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I thought this one sounded interesting while I perused the noodle aisle at the Edmonds, WA 99 Ranch Market. I suppose it could be full of Sichuan peppercorn, either oil or dry powder, but I tend to doubt it. But, the proof is in the tasting – let’s give it a try.
Big thanks to James from Lakeside, California for sending this along! Never heard of this brand before, nor this variety. Let’s give it a try!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Well, I’ve got one more from this company after this one. They’ve been fun to try! Let’s give their tom yum a try.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
You know, this list while very exclusive isn’t one that brings me great joy. I really like instant noodles and the people who produce them, but some varieties just give me real disgust. I just can’t stand them, don’t recommend them, and wish they were different so I would like them. These are the ones I really, really dislike. This list is current as of review #4830. Be sure to check out announcements below – lots of neat stuff going on! With that, allow me to introduce you to The Ramen Rater’s Bottom Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time 2024 Edition.
Here’s one that came from James of Lakeside, California – thanks! This is one I’d never seen before. It looks to be a spicy vegetable – and looks interesting as well. Let’s give it a try!
This is an interesting one – made in Malaysia for export. It’s got abalone in there – I’ve tried this one in the past but this is for export. Anyways, let’s check it out!
I was minding my own business, doing a little research… Then I found this Kari Kari chili crisp. Turned out they’re based in Seattle, which is next door. I asked to give it a try and they sent some! Now, your question may be at the outset: how does it compare to Lao Gan Ma? I can say I’d rather have this any day. Check out the video below. You can get it here. Also – check out Time Warp – a bar with arcade and pinball games and instant noodles on Capitol Hill in Seattle!!
Big thanks to Pher Engi for this one! Time to hit up Wikipedia –
Mi kocok is a beef broth-flavored noodle dish typical of the city of Bandung. This dish consists of yellow noodles served in thick beef broth, sliced kikil (beef leg tendons), bean sprouts, meatballs, lime, and sprinkled with sliced celery, green onions and fried shallots. Some recipes may add beef tripe.[1] The term kocok (shake) in the name of this dish refers to the cooking process, namely shaking the noodles in a hollow metal container with a handle, while dipping it in hot water.[2] The type of noodles used are flat yellow noodles which have a softer texture. To add flavor, you can also add sweet soy sauce and chili sauce. The basic recipe for shaken noodles is noodles, beef broth and beef kikil. However, there are several variations in presentation with the addition of certain food ingredients. For example, add chicken feet, beef, meatballs, even beef tripe.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – here’s what they had to say about it – ‘Miso is a paste created by fermenting soybeans with other ingredients. So if you think about it, as the bean “dies” in the process of returning to life as tasty miso, it’s almost like the Zombie of the soy world! …what, no? A bit of a stretch to fit the Halloween theme, perhaps? No matter, the taste of the miso speaks for itself. This bowl is very portable and has wakame seaweed topping, really adding to the volume of ingredients.🎃’
Here’s another one in the Meet Mee range – I do enjoy fish cake and what I’ve tried from this company has been quite good. Let’s get cooking!
Here’s another one of the Nissin Singapore Cup Noodles sent recently by the company – thanks! I really like laksa – let’s give it a shot!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
This one comes by way of Pher Engi – thanks again! So, maybe Wikipedia has a clue…
Soto Banjar is a typical soto from the Banjar tribe , South Kalimantan , with the main ingredient being chicken and having the fragrant aroma of spices such as cinnamon , nutmeg and cloves . This soto contains shredded chicken, with the addition of perkedel , boiled potatoes, boiled eggs, pieces of carrot and ketupat . [2]
I can’t figure in any universe that this won’t be something I dislike. I mean come on curry crab paste? That’s gotta be good! Let’s find out.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – which no longer exist.
This came out of one of their ‘triple box’ offerings. It’s a spicy and extra savory version of their seafood variety. Let’s check it out.
This is pretty awesome. First, thanks to Pher Engi for sending this one! Second, I reviewed this waaay back in 2011 (right here in fact). Thirdly, it says baru in the corner – baru translates to new. Twelve years later, it’s still new! Let’s cook it up! Last time I had it I gave it five stars.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
This sounds interesting. I know there are Assi grocery stores around the US here and there… This sounds from the name like either a jjambbong or a kind of ganjjambbong – let’s find out what we have here.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
All I can say about this one is that the letter E is well represented in the title. Let’s cook it up!
I’ve tried many of the Nissin Singapore range of Cup Noodles varieties, but not this one. Seems like this is a variety that would do well here in the states – definitely one popular in the UK… Let’s give it a try!
