#2671: Acecook Mochi-Mochi Yakisoba
Here’s another interesting one from Zenpop.JP – thanks! So Zenpop is doing monthly boxes of all sorts of things Japan-related including instant ramen of course. This one looks particularly interesting in that it’s an instant yakisoba made with noodles made from… Mochi? Here’s a little about mochi from Wikipedia –
Travels: Taiwan 2017 Day 4: Saturday @ The Food Expo
#2670: Nongshim Kimchi Ramyun Noodle
I picked this one up on a recent trip to Canada. Ok, so you might be wondering about this one. It’s made in Shanghai, China. Nongshim has factories all over the place and I’ve found that the different factories have slight variances in flavors. In the USA, this product would probably be coming from their Nongshim America factory in California. Hop the border though and most of the products up there come from China. It’s funny because they also have ones from the United States there as well. Anyways, Kimchi time! Let’s check it out.
Travels: Taiwan 2017 Day 3: Taiwan International Food Expo
#2669: KOKA Silk Instant Rice Fettucine Chicken Pho Flavor
Here’s another left from the Tat Hui Meet The Manufacturer from earlier this year. I’ve had a lot of pho instant varieties over the years and to be honest, I’ve liked only a couple of them, so I’m really hoping this is one I’ll like.
Travels: Taiwan 2017 Day 1 & 2: Travel, Arrival & Exploration
Day 1 & 2 * Day 3 * Day 4 * Day 5 * Day 6 * Day 7
Taiwan 2017 Day 1 & 2: Travel,. Arrival & Exploration
Off I Go
On November 14th, 2017, my wife drove me to Seattle International Airport. My main impetus for the trip was to do an awards show at the Taiwan International Food Expo – the first food show I’d ever been invited to. They asked if I’d come and do a little awards ceremony for the top three from The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition list that came out in September. I was definitely all in for doing this for sure – after visiting Taiwan last year I was keen on visiting again. This time was different – it was my first time travelling alone. I was a little pensive about this (I’m legally blind) but I have flown to Taiwan 3 times previously and so thought hey – I can do this. Oh – and a week before I broke my pinky toe. That was really annoying but broken toe be damned – I was going! So I got to the airport around 11pm, went through security, grabbed some drinks and snacks and headed to my gate. Hopped on the plane just after midnight.
#2668: Samyang Foods Wasa-Mayo Ramen
I’ve had this for a little while – just sitting and waiting for me to give it a try. With the prodding of my readers, today is the day. People seem to be really interested in this one! Here’s what Samyang Foods had to say about it –
#2667: Nissin Okinawa Soba
This is another one from Zenpop.jp. Zenpop is pretty cool – they have different boxes you can get – Japanese stationery, snacks, ramen… It’s quite a variety. They’re pretty cheap, too. Here’s what they had to say about this variety:
Restaurant: #2666: Hokkaido Ramen Santouka – Shio Tonkotsu – Bellevue, Washington
I’ve been asked many, many times to go try restaurant ramen by my readers. Well, Merry Christmas! As Gurney Halleck once said in the novel Dune, “Behold, as a wild ass in the desert, go I forth to my work.”
Happy Holidays From The Ramen Rater!
It’s been quite a year! I just wanted to send a big thank you to all my readers, folks who’ve sent in noodles, companies I’ve worked with and for all the help everyone has been on translating and everything else. Every day is such an enjoyable one because of you! From my family to yours, Happy Holidays!
Meet The Manufacturer: #2665: Alhami Instant Noodle Chicken Flavor
Today, we say goodbye to the Olagafood Meet The Manufacturer series. Overall, it’s been a fun and tasty experience! I want to thank Davin over at Olagafood again for everything – also want to thank Jonathan at Waroeng Jajanan for supplying garnish and insight into this series! Much appreciated!
Meet The Manufacturer: #2664: Maitri Instant Noodle Vegetarian Soup Flavor
Here’s another vegetarian one from Maitri – this one being an instant noodle with broth. As I have to remind people, I won’t be coming out with a top ten vegetarian list. I wish I could, but it’s just a point of so much contention I should go a little into it.
