The Definitive Source For Instant Noodle Reviews Since 2002
Today, we bid adieu to Red Chef with this, the last review. I’ve had quite a few clear soup varieties in my day – and they’ve always kind of confused me, to be honest. The name kind of brings up the thought of something thin and kind of bland to be honest, but they’re generally never that. With what I’ve sampled from Red Chef thus far, I’m going to guess bland isn’t going to be what I find here. Let’s check out this clear soup, the last of the four reviews for this Meet The Manufacturer!
It seems that Red Chef is focusing their range on unique facets in their creations – Sakura prawn, the green tom yum and here we have a white curry with pandan. So, what’s pandan? Here’s a bit from Wikipedia –
Green Tom Yum? Hey, this is something unique and new to me! I wonder what the story is on this… Let’s find out from Red Chef:
Got word of the fourth variety of Red Chef’s range was going to be coming my way and so was really excited to try. This time, FedEx guy just left it at the door without making me sign for it. Kind of funny how it works – sometimes they want a signature, sometimes they dont. Sometimes they bring it to the door, others they get brought to the apartment office. Well, let’s crack it open!
To start things off, we have a variety with Sakura prawns. I’ve never heard of these – here’s what Wikipedia has to say about them:
It’s usually the same thing every time – a knock at the door and a semi-confused looking guy handing me a package. We have some Lunar New Year stuff on our front door and so I’m guessing they’re expecting someone Asian to answer their knocking. Surprise! Big white guy. Anyways, let’s see what neat things are inside this box!
Here’s another one I picked up at Osaka Market up in Richmond, BC in Canada. I’d seen this variety on Instagram plenty of times and was pretty stoked to see it available. First, here’s some info from reader Sara Adam de Souza about it – thank you!
I don’t know if this one came before or after the famous ‘special edition lobster’ variety by this company, but this looks like it’s going to be quite a different variety. Here’s a little about ribs in Korea –
I’ve always been impressed how often MyKuali changes their recipes. I want to say this may be the fourth iteration of the Hokkien Prawn Noodle thus far – at least that they’ve sent and I know of. I’ll admit I’ve not always been keen on the changes, but it really is nice to see companies that want to keep improving – even a product that’s very well received to begin with. Let’s see how this new change taste!
This was one variety I didn’t want to leave Taiwan without. I was lucky – we walked around the food expo in Taiwan last November and didn’t see it. Then We went through the beer, wine and spirits section and boom – there it is! A huge booth for TTL (Taiwan Tobacco & Liquor) and a guy asks is he could answer any questions. ‘Where are the noodles?’ Well, I showed him my event badge and he knew who I was which was very cool. Nice guy who went by the name of Ben – if you see this Ben, contact me – would love to do an interview about this product line!
I’m sure you can guess – I found this one in Taiwan. Got this at RT-Mart, a huge grocery and department store in November of 2017. So XO sauce – here’s a little about it from Wikipedia –
Here’s another one from Zenpop.JP. Zenpop offers a lot of diverse Japanese boxes – lots of assorted things like ramen and also stationary among other things. Here’s what they have to say about this variety –
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.
Here’s one I dragged back to the United States from Taiwan. I know I’ve seen close to the same thing here in the USA, but I wanted to see if the non-export version could be better. I have a feeling it will be. Here’s a little info about braising from Wikipedia –
This variety comes by way of Japan Ramen Box. Japan Ramen Box is a new subscription box outfit with neat varieties to check out! Go visit their website and have a look! This is wantan men – let’s see what Wikipedia has to say about this variety –
You may recall I reviewed some Nissin Cup Noodles Tom Yum chips a while back – those were from Singapore while these are from Hong Kong. Here’s a little about tom yum from Wikipedia –
I looked around a bit and read that these big things in here are burdock tempura. Should be interesting – if you don’t know about burdock, here’s some info from Wikipedia –
There have been some big changes over at MyKuali and the recipes of all their flavors are getting a bit of ‘tweaking.’ Many times in the past, MyKuali has changed recipes. I’m very curious to see what they’ve done with this one. The first time I tried it was in 2014 and I really enjoyed it then – it ended up on the 2015 Top Ten – let’s see how this new recipe taste.
Okay so I’ve reviewed this one in the past, however they’ve changed the recipe. Nissin Singapore sent me samples for review (thank you!) and so I’ve been going through many of these new version cups.
