Okay so here’s another one with really colorful graphics. Silhouetted celebratory humands, against a scenic backdrop with the night sky. This one has ‘red oil’ – which I’m guessing is going to be a spicy one – but I could be wrong. Let’s find out!
Unboxing: Zenpop Subscription Box – October 2020
It’s not too late to get a holiday gift for people you care enough about to shop for at the last minute! Zenpop boxes are pretty cool – you get 7 varieties of instant ramen from Japan delivered to your door every month! Head over to www.zenpop.jp and use the coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount. Here’s what the October 2020 box looks like!
Nissin Germany Sends A Bunch Of Cool Stuff!
A big thank you goes out to Anna from Germany over at Nissin Foods for sending these over! A bunch of cups and some neat goodies! Let’s have a look!
Meet The Manufacturer: #3673: Noodles Accompanied By Happiness Fragrant In Original Taste – Taiwan
Meet The Manufacturer: #3672: Noodles Accompanied By Happiness Sesame Paste – Taiwan
The first of these four varieties in the series depicts excited people on the beach with hot air balloons going over. Sounds like fun! This one has a sesame flavored variety. Sesame paste is kind of like peanut butter with a twist on it. Check it out!
Recipe: How To Make Pickle Juice Ramen Noodles
Okay so I’ve had people tell me I had to try this for a long time and so since my lovely wife Kit has been really into pickles lately (no, she’s not pregnant), I figured why not give it a try. Here’s a video showing what I tried.
#3671: Kiseki Foods Kiseki Ramen – United States
Alright so here we have a prototype. I love prototypes; I feel so honored and humbled that companies would let me try a product before it goes on the market. This one’s a little different – here’s why. It’s 20 calories. For the pack. That’s it. Konjac noodles – these things are like eating food on the holodeck on Star Trek (note – for the ultra nerdy out there who do know that holodeck food is actually replicator food – yeah I know that too – but if the food was holographic – that’s what I’m getting at). At this point they have shared with me their pending Kickstarter campaign but it will be live soon and I’m guessing by the time this posts. Anyways, let’s see how good 20 calorie ramen can be!
Meet The Manufacturer: #3670: Ramen Express By Chef Woo Chicken Flavor – United States
We come to the end of this series with some chicken flavor. I should note again that all three varieties are vegetarian friendly. Let’s see how this one tastes as we bid a fond farewell to this range.
Golden Bay Supply Sends Unique Thai Samples
Got an email the other day from a fellow named Yukhong from Golden Bay Supply asking if he could send some samples for me to check out. Golden Bay Supply distributes is located in the Bay Area and distributes Thai products. Let’s have a look at what he sent – and thanks!
Meet The Manufacturer: #3669: Ramen Express By Chef Woo Hotter & Spicier – United States
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Hot and spicy – I tried this one in a mukbang soon as these arrived (see below). So… Is it packing heat? It’s definitely the right color! Let’s find out.
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition
THIS LIST HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY THE RAMEN RATER’S TOP TEN SPICIEST INSTANT NOODLES OF ALL TIME 2022 EDITION. SEE IT HERE.
I’ve been enjoying spicy instant noodles for years now and these are some pretty lethally spicy ones. Personally, I go for savory over ultra spicy, but I certainly like a challenge and these bring that for sure. Got one you think is hotter but don’t see it here? Drop me a line. Also, check out Instant Noodles – The Ramen Rater group on Facebook – lots of great people in there talking about ramen from all over the world. Well, let’s check out the new The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition!
Meet The Manufacturer: #3668: Ramen Express By Chef Woo Beef Flavor – United States
Here’s the first of this three review series on Ramen Express’ range. They’re all pretty low cal and Vegetarian to mention a couple features. This one’s beef flavor. Let’s give it a try!
Meet The Manufacturer: Ramen Express Product Samples
Here’s a closer look at some of the sample items sent by Palmetto Gourmet Foods for this special Meet The Manufacturer series! Thank you!
Meet The Manufacturer: Interview With Palmetto Gourmet Foods
A trip to the grocery store awhile back yielded some nice results. It’s pretty rare I go to our local store and find something new, but I found these Ramen Express cups – which said they were from the United States! This required swift action to reach out and learn more, and that’s how this Meet The Manufacturer was born. A big thank you to Reza Soltanzadeh, CEO & President, Palmetto Gourmet Foods for granting this interview – let’s get started.
