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This one seems a little different. So, it says 3 flavors in 1 noodle.
Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. To prepare, boil noodle for 5~6 minutes, then 30 seconds with lid on. Drain. Add in sachet contents. Finally, stir and enjoy!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Our local store sells these for $4 each. I thought this was a little high and then I went to a different store and they were $2 which seemed a bit more reasonable. These are the popular bowls Nongshim has been producing and selling for years – I have seen them be made! It’s a very impressive process, with lots of little interesting things. One is a machine that checks each and every bowl to see if say a screw from the machinery fell into a bowl – they don’t. It’s pretty neat stuff. Most people are really into the whole deal with making noodles, but I find it fascinating. Let’s cook one of these up.
Recently, my wife and I inherited an air fryer. We’re pretty late to the ‘revolution’ of a tabletop convection oven on steroids that can make crispy french fries and chicken nuggets like nothing else. But of course, you probably guessed instant noodles wouldn’t be far behind. This is my first attempt, but most certainly not my last. I didn’t do any research – I decided to just wing it after making a few things over the past two days. Let’s see what happened!
Okay so you know mi goreng, right? Well, this is mi goreng with a noodle made from corn. Yep – corn. What’s great about it is that it’s low cal and gluten free. Unlike rice vermicelli, its not dry, and unlike bean thread, it’s not extremely sloppy. This is the perfect balance. Let’s give it a go.
So I have a group called Ramen Junkies on facebook. Well, a group of us moderate the group and Pher Engi is our newest member. It’s an international group of like minded instant noodle fans. Let’s see what she sent – and thank you!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Found this one recently at Boo Han Market in Edmonds, Washington. I rarely buy a multipack, but I found this one so compelling that I figured why not. Bulgogi is a delectable dish which usually isn’t represented well when not in it’s original form, and marrying it to something as western as an alfredo pasta seemed really fascinating – if it works. Let’s see if they can manage to balance the authenticity of both dishes well.
Here’s one that came by way of The Fat Hipster – check him out on YouTube! Thanks, man! This looks to be quite a departure from the normal Buldak fare – basil and cream seems pretty usual, but udon – hmm. It sounds pretty decent – let’s give it a try! Oh, and yes – there will be a mukbang at the bottom.
The last one by this brand I tried was spectacular – a wide and chewy dry noodle with a savory sauce. This one brings a thinner noodle. I’m really curious – let’s give it a try!
With the recent event unfolding in Israel, I thought I’d repost the three reviews I have of products for sale there. There’s a story with them about my family – I found out I have a brother a couple of years ago. May he and his family be safe and peace come soon for all.
Very curious about this one. So here’s a little background on birria –
Birria (Spanish: [ˈbirja] (
listen)) is a Mexican dish from the state of Jalisco. It is a traditional soup or stew made from a combination of chili pepper-based goat meat adobo, garlic, cumin, bay leaves, and thyme, and cooked at a low heat. Birria is slow-stewed in a pot (olla), and differs from barbacoa, which is cooked underground. Beef, lamb, sheep, chicken, or vegan meat substitutes are alternatives for goat. It may be seasoned and garnished with onion, cilantro, and lime. It is commonly accompanied with handmade corn tortillas.[1] Birria is one of the most famous dishes from Central Mexico including Jalisco and Michoacan. Each municipality and state is said to have its own version of this dish. The most famous are goat birria from Apatzingan, Michoacan and from Guadalajara, Jalisco San Pedro Tlaquepaque, are also well known for the quality of their birria.[2]
Here’s the second Cielo variety – Menudo. When I kid, I think on the ABC channel they had a lot of stuff about a show called Menudo – or a band – and I think Ricky Martin was in it? Well, that’s different from the soup. Menudo was honestly the first real introduction to latino culture I really got – I grew up in a town that was pretty white. It isn’t that way anymore which is nice though – lots of different people. Here’s what the soup consists of – ‘In Mexican cuisine, Menudo, also known as pancita ([little] gut or [little] stomach) or mole de panza (“stomach sauce”), is a traditional Mexican soup, made with cow’s stomach (tripe) in broth with a red chili pepper base. Hominy, lime, onions, and oregano are used to season the broth.’ I can probably pull off some lime and onions. I tried hominy once before I realized it is cooked in bacon fat and I never have bacon, nor bacon fat on hand. Let’s give this a try!
