
First, big thanks to James from Lakeside California for sending this. So, I’m generally not a huge fan of river snail noodle, however this one seems like it’s been very popular. There’s a tom of sachets. A ton. Let’s give it a go.
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First, big thanks to James from Lakeside California for sending this. So, I’m generally not a huge fan of river snail noodle, however this one seems like it’s been very popular. There’s a tom of sachets. A ton. Let’s give it a go.

Big thanks to James from Lakeside California for this. Okay first things first. He found this at Grocery Outlet in California. Yesterday, I walked over tot our local one in hopes that they might have some other varieties. They had the ones he sent – all the exact same ones. Second, these are definitely what are known as prison ramen; they have the earmarks with the clear packaging which makes it awful hard to smuggle and contraband using the packs. Well, it says it is made in the US so the next question – who makes these? This image of a sachet of Maruchan Creamy Chicken shows the text and font same as on these. But why? They already have a line of products for corrections. Anyways, I’m leaning towards them being the manufacturer – could be totally wrong though. Anyways, let’s give it a try!

Here’s one sent by James of Lakeside, California – thanks! The first of these was good as I remember and this one sounds very good. While made in China, everything is done specificall for the USA. Let’s give it a whirl!

This came by way of James from Lakeside, CA – thanks! This is a score – I so rarely get varieties for Europe! This is a beef with Sichuan pepper flavor variety – made in Vietnam for the Polish market. Rad! Let’s give it a whirl!

Another one from James of Lakeside, CA – thanks again! These are made in China, but everything of the packaging shows me its only made for US sales. Sounds like it’ll be decent – let’s find out!

Every once in a while, I get a box from a guy named James from Lakeside, California and it’s always full of really neat stuff. He struck again and sent a box of all over the place – huge thanks to you, sir! Let’s look at everything – I’ll discuss them and have some images of varieties I’ve already reviewed since it arrived.

Big thanks to James from Lakeside, California for sending this one! He also included a tin of something called krill meat he recommended for seafood varieties, so gonna give that a try. Let’s cook!

Well, as I type this is January 30th, 2025. Just had almost a full week of kids being sick and at the tail end while the kids are now back to school, we’ve got a cold. Feels like I got punched in the nose, my eyes are drippy, and I feel beat. Chicken instant noodles sound like a nice restorative, although I’ve got to go to the store and get scallions this morning. I feel the whole ‘I don’t want to do anything’ voice in my head but I learned a while back that if you listen to that voice, it’ll get its way. So onward! This one was sent by James from Lakeside, California – thanks again! I did get another from this interesting Ottogi range a while back. I want to say this is one that ends up in Mexico often – unsure. Anyways, on with it.

Here’s another one sent by James from Lakeside, California – thanks again! This is one of the varieties you can find at Dollar Tree and they’ve generally been quite good. Let’s see how this one stacks up.

Big thanks yet again to James from Lakeside, California! People that send in instant noodles to review really support what I’m doing aq lot and it is so appreciated. Some really great stuff in here – let’s take a look!

This one came by way of James from Lakeside, California – thanks again! Nope – haven’t reviewed this. I got shrimp! Let’s cook!

Another send by James of Lakeside – thanks! This one purports to be a dipping ramen, but it’s confusing as the whole broth thing is confusing. I dunno – but I’ll figure it out.

James from Lakeside, California emailed me the other day on some packs he found at Grocery Outlet and sent my way. These are very very interesting in that they’re got clear stuff going on, common prison named flavors, and so on. Watch the vid and maybe check you local Grocery Outlet should you have one. Thanks again man – awesome find!

James is a kind of noodle whisperer; he has been sending boxes with stuff in them that 99% of the time I’ve never heard of. This box is no different – lots of neat stutff in here including a variety made in Vietnam for Poland! Thanks!! Let’s take a look.

Thanks to James from Lakeside California for this one. My guess is this will be spicy; maybe Sichuan peppercorn spicy. This is a cold noodle, so it should be interesting. Well, let’s do this.

Big thanks to James from Lakeside, California for this one! Yeah these are big, that’s for sure – really big. Like huge. Let’s cook it up!

Thanks to James from Lakeside, California for sending this along. Been years since a Shirakiku variety crossed paths with my desk. What’s more, I don’t know that I’ve seen imagery on a tonkotsu featuring a fork before. Let’s give it a whirl.