Here’s one that was sent by Pher Engi – thanks again! I’ve tried Hot Gulai Chicken varieties in the past and been quite enthralled – here’s a little background on Gulai from Wikipedia –
Here’s the last of the varieties I found at an Indian grocery next to Chuck E. Cheese in Bellevue, Washington. The place was called Apna Bazar and it was pretty great to be honest. Anyways, let’s give it a try!
I have to say since I first tried Sakurai Foods varieties, I’ve been impressed. This one looks interesting – very basic packaging and simply called ‘genuine ramen.’ Very curious! Let’s give it a go!
Here’s something very different – this is one I’ve not tried before, and it’s a soupy version instead of a dry pan mee. Let’s see what Mum has in store!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount! This was part of a ‘Triple Box’ – three boxes in one! Let’s give this little tonkotsu cup a try!
Here’s a variety which has been released for Nissin Cup Noodles’ 52nd anniversary – one that was a limited edition, but now a full part of the Nissin SG lineup. When I had it a while back, it was great – let’s give it another try – new and improved style!
Well, this is the last of the products from this brand that I have. I think this is all of them. This sounds good in name. What I expect is a kind of sauce with a light sweetness, maybe a seafood element, a a little heat and lemongrass bite. I’m hopeful we don’t have yet another one that has a strong Italian vinaigrette element to it, but it won’t surprise me. My mind is open – and hopeful.
Here’s another one from Pher Engi – thank you! This is one she sent a picture of and asked if I wanted to try it to which I said yes. I also got this when searching Batagor kuah on Google from a generated AI response – ‘Batagor kuah is a soup made from batagor, an Indonesian dish that’s a shortened form of “bakso tahu goreng” (fried meatball and tofu). The soup can be made by boiling chicken broth. Batagor is traditionally made from minced tenggiri (Spanish mackerel), although other types of seafood such as tuna, mackerel, and prawn may also be used. The fish paste is stuffed into wonton skins or filled into tofu, and then deep fried in palm oil. Batagor is a popular street food in the city of Bandung in West Java. It began appearing in various Indonesian cities throughout the country in the 1980s, and is believed to have been invented in 1968 in Bandung. According to legend, batagor was created as a way to salvage unsold bakso meatballs. ‘
This one’s a little different from the last two I tried. The last two at the top mentioned Vietnamese rather than Chinese on the packaging. So far, no good for this company insofar as my reviews. The last two scored very low – rather non-nom – and I’m hoping there’s going to be one that I like as these were pretty expensive. With an open mind, let’s give it another go.
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount! This was in a triple box they sent – basically three boxes all at once. It didn’t come with any documentation, so I don’t know much about it. It only takes two minutes to steep which is pretty short. Let’s give it a try!
Finishing up a week of reviewing today (it’s Friday for me) in early October, 2023. It’s pretty nutty – I’m now over 200 reviews ahead, and I’ve got a feeling this is coming out in late March of 2024, maybe April. While this isn’t ramen, it’s another thing you might find on the noodle aisle. It’s a Filipino porridge made in the United States. Let’s give it a try!
Ah, tteokbokki. I really wish I knew about this stuff when I was a kid. Wondrous tubes of rice flour – like big Beefaroni, slathered in a nice sauce. Better yet, with cheese. If you’ve not tried it, you’re really in for a treat once you do, trust me on this. No, not ramen, but definitely something you’ll find on the instant noodle aisle at a Korean market.
Every year I pick my favorites out of all the reviews I’ve done. In the past, I’ve had lists that have multiple companies with multiple entries. I decided this year that I would change that. Starting with this list, only one entry per company will be on the list. I’ll mention other noteworthy varieties in the text of each one which I think will give more opportunities for folks to try new things. This new way of doing things will be reflected in this list, the upcoming Bottom Ten, Top Ten Bowls, and Top Ten Cups lists.
This is the second of two varieties I found semi-recently. The other was a spicy one, this one seafood. Bah – it’s early morning – let’s get this day going!
Time to try another one of these. There’s four varieties. The last one I tried was rather disappointing, so I have high hopes for this one. Will it be good? Let’s find out.
Big thank you to Pher Engi for sending this all the way from Australia! This one is interesting, and my years of reviewing instant noodles has been instrumental in giving you a little info on this one. First, the name. Mi means noodle – and gelas means glass, as in a glass of milk, etc. This is quite literally a noodle you put in a glass or mug with some water to steep. Soto ayam? Chicken soto – usually a lime and chicken affair. Let’s give it a try!