Here’s one I found at JD’s Market in Lynnwood, Washington. I hit the store up about once a year and generally find something or other I’ve not tried before. Let’s check it out!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Did this review on Halloween of 2022! Seemed fitting enough. I wish I could remember where I picked this up; oh wait – I got it at HMart the day I went and saw the 40th anniversary screening of Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan. That was so great – haven’t seen that movie on the big screen and that made it really amazing. Before that my buddy Matt and I went to Seattle’s University district to grab some food . It was an interesting day – soon as we got down there his car started blowing smoke from under the hood. overheating. So we went walking around and found Aladdin Falafel – got a shwarma on flatbread thing and it was great – could eat that every day. After an hour or so we drove his car up to the theater in Lynnwood by the Alderwood Mall; taking backroads. All went well although it was kind of white knuckled. But it worked out. But yeah we went to the HMart which is next to the theater and he got a beer and pounded half of it then we went in and watched the movie. Good times. I used to listen to the soundtrack for Star Trek II before bed when I was a kid – I had it on cassette. Yeah, I was a weird kid.
Back in 2016, I reviewed this one before my son Miles was a year old. This was my 2000th review at that time, and I found it to be really quite good. It came in a special sunscription box (which I’ll tell you about below), and I figured it was due another look. Nissin Chikin Ramen was the first variety on the market in 1968 – and it didn’t have a seasoning sachet; the seasoning was in the noodle. This one is that way as well, and includes a freeze dried block with egg and other ingredients. This was also the first instant noodle I fell in love with when my favorite at age 8 or so was discontinued (Nissin Roasted Ramen). When my parents took me to Seattle to Uwajimaya, a big Japanese grocery, they asked them what was comparable and they steered me towards Nissin Chikin Ramen. I also saw all the different varieties on hand as well and was instantly transfixed; so much foreign text! Exotic flavors! I’m making this bowl today and going to let my daughter Mimi try it when she gets home from school.
This time, we have the third of this series – a hot and sour plain konjac noodle. The other two were really quite good – very curious about this one. Let’s find out!
You might not be familiar with pozole – I have tried a pozole ramen in the past but unfortunately I still haven’t sampled the actual dish. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about it – ‘Pozole (Spanish pronunciation: [po’sole]; from Nahuatl languages: pozolli, meaning cacahuazintle, a variety of corn or maize) is a traditional soup or stew from Mexican cuisine. It is made from hominy with meat (typically chicken , but possibly pork), and can be seasoned and garnished with shredded lettuce or cabbage, chilli peppers, onion, garlic, radishes, avocado, salsa or limes. Known in Mesoamerica since the pre-Columbian era, today the stew is common across Mexico and neighboring countries, and is served both as a day-to-day meal and as a festive dish.’
This came via ZenPlus – a special marketplace where you can get some of the best of Japan easily. Try using coupon code THERAMENRATER at checkout!
The last one of these I did contained lion’s mane mushroom – and it’s just amazing stuff I’d never heard of. Today though, it’s kelp and seasonal vegetables. I’m really curious and can’t wait to give this a try – let’s do it!
Here’s another variety I’d not seen which came by way of The Fat Hipster, a guy who has tried some fascinating things on his YouTube channel, and is also part of Section42, a group of moderators for the Ramen Junkies group on Facebook. Check both out – and thanks, bro!
I tried this 11 years ago. That’s a long time as far as my reviewing has gone. Back then it was review #761 – I still have the same bowl and I think I’ll use it again! Funny, I thought I got this from my mother in law and that I mentioned it in my review, but maybe it wasn’t this one. Hmm. Well, I gave it a 3.5 back then. Curious if I’ll like it now. It’s gluten free which I’ll mention to my wife. Let’s give it a try!
It’s time to unbox a Zenpop.jp box – you get seven varieties of instant noodles to try! I would say that almost every time I’ve gotten one of these, I’ve never tried any of them before which is really awesome. Great as a gift or to hoard for yourself! Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount! Let’s check it out!
Here’s one that came in a Zenpop.jp box – use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount!
Thanks to James from California for sending this over! This is one of the biggest noodle blocks I’ve ever seen. Pretty crazy – let’s cook it up!