This was one I couldn’t leave Taiwan without. I saw this at RT Mart during my trip and passed it up since it was a 4 or 5 pack. But when I saw it again at Carrefour, I realized I’d better snag this one.
Another one I picked up at Osaka in the Yaohan Centre up in Richmond, BC. This should prove to be a boatload of yakisoba! So, what’s yakisoba? Here’s what wikipedia has to say on the matter –
This one comes by way of Japan Ramen Box. Japan Ramen Box is a new subscription box outfit with neat varieties to check out! Go visit their website and have a look!
Here’s one I got up in Canada a few months back. Yeah – lately we go up to Canada almost once a month. It’s fun up there – I’m thinking though we’re going to have to venture outside of just going to Richmond and hitting Vancouver one of these days.
Here’s another one from Zenpop.JP. Zenpop offers a lot of diverse Japanese boxes – lots of assorted things like ramen and also stationary among other things. Here’s what they have to say about this variety –
This is the instant noodle that started my fascination with Malaysia. About five years ago I got some samples and was just floored. It hit 7th place back then on the top ten spicy list and was a really big deal. Then it hit #1 on the regular top ten list in 2014. The recipe has changed at least three times since it’s original release I think and this might be the fourth iteration of flavor for Penang White Curry from Mykuali. Let’s not delay – let’s give it a try!
Today, we say goodbye to Meimen and their trifecta of instant noodle varieties as we take a look at their hot & sour variety. As I mentioned previously, all three are Vegan-friendly varieties. Let’s dig into this, the final noodle from Meimen for Meet The Manufacturer.
Here’s another one – the second of three varieties from Meimen of Taiwan for this Meet The Manufacturer series. As mentioned previously, all of these are Vegan-friendly. I should also mention – I really like the artwork on these! Let’s take a look at this soy bean paste variety.
To start things off, we have a tomato variety from Meimen. Just as a reminder, all of the Meimen products are Vegan.
Can’t do a Meet The Manufacturer series without samples! Here they are!
I found this one at RT Mart in Taipei., Taiwan. Okay so RT Mart. It’s big – I mean big. The aisle with instant noodles was probably the largest I’ve seen to date not only lengthwise, but height as well.
Found this one at the Jason’s Market grocery store in the bottom of the Taipei 101. I thought it looked interesting; first, it’s from Thailand. Second, it’s bean thread. I haven’t reviewed anything with beat thread in a very, very long time!
Alrighty so here’s another one of the Myojo varieties I have from Singapore. These are new formulations of longstanding popular varieties. Indeed, they invoke the term ‘yummy’ on this packaging and I will admit that although I rarely use it, it’s an important term. Let’s see if it’s fitting to include it in this one.
So what we have here is something from the United States I haven’t really delved into much. I reviewed their Cup-A-Soup on review #2544. I thought this was a Cup-A-Soup, however, it’s a Soup Secrets variety. It’s getting cold outside – better eat your soup! Wait I shouldn’t have told you that because it’s a secret… The soup secret. Don’t tell anyone… Let’s have a look.
Was emailed in October 2017 by a representative of this company about trying their samples. I thought hey – of course, I’ll try them. I don’t know if I’ve ever turned down samples – the only time I do usually is when there’s a variety that’s just noodles – no flavoring. Although I’ve done reviews of just noodles and just broths that can be mixed and matched though.
Here’s one that came my way from Nissin Hong Kong – thank you! This looks interesting – a Korean variety from Hong Kong. It seems like Korean varieties are popular throughout southeast Asia – saw quite a few in November 2017 in Taiwan. Anyways, let’s have a look inside and give this Korean spicy one a try!
Found this one at Uwajimaya a few months back. We decided to go down to a dim sum restaurant nearby called Ocean Star. It used to be Sun Ya – a place I went to growing up and I hadn’t been back since they changed hands a couple years back.
I received this as a gift from a representative of the Little Cook brand in Taipei, Taiwan at the Taiwan International Food Expo! Thank you very much! She also accepted the third place award from The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition – Little Cook Green Curry – at the awards show.
I’m happy to announce that in cooperation with Gourmet Ramen Club, the availability of a new box of noodles! This box has a fiery mix of the hottest of the hot – the spiciest instant noodles in the world! So have a look at the video and get yours today!
