The Definitive Source For Instant Noodle Reviews Since 2002
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.
Following suit with the other major economy pillow pack producer in the United States, Maruchan has retired ‘Oriental flavor’ in favor of soy sauce flavor. Let’s check it out!
Thought I’d share a bunch of recent videos where I slurp up super spicy noodles! Usually by now, I’ve posted the new top ten spicy varieties list m but due to years of pushing by readers and a drought of spare time, the list is going to post later – probably in October. In the meantime, I’m doing a lot of research – what’s the spiciest out there being the question. Check ’em out and don’t forget to subscribe and click the notification bell to stay updated on all the videos I post constantly. Thanks!
This is a kind of rare occurrence. I reviewed this one yesterday. Usually the posts you see here every day are from at least 100 days prior – it’s nice being ahead of the game. But, this being a re-review, it doesn’t get a new review number or anything. I was at the store and thought it would be nice to have something easy to do up and post.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop box. Zenpop is a subscription box service – check em out and use coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!
I first tried Baixiang noodles a few years ago when I found the little elephant’s brand up in Richmond, BC on one of our early visits before it became a regular thing to do.
Here’s something I’d not seen before – I know, that’s kind of a redundant statement; I try to review something new every day, so… But this is very different. Often, cold noodle varieties from South Korea pop up, but not usually ones that come with a cold broth – they’re usually broth-free. I think that may have been the longest sentence I’ve ever typed on this blog, so apologies for that.
Here we go again. It always surprises me that I have to put out a new list of these every year. I guess the redeeming fact is that some varieties get to be pushed out of the list, which I’m sure they’re happy about. Anyways, these are my least favorite instant noodle varieties from over 3500 reviews. This list is current as of review #3545. Let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2020 Edition.
This one is from a box from Exotic Noods. Exotic Noods has subscription boxes you can get every month! Use coupon code RAMENRATER15 for 15% off your order!
Here’s one Daniel from Exotic Noods brought me back from Taiwan – thanks! This product is produced by Paldo Vina, a Vietnamese branch of Paldo Food of South Korea. It is for sale in Taiwan (formerly called Formosa), and has a South Korean parent company, so KORMOSA is a kind of play on the fusion of companies and distribution. Let’s check it out!
Hey everyone! I’m excited to announce a new contest with the folks at Ramen Express! By following the contest rules, you can enter to win a t-shirt – and you can do a little extra and if you win a shirt, you’ll win a hat as well! Pretty cool!
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.
Hey look – another Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater! 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!
We come today to the last of this series for now. It’s crazy though – I have so many more varieties I still need to get to that I think I’ll be switching back and forth with them for a bit o time honestly. This one’s hot and sour – let’s give it a try.
I’ve been looking for this book for years. Why? Because I not only enjoy instant noodles, I enjoy the history and lore around it. It fascinates me. Some people like comic books, other sports. For me, instant noodles are where it’s at.
Still just surprised with all the different varieties. Here’s a nice wide-style noodle from Hong Kong – Let’s cook some up!
I got an email from a guy named Russell over at www.rushordertees.com a few weeks back asking if I’d like a couple of aprons to wear for my show if I’d mention Rush Order Tees. Well, I was happy to do so, but maybe they have t-shirts! So of course they do and so now I’ve got three snazzy new shirts and you can see ’em in the video below as well as being on a lot of my upcoming videos! Thank you so much!
There are so many varieties these folks make and I’m glad because this has been one of the most varied Meet The Manufacturer series yet. This is a flavor however I could revisit with a different noodle pairing repeatedly with enjoyment, as well as their Tom Yum Kung. Laksa is a tasty thing! Let’s make this one and see how this pairing goes as we march towards review 4000.
Pork rib flavor, eh? I think I tried this one previously but prepared it incorrectly (hey, it happens – I’m not perfect). By previously I am thinking at least five years if not seven… I think it’s time for a new number and a revisit, don’t you?
I’m still just amazed how many different styles of noodles this company has – they sent so many! This is a unique pack, too. Ten packs, ten sachets. Shall we give it a try?
First things first – this is big. The noodle blocks are physically really big. I’ll let you watch the episode of Instant Noodle Recipe Time below so you can understand more fully. But E-Fu – let’s look on Wikipedia for more info –
Time for something porky! I’m curious how this will be – guessing less like a tonkotsu, more like a stewed pork kind of flavor? Guess we shall find out!