This sounds great and I’m really quite curious. Braised beef noodle is a really wonderful thing in Taiwan. I’ve had the fortune of trying it over there and it’s just spectaular – rich flavor and beef that’s melt in your mouth wonderful. A-Sha also makes a boxed premium noodle with beef that’s been on the global top ten for a couple of years now. Let’s see what this new braised beef noodle tastes like – it can be prepared two different ways, too!
Back in 2013, I gained the ire of many Taiwanese netizens when varieties from over there didn’t make the top ten, and some made the bottom ten. In a ‘noodle diplomacy’ initiative, I asked companies who thought they had some special stuff to send it. A-Sha was the first to answer the call, introducing me to the Taiwanese dry noodle. Ten years later, here we are with their Meteor Noodle – a threesome of flavors with a unique noodle.
Big thanks to Pher Engi for sending this over! So, this variety I figured to be just a chicken mi goreng, but it isn’t. Ayam Pop is a dish from Sumatra – and while the image on the package seems to be a plain piece of chicken, looks can be deceiving! On Taste Atlas, I found this –
This one came by way of James from Lakeside, California – thanks! This is made in Thailand for a company in Kentucky. They really want you to know how wonderful this one is with its ‘best flavor ever!’ I guess I’ll have to see if that’s the case. Let’s find out!
Here’s a new and improved Chili Pan Mee from Meet Mee of Malaysia! Tried this initially a couple of years ago. If it’s better than back then, hold onto your hat! Let’s check it out.
Back in 2017 when the world was young (before I started Instant Noodle Recipe Time), this one graced my desk with its packaging exclaiming ‘more shrimptacular.’ The packaging has changed a bit and I got this one as part of a media kit espousing the virtue of their new Cup Noodles Fish Head Curry (which were quite good, I might add). Nissin Singapore has sent some really quite amazing and well thought out media kits as of late – can’t wait for more of them! Let’s give this new packaging cup a try.
This is it – the last of the great varieties that were sent by Mamee-Doubledecker. Thank you so much – it’s really been an amazing journey of flavor and new varieties! This is the cup version of the ghost pepper cheese. I previously did the pack version which was a real tough go. This one looks to be just a smaller version. They both have a sachet of ghost pepper oil – I think it works pretty darn well. Let’s do another mukbang!
Happy birthday to Nissin Cup Noodles! They originally debuted in 1971. The product came about when Momofuku Ando (Nissin’s founder) noticed travelers on flights along for cups of hot water to add pieces of instant noodle blocks to. Check out all their varieties!
From time to time, James sends me a box of noodles and he usually shoots an email – if he did this time I didn’t see it. This is a neat box of things I’ve not tried! Thank you very much!
In the mood for something exotic and a little different? I had this one a little while back – and then they made it even better! This is a really great variety from the folks at Meet Mee that’s done pretty well over in Malaysia! Let’s check out what they sent!
Over the years, I’ve met a great many people doing what I do, but none quite like my frien, His Grace the Rev. Dick Gazinya. He’s traveled the globe, seen the ravages of humanity as well as it’s triumphs, and built an empire on Tharg IV with aplomb and Daesenex rivers, healing the inheritors of the greatest ramen in the world. Indeed, Agent 45561A was comissioned by Weyland-Utani for maximum paradigms. May the Black Cardamom enthuse! Watch and see what was sent herein.
To begin, thanks to Pher Engi for sending this along with so many untried Indonesian varieties! Seblak Hot Jeletot. I searched and almost immediately found a site familiar to me – minime insights. This guy does market analysis on food trends and new things – he’s mentioned me in the past and I’ve check out his site quite a bit to find out about different products. In his post, he answers a lot of my questions, and leaves me with a little dilemma. First, this is a trending flavor. Second, jeletot turns out to be a Sundanese word (great now I have to figure out that Sundanese is) which means so hot your eyes pop out!
While I tried this in May of 2022, I heard through the grapevine that there may be some changes to this one so I thought hey – I like beef noodle – can’t hurt to give it another try. Nothing better than Taiwanese beef noodle, that’s for sure. Let’s check out this premium boxed variety.
Another one sent by Pher Engi – thanks again! This is the second of three varieties she sent in the Jiwa Pagi range by Kobe of Indonesia. The noodles are infused with carrot and green bean which is interesting. The last one had a nice flavor to it – let’s check this one out!