Thanksgiving Leftovers – Dark Meat Tom Yum Kung
We had a great Thanksgiving yesterday – Kit made a wonderful turkey, chocolate chip banana bread too! My buddy Matthew Bellah (the highly acclaimed author) brough over homemade cornbread and traditional stuffing, mashed potaoes, and a loaf of fancy bread.
#3667: Ottogi Jinjja Jjolmyeon – South Korea
Here’s a variety that’s perfect for the summer month – this one’s served cold. Here’s a little something from Wikiward on this one –
#3666: Sau Tao Tom Yum Kung Flavour Instant Noodle King – Hong Kong
Today we’ve got another variety from Hong Kong’s Sau Tao. This one pairs the super tasty Tom Yum Kung with their Instant Noodle King noodles – which are really good. Let’s take a look.
#3665: Wang Cha Jang Noodles With Black Bean Sauce – South Korea
Here’s another one from the folks at Exotic Noods. They ship great subscription boxes full of noodles every month – use coupon code RAMENRATER15 for a discount!
Holiday Ramen Gifts – Umai Crate from Japan Crate + DISCOUNT!
Holiday Ramen Gifts – Umai Crate from Japan Crate + DISCOUNT!
Well the holidays are upon us among other things. This time, it’s pretty inadvisable to run to the mall and hang out with tons of people. Well, check out these subscription boxes as gifts – that way they come straight to your door and have some neat stuff inside! Check out www.japancrate.com and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER to get a sweet discount and get some neat noodles!
#3664: Rap Snacks Icon Ramen Noodles Louisiana Hot & Spicy Chicken – United States
Thanks again go out to The Fat Hipster on YouTube for sending these along. This one feature a rapper that I’ve never heard of. Boosie is on the lid so you’ll see him below. Anyways, I’m hoping this is really a spicy one. Let’s find out!
#3663: Toei Shoyu Hiyashi Chuka – Japan
Today, we have one that was part of Japan Crate’s Umai Crate. So Japan Crate is a subscription service which has all sorts of different options for you. pretty neat stuff from Japan! There’s a coupon code for you too – just use THERAMENRATER to get a special discount at check out.
#3662: Sapporo Ichiban Karaage Garlic Shoyu – Japan
Here we have one from Japan sent by Zenpop. Zenpop does a few different kinds of subscription boxes you can get and they’re pretty neat! Use coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount at checkout!
#3661: Jongga Rabokki Gochujang Stir Fried Noodles With Korean Hot & Sweet Sauce – South Korea
I really like tteokbokki – fat finger tubes of chewy rice flour. Well, rabokki is what you get when you take the sauce for tteokbokki and mix it with noodles. Let’s check it out!
#3660: Love To Share Xiangnian Scallion Oil Mixed Noodles – China
The second of two boxed varieties I found locally imported from China. The last one was quite good – let’s see how this one goes.
#3659: Single Grain Spicy Beef Tripe Noodles – China
I went to 99 Ranch Market looking for mung bean sprouts and found seven different varieties of these big cups! I love these things. I like to call them flower pots. Very curious about these – last time I found some was up in Canada. I miss Canada… But these have a ton of sachets – so if you’re a fan of lots of sachets, take a look at these style cups. Let’s check it out!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition
I’ve got to give it to Taiwan. They’ve really done well with the pandemic, that’s for sure. Just another reason why I love that place; I’ve visited twice and hope I get to again soon. People there are nice, Lots of interesting things going on, and of course… the food! This list is born out of controversy – in 2013 when Taiwan wasn’t on my annual top ten, their media took notice and they got mad. So, I decided to try some ‘noodle diplomacy’ and asked companies to send some samples and they did – and they have been for years now. All sorts of neat innovations, unique styles, and more. If you have a company or a favorite variety you’d like me to review, contact me. Also, I invite everyone to join the Instant Noodles – The Ramen Rater group on Facebook – a large community of people who enjoy noodles and share their thoughts on them. Let’s check out this years shortlist of my favorites from this beautiful and fascinating place.
