Umai Crate: Japanese Instant Ramen Box – January 2019 – Unboxing Time
Another month, another box! We have a new Umai Crate to unbox! Japan Crate curates these and there’s always something interesting going on in these boxes – usually quite a few somethings! Coupon code below – check it out!
Unboxing Time: Japan Ramen Box – January 2019
Here’s the most recent Japan Ramen Box – a subscription box full of instant ramen from Japan! Curious as to what’s inside? Let’s have a look!
#3098: Lau Liu Tou Hand-Made Noodles Spicy Beef Flavor – China
Here’s one we found up in Richmond, BC at China World. That was a tough store. Mainly it was because we went there and got a ton of noodles and then find out they only accept cash. That sucked. So we ended up coming back! Let’s look at this one!
#3097: Yum Yum Tem Tem Squid With Lime – Thailand
Here’s a variety from Yum Yum – really interested in this one since I really like squid. I even have a brand new pack of frozen carved squid to delve into! Let’s squid it up!
#3096: Prima Taste Singapore Black Pepper Crab Flavoured La Mian – Singapore
Here’s something pretty cool – I was contacted by the folks at Prima Taste who said they had a new product. Now their Whole Grain Laksa has been number one on my top ten for 3 years now, so naturally I want to try something new from them. They don’t come out with new stuff often and never had anything I didn’t like.
#3095: Daikoku Tonkotsu Ramen – Japan
Here’s one from Japan Ramen Box – a subscription service out of Japan. Here’s what they have to say about this Daikoku variety – ‘If you’re a fan of pork bone soup and love the rich, delicious
taste of pork, then Daikokuken Tonkotsu Ramen is a perfect meal for you! It’s a gem of a pig bone soup, and is finished with the rich taste of pork extract. The noodles are mediumfine,
slightly transparent, and the perfect additions to an already flavorful broth. If you’re in the mood, you can even add your favorite ramen soup ingredients to enhance the
experience! Go wild!’
#3094: Nongshim Oolong Men Beef – United States
Found this one up in Canada. Nongshim products in Canada are interesting because unlike in the United States where you can find ones made here as well as from South Korea, Canada also has products that come from the Chinese Nongshim factory. That’s a lot of sources for one brand! Let’s check it out!
#3093: Sichuan Baijia Green Curry Shrimp Flavor Instant Vermicelli – China
Here’s one I found up in Canada – can’t remember where. Green curry is one of my favorite flavors, however not one that I think I’ve ever seen coming out of China. Sichuan Baijia has been coming out with more and more different varieties – and different little cartoon characters on their packaging. Let’s give this one a try and see how it fares.
Meet The Manufacturer: #3092: Way Premium Foods Authentic Penang Asam Laksa – Malaysia
Today, we bid a fond farewell to this great series of products from Way Premium Foods of Malaysia with a Malaysian favorite, Asam Laksa. Here’s some info about it from WIkipedia –
Meet The Manufacturer: #3091: Way Premium Foods Authentic Chili Crab Noodles – Malaysia
Yesterday, we looked at Singapore Laksa. Today we look at another well-known Singaporean dish – Chili Crab. Here’s some info from Wikipedia –
Meet The Manufacturer: #3090: Way Premium Foods Authentic Singapore Laksa – Malaysia
Bringing us to the midpoint of this special Meet The Manufacturer series is some Singapore Laksa. Here’s some info about it from Wikipedia –
Meet The Manufacturer: #3089: Way Premium Foods Authentic Penang Prawn Mee – Malaysia
One thing’s for sure – when I visited Penang, Malaysia in 2014, I tried a lot of prawn mee. A lot. I think upwards of 5 different bowls from different hawkers and restaurants. It’s serious business, folks! Strong prawn flavors, a sweetness, just plain amazing stuff that’s delicious and addictive. When it comes to prawn mee, I’m very interested. Let’s delve into this new one from Malaysia and see what makes it tick.
Meet The Manufacturer: #3088: Way Premium Foods Authentic Thai Laksa – Malaysia
Well here’s something new to me – Thai laksa. I’ve had Singapore and Malaysian laksa befroe, but never Thai. Here’s a bit about laksa from Wikipedia –
Meet The Manufacturer: #3087: Way Premium Foods Premium Scallop Noodles – Malaysia
Today we begin a special spotlight series of six different and new varieties from Malaysia. We start with this scallop noodle. Here’s a little something about scallops from Wikipedia –
Meet The Manufacturer: Product Samples From Way Premium Foods – Malaysia
Here we go with a big box of samples from a company that has it’s main roots in sauces and now makes a range of noodle products! Let’s check it out!
Interview With Way Premium Foods – Malaysia
#3086: Nissin Raoh Kogashi Shoyu – Japan
Here’s one from Japan Ramen Box – a subscription service out of Japan. Here’s what they have to say about this Nissin Raoh variety – ‘First released to the public in 1992, Nissin Roa received the title of “Noodle King” for incorporating noodles, soup, and other ingredients together into one amazing dish. As the times have begun to change and technology has allowed
further advancement in the science of ramen, Nissin Rao has also evolved. By creating a dish with deliciousness that cannot be tasted at a ramen shop, this new sensation incorporates the peppery sweet, three-times straightened, and all around delicious fried noodles with their garlic flavored soy sauce. Enjoy pork bone flavors combined with white miso, accented with peppers, and garnished with garlic oil. You’ve never tasted Nissin Rao ramen like this before!’
#3085: Sapporo Ichiban Oil Soba Shrimp – Japan
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 is a special kind of “yakisoba” soupless noodle dish. Shoyu and miso based sauce is flavored with a toasty taste of shrimp, and the curly noodles catch the delicious sauce well. The savory sauce, the crunchy cabbage, and the meat. Everything in the bowl intensifies your appetite.’