Big thank you to James from Lakeside, California for sending! The last one of these I tried was a vegetable mushroom and it was really quite nice – now we have a seafood mushroom. I’m curious if there will also be a sweetness in this one. Well, let’s find out.

Here’s one sent by James from Lakeside, California – thank you! Wasn’t sure if I’d had this one however the other I’ve had from this range was udon with seafood flavor. Let’s toss in some chashu and give it a go!

Big thanks to James from Lakeside for this one! Jjamppong is a favorite of mine and this sounds like a Nagasaki jjamppong. Let’s cook it up!

Some really neat stuff this time – thanks again! James is like the noodle whisperer and finds stuff I’ve not tried – pretty amazing – let’s see what’s in the box!

Usually when I’m least expecting it or if I’m low on noodles to review, a box shows up from James of Lakeside, California. It’s pretty crazy. This one has some really great stuff in there – some of which I’ve now tried and really enjoyed reviewing, so thanks! You’ll all get to see the reviews soon. Until then, check out some noodles!

Here’s one sent by James from Lakeside, CA – thanks! This one’s kind of funny – I’ve reviewed products by Dujosoo before, but this is like My Little Pony meets Pokemon meets onions! Let’s see what happens!

James of Lakeside, California has been a real booster to my reviewing – lots of varieties I’ve not reviewed before – check out what’s in this one! Something big!

Well, the kids are back in school and now I have a lot of time at home. I have a few things to get done – I’ve taken the last few weeks off of reviewing – in fact, I haven’t done a review since May 28th! But I’m going to get back into it very soon – possibly tomorrow… It’s nice – I go on a big kick of reviewing for a while then slack off. Even though I’ve been skipping my reviing as of late, I’m still over 100 reviews ahead, which is nice. These nice varieties donated by James will be among the first to review, and should be posted in maybe November or December. Let’s take a look!

Here’s another one from James of Lakeside, California – thank again! This is another in a long range of Menraku varieties that just keep coming very regularly. Let’s see what we wend up with here.

Here’s one that came by was of James from Lakeside, California – thank you! I haven’t reviewed anything by Kiki in quite a while – really great stuff from these folks as I remember and looking forward to this! Let’s give it a try!

This one came by way of James from Lakeside, California – thank you again, sir! So, this is a combination of gomtang, a creamy beef soup, and instead of being a soup, this is a dry version, so there’s your paghetti part of the name. It sounds good, and apparently milk can used instead of water which I intend to try. Let hit it up – I’m expecting good things.

Big thanks to James from Lakeside, California for sending this along! Never heard of this brand before, nor this variety. Let’s give it a try!

It’s pretty rare I get to review something actually from the Philippines I’ve not tried as of yet. Today’s review is thanks to James from Lakeside, California who was kind enough to send this along. Beef! Let’s go.

This came by way of James from LAkeside, California – thanks again! So this company is based in the United States and makes foods for the Filipino folks who live here. While this isn’t an instant noodle, chances are you’ll come across it on the instant noodle aisle. Let’s cook it up !
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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!

Another box has arrived from James of Lakeside, California – thanks! He always seems to find stuff I’ve been looking for or never knew existed – let’s check everything out!

A big thanks for a neat box from James of Lakeside, California. This guy – he sends me boxes from time to time and checks out what I’ve reviewed and rarely is there anything I’ve tried. It’s really interesting what’s available here and what he’s got access to that I’ve never seen here. Have a look!

So this guy I tell ya. James from Lakeside, California. He just keeps sending stuff I haven’t tried and for that, a huge thank you. Without the generous donations of companies and readers, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing so I truly appreciate it. Let’s take a look!

Here’s another one from James of Lakeside, CA – thanks again! This one seems to be a dry variety – drain spouts usually denote this. From the iconography it’s a steep, drain, pouch affair but that seems a little weird for this one. But, it’s the most logical steps for preparation I can grok from what I see, so… Let’s give it a try!

I got two of these in quick succession – the first from James in Lakside, CA and the other from a subscription box out of California as well from Exotic Noods. If you want to get one of their boxes, head over and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER and get a nice discount – thank to you both for sending these!

Thanks to James from Lakeside, CA for shooting these over – awesome! Haven’t seen this brand before – I don’t think they have anything to do with the college… Sounds good though; I generally enjoy anything shallot sauce flavor. Let’s give it a go!

Well, would you look at that? Without warning, this guy strikes again! Jame of Lakeside, California has been sending over noodles for a couple of years now – thanks again! Let’s see what’s inside!