Tis time for beef on the trolley! I never found out anything really as per why these are called trolley noodles, but hopefully will at some point. Let’s give them a try.
I’ve had a lot of Taiwanese dry noodles in my day, but never any hailing from Hong Kong as far as I can remember. Maybe, but I don’t think so. These noodles are without a broth – they’re from simple ingredients, too. You boil, drain, add in some ingredients, stir and eat. These are also considered mix noodles. Let’s mix it up and see what we get!
QQ is an interesting term when it comes to noodles. Michelin defines it as “QQ is the bounciness associated with fresh handmade fishballs, glutinous rice balls, and certain types of noodles. The term originated from Taiwan, where Q sounds similar to the local word for “chewy”, but it’s evolved to mean a little more than that.”
Okay, I know what rice vermicelli is, but I’m unsure about Xiao Qiao. Let’s ask Wikipedia –
I thought it would be a good plan to look up Jiangnan cuisine in order to impart a little more info about this variety aside from the XO Sauce reference – if you’re interested in that, look at yesterday’s review – but I found that Shanghai is in Jiangnan and got a list of notable seafood dishes from there you might find interesting and truly wonderful from Wikipedia –
Oh sweet – XO Sauce! If you don’t know what this delightful flavor is – here’s something from Wikipedia –
So in a prior Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater, MAMA Noodles sent a couple masks. They turned out to the be the most comfortable ones I’ve found yet and so I asked if they might have some more I could use and spread around and they did! Thank you!
Hey this sounds neat – but what are Trolley Noodles anyways? All I can surmise after doing some research is that Trolley Noodles are akin to cart noodles. Basically, hawker style. Let’s open this laksa flavor variety up and take a look!
To start things off, I grabbed something randomly ou of the massive pile of samples I have here. These are ho fan rice noodles – thin and flat. Wikipedia had this to say –
You like noodles? Well, a company participating in Meet The Manufacturer (you’ll start seeing reviews soon) decided to go big. They sent a 400 pound pallet from Hong Kong! Sun Shun Fuk, maker of the Sau Tao range of noodle products (and 2 years in a row Top Ten lister I might add)thought perhaps I’d like a lot of samples! What follows is the unboxing of the century!
I’ve had the pleasure of working with quite a few companies on these Meet The Manufacturer series over the years. This was a very unique experience – I’ve tried many products from the company in the past but never had access to such a wide range. They send an enormous 400 pound pallet of their products! This is an interview that I conducted with Sun Shun Fuk, makers of the Sau Tao range of products.
For me, happiness usually accompanies noodles, but I must say this long name of a range of noodles has piqued my curiosity. Let’s open a nice box they send after contacting me a couple of weeks ago.
Here’s the third of three new single pack offerings from Hakubaku. Miso is a style of broth is either love or hate. I have a feeling this one isn’t going to fall into the latter category. I’ve been trying a lot of instants for a long time and really hoping this one fits the ‘approval’ bill. Let’s find out!
The second of three new single pack varieties from Hakubaku. They’re a pretty neat company – they’ve sent me lots of different products. One I’ve really liked is their Mochi Barley. They also make barley tea as well. The ramen I’ve tried before, but not this specific flavor – it’s brand new! Let’s give it a try!
A few days back I tried this one in cup form. Today, it’s the pack. Berapi translates to ‘fiery,’ and where the cup version is concerned, that’s an apt description. Let’s check the pack version out.
This one came out of a Zenpop subscription box. Zenpop has great boxes featuring different themes every month with 7 different instant ramen varieties from Japan. Use the coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!
Hey look – another Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater! 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!
Here’s yet another one sent by James from Lakeside, California – thanks! Man, I’m beat – woke up at 12:30am. I have one night every once in a while that I end up starting my day exceedingly early. I know I’ll sleep really well tonight. It’s funny too as I’ll be hanging out with the kids in the morning and nod off. They run up to me and yell ‘Papa! Wake up! Wake up!’ I think that’s going to be going on this morning… Luckily, my kids are cute and awesome… Today my plan is to go get a ton of steps in. Starting at 3:30am. Let’s get this done.