Meet The Manufacturer: #2663: Alhami Instant Noodle Soto Flavor
I reviewed a Maitri Soto variety earlier in this series, and since Jonathan at Waroeng Jajanan gave me some Soto Betawi, I thought I ought to review the non-vegetarian version to take advantage of the niceties therein. Here’s a little about Soto from Wikipedia –
Meet The Manufacturer: #2662: Alhami Instant Noodle Chicken Curry Flavor
So you’re probably going to say ‘so what gives – this is the second Alhami Chicken Curry one you’re reviewing. Key differences I see from the packaging are the work flavor and the word flavour. To me, this denotes two different markets that these will be in most likely. The second is this one’s shiny back and the other isn’t. Shiny backs are tough to scan as you’ll see below. Well, let’s get to it – it’s chicken curry time!
Meet The Manufacturer: #2661: Maitri Vegetarian Mie Goreng
Maitri is Olagafood’s vegetarian product line. So far, I’ve been pretty impressed; the flavors are quite good and it’s been a lot of fun reviewing them. This one is a vegetarian mie goreng – here’s a little about mie goreng from Wikipedia –
Meet The Manufacturer: #2660: Alhami Instant Noodles Chicken Curry Flavor
Curry has and always shall be one of my favorite flavors in this universe. Today it’s kari ayam – chicken curry. Let’s have a look and a taste!
Unboxing Time: Samples From Yum Yum Thailand
A little while back, a fellow from Yum Yum of Thailand contacted me. A friend had done a news story on German television about instant noodles (yes, they love instant noodle in Germany, too!) and he gave them my info to see if they’d like to do something with me. After a while, I’m happy to announce I received a really big box of different varieties! So today on Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater, we’ve got Yum Yum samples.
Meet The Manufacturer: #2659: Alhami Instant Noodle Beef Flavour
Today, it is beef. Beef is a flavor that’s very prevalent in instant noodle ranges from many countries, save a few. Very curious what this one will be like. Let’s find out!
Happy Bithday Miri! Repost: #2330: Ve Wong Little Prince(ss) Brand Snack Noodles Artificial Mexican Pizza Flavor
So I did this review the morning that my daughter Miriam was born one year ago today. Happy Birthday, Miri! I thought I’s repost it with a little update.
Meet The Manufacturer: #2658: Mikka Noodle Snack Barbeque Flavour
Here’s another one of the noodle snack varieties – today it’s a barbeque flavored one. These are pretty neat – you get a long strip of these little packages. Let have a look at this and give the barbeque flavor a try!
Meet The Manufacturer: #2657: Maitri Vegetarian Extra Hot Mie Goreng
Well hello there – extra hot! I like it spicy that’s for sure. Not a lot of varieties I’ve seen that are extra hot and also vegetarian. At least not having both variables mentioned on the packaging. I think this is interesting.
Meet The Manufacturer: #2656: Mikka Noodle Snack Roasted Corn Flavour
Whenever I see the word ‘corn’ on anything Southeast Asia, I always think of when I was at the airport in Penang, Malaysia. There was a little snack stall in there and it mentioned ‘corn in a cup.’ I thought this was the most fantastic thing; what could that possibly be? Our host looked at me like I was high and said plainly ‘it’s corn – in a cup.’
Meet The Manufacturer: #2655: Alhami Instant Noodle Prawn Flavour
I really like prawns – especially the big ones. Mantis prawns are really big – had those in Malaysia. The river prawns in Thailand are spectacular and prepared right they’re just as succulent as can be. I don’t know much about prawns in Indonesia. Let’s ask Wikipedia –
Meet The Manufacturer: #2654: Maitri Vegetarian Hot Curry Flavor
Well, well, well, I do love me some curry. Especially when it mentions that it’s hot! Maitri is the range that Olagafood makes that has all vegetarian-friendly options. Here’s a little about this flavor in Indonesia from Wikipedia –
Unboxing Time: Japan Ramen Box
What have we here? A new company doing subscription boxes, that’s what!
Japan Ramen Box – Japan
Meet The Manufacturer: #2653: Mikka Noodle Snack Sambal Balado Chilli Sauce Flavour
Not only does Olagafood make the vegetarian Maitri and the Alhami varieties, they also make snack noodles. Snack noodles are an interesting thing that’s found everywhere in Southeast Asia. Literally, they’re seasoned instant noodles which are crunchy and tasty, usually sold in small packets – often (like this one) in a strip of them connected by perforations. Here’s a little about Sambal Balada from Wikipedia – and some other sambals!