#3658: Samyang Foods Buldak HOT Chicken Flavor Ramen Tomato Pasta – South Korea
Well, here’s the first of a whole slew of new Buldak varieties. If you’ve never seen or heard about this range (you’ve probably been under a rock), just know these are probably the most popular spicy range of products around when it comes to noodles. They came out with a Christmas themes variety – meat spaghetti. I’m wondering if this one will be similar? Let’s find out.
Holiday Buying Guide: Exotic Noods Sampler Boxes!
If you like instant noodles or know someone who does, these boxes from Exotic Noods are really a nice find. They always do up a nice assortment of varieties from around the world – not just one country. You don’t have to go into a store full of people which is a bonus lately, and you get a box full of noodles and a little pamphlet which gives you lots of info all about them. What’s more, use the coupon code THERAMENRATER and get a nice discount! HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG?! Below I open the November 2020 box and extol it’s virtue. Check it out!
#3657 MAMA Signature Cup Instant Rice Noodles Crab Curry Flavor – Thailand
MAMA of Thailand recently sent a big box of noodles – thank you! Lots of neat new varieties to sample including this one. I like curry and crab so I think this will be pretty good. Let’s check it out!
#3652: Acecook Tamago Shoyu Ramen – Japan
Here’s one that came from a Zenpop.jp subscription box. Use the coupon code RAMENRATER at checkout for a discount!
#3651: Tasty.ly Cup Pasta Carbonara – Singapore
Here’s something a little different than I usually review! This is a pasta cup from Singapore. I am really curious – how will it taste? How will its flavor be focused for local people in Singapore? Well, let’s find out!
#3650: Menraku Japanese Ramen “Chicken Paitan” taste – United States
Made in Japan for the US market, this one comes by way of a recent www.exoticnoods.com box – thank you! Use coupon code RAMENRATER15 for 15% discount over there! Curious about this one – let’s do it up!
#3649: Rap Snacks Icon Ramen Noodles Beef Prime Rib Flavor – United States
I heard about these a while back and have been curious… These came by way of The Fat Hipster – big thanks, man!
#3648: Mr. Lee’s Noodles Hong Kong Street-Style Beef – United States
I got the chance to try the range of Mr. Lee’s products when they were only available in the UK. Now, they also are making them here! This one’s got freeze dried beef and vegetables, plus it’s gluten free. Time to see if this one’s the same as what I’ve tried from the UK!
#3647: Nissin Cup Noodle Original Ramen Noodle Soup – United States
In 1971, Nissin Japan released the first Cup Noodle product. Cup Noodle in Japan has always been a lot different from the one here; lots of garnish. I mean a lot. This one is a version of the original cup you’ll find in Japan today with I’m guessing some slight tweaking. They recently released their Curry and Seafood Cup Noodle version here as well. Let’s check it out!
#3646: JML Instant Yakisoba Majiang (Sesame Sauce) Flavor – China
Here’s one sent by Daniel over at www.exoticnoods.com – thanks! If you want to get one of their subscription boxes, use coupon code RAMENRATER15 for 15% off your order!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition
A lot of things have changed in the last year. I decided it would be a great time to come out with the Top Ten American instant noodles list; it’s November 2nd. Tomorrow is the last day to vote in a crucial election – whichever candidate you support, go exercise your right to vote! The video this year is very different. With the pandemic and my kids home from school doing about 25 Zoom meetings a week, my time has been critically limited. This way however, I’ll be able to bring you more top ten lists I think. This list is comprised of my favorite American varieties out of all the reviews up to #3,636, which count 446 varieties. Let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten American Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition!
#3645: Miliket Pho Huong Vi Ga – Vietnam
One of the remaining few from James of California – thanks again! Here we have a chicken pho variety from Vietnam. Let’s check it out!
Halloween Eyeball Ramen & Candy Deep Dive
I grabbed some Halloween-appropriate content from previous years and well, here you go! Enjoy and have an awesome Halloween!
Holiday Gift Guide: Ramen Gifts From Umai Crate
Holiday shopping is going to be a little different this year. What neat about these is you can get someone a subscription for neat Asian foods without going anywhere! They’ll show at your door and provide some monthly fascination. This one came today and we brought it inside set up the lights, shot the video, edited it and boom here it is! Lots of neat stuff in this box! Check it out! Get yours here: http://bit.ly/UmaiCrate
Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for extra discount!