Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002
A few months ago I did a Meet The Manufacturer series on Vite Ramen, but the packs I tried were prototypes and not this, the finished product for version 1.0 (version 1.1 will be coming soon and I’ll be giving that a try when it comes out). It’s a neat concept brought to life by Tim & Tom Zheng.
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.
I’ve mentioned a few times recently how much I’ve really been into Samyang Ramen in the last year or so. It’s really quite good – has a ham flavor, nice level of spiciness. It’s just got a good all around comfort food thing going on. Well, here’s the same thing – but now it’s got a cheese component. I’ll admit it – I like cheese. There. That feels better. Load off my mind. I usually add cheese to South Korean ramen, so let’s see how this one with a cheese component included goes.
Hey look at this! What is it? Well, their standard Spicy Sakura Prawn has been ranked #2 on the 2018 and 2019 The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time lists. This one has two kinds of noodles – both air dried too so they’re healthier for you. I’m a big fan of prawn mee (that’s what they call it in Malaysia) and I’m ready to have a prawn freakout. Let do this!
Today we have a Zenpop.JP variety – so what’s Zenpop? They’re a subscription service for all things Japanese! Definitely, check them out. By the way, use coupon code RAMENRATER to get $2 off! Here’s what they had to say about this one -“Thick and soft udon noodles topped with soft scrambled egg and deep-fried tofu. The simple dashi soup has a flavor of fish. You might want the mild sweetness to complete the ramen touring around Japan.’
Another Loblaw’s variety found at the Canadian SuperStore. I like shrimp. Sounds interesting and lacking a name which I enjoy. My wife’s favorite color is yellow. Let us begin.
This came by way of Robert over at www.dadbert.com – thanks! I’ve never seen hide nor hare of this variety ever before – anywhere. Test market in Kentucky? Perhaps. It looks like these are a meat version of the Very Veggie really; lots of meat instead of vegetables. My thought – screw it – I mean put lots of meat AND vegetables in there. In fact, screw that – do a retort pooch with meat and vegetables – now you’re talking! Nissin – you’re here in the United States already – use real meat! Retort pouches are the salvation – they shall bring a whole new age to the domestic instant noodle industry in America! At least that’s my vision. Let’s check it out!
Found this one at Walmart here in the area. Actually it was a Walmart Market – basically just groceries. Figured what the heck – it looks interesting. Shall we?
This one was in a Ramen Trunk subscription box.These boxes are full of extremely high end varieties that you’ll never find in the United States or anywhere outside Japan! Check out this link and use coupon code RAMENRATER20OFF for 20% off any single box or subscription!
During my 2017 trip to Taiwan, I visited a 7-Eleven in Taipei. I pointed out a variety and my friend corrected my speech. I thought for years this brand was Ve Wong – pronounced vee wong. Actually, it’s more like way wong. It appears I was way wrong on this. But now I know! Yeah, poor joke. Roll your eyes and let’s have a look at this neat variety!
One of the very last varieties sent by the Butlers from their trip to Italy – thanks again! Yup – Italian yakisoba! Not something you’d expect, eh? Well here it is and I think we’ll just have to crack it open and take a look – let’s do it!
The spicy fire trend reaches everywhere – here’s one from MAMA of Thailand now! It’s nice to see honestly; people really seem to like it hot and that’s something for years that wasn’t really offered. Something ‘hot and spicy’ was often anything but. Let’s see if this one packs a punch!
This one was in a Ramen Trunk subscription box.These boxes are full of extremely high end varieties that you’ll never find in the United States or anywhere outside Japan! Check out this link and use coupon code RAMENRATER20OFF for 20% off any single box or subscription!
Dig on ramen? Check out one of these neat Zenpop boxes! Use the coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!
When I used to drink (and I was very good at it, mind you), I would often try beers from different countries. One I remember from South Korea was Hite beer. It’s pretty good stuff – they had them in cans and bottles and then in these huge plastic jugs which I would get from time to time. This one’s a private label variety from Samyang Foods that came in a recent box from them. Very curious about this one – let’s give it a looksie…
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!
Today we have a Zenpop.JP variety – so what’s Zenpop? They’re a subscription service for all things Japanese! Definitely, check them out. By the way, use coupon code RAMENRATER to get $2 off! Here’s what they had to say about this one – ‘Laksa, a spicy noodle soup dish of Singapore, joins Zenpop Ramen this month to try and win the Zenpop Ramen Cup. The creamy coconut flavor is spiced up with chili and coriander. How do you like this iconic Asian taste?’
Another one from the Real Canadian SuperStore! Man, I just ran my knee into a metal bar that supports my desk. That really hurt. I’ve been doing a lot of walking yesterday – on my birthday last week I did 18,000+ steps – yesterday I did over 15,000. I’m knee deep into trying to walk as much as possible. I think by the time this post comes out I’ll have lost a lot more weight. I started in November, 2018. I was wearing size 48 pants – yeah… It’s March and I’m down to 42, so we shall see where I’m at then… Been trying to stick around 1,200 calories a day too… I’m going to bake some chicken to go with this one. I like chicken. Let’s look at this one.
Today we have a Zenpop.JP variety – so what’s Zenpop? They’re a subscription service for all things Japanese! Definitely, check them out. By the way, use coupon code RAMENRATER to get $2 off! Here’s what they had to say about this one – ‘Chicken based shoyu ramen – the kind that makes you cherish your memory eating your first shoyu ramen. (natsukoshi roughly means nostalgic). This is like the ramen you see being waten at yatai food stalls set up on streets by characters in some anime. Chopped chashu (roast pork) goes well with this simple, most enjoyed ramen.’