Meet The Manufacturer: #2652: Maitri Vegetarian Rasa Soto
Another line from Olagafood is Maitri. All of these are vegetarian. Today we have some soto – let’s hit up Wikipedia about it –
Meet The Manufacturer: #2651: Alhami Mi Instan Mi Goreng Spesial
Today we get this Meet The Manufacturer series started! It’s been a long time since doing one with an Indonesian company – in fact, I rarely get any new Indonesian varieties across my desk. We start with one of the most recognized dishes from Indonesia, Mi Goreng. Here’s a little about it from Wikipedia –
Meet The Manufacturer: Product Samples From Olagafood (2 of 2)
Here’s the second of two boxes of samples for this new Meet The Manufacturer. Let’s check out Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater!
Meet The Manufacturer: Product Samples From Olagafood (1 of 2)
Two packages came today – full of samples! Let’s do an Unboxing Time With The Ramen Rater and see what’s inside!
Meet The Manufacturer: Interview With Olagafood
Interview With Olagafood * Product Samples From Olagafood (1 of 2) * Product Samples From Olagafood (2 of 2) * Alhami Mi Instan Mi Goreng Spesial * Maitri Vegetarian Rasa Soto * Mikka Noodle Snack Sambal Balado Chilli Sauce Flavour * Maitri Vegetarian Hot Curry Flavor * Alhami Instant Noodle Prawn Flavour * Mikka Noodle Snack Roasted Corn Flavour * Maitri Vegetarian Extra Hot Mie Goreng * Mikka Noodle Snack Barbeque Flavour * Alhami Instant Noodle Beef Flavour * Alhami Instant Noodles Chicken Curry Flavor * Maitri Vegetarian Mie Goreng * Alhami Instant Noodle Chicken Curry Flavor * Alhami Instant Noodle Soto Flavor * Maitri Instant Noodle Vegetarian Soup Flavor * Alhami Instant Noodle Chicken Flavor
#2650: Paldo Flaming Hot Savoury Cheese Noodle
Well, the little cheese guy has gone from a place of meekness to one of anger. Let me show you.
#2648: Paldo Bulnak Pan Stirfried Noodle
Today we have an interesting little cup of noodles from South Korea – a little spicy one. This has been on my top ten spicy list for a while now and it’s some mean stuff.
#2647: Marutai Nagasaki Chanpon
Here’s one that came by way of Javier over at Box From Japan. With Box From Japan, you can get different subscription boxes – whether it be ramen or candy. Sometimes they have other special boxes – they have a Pikachu box, for example. Definitely worth a look!
#2646: Ching’s Secret Schezwan Instant Noodles
I remember the first time I heard about Ching’s Secret – I was very curious about this whole concept of Chinese food in India. As it turns out ‘Desi Chinese’ is kind of like American Chinese food insofar as Chinese bringing their food to a foreign country and adapting it to the tastes of the locals in order to sell more of it. This is a four pack and I would now like to make a formal complaint.
#2645: Happy Noodle Noodles With Minced Pork & Chinese Mustard Blend
Alright, so here we go! I’ve been curious about these since they showed up in the mail.
The box is interesting – kind of looks like a tissue box in a way but definitely nothing like that inside. There are four packages inside and they are accompanied by four sachets. Let’s take a look at this unique variety from Taiwan!
Unboxing Time: ‘Ramen At Home’ Book By Brian MacDuckston
A review copy! Books are awesome! Let’s take a look!
Unboxing Time: ‘Ramen At Home’ Book By Brian MacDuckston
#2644: Ottogi Budae Jjigae Ramen
The first time I’d heard about Budae Jigae instant noodles was when I read an article in my nes feed about this brand making one. So what is budae jjigae? Let’s have a look at this from Wikipedia –
#2643: KOKA Creamy Soup With Crushed Noodles Vegetable Flavour
Today, it’s yet another of the KOKA varieties leftover from the Meet The Manufacturer from earlier this year! I must say that the fact that instant noodle products have long shelf lives is really a nice thing!