads are pretty much above water, so as far as a pressing need for donations, we’re good. I would say though that if you appreciate what I do and want to say thanks, that’s always truly appreciated, so I’m going to leave this up as an option. Thank you!
I’ve been reviewing instant noodles since 2002, doing episodes of Instant Noodle Recipe Time, The Chocolate Break with my wife, Professional Mukbang, Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater and more. Right now, we’re in a pretty crummy financial situation and hoping that some of the fans will be able to help out. I really loathe asking like this. I’ve set up a GoFundMe. It really is strange – you hear about statistics like ‘this percentage are one paycheck away from financial ruin.’ I love going to the thrift store and finding some trinket on the cheap. Right now, that’s a luxury I can’t even fathom, really. What’s crummy too is the time of the year that this is happening. Holidays plus my daughter’s birthday is a week before Christmas. Ugh. Here’s the link if you can help out.
#4657: Marutai Hakata Tonkotsu Style Noodles & Original Flavored Soup – Japan
Found this recently when visiting Uwajimaya in Bellevue, Washington. I went there to get some fish cake – narutomaki and kamaboko- and surprisingly found this. I don’t usually find much there that I’m interested in by way of ramen, but this time was fortuitous. Let’s give it a try.
#4656: Fan’s Roast Pork Premium Instant Noodles – United States
Here’s one made in China for the US market. It’s got a cat on it – people like those. It’s also got an AI background. I did this review awhile back and continued to use AI for backdrops on the finished images. How’s it going to taste? Let’s find out.
#4655: Sapporo Ichiban Yamada Udon Syokudou Kansyu Tanuki Udon – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
#4654: Trader Joe’s Squiggly Knife Cut Noodles With Soy And Sesame Sauce – United states
Everyone I know seems to enjoy stepping foot into Trader Joe’s. Personally, I’m loathe to enter it. The silly bells, the caffeinated out overly engaging checkout people, the haphazard design of the aisles, the customers hanging out in groups here and there, oblivious to others and impeding travel through the place… Yeah, I don’t like going in there usually. However, I went in there recently with my wife and it was somewhat enjoyable as I found some noodles there. Now, Trader Joe’s makes nothing – nothing at all. They get companies to do private label products for them. This is one of those – made in Taiwan. These are Taiwanese dry noodle, a time-honored cuisine. Well, let’s just call ’em squiggly fun time noodles! Egad. Well, whoever manufactured them, I hope they’re getting paid good. Hopefully these are good, too. Let’s find out.
#4653: Sapporo Ichiban Machi no Netsuai Gourmet Yaki Hotate huu Shoyu Ramen – Japan
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!