The Definitive Source For Instant Noodle Reviews Since 2002
Oh dood – it’s the last one! I have to be honest – these have been really quite good. A nice change. I applaud these folks – they’ve got a really good range – well, so far. Curious what this one will bring, however it sounds good. Let’s find out if it is…
Found this one at Evergreen Asian Market up in Everett, Washington. I don’t often make my way that far north for instant noodles but I did find one or two things there (including Chocolatey Tree Stumps). This one is made in the Russian Federation for the US market – even says on the label which I find interesting. Anyways, let’s check this one out!
I first found Baixiang products up in Richmond, BC a number of years ago. Good stuff – always like to try new ones they make. A reader mentioned this one – I’d seen it before, and I’d thought I’d bought the chicken one and the pork one, but instead I’d gotten two pork ones. Well, when asked if I’d tried it I decided to grab the chicken one. Only one pack this time though. Let’s check it out!
Here’s another one I got at Family Asian Market on Aurora. A gift box type of thing – maybe from Lunar New Year? Not sure, but looks interesting. I’m in the mood for interesting – let’s check it out!
Well look at this! I’ve seen something like this before…
I did a post way back in April of 2013, extolling the virtues of Chapaguri! No clue where I’d heard of it back then – maybe from Nongshim, IDK. I’d long forgotten about it and then I saw this and was like ‘hey – that’s the logo I made!’ It’s a pretty easy conclusion to do something like this from a design perspective and I think it looks nice. If they got the idea from me, I’m honored, but I’m guessing they had the idea of it when it was a popular item back then. Well, let’s see how it tastes!
I’ll admit, I tried one of these yesterday and it was freaking wonderful stuff, so I thought I’d try this one today. Should have a nice hit of Sichuan peppercorn. Let’s give it a go!
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.
For almost 20 years, The Ramen Rater (www.theramenrater.com) has been reviewing instant noodles from around the globe. Unfortunately, that has come to an abrupt standstill. I’ve run out of instant noodles to review. Local stores have nothing new for me. So today, I’m asking if some of you would be kind enough to send me some varieties you may have locally that I’ve not reviewed. I will add your name to reviews (I can leave it anonymous, should you choose).
I first must thank the reader from Montana for shooting these over a month or two ago. Now, I’ve heard from people all over about how these have replaced another brand in Walmart and it seems people are losing their minds! One thing that will always fascinate me about instant noodles is how they really evoke an emotional response. I’ve gotten comments, complaints, rants, sadness, and anger about this. It’s really interesting. Well, let’s give this beef one a try!
Check it out! It’s Exotic Noods! A box every month of absolutely awesome noodles from around the world! Use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
It’s Top Ten time again! These are my favorite cups from my reviews up to #3790. Cups are a neat thing – very portable. They’ve come under fire for ‘tipping themselves over’ in the past, but I assure you they don’t have any intelligence that would be required for them to move of their own volition. It should be said also not to give these or any other super hot things to little ones. Common sense is a good thing. Anyways that aside, you can get some really tasty instant meals in a cup! Let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Cups Of All Time 2022 Edition, and don’t forget to have a look at the big announcements at the bottom!
As it’s the weekend of the Fourth Of July, I thought what better time to repost last year’s Top Ten American varieties list. Hope everyone has a good weekend! By the way – from July to the end of the year, lists get the following year’s date on them, so this list came out in 2020. A little confusing, I know… Check the bottom of this post for some special announcements including a series of instructional videos geared to help you elevate your ramen cooking! Happy Fourth Of July to all!
I’ve been slowly getting through all the varieties sent by a reader from Montana – thank you! These have replaced a competitor’s varieties at Walmart. When I did the unboxing video I didn’t expect the feedback I got in the comments – people are very unhappy about the change. I will say that the change is a big one, however if you really enjoy the other brand, it is still available in stores other than Walmart, so there is that. I did hear some positive things about this pork variety. It should be noted that the Malaysian HALAL stamp doesn’t appear on this one – for obvious reasons. But I still suspect this variety is produced in Malaysia. Let’s check it out.
Summer is here! It’s a great time to chillax and try some new things and subscription boxes are a neat way to do so. These subscription boxes come straight to your door and have some neat stuff inside! Check out www.japancrate.com and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER to score a sweet discount and get some neat noodles! Here’s the latest unboxing of the July 2021 Umai Crate!
I thought it was a good time to do a post with a product from Hong Kong. As it turns out, Apple Daily has closed it’s doors. What’s Apple Daily? It was a pro-Democracy newpaper that I worked with a couple of times regarding my top ten lists and ramen in general. Really nice people and it’s sad to see that they’ve been put down by the mainland Chinese government. Makes me sad. So, I’m going to d something with some noodles from Hong Kong today.
Chashu pork is one of the best things about ramen. Round, melt in your mouth, umami medallions. This recipe comes by way of P. Treadway and was used at a restaurant he used to work at. I’ve seen a million recipes that haver some person using expensive equipment like $200 pots, blowtorches, andf tons of ingredients. This one’s super easy and here’s a list ogf things you’ll need…
First off, today I’m doing two reviews – 3842 and 3843. I ran a GoFundMe in February 2021 to help with an emergency situation and for some upgrades around here. Well, one of the upgrades is being used for the first time today! I got a print/scan/copy etc printer. This thing has an 11×17 scanner on it. The old scanner had condesation under the glass and that was affecting quality. This one’s extra nice since I can scan a wide label or package in a single pass without having to do two scans and patch them together! Thank you to all who donated and support the site and what I do!
I saw someone get some of these on my group Ramen Junkies and so I went and contacted the company – and here they are! Pozole and Menudo – I think these varieties are going to cause a bit of a stir! Let’s crack the box open and check ’em out!