This is an interesting one. Made in China for the US market. I found this one at a Fred Meyer supermarket here in Lynnwood – the last place I’d expect to see something like this. Not a complaint by any means – nice to see more diversity at domestic grocery stores. Curious what vegetable this one will taste like – broccoli? Peas? Bell peppers? Let’s find out!
Spicy stuff! So this one is the latest of the standard pillow pack varieties of the ‘fire noodle’ series. For those of you who don’t know what topokki is, here’s a little something from Wikipedia –
Today we have a Zenpop.JP variety – so what’s Zenpop? They’re a subscription service for all things Japanese! Definitely, check them out. By the way, use coupon code RAMENRATER to get $2 off! Here’s what they had to say about this one – ‘This ramen was first released by New Touch in 1985: It has stuck around so long because it is a delicious twist on the classic shoyu ramen. With extra negi (green onion) and just a touch of spicy (“pirikara in Japanese) this is a simple yet satisfying bowl of noodles.’
Here’s another one sent by the company – thank you! I’ve had quite a few squid yakisoba varieties. This one though is by a different brand – all the others were by the same brand, so this should be a bit different. Having trouble thinking of what to say here; just had a hellstorm with a WordPress update and it’s fixed so feeling happy right now. Sorry! Anyways, let’s check it out!
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.
Found this at Dollarama, a dollar store up in Canada. A cup of beef. See the little microwave icon on the lower right? We don’t have a microwave currently. Our old one was 20 years old, give or take a year and I though ‘hey – we should get a new one.’ It seemed to be cooking things inconsistently so we went and ordered a new one. It was all screwed up so we returned it last night. Found another one which was really neat! Got it home, lugged it in, opened it up to see this –
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.
I’m starting to feel like with the sheer amount of products I’m finding lately that a list for vegetarian people might not be too far off. But we’ll see. A lot of companies (including MyKuali as you can see here) are getting on board with catering to the Vegetarian folks. Let’s see what the differences are going to be with this one.
Check this out! Top Ten listers Mom’s Dry Noodles have collaborated iwth a Thai company to make a couple neat curry varieties! They’ve not done anything non-Taiwanese styled before, so this should be interesting – check out the unboxing video!
Another one from my trips to Chin World up in Richmond, BC. Remember kids, if you’re coming from the states, bring your Canadian cash because they’re not going to take your cards or exchange your greenbacks for ya! Really interested in how this one’s going to be – last one I tried wasn’t too shabby from this brand so let’s take a look!
Got an email from a reader named Donald J about this one and he wanted to send a sample – well, here it is! Thanks! Always very interested in Korean varieties – especially ones I’ve not seen before!
This one was in a Ramen Trunk subscription box.These boxes are full of extremely high end varieties that you’ll never find in the United States or anywhere outside Japan! Check out this link and use coupon code RAMENRATER20OFF for 20% off any single box or subscription!Here’s what they had to say about this particular variety – “Kagoshima prefecture is located towards the souther part of Kyushu Island and is defined by it’s proximity to the sea.
Well look here something brand new from MyKuali! I think the last new thing they introduced was their fried noodle – their mee goreng. This one though – I’ve never heard of this before. Let’s look at Wikipedia and see what we can find –
Today I’m reviewing the third iteration of this variety from Singapore. I really like good prawn flavor and hoping this one blows my mind like Prima Taste’s other varieties. Let’s give it a try!
This one was in a Ramen Trunk subscription box.These boxes are full of extremely high end varieties that you’ll never find in the United States or anywhere outside Japan! Check out this link and use coupon code RAMENRATER20OFF for 20% off any single box or subscription!
Today we have a Zenpop.JP variety – so what’s Zenpop? They’re a subscription service for all things Japanese! Definitely, check them out. By the way, use coupon code RAMENRATER to get $2 off! Here’s what they had to say about this one – ‘Hard, thin, straight noodle fits excellently with thick and rich tonkotsu soup. In Japanese ramen shops, we can choose the hardness of the ramen noodles! Cook this for only one minute to experience the ‘barikata’ noodles!’
Alright so here’s one we found up in Canada at China Worlsd in Richmond, BC. That’s a really fascinating store with lots of products I’ve never seen before. But hey if you go there – bring cash if you’re coming from the US – and make sure it’s Canadian cash! Let’s get started.
Today we have a Zenpop.JP variety – so what’s Zenpop? They’re a subscription service for all things Japanese! Definitely, check them out. By the way, use coupon code RAMENRATER to get $2 off! Here’s what they had to say about this one – ‘There are mainly two kinds of yakisoba in Japan: sauce and salt flavors. This one is sauce yakisoba with a great mixture of browned garlic and Tamari shoyu, which is said to have a much thicker and milder taste than regular shoyu. Add the mayonnaise and stir them well to make the perfect yakisoba – universally loved in Japan.’
It’s that time again – time to run down the worst varieties I’ve ever had. That’s no small task either – this list is current as of review #3180. These are the ten worst ones, in my opinion, leaving a lasting negative impression on my taste buds. With that, I again give you what you want.
Dig on ramen? Check out one of these neat Zenpop boxes! Use the coupon code RAMENRATER for a discount!
Here’s a spin on the fire noodle – a cook in bag noodle with rice. Definitely something different, that’s for sure! I mean, it’s one thing to copy something, but this isn’t that – it’s unique and hopefully really good – let’s find out!