#3084: Itomen Yamaimo Soba – 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.
#3083: Burung Layang Terbang Kweitiau Kuah Rasa Ayam Bawang – Indonesia
Here’s one I found over at Waroeng Jajanan, the amazing Indonesian store on 99 in Edmonds. If you’re in Washington state and interested in anything Indonesian entering your stomach, go there. Trust me on this.
#3082: Mivina Banana Flavor Instant Noodles – Ukraine
A big thank you to Artur, a friend of The Ramen Rater! This is the very first dessert-style instant noodle I’ve ever tried. Ever! Not only that, It’s fromthe Ukraine! I’ve seen dessert yakisoba before in chocolate as well as strawberry shortcake flavor, and I expected those would be what I would eventually get to try. But this was way out of nowhere. Thank you again! Let’s give it a try! It’s banana time!
Meet The Manufacturer: #3081: Fu Chung Village Dry Noodles With Sauce – Garlic & Sesame Flavor – Taiwan
We bid a fond farewell to Fu Chung today and I hope we will see more of their products in the future! Let’s try this one – sesame and garlic!
Meet The Manufacturer: #3080: Fu Chung Village Dry Noodles With Sauce – Basil & Clam Flavor – Taiwan
Here we have the second of three varieties from Fu Chung – a basil and clam flavor! Sounds interesting – let’s hit it up!
Meet The Manufacturer: #3079: Fu Chung Village Dry Noodles With Sauce – Spicy Sichuan Pepper With Vinegar – Taiwan
Here’s the first of a trio from Fu Chung – a spicy Sichuan variety with vinegar. No doubt this includes Sichuan pepper. Now, it’s not like a fleshy chili pepper – it’s a peppercorn. Here’s a little about Sichuan pepper flavor from Wikipedia –
Meet The Manufacturer: Product Samples From Fu Chung – Taiwan
When I received them, I did an unboxing video showing what came in the box from Fu Chung. Let’s see what’s inside!
Meet The Manufacturer: Interview with Fu Chung – Taiwan
#3078: Itsuki Kurume Ramen – 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.
Tokyo Treat Valentine’s Day Chocolate Break!
I recently was contacted by Tokyo Treat about trying their box and thought it would be neat to do an episode of The Chocolate Break with it – so we did! Check it out and hey – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount – something great for Valentine’s Day!
#3077: Acecook Yuzu Somen – 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.
#3076: Rooster Chili Chicken Flavour Noodle Soup – Canada
Here’s one of the many varieties I still have from Rooster, a range made in China for Canada’s Loblaw’s company. Loblaw’s owns The Real Canadian SuperStore, and that’s where I found these. Just think of Walmart, but slightly different and Canadian owned – not American. Let’s check this one out – the others in this range have been surprisingly good despite the very plain look to them.
#3075: Sapporo Ichiban Spicy Otafuku Okonomiyaki Sauce Yakisoba – Japan
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 – ‘Ripe jalapeno peppers are used to make the Yakisoba addictively spicy. Adding mayonnaise brings out the sour and savory taste of the okonomiyaki sauce. Even in this hot weather, the smell of the yakisoba will always intensify your appetite.’
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2019 Edition
It’s January 2019, and so it is time for the first of many Top Ten Lists. I always start the year with the latest South Korean Top ten. This list was compiled as of posting 3,058 unique reviews of instant noodles, 349 of which are South Korean. All varieties are manufactured in South Korea. If you are a company interested in having your products showcased, please drop me a line. Let’s begin!
#3074: Maggi Pedas Giler Perisa Ayam Bakar Mi Goreng – Malaysia
This was one in a box sent by Mohd from Selangor, Malaysia – thank you again! So I was trying to figure out how to translate this one. Basically, Pedas Giler is ‘crazy spicy.’ I’m all in on this one. Let’s check it out!
#3073: Trader Joe’s Miso Ramen Soup – United States
A lot of people enjoy visiting Trader Joe’s and trying their products. Actually, there aren’t many products if any that I think are actually ‘their’ products – they get companies who make a good product to do a ‘private label,’ often the same product or some with a couple tweaks and then packaged with Trader Joe’s graphics. I believe this one to be actually a cup of Mike’s Mighty Good Craft Ramen. Anyways, let’s check this new cup out!
#3072: Canton Instant Noodles Beef Flavour – Bangladesh
Here’s one I found up in Richmond, BC Canada at The Real Canadian SuperStore. They had a ton of interesting stuff in there not only in their ethnic section, but their domestic section. Let’s take a look.
#3071: Uncle Sun Dry Chili Crab Noodle – Malaysia
The second of two new varieties (the first being Black Pepper Crab) that Uncle Sun sent my way. Chili Crab is considered the national dish of Singapore. Let’s check it out!
#3070: A-Sha Gourmet Traditional Taiwanese Soybean Paste Noodle – Taiwan
Time for dry noodle! This is the second from a set of four new A-Sha varieties. Soybean paste noodles impart a kind of meaty hit to them usually. Let’s give ’em a try!
#3069: Vedan Wei Wei Premium Noodle With Spicy Beef – Taiwan
Here’s one sent by a reader who found it in the Philippines – thanks! Definitely looks different from the ones found in Taiwan. Export version! Let’s check it out!
#3068: Sapporo Ichiban Japanese Style Noodles Soy Sauce Flavor – United States
This is interesting in a couple ways. First off, this variety has been called Original in both the cup and pack versions up til not – in the bowl, however, it’s getting the stamp of Soy Sauce. Not only that, I did see that they also have the Shio version available – not sure about the Miso but I do think I may have seen that. Let’s crack into this one and give it a try!