Check it out! It’s Exotic Noods! A box every month of absolutely awesome noodles from around the world! Use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
Well, here’s another one of the Panda Signature varieties that were sent in by a reader – thanks again! As it turns out, our local Walmart Market has these now too. I’m guessing these have been phased in at all the Walmarts everywhere around the United States. Still pretty surprised by that. Many people have voiced how they dislike these, and this one in particular. Then again, some have said they like these products. I must admit, I’ve not had so many folks comment on a new variety on the market as much as with these, most likely since they’re at Walmart. I’m guessing they have the same price point the previous ones had? Well, let’s give this creamy chicken one a try!
In the past, I’ve done many mukbangs focusing on the spicy ghost pepper varieties that Shinsegae Mamee produce. Well, they’ve come out with some new varieties that sound very interesting! Let’s check them out!
Got an email recent from Thai President – the company that makes the popular MAMA noodles. Well, they also make Thai Chef and sent a box full of new varieties! Let’s check it out!
Well, it’s been another year of reviews and these are my favorite bowl varieties out of reviews #1 to #3790. All sorts of bowls from all over the world have been tried. It’s been a crazy year and it seems (at least in this neck of the woods) things are starting to mellow which is truly wonderful. It’s been a crazy month too – today is Memorial Day, May 31st, 2021. I’ve walked over 1 million steps this month, and on Friday did my personal record – 33 miles in a day. Yes, my feet hurt. Anyways, if you have varieties you want to see reviewed whether they be bowls, cups, packs or otherwise, please contact me. With that, let’s check out this Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2021 Edition.
Mom’s Dry Noodle has been producing quality products year after year – they’ve been on my Top Ten Of All Time and Top Ten Taiwan lists forever. They sent some new ultra premium varieties and some snacks! Let’s check them out!
Thanks again to Daniel in Montana for sending this over! So Since I did the unboxing video, people have been commenting and it turns out these are showing up in Walmarts all over the country. Didn’t expect that – I figured Montana was a test market. I can say that I have made contact with Albany Farms and if all goes well, we’ll be doing a Meet The Manufacturer soon! Let’s check this cup out.
Little Couples Dry Noodle of Taiwan recently contacted me to let me know they had a new variety – well, they sent two of them! Very excited to try them. Let’s have a look at what they’ve been cooking up over at Little Couples!
Check it out! It’s Exotic Noods! A box every month of absolutely awesome noodles from around the world! Use the coupon code THERAMENRATER for a discount!
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. Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount! Let’s check it out!
Over the years, I’ve figured out ways to take nice pictures of instant noodles. However, it wasn’t always that way. I’m no pro photographer, but I’ve taken a ton of pictures. Broth and soup is a really big pain in the butt to shoot. Here are tips and tricks I’ve learned through trial and error that really help.
This is one of the varieties sent by a reader named Daniel from Montana – thank you! He mentioned that at the local Walmart, these had replaced all of the MAruchan product. I’ve got a couple theories about this stuff. First, maybe it’s actually a rebranding of Maruchan product; that logo mentioning the 0g Trans Fat looks pretty much like the same logo does on Maruchan’s packs. Not only that, there are a lot of flavors that sound identical to Maruchan varieties. The yellow banner kind of reminds me of the one on the MExican Sopa Maruchan varieties. I dunno – I could be way off on this.
Recently, I was contacted by someone who wishes to remain anonymous about something I mentioned in passing that I’d always wanted. They asked if they could buy one for me and I accepted – thank you so much! But wait – what is it? Watch and find out!
I did a podcast a few weeks ago and met a fellow ramen afficionado who was launching a premium ramen box out of Japan. Well, the first one has arrived! You can pick them up at www.instantramen.jp and don’t forget to use coupon code THERAMENRATER at checkout! Take a look!
It’s been a while – since 2016 – that I’ve put out a list of my favorite instant noodle varieties from Thailand. It seems like forever ago that I was able to look out of a window and see the Chaophraya river winding it’s way through Bangkok, party boats blasting music all hours of the day and night. I truly hope life affords me the privilege of visiting Thailand again someday – it’s really a place to behold. A nice little portable and tasty piece of Thailand can be found in the varied instant noodle varieties that travel to us around the world. These are my favorites out of the 3,9- instant noodle varieties I’ve tried that hail from Thailand. With that, let’s check out The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Thai Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition.
Do you like eggs? If you don’t, there’s probably a reason. But you can leave the room now, because this isn’t for you. No, I’m not being rude, but if you have no interest in eggs, then why are you here? I mean, just to say you don’t like eggs? That’s an inefficient waste of your time, so do something else.
What is this? Where does it come from? These are all good questions about these Panda Signature products sent by a guy named Daniel from Montana (thanks again!). After looking all over the packaging and just finding they’re distributed here in the United States by Albany Farms, I noticed something. The HALAL stamp. It’s under the authority that gives out HALAL certifications in… Malaysia!
After winning the 2021 Top Ten Instant Noodles for the SIXTH TIME IN A ROW, Prima Taste sent some new stuff to try out! Let’s take a look at see what’s going on inside this box!
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. Use coupon code THERAMENRATER for a groovy discount! Let’s check it out!
It’s pretty inadvisable to run to the mall and hang out with tons of people. Well, check out these subscription boxes – they come straight to your door and have some neat stuff inside! Check out www.japancrate.com and use the coupon code THERAMENRATER to score a sweet discount and get some neat noodles!
Recently, I heard there was a new instant noodle on the market. Aces is producing something interesting – an officially license Huy Fong Sriracha Ramen Noodle Soup! They send me a box full of samples to try out – let’s give it a look